J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ books are timeless classics, adored by generations for their rich world-building, compelling characters, and deep moral lessons. However, surprisingly enough, these beloved novels aren’t easily accessible.
They found themselves on the American Library Association‘s (ALA) Banned and Challenged Classics list. This compilation highlights works that have sparked heated debates, been removed from libraries and schools, or even faced outright destruction.
‘The Lord Of The Rings’ Books Were Banned for Being “Satanic”
The epic tale of Frodo Baggins’ quest to destroy the One Ring is universally acknowledged as a masterpiece. Its exploration of good versus evil, the dangers of power, and the resilience of the human (or hobbit) spirit resonate deeply with readers. It’s even been compared to religious texts like the Bible for its profound messages.
Related: 10 Most Powerful ‘Lord Of The Rings’ Characters, Ranked
However, despite these virtues, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ has faced challenges. In one of the most striking cases of censorship, the books were labeled “Satanic” and burned outside the Christ Community Church in Alamogordo, New Mexico, in 2001. The reasons for this shocking event were never fully explained.
Speculations suggest it likely stemmed from the books’ inclusion of magic and their depiction of supernatural forces. Historically, books featuring magic, even as a clear metaphor for good and evil, have faced scrutiny from religious groups. The criticism often boils down to fears of promoting occultism or undermining traditional values.
What makes this particularly ironic is that Tolkien himself is a devout Catholic and infused his writing with deeply Christian themes. Yet, this didn’t stop detractors from misinterpreting the books’ fantastical elements as evil or in their words “Satanic“.
The ‘Harry Potter’ Series Also Went Through The Same Trouble
J.R.R. Tolkien isn’t alone in facing such backlash. Many other fantasy writers have dealt with the issue and have similarly found their books challenged or banned. J.K. Rowling‘s ‘Harry Potter’ was among the most frequently banned books in the early 2000s. The books were accused of promoting occultism just like with ‘The Lord of the Rings’.
In case you missed it: ‘Lord Of The Rings’: Gandalf And Saruman’s Battle And History Explained
While J.K. Rowling’s recent views are very unhinged, her books were nothing of such. Additionally, C.S. Lewis who was also a devout Christian faced similar criticism for his ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ which featured magic. A lot of other modern and old works have been through the same trouble.Â
It’s both fascinating and bizarre that a genre often celebrated for its creativity and moral depth can provoke such strong reactions. While banning books may seem like a relic of the past, these controversies reveal how much these fantasy stories that were a huge part of our childhood have been through.
