> Oh, I don't know; I think I can see what he means. The change would give additional point to the major theme of mortals taking on the burden of looking after

> Oh, I don't know; I think I can see what he means. The change would give additional point to the major theme of mortals taking on the burden of looking after themselves - of deciding their own course among the wonders, terrors, and banalities of the ever-unfolding future, instead of any longer relying on gods, demigods, and immortals to do so. But... the Jesus-Osiris myth!? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dying-and-rising_deity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dying-and-rising_deity I thought that was the whole point? Also, is that a theme of LotR? It's been a while since I read them but I thought the theme was pretty clearly just "stick it Sauron", no? Am I a philistine? Thank you too, this has been a lot of fun.