What religion was Brian Jacques?

[CaptainRocktree]

So if you are a Christian you will notice Brian's books do have a very slight Christian theme to it I know that when he was a boy he was a alter boy at a Catholic Church but what was he when he wrote Redwall? its just a though i'm a Newer-ish redwall fan but was just wondering what some of you know/think? I personally think he was some form of Christian Due to the Abbey,St,Ninians,Father Abbot,Brothers of the order,Etc. So Just a thought whats yours?

[Jetthebinturong]

I believe he was a Christian, I'm not sure

[Captain Tammo]

I do believe that he was a form of catholic, if I am not mistaken.

Redwall was actually a book that was published without his knowledge, thus many of the Christian influences. In an effort to reach out to a wider audience, Brian tried to not include religion in his books. However the influences are still clearly there. One can see that as the series goes on, the Christian references/influences drop off and simply become more of just a traditional scene setter. This is most likely due to the success of the series and Brian wishing to reach more audiences. The books themselves may have used these influences, but Brian has clearly stated multiple times that there is no religion in Redwall.

[JangoCoolguy]

I do believe that he was a form of catholic, if I am not mistaken.

Redwall was actually a book that was published without his knowledge, thus many of the Christian influences. In an effort to reach out to a wider audience, Brian tried to not include religion in his books. However the influences are still clearly there. One can see that as the series goes on, the Christian references/influences drop off and simply become more of just a traditional scene setter. This is most likely due to the success of the series and Brian wishing to reach more audiences.

Thank you. That explains a lot of what I've been wondering about.

The books themselves may have used these influences, but Brian has clearly stated multiple times that there is no religion in Redwall.

Which I've always found highly ironic and a little hypocritical

[Albrithr]

Which I've always found highly ironic and a little hypocritical

It's really not necessarily hypocritical.  Tolkien was Catholic, but Middle-Earth contains no outright religion, or even religious themes.  (If you read the Silmarillion, however, he writes quite often of Illuvatar, the Creator).  Yet the Lord of the Rings contains fairly obvious metaphors to the Christian life, and Aragorn, the Returning King, was presented as a Christ-figure.  Likewise, Martin the Warrior is a sort-of Christ figure, in that he was there at the beginning of Redwall, and he returns (albeit in dreams) to rescue his people.
Now, this idea of a savior is used in a lot of secular literature and film--If you've seen the latest Godzilla, even he is portrayed as a savior--but it mainly appears in works of Western culture (and, more recently, spread to the east) and in works written since the rise of the Christian church.  In ancient literature such as Gilgamesh, this figure is almost depressingly lacking. 
So, it could just be Mr. Jacques' culture that gave rise to this idea in his works, or it could be his personal faith.  Really, only he probably knew for sure. 

  Wow, I got really sidetracked in there, and I'm not even sure if I said exactly what I intended to, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on anything. 

[The Skarzs]

Actually, "The Lord of the Rings is a fundamentally religious and Catholic work," as said so by Tolkien himself. Many, MANY of his characters are similar to religious figures, though don't share all traits. (Tolkien also said that he really didn't like characters too closely mimicking the traits of others.) Frodo can be seen as a Christ figure, as well as an 'every man', but so can Gandalf, Aragorn, and a few others. Tom Bombadil and his wife can be easily seen as metaphors of Adam and Eve before their fall. It's also worth noting that a lot of history can be seen as similar to the series.

Now, back on topic.
The whole idea of a 'religious' order that Redwallers are is not entirely religion-based due to them being rather secular and their main purpose is for peaceful stuff and not adoration of a god. But, there have been secular orders in which those who join take vows of, say, poverty and obedience, but not chastity, so they are free to marry. This is a noble ideal, and can be seen as having a definite religious inspiration. The two places where creatures go after they have died is obviously inspired by Heaven and Hell, so BJ had to have been thinking about them when he wrote the books. Also, the fact that such things showed in his works is noteworthy, because most Catholic, or Christian, writers always tend to have their belief show in some way through their writing, like J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and G. K. Chesterton. Ideals such as: virtues, valor, and being 'good' are all not only sensible traits that make someone good, but have some reason to make the writer believe them to be desirable.

To answer the general question: I can safely assume that Brian Jacques was some form of Christian.

[MeadowR]

Probably needless to sya now, but I'm sure I read he was Catholic... or at least, he was born in to a Catholic family. I think it was a nice idea of his to have Redwall without religion; it's nice to see creatures living together solely concentrating on naturally learned morals of right and wrong, etc. With their way of life, a religion clearly isn't needed and I suppose it does help make the series more open to a range of people.

[Gonff the Mousethief]

I think he was a Catholic Christian. In Castaways, Ben is originally named Nebucunezzer. Plus, there was an angel. There are also many other references when Ben and Ned are in Chapelvale such as St. Peter's church, St. Peter in the poem as well as Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They also go to church with Mrs. Winn. As others have mentioned, Redwall does have the basics of an Abbey such as an abbot, friar and other people. There is also St. Ninian's (But the idea of it being a full-blown church was disproven in Legend of Luke), and a few other places that I cant think of at the moment.
     J.R.R. Tolkien was Catholic I know that for a fact and C. S. Lewis based Narnia off the Bible. Now maybe Redwall isnt ment to be based off religion, but in a way Castaways is.

[CaptainRocktree]

I think he was a Catholic Christian. In Castaways, Ben is originally named Nebucunezzer. Plus, there was an angel. There are also many other references when Ben and Ned are in Chapelvale such as St. Peter's church, St. Peter in the poem as well as Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They also go to church with Mrs. Winn. As others have mentioned, Redwall does have the basics of an Abbey such as an abbot, friar and other people. There is also St. Ninian's (But the idea of it being a full-blown church was disproven in Legend of Luke), and a few other places that I cant think of at the moment.
     J.R.R. Tolkien was Catholic I know that for a fact and C. S. Lewis based Narnia off the Bible. Now maybe Redwall isnt ment to be based off religion, but in a way Castaways is.

That helps a lot thanks gonff! But Meadow Rabbit I do think you area little wrong on that (As speaking from a Christian view) it is not solely a "Non Religion Book" For example before every meal they pray for the food or say "Grace" It is not directed to anything but it dose hint slightly they are praying to someone. Based off the other evidence that would be a God who created the world also as mentioned (I think ) Martin the warrior will talk/come in dreams to people and that is very similar to A God guiding and directing the Brothers and Sisters of the abbey but his books are very suddle
(Like Lord of the rings) that (sometimes not but mostly) Only Christians can see it that way being both sold off of Christian Books and Barns & Nobles I think the other Christian forum members will agree with me here 

[Jetthebinturong]

No I'm an atheist and I see the Christian (or at least religious) overtones in the books, however, no god is ever mentioned except the "Spirit of the Seasons" which is basically just praying to nature. However the other influences are clear
1) It's set in an abbey
2) As you said, Martin's ghost
3) The Dark Forest and Hellgates, parallels of Heaven and Hell
4) The praying

It also seems to indicate that the badger lords have different beliefs to the other woodlanders

[The Skarzs]

I think it would be better to compare the Dark Forest to Limbo rather than Heaven. In Heaven, God is the reason the saints are so happy, while in Limbo, they are happy that they are saved but sad because they lack the Beatific Vision, seeing God. Due to lack of God in the books, the Dark Forest is more of a resting place for the just than a place of great joy.

[Jetthebinturong]

No offense but you don't need God to be happy. We never see what is behind Dark Forest Gates, for all we know there could be a never ending party

[The Skarzs]

What I mean is there is not as great a happiness in Limbo/Dark Forest; see what I'm saying?

[LordTBT]

He was raised Catholic. What his religion (if any) was as an adult is unknown, thus the topic question is unanswerable.