One pretty good explanation of Democratic Christians.

[hickman1937]

While Lewis was still writing Out of the Silent Planet, Tolkien began his masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, which was read and discussed during many meetings of The Inklings. This work cannot be separated from one of Tolkien most important literary theories — that of 'sub-creation' which he wrote about in his essay 'On Fairy Stories.' According to Tolkien, while Man was disgraced by the Fall and for a long time estranged from God, he is not wholly lost or changed from his original nature. He retains the likeness of his Maker. Man shows that he is made in the image and likeness of the Maker when, acting in a 'derivative mode', he writes stories which reflect the eternal Beauty and Wisdom. Imagination is 'the power of giving to ideal creations the inner consistency of reality.' When Man draws things from the Primary World and creates a Secondary World he is acting as a 'sub-creator'. His sub-creations may have several effects. Man needs to be freed from the drab blur of triteness, fimilarity and possessiveness which impair his sight, and such stories help him recover 'a clear view' of the Creation.

[hickman1937]

1. I knew this would die, but I had to put it out here.

:P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

[Zenlitened]

2. I like hobbits.

:shrug:

[hickman1937]

3. They are based on 19th century english farmers.

Basically their tendancy to plant trees and flowers and hedges that had nothing to do with their need to make a living, they just liked them. And their habit of working their asses off 7 days a week, till market day when they would meet friends in the local pub and eat, drink, and make merry.

[Droopy]

4. Ok, spell it out for me.

What does this have to do with Democratic Christians? Are you saying that they creating something from the bible that resembles the creation processes of God since they are made in God's image?

[hickman1937]

5. OK, maybe this is only a half formed notion but.

this,

Man needs to be freed from the drab blur of triteness, familiarity and possessiveness which impair his sight, and such stories help him recover 'a clear view' of the Creation.

begins the definition.

[Bluerthanblue]

6. kind of like the mists of Avalon?

and the yin-yang "lady of the Lake, who represents mother earth" and "Christ"?

There are also alot of ....'mystics' who present some very ....liberal... (not 'mainstream') views of Christianity.-
Like Julian of Norwich- "All will be well, all will be well, all matter of things will be well"- She saw in Jesus the "mother heart of God" and a love that wasn't based on work, or 'acceptability'.

Seeing the 'world' as a very important part of life- not something to be used and abused for the hell of it- but treasuring life, in all its fullness???

i'm sleep deprived, and restless minded tonite- maybe i haven't 'gotten' what your saying at all, but i saw a conection there when i started this reply.....

now i'm feeling muddle headed...
sorry-

[hickman1937]

7. The ability to look beyond what you've been told.

The need to see beyond what the churches are doing to Christianity to what it should/could be. And then put it down on paper. Or canvas, or carve it into marble, or put it on film.

[Bluerthanblue]

8. ahhh, now i think i got you...

like the notion that god isn't dead-
that maybe we've entirely (or nearly entirely) missed the boat-
And not be afraid to step outside the dog ma?

That is something i can embrace completely- and defines my 'faith' pretty well.

[hickman1937]

9. Like maybe God was never dead,

but our ability to even come close to understanding him is directlly connected to our ability to use our imagination. Otherwise we are just beasts. Fundies have sold their souls for guarantees. They've turned off their brains for anything except a comfortable survival, and lost God.