Changes

== Religious Criticisms ==

== Religious Criticisms ==

While often described as a Christian allegory similar to [[Pilgrim's Progress ]] there are theological problems with the books.

While the Narnian<ref>Lewis himself preferred this adjective form</ref> series is often described as a Christian allegory similar to [[Pilgrim's Progress]], some Christians have raised theological problems with the books.  Many such concerns can be dealt with to some extent by a closer look at the text.

* '''Endorsement of astrology''' - Signs seen in the stars are frequently used as an irrefutable truth by the natives of Narnia. Apologists have claimed astrology is being used to symbolize Biblical prophesy. This would mean the Narnia books are deliberately using a forbidden form of divination to represent Biblical prophesy.

* '''Endorsement of astrology''' - Signs seen in the stars are frequently used as an irrefutable truth by the natives of Narnia. Apologists have claimed astrology is being used to symbolize Biblical prophesy. This would mean the Narnia books are deliberately using a forbidden form of divination to represent Biblical prophesy.

* '''Prince Caspian marries Satan's daughter''' - Keen readers have noted that at the end "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" Prince Caspian marries the daughter of a fallen star.  In the Book of [[Revelations]] stars are used to symbolize the angels who joined Satan in his rebellion against God and fell from Heaven. When asked what a star could do to be cast down from Heaven, the Narnian version of Satan declines to answer, only implying the answer would disturb Caspian and his crew.

* '''Prince Caspian marries Satan's daughter''' - Keen readers have noted that at the end "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" Prince Caspian marries the daughter of a star that has been cast out of the sky.  In the Book of [[Revelations]] stars are used to symbolize the angels who joined Satan in his rebellion against God and fell from Heaven. When asked what a star could do to be cast down from Heaven, the fallen star declines to answer, only implying the answer would disturb Caspian and his crew.

** '''Response''':  There is no textual evidence to support this analogy.  Indeed, the "retired star" and his daughter both honor Aslan (Jesus).  In ''Silver Chair'', we see that Caspian's child by the star's daughter grows up to be an honorable man.

* '''Aslan is distinct from his Father''' - Despite being used as a Christ figure in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" the prospect of a trinity is never raised. Aslan is depicted as distinct from his father, and no hint of a Holy Spirit analog surfaces. This, at best, leaves Aslan as an incomplete metaphor for Christ.

* '''Aslan is distinct from his Father''' - Despite being used as a Christ figure in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" the prospect of a trinity is never raised. Aslan is depicted as distinct from his father, and no hint of a Holy Spirit analog surfaces. This, at best, leaves Aslan as an incomplete metaphor for Christ.

* '''Breeding between species is common''' - Despite Biblical injunctions against mixing species, several characters are a blend of human and non-human ancestry.  The most notable of these figures is the tutor of Prince Caspian, who is part dwarf. In Narnia, dwarfs are not just a separate species, never intended to intermarry with humans, but a collection of distinct species who aren't even meant to marry each other.

* '''Breeding between species is common''' - Despite Biblical injunctions against mixing species, several characters are a blend of human and non-human ancestry.  The most notable of these figures is the tutor of Prince Caspian, who is part dwarf.

** '''Response''':  No such prohibition is given in Narnia.  In addition, the narrative never commends Dr. Cornelius's heritage.  Indeed, some dwarves want to kill him for it; the conclusion is that "he can't help his parentage."

* '''Satanic figures used as heroes''' - Lucy meets a [[pan]] like character on her first visit to Narnia. The figure has horns and a lower body resembling that of a goat. Both traits are traditionally associated with artist representations of Satan, or with the pagan figure [[Pan]], known for lasciviousness, drunkenness and sexual assault. In short, she meets a minor demon, and he becomes a "good guy."

* '''Satanic figures used as heroes''' - Lucy meets a [[pan]] like character on her first visit to Narnia. The figure has horns and a lower body resembling that of a goat. Both traits are traditionally associated with artist representations of Satan, or with the pagan figure [[Pan]], known for lasciviousness, drunkenness and sexual assault. In short, she meets a minor demon, and he becomes a "good guy."

* '''Universal Celibacy is demanded of the heroes into adulthood. Marriage is not permitted''' - At the conclusion of the series, three of the four human characters from "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" enter a "new" Narnia, an apparent analog for either the post apocalyptic Earth ruled by Christ or for Heaven.  Susan however does not enter the new Narnia, having been excluded from further attachment to Narnia by her lifestyle on Earth.  The text is vague on the specifics, but she appears to have been exercised for either pursuing a promiscuous lifestyle or for trying to find a husband. This means Narnia, intended as an analog for Heaven, does not permit those who have married or tried to marry. It's important to note that Lewis himself was celibate at the time he wrote the Narnia series and did not marry until well after their publication, as fictionalized in the movie "Shadowlands." One meaning that can be derived from Susan's exclusion is that Lewis, at the time, believed that only the celibate faithful entered the Kingdom of Heaven. Lewis' view of marriage is further highlighted by the fact that the text leaves the reader unable to tell if Susan has become a Jezebel or is pursuing a Christ centered marriage. The text seems to equate the two.

* '''Universal Celibacy is demanded of the heroes into adulthood. Marriage is not permitted''' - At the conclusion of the series, three of the four human characters from "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" enter a "new" Narnia, an apparent analog for Heaven.  Susan however does not enter the new Narnia, having been excluded from further attachment to Narnia by her lifestyle on Earth.  The text is vague on the specifics, but she appears to have been exercised for either pursuing a promiscuous lifestyle or for trying to find a husband. This means Narnia, intended as an analog for Heaven, does not permit those who have married or tried to marry. It's important to note that Lewis himself was celibate at the time he wrote the Narnia series and did not marry until well after their publication, as fictionalized in the movie "Shadowlands." One meaning that can be derived from Susan's exclusion is that Lewis, at the time, believed that only the celibate faithful entered the Kingdom of Heaven. Lewis' view of marriage is further highlighted by the fact that the text leaves the reader unable to tell if Susan has become a Jezebel or is pursuing a Christ centered marriage. The text seems to equate the two.

==References==

==References==