Steve,

I agree with your religious aspect on life, I am also a christian. However, this forum is not the place to spread your zeal.

Also, as far as your opinions go on the movie, that will probably put you at odds against those in this forum, and now they are less likely to take you seriously. You do know that the author was in deed a Christian, and that his book, the Hobbit, was a portrayal of the christian life from conversion to death?

Even the movie had countless Biblical references. The battle of Dargolad (the opening battle in the movie) was symbolic of the great war in Heaven in which Satan was expelled. Satan of course being Sauron. The main wizard, Gandalf, is a representative of Jesus Christ, and they even made it more apparent in the movie than in the book. Jesus never sinned nor did he ever even entertain a thought of sin. The One Ring is a symbol of sin and pure evil, and Gandalf knew this and he never even as mouch as touched the Ring. Orcs were a fallen version of the Elves. Demons were a fallen version of angels. The Elves are said to live in the worlds both seen and unseen. Saruman is a representative of Satan when he was still Lucifer, the most powerful of angels who turned to the dark side.

Even Gandalf's message to Frodo is inspirational.

Frodo: I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had ever happened.

Gandalf: So do all who go through such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.