Postby Technomancer » Mon Nov 03, 2003 5:41 am
To a great extent LOTR is Christian (and more specifically Catholic) in theme, although it is not overtly so. Toliken said as much himself.
On the other hand, "Night of the Milky Way Railway" (I've only read the book, not seen the show) is actully Buddhist in intent. That said, the Kenji Miyazawa had a deep and abiding respect for Christianity. Interestingly, some of his philosophy would also influence the anime series "Earth Maiden Arjuna" (long after his death of course). As CobaltAngel said however, "Night" can certainly be seen in a Christian light, as can many other series that carry strongly moral themes.
The scientific method," Thomas Henry Huxley once wrote, "is nothing but the normal working of the human mind." That is to say, when the mind is working; that is to say further, when it is engaged in corrrecting its mistakes. Taking this point of view, we may conclude that science is not physics, biology, or chemistry—is not even a "subject"—but a moral imperative drawn from a larger narrative whose purpose is to give perspective, balance, and humility to learning.
Neil Postman
(The End of Education)
Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge
Isaac Aasimov