Is this why the Southern Baptists called off their boycott of Disney?

That's not the Narnia I know.

But everyone does know that the Narnia books, in particular LionWitchWardrobe, are Christian allegories, right? I'm not trying to be condescending; I've been talking to people lately who didn't know that, which is, of course, the way a good allegory should work--still a good story even if you don't see the parallels (see Gulliver's Travels).

But everyone does know that the Narnia books, in particular LionWitchWardrobe, are Christian allegories, right?

I don't think my parents did, or they'd never have bought the books for me.

They probably know that *now*, but I'd have to check. They live a life pretty isolated from organized religion.

Oh yes, definitely Christian allegories. Lion Witch is definitely where it's most clear, rather like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the Oz book with the most clear political symbolism: after that, the authors realized that they could get money/popularity from continuing their super-popular series.

Of course, the fact that a straight up allegory for Christian canon becomes a fantasy novel, a genre most known for its unrealisticness, makes me giggle.

The movie can be a direct, perfect translation, and still be perfect material for a Christian grassroots campaign. Thus, this doesn't worry me.

ETA: Mere Christianity is an interesting read, too. And I've done two discussion groups about it that were great, too. One of those discussions, I was still trying to believe in God, the second I time I had given up; both provided fun discussion matter. C. S. Lewis was a smart man.

I loved the Narnia books. But I had weird reading habits as a kid and would get distrustful of new books so I'd stick with my old favorites. I read Lion, Witch, Wardrobe over and over and some of Prince Caspian, but not much of the others.

I remember when I first made the connection between the series and Christianity. I thought it was kind of a cool concidence, I had no clue about allegory.

Mere Christianity is an interesting read, too.

Have you read the Screwtape Letters? Very amusing, almost, dare I say it, Pratchettian in tone.

I need to. I'm sure I can get them from Grandma E.

NYT review of War of the World.

[link]

The rating warning made me laugh out loud:

"War of the Worlds" is rated PG-13. Much of the earth's population is wiped out, leaving very little time for sex or bad language.

The thing is, British Christians (who are predominantly Anglican, nsm Baptist) are much more aligned with Lewis' views on Christianity than are American fundamentalists. I've had no end of discussions about the failings of Lewis' vision - it seems that the fact that he works in allegory and fantasy is a problem, as is his "messing with the exact word of God" that is the Bible. There was no holy lion in the Bible - the only lions were demonstrably anti-Christian. So Lewis is just another egghead who is making stuff up and will burn in hell. Also, he says that women who wear makeup are morally bankrupt, and that doesn't play well here either.

I even had one woman tell me she wished her Christian bookstore would stop carrying his books, as they were so awful. I don't think she understood The Screwtape Letters, even if she read it.

So I guess my point is, the movie could be true to the source AND appeal to the Christians in England. The quote was from the London Telegraph, so I'm assuming a Brit, but I think we're still OK.

Of course, if they make "The Horse and His Boy" it should play well in America, what with the anti-Persian (or Arab) bias.