In Theory: Religious people and their fictional worlds
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Many readers and moviegoers have a fictional world they’d like to live in, but a new poll has provided some surprising results when it comes to the fantasy lands preferred by religious people.
A survey by TV’s “60 Minutes” and Vanity Fair magazine asked 1,000 Americans which fictional land they’d most like to visit if given the chance. Evangelicals went for Narnia from C. S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia,” which has long been interpreted as a Christian allegory. Catholics chose Wonderland, visited by Alice in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” by Lewis Carroll. Mainline Protestants were evenly divided between Narnia, Neverland from J.M. Barrie’s 1904 play “Peter Pan,” and Hogwarts, the fictional school from the Harry Potter novels and movies.
Those respondents classed as “other religions” also fantasized about studying at Hogwarts, while those professing “no religion” decided they’d like to spend time in Middle Earth, J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional land in “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Q: Do the findings surprise you? And to which fictional world would you like to go?
Of the worlds listed, the only one I’d be excited about is Hogwarts — but early Hogwarts, the one with candles on the ceiling and cheeriness in the hall; not the later, dark-blue-and-increasingly-joyless Hogwarts. Narnia’s not fun enough; never got into Tolkien; never took enough drugs to understand Alice in Wonderland (not saying that the Catholics do, of course); never saw little boys who vow never to grow up as all that fictional.
I’m not sure which fictional world I’d choose instead. Star Trek’s ‘final frontier’ has some appeal (Picard, not Kirk). But I don’t know, sounds kind of claustrophobic, being stuck in deep space on a ship like that. I don’t even like cruise ships.
When I was a child, it didn’t take that much to impress me. I really, really wanted to be that kid on “Flipper” — remember that show? He was about 10, and his dad would toss him the keys to the boat and say, “See you tonight.” And the kid would romp around all day, totally independent, playing in the sea with his dolphin and righting the occasional wrong. That’s pretty much all I was after, in terms of a dream life.
Come to think of it, I still wouldn’t mind that life. I need to get me a boat. And a dolphin. And some way to have the energy of a 10-year-old boy.
The Rev. Amy Pringle
St. George’sEpiscopal Church
La Cañada Flintridge
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“I will take the Ring to Mordor! Though … I do not know the way.” From the mouth of Frodo, the main character in Tolkein’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, comes our big question. It’s the big life question that makes us write and enjoy fantasy worlds where, even though the way must be discovered, and though it will be fraught with obstacles, we know that in the end, good will conquer evil; the hero will emerge as a mature and productive member of society; and paradise will be restored.
This is the quest of Harry Potter and his friends, Frodo and his friends, the Pevensie children and their friends. It is our quest, too. We need to know that life’s journey is scary, but not impossible. We need to know that there are guides to help us and companions to walk alongside. We need to believe that the Creator wants for us a world of light and life, cleansed of darkness.
I’m a sucker for a good apocalyptic battle between good and evil, so I get around pretty well in Narnia, Hogwarts or Middle Earth. Middle Earth is my favorite, but that’s because it was my earliest introduction to archetypal epics, and I suspect that the poll’s respondents answered similarly out of a warm place of earliest familiarity. Otherwise, we’ll have to figure out why Catholics want to live in a place where everyone but you seems to know the rules, and why some mainline Protestants never want to grow up.
Nonsense! Of course we all want to fight evil, in whatever form it may present itself. Of course we all want to get so wise that silly Turkish Delight bribes get nowhere with us. Of course we all want to become so spiritually strong that no deceptive, whispery murmurings from the Precious can warp our wills. Of course we want to become so confident in our purpose that we will never choose a side just because it seems to be the one that will win.
Fictional choices in fantasy worlds can help us think about real choices in the real world. So put aside your capes and wands and become real-world heroes.
The Rev. Paige Eaves
Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church
Montrose
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The numbers do surprise me, but maybe they shouldn’t. I’m always surprised at the number of people who watch the soap operas, so maybe the number of people who want to try Never-Never Land is part of that same great multitude.
As for myself, I like it here just fine, thank you — although to go someplace where there is no more war might be nice (Isaiah 2:4), or to a place where there is no more hunger (Isaiah 55:1) has a certain appeal. But to go to a non-existent place has never taken up much of my thought.
I did enjoy the book — and then the movie — “Lost Horizon,” which talks about Shangri-La. But to go to such a place might mean never returning, and for me, not returning was the scary part. So my escapism usually consists of planning my next vacation, which usually involves a long train ride. All aboard!
The Rev. Skip Lindeman
La Cañada Congregational Church
La Cañada
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These survey results don’t surprise me. I think they are a testimony to these marvelous authors’ ability to create fantastic fictional worlds that incorporate elements of truth from our own experiences. Notably, they also include God or spirituality of some sort — that’s what makes them come alive for us. Hebrews 11:6 says that “God … is, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.” The stories we most love almost always incorporate that truth.
I find it interesting that those who profess no religion prefer Tolkien’s Middle Earth. While it’s not overtly Christian, it’s actually based on a monotheistic fantasy world he created. God is always there in the background, and he wins in the end.
I find that life truly is often stranger than fiction, and what we love about our favorite stories reflects our own experiences and observations.
Of all the fantasy worlds, I’d be tempted to visit Tolkien’s Middle Earth; but I suppose if I had the chance, I’d choose Lewis’ Narnia. In Narnia, you’re less likely to be eaten by a goblin and more likely to see Aslan the lion in person — Lewis’ fictional personification of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Jon Barta
Valley Baptist Church
Burbank
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The results of the survey are unexpected, perhaps suggesting we might find alternate interpretations of the survey results. Perhaps the survey is saying more about peoples’ exposure to popular culture than providing religious information.
I notice in the original survey results 15-20 percent of each religious grouping has no opinion about these fictional worlds. I was surprised that Middle Earth was the top choice of the “no religion” group. I would expect that group to be most interested in the world of the Golden Compass movie.
All these fictional worlds suffer in comparison to the real world. Science plays a positive role in the real world, each day increasing our knowledge, understanding and awe of the incredible universe around us. Because fictional worlds are frozen and limited to the imagination of the authors and script writers, they are not as interesting as the real world.
My choice of a fictional world to visit would be Shangri-La, from the “Lost Horizon” book and movies. Part of the goal of that world was to encourage study, inner peace and the preservation of knowledge.
Steven Gibson
Atheist Meetup
South Pasadena
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It is wise to look at the actual data when dealing with surveys. I tracked this one down and found that the percentages for favorite fantasy by religion are a sub-set of those choosing any fantasy at all. Ahead of both Narnia (16.7%) and Neverland (16%), the top choice overall for favorite fantasy was none (17.2%).
Much as I enjoy visiting made-up lands in books and on the screen, I agree with the Malvina Reynolds lyric: “This old world is mean and cruel, but still I love it like a fool.”
Magical thinking invades reality all too often. Banks will regulate themselves. Wars don’t demand shared sacrifice. The U.S. can stay a world leader while letting our public health, education and infrastructure crumble. Hogging the world’s resources while despoiling the earth and its atmosphere works for us.
Better to reserve fiction for fun, not live by it.
Roberta Medford
Atheist
Montrose
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It’s not surprising that evangelicals find Narnia attractive, given its Christian worldview where the gospel, though veiled, can be readily perceived. It would be a place of godly rule, but there would still remain the struggles of jealousy, war and opportunistic evil lurking in nearby castles that dampen its joy. Narnia would be pretty good otherwise.
I’ve seen some of the Potter movies, especially now in rerun. Hogwarts is certainly an imaginatively attractive environment, and if it weren’t for the same previously mentioned faults, it would be a rich residence. But that’s the problem: It’s a blurry hodgepodge of moral uncertainty, rife with the godless pursuit of witchcraft and necromancy. Potterland is not truly “good.”
Middle Earth, with many similar issues, seems most violent. “The Lord of the Rings” stirs feelings of desire for valor and combating evil, but then it’s that bloody, demonic darkness that muddles the location’s desirability. It wouldn’t be too bad if it started at the end.
My current fantasy is that world of blue people in Avatar. Flying around on pterodactyls, jumping through trees, communing with nature and God in the daily course — that all sounds like paradise to me. Yet, this movie has the same drawbacks with death, sadness and oppression from evil-doers, along with a pagan tree goddess. But if these were removed, I could get used to fluorescing flora and friendly fauna.
I’d like to live in an idyllic garden where all is perfect and people genuinely value one another. I imagine this is what our eternal abode will be something like. The Bible tells us that the spiritual one day will merge with the material, and this renewed earth will be populated with glorified human beings in unbroken connection to God, without harm or evil. It will be Eden restored.
Perhaps it’s the best of all these stories that we crave, which will be realized eventually if we’ll but choose now whose side we’re on: Christ’s or the Antichrist’s.
Our current adventure is not yet final, and neither are our allegiances. Nor is this life a fantasy; and death is a certainty.
The Rev. Bryan Griem
Montrose Community Church
Montrose
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I’m not surprised a bit by these whimsical fantasies of Americans. After all, one glance at the morning news quickly reminds us that our economy is still in the doldrums, Europe stands on the brink of financial collapse, and many other parts of the world are plagued by genocide and state-sponsored terror. It’s no wonder that so many people would rather spend time in some alternate reality.
While I don’t see any danger in entertaining fanciful thoughts once in a while, we need to remain cognizant of the fact that while we may be able to enjoy our daydreams, others face a daily reality that is starkly different. For those Americans who cannot afford to put food on their tables, or for the Europeans who are seeing their life savings disintegrate, entertaining fanciful thoughts is not a luxury they can afford.
And it is many times harsher for Syrians who are being slaughtered by government forces every day and cannot rely on the United Nations — more specifically, the obstructionist and authoritarian regimes of China and Russia — for even moral support.
As for me, I am a firm believer in the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. I truly believe that one day we will all come to our senses and recognize the futility of violence and greed. When that time arrives, we will form a positive, peaceful atmosphere where all of humanity can thrive. And I have good backing on this one. The biblical prophet Isaiah stated (in Isaiah 2:4) that there will come a time when “they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”
Rabbi Simcha Backman
Chabad Jewish Center
Glendale
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I’m not sure the percentages cited in the study are large enough to support any broad conclusions about the religious groups that are mentioned, except to say that like most people, they enjoy a good story.
The most interesting thing to me about the survey is our tendency to look at these fictional worlds as being in some way better, or more desirable, than the one we live in. Yet in each case, the writer was careful to infuse the imaginary world with the suffering, peril and joy that we experience in the real one. The fantastical elements may draw us into the story, but it is the reflection of reality that keeps us turning the page.
We all can see, in the ill-tempered Queen of Hearts or the devious Gollum, people we have encountered in real life.
I read “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy one summer many years ago. I loved escaping vicariously to Middle Earth. I wasn’t aware of Tolkien’s religious convictions at the time. In retrospect, however, it’s easy to see the Christian themes woven subtly through the text. Given the publicity that Tolkien’s beliefs received when “The Lord of the Rings” films were released, I’m surprised that Middle Earth wasn’t more popular among religious groups. I also would have expected Hogwarts to rank higher across the board simply because of the enormous popularity of the Harry Potter books and movies.
All of the works cited offer compelling stories, with characters that we can love and respect. Each has the power to reinforce positive values such as loyalty, integrity and courage.
Tolkien’s stories are my personal favorite, so if I had to choose one place to visit, I would opt for Middle Earth. But I would keep it short. As much as I like the stories, I don’t think I would like the idea of literally facing down Balrogs, Orcs and trolls.
Michael White
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
La Crescenta
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I am not sure that based on a sample of 1,000 respondents, we can make any definite judgments about the desires of people from different religious traditions to live in the settings of particular works of literature. However, it is a rather interesting prospect, and the choices seem to fit my ideas of the attitudes held by those in various groups.
The locale of Narnia has long been described as using Christian symbolism that could attract evangelicals, and Catholics could well be seen as participants in the experiences of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland.
It is also not surprising that the diversity of Protestants and those with no religious connections would find several different venues for their fantasy lives.
As a person who is religious but not definitively included in any of the previously listed categories, I am happy to see that I would be joined by other people of faith in the environs of Hogwarts.
Although I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the other pieces of fiction in this study, I find myself most closely aligned with the themes and characters in the books by J. K. Rowling.
The reasons I would choose a life in the Harry Potter books are many. I find a strong connection to the values expressed in the book and the ways in which they are lived by the major characters.
And the conclusion of the seven books shows that most of those who have lived by these virtues are rewarded, while those who do not are defeated. We would do well to live up to such high ideals.
The Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills
La Crescenta