This post is about fans and their ways and how some take it too seriously . I’m not so good at editing so and categorizing, so if I confuse you on anything  please feel free point it out.

Most of you, I’m sure, have at least at one point heard of The Chronicles of Narnia; the famous series of children’s books by the author C.S Lewis. Many of you know that the great lion Aslan is the “Christ” figure in the series that dies for Edmund (and Narnia on a whole) then comes back to life later.

Now, before I get people upset, I would like to tell you that I have nothing against people who get their feathers ruffed the wrong way when someone offends CoN (Chronicles of Narnia) and they get a little defensive. It’s natural for us to do that….But it is also unfortunately natural for us to over do it many times.

What do I mean? Well book adaptations are one. People say “these books mean a lot to me, they better make the movies right! ”  Every book that has fans will have “purists”: people who think that the movie must be nearly the same as the book (no matter how boring it may be). Purists are somewhat of a lost cause. They never will have a say-so in what happens during film making and they seem to rant when something pops up in the news they don’t like and do nothing else.

They are zealots in a way.  The definition of zealot is: A fanatically committed person. Yes, that seems to describe them.

No, I have nothing against purists, they will always be there. But when people, not just purists and zealots -I mean anyone- hurts someone else’s feelings over a piece of fiction there is something wrong. Likewise, if a non-fan hurts a fan’s feelings over a fight about Narnia or anything else it is the same. Note I said feelings, not the fan-praised object in question. You aren’t hurting Narnia, it has no feelings. You are hurting a person.

So, Narnia is the object in which the two sides combat over, each trying to defend their own view, or just playing heckler to the annoyance of some.

“Well?” you say “what is the point? Doesn’t this happen with every other book, movie etc?”  

Of course it does, but Narnia is different.  

How? Let me explain. It can help lead people on to Christianity, but then they must leave Narnia behind. It’s fiction, and last I checked the definition for it was not changed.

Narnia, its story to be more precise, is based off the Bible yet it is not an allegory (here).

Not many people know it’s not an allegory, but when they do find out they still tend to think of it in the same way as before: that it represents the Bible in some way or another (not to imply that all people really do). This causes a Christian religion battle. That’s what makes it rather different from most other books except the Bible, and in some cases Lord of the Rings (of which my spark has gone out for).

Where’s the problem? Well it’s not usually fan vs. non-fan. It’s usually fan vs. zealot, that’s when the most hurt occurs. Let us simulate the situation with three different types. The average fan, the mild fan and the zealot.

Fan: “I like Narnia but I don’t care if the movies don’t come out right. I care about the spiritual themes being there but if it’s toned down, well, there’s nothing we can do.”

(Realizes that nothing can be done. Will see the movie regardless, or not go at all. Not boycotting, just uninterested)

Mild fan: “I won’t like it if they do that. It’s Narnia! That’s the whole point. To spread the spiritual themes. I’ll still probably see the movie though…”

(Dislikes the idea of a toned down message, and is more vocal, but might still contribute to the box-office. If it’s too toned down or chopped they might boycott)

Zealot: “Well, they better do this right because these books are very important to me. If they don’t I’ll send them a message. They don’t realize how important this is! It must be done right. I matters! It’s just not a movie it’s more then that….”

(Really think the world of this. Doesn’t care if others disagree as long as they see that it “matters”)

So what on earth does “it’s more then just a movie” mean anyhow? Well, I don’t think I can answer that the most accurately, but from what I got (and this is based off of a real conversation) is that the zealot came to Christ though reading Narnia. Therefore they are very sensitive on the whole Narnia-carrying-the-message thing.

Now there’s nothing in the least wrong with getting people on to Christianity by introducing them to Narnia as I’ve said before, but you must make them realize that it was based off of something true; that would be the Bible. Narnia was intended to be a fairy-tale with Christian meanings. It’s a story for children, to entertain them but with a not-so-hidden message that can help them ask the question “who is Jesus?”.

 At one point we all must grow out of the "Narnia' stage and move on. I’m not saying you should throw your whole Narnia collection out the window, I won’t, but Narnia will never, ever replace the Bible and I don't think that Lewis would be a true Christian if he wanted Aslan to be a substitute for Jesus in any way.

When he made Aslan say in the Silver Chair "there [earth]I have another name" I believe he meant that Aslan is not real, you must learn about the True Savior: Jesus. The character of Aslan is always at risk for becoming an idol although we may not know it, he may be representative of Jesus, but by no means is he.

Lastly, Aslan is in the material world as with the movies, books and so fourth. He will never save you as he is merely a character in a child’s story. And although he may act like Jesus and be resurrected like Jesus he, like Obi-Wan and many other characters that die then in some form come back to life,*  does not have any power at all. Only Jesus is Savior.

So next time a non-fan insults you, ignore it. They are simply acting churlish.
As for zealots, you should ignore them too. Be glad that you have a real savoir who told you not to worry about this stuff.

* Many stories have copied the Bible in some way shape or form, including Star Wars. Aslan is simply one of these “resurrectants” although a little more religious.

Here is a list of random interesting things:

1. Some of the worlds longest place names
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (Welsh)
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturi
pukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu (Māori)

2. After a battle in the medieval ages the archers would go out on the field and kill all the wounded.

3. Before a battle the Spartans would comb their hair.

4. During World War II, small parts of the Aleutian islands were occupied by Japanese forces.(The islands are  a part of Alaska)

5.  Camels can drink up to 40 gallons of water in ten minutes

6. liripip means the long tail of a hood in medieval or academic costume

7. The German language has words for the day before yesterday (vorgestern)  and the day after tomorrow (ubermorgen)

8.  Composite bows, like the ones the Mongols used sometimes consist of: Animal horn, sinew, fish glue, and bamboo.

9. The longsword could be used in many different ways rather than just hacking and slashing. Half-swording for example. The soldier would put one hand on the hilt and one on the blade to give himself more control over the sword. Also, the pommel and cross were used as offensive weapons. The cross could be used as a hook for tripping or knocking an opponent to the ground, and the the pommel used to bludgeon the opponent.

10. The moat of a castle (if it consisted of water) was connected to the sewage system. Imagine falling into that!

11. Before the age of six children have no kneecaps

12. A male falcon is called a tiercel and a female (although not official) is a formel.

Well, that's about it for now. I'll come up with something sensible to write.