Divine "substitutes": acceptable?

[Goldenhope]

I was wondering, are fictional works where, instead of God, there are beings who bear a strong resemblance, in acts and “behavior”, to Him (such as Eru Illúvatar in Lord of the rings, Aslan in Chronicles of Narnia, the cosmic “Light side” in Star Wars, Full Metal Alchemist’s Truth and/or the Eye, Marvel’s One Above All, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure’ s “Saint Jesus”…the list goes on but I guess you get my point) to be considered morally “acceptable” alter egos?

 

[dshix]

I was wondering, are fictional works where, instead of God, there are beings who bear a strong resemblance, in acts and “behavior”, to Him (such as Eru Illúvatar in Lord of the rings, Aslan in Chronicles of Narnia, the cosmic “Light side” in Star Wars, Full Metal Alchemist’s Truth and/or the Eye, Marvel’s One Above All, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure’ s “Saint Jesus”…the list goes on but I guess you get my point) to be considered morally “acceptable” alter egos?

These are works of fiction, so they aren’t really “moral” or “immoral” unless the work of fiction makes some attempt to change the reader’s real-life religious beliefs.

As with many things in life, what can make these portrayals of “God” a problem is when they are used by a human in an evil way (such as when people in real life decide to become “Jedi” and worship “the Force”). The thing itself is non-moral, much like money, or air, or the moon.

Now as a quick dislaimer, I’m not familiar with some of the latter examples you gave, so I can’t make an accurate judgement on whether those portrayals have any issues.

I think it’s better to see God-like beings in these works of fiction as less of a “substitute” and more of an “allegory”, and to be observant of where that allegory breaks down. I think the best “allegory” to God among those you mentioned is Aslan from Chronicles of Narnia. Most of the others have quite a few issues where it can’t be said they really point to the real God of our universe.

 

[Polycarp1]

I was wondering, are fictional works where, instead of God, there are beings who bear a strong resemblance, in acts and “behavior”, to Him (such as Eru Illúvatar in Lord of the rings, Aslan in Chronicles of Narnia, the cosmic “Light side” in Star Wars, Full Metal Alchemist’s Truth and/or the Eye, Marvel’s One Above All, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure’ s “Saint Jesus”…the list goes on but I guess you get my point) to be considered morally “acceptable” alter egos?

Morally acceptable for what purpose is the question I would ask. Anything instead of God is not God and therefore not acceptable as a substitute for Him or His revelation. Some literature may be entertaining but if the goal in reading them is to help us grow in holiness and ultimately attain heaven they won’t do that for us and may actually lead us away from truth.

 

[joeybaggz]

I was wondering, are fictional works where, instead of God, there are beings who bear a strong resemblance, in acts and “behavior”, to Him (such as Eru Illúvatar in Lord of the rings, Aslan in Chronicles of Narnia, the cosmic “Light side” in Star Wars, Full Metal Alchemist’s Truth and/or the Eye, Marvel’s One Above All, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure’ s “Saint Jesus”…the list goes on but I guess you get my point) to be considered morally “acceptable” alter egos?

The First Commandment is “I am the Lord thy God, thou shall have no strange Gods before me.”

Your “characters” as a metaphor might be acceptable from an academic standpoint; something that points to the Glory of God by reference or comparison.
An “alter ego”, afraid not. No created or imaginary being can ever be an “acceptable” alter ego.
Asking your question, do you mean something other that “alter ego.” Alter ego to me means a kind of equality. Are you sure your term is accurate for your question?

Shalom

 

[friardchips]

I was wondering, are fictional works where, instead of God, there are beings who bear a strong resemblance, in acts and “behavior”, to Him (such as Eru Illúvatar in Lord of the rings, Aslan in Chronicles of Narnia, the cosmic “Light side” in Star Wars, Full Metal Alchemist’s Truth and/or the Eye, Marvel’s One Above All, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure’ s “Saint Jesus”…the list goes on but I guess you get my point) to be considered morally “acceptable” alter egos?

I think most works of good vs evil fiction pertain towards justice in the seeking of a utopian world-peace where war won’t then exist - social justice on a galactic level.

But to get to the point: if the characters are in one sense or another embodying moral value, and they are good in other ways also, then on some level the characters are Christ-like.

Aragorn had some Christ-like ways, some of which were moral e.g:- he was honest and brave. Not sure how much moral value one can attribute to the Star Wars films other than the jedi only participating in a Just War, as opposed to their enemies, who would murder and dictate.

Most of these types of fictional works - Batman, for example - displays the difference between good and evil, and in this there is hope for peace, which is a good thing. But these fictional works don’t often tend to enter into the subject of redemption for the ones who are on the wrong side! Maybe only touching on the subtler points, and this is where the fight for order and justice, and enlightened Catholic understanding, seem to stand apart Jesus wasn’t a mere social commentator.

Of course, it could be said that being on here can sometimes drive people to obtaining a kind of alter-ego, in that one’s own view of the world can turn into a kind of self-righteous narcissism (myself included ). I tend to find cartoon characters interesting in that way, in that they are very tunnel-visioned, and this trait, in their all-out physical fight against evil, often seems to ironically possess them to such a degree, that the very motivation that drives them to a kind of good, is the very thing that stops them from being truly free (and happy).

 

[Viki63]

As dshix said, these are allegories, and some are more useful than others. Aslan is a great symbol of Christ. I don’t think the Light Side of the Force from Star Wars is, because it’s supposed to be equally matched with the Dark Side, and we know that the devil is not God’s equal in any sense.

It’s acceptable to write an allegory pointing to Christ; George McDonald also does this often. Of course we have to return and worship the true God in the end.

.

 

[friardchips]

As dshix said, these are allegories, and some are more useful than others. Aslan is a great symbol of Christ.

There was a documentary years ago that interpreted these Chronicles as having been all about religion.

I don’t think the Light Side of the Force from Star Wars is, because it’s supposed to be equally matched with the Dark Side, and we know that the devil is not God’s equal in any sense.

Good point.