MAGA Influencer's 'Lord of the Rings' Assertion Draws Swift Backlash from Tolkien Enthusiasts
On Thursday, MAGA influencer Jack Posobiec faced a torrent of mockery from countless 'Lord of the Rings' aficionados after he asserted that the beloved fantasy series is not "overtly Christian." This claim directly contradicts author J.R.R. Tolkien's own words, where he explicitly described the work as fundamentally Catholic.
Posobiec's Controversial Podcast Remarks
In a clip from his "Human Events Daily" podcast, Posobiec stated, "I've heard people try to make the argument that 'Lord of the Rings' is overtly Christian and I hate to burst the bubble, guys, but you're just wrong." He elaborated, "There's nothing overtly Christian about 'Lord of the Rings.' Uh, there's no church in it, there's no faith in it, there's no Christ figure—there's none of these things. And honestly, 'Lord of the Rings,' if it's anything, 'Lord of the Rings' is overtly pagan."
Posobiec appeared unaware of Tolkien's 1953 letter, written before the first edition's publication, in which the author declared, "The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work." Critics on social media were quick to remind him of this fact, with one user noting, "Tolkien literally said 'The Lord of the Rings is of course fundamentally religious and Catholic.' Not hard guys."
The Nuanced Religious Themes in Tolkien's Work
While the religious elements in 'The Lord of the Rings' are more symbolic than overt, they are undeniably present. Tolkien explained in his correspondence that he intentionally omitted direct references to religion because the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism itself. This subtlety does not diminish the profound Catholic underpinnings that shaped the narrative.
Posobiec further dug himself into a hole by questioning, "You got these libtards like [Stephen] Colbert who, like, love it. And if this thing is like, oh, it's overtly Christian, I'm like, well then why does a guy like Colbert love it so much?" Colbert, the host of 'The Late Show,' is a practicing Catholic who has openly discussed his faith on air. He recently announced he is writing the script for an upcoming installment in the 'Rings' franchise for director Peter Jackson.
Social Media Erupts with Criticism and Ridicule
The backlash on platform X was swift and merciless. One critic wrote, "This may be one of the stupidest takes to ever have been uttered," while another pointed out, "Only someone who has zero understanding of LOTR, or maybe has only watched the Peter Jackson films, would say this. A deeply embarrassing take."
Additional refutations highlighted Tolkien's deep devotion to Catholicism and his role in translating The Jerusalem Bible. A user remarked, "J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of Rings is a masterpiece... J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout Roman Catholic, and his faith deeply shaped how he saw the world." Another added, "There are many refutations to this point. Personally I'll go with 'Lord of the Rings has an explicitly monotheistic creation myth.'"
The consensus among fans and scholars is clear: Posobiec's claim not only ignores Tolkien's explicit statements but also overlooks the intricate, faith-based symbolism woven throughout the epic tale. As one critic succinctly put it, "Jack Posobiec is what happens when arrogance outruns intelligence."
