Can a non-militant and some what apathetic anti-theist like myself in good conscience write a work of fiction revolving around and specificly focusing on material from a real world religions fantasy universe? Please discuss.
The specific concern is this is a dilemma I currently have occupying my mind. The last week I've had some brilliant ideas about fiction within' biblical fiction that I actually want to and might have the chance to do something with. I suppose the issue is the subject matter itself, being that I personally HATE all religion, but conversely love mythology in all various forms. Some rebellious aspect of myself feels almost like by performing a work within something I'm not fond of on principal its a little like selling out. On the other hand because I view it as fiction, its sort of like writing a story in the Starwars universe for me... only we don't have alot of people running around who BELIEVE they ARE actually Jedi. You are right with the 'can' and 'should' remark. I suppose if the work is made public and one person of faith does read it and think deep thoughts about their holy books then I have to some extent worked toward some goal. The simple act of someone questioning intelligently with subjects I raise may be enough to quell that guilt.
I personally HATE all religion, but conversely love mythology in all various forms.
Well, there's your problem. Unless you want to go the Harlan Ellison "Deathbird" route, treating the established religious mythology as, well, mythology. And fucking with it.
Nice, thats totally the sort of thing I'm into on this subject. I will have to check that out after I am done writing though as I don't want to be to far influenced by other likeminded writers.
I understand the concern - there are people who believe that the show "Medium" is based on real, actual events, and so I understand how you might be concerned that people will take your book as evidence for their beliefs.
Some thoughts: first, there's little anyone can do to quell "True Believers" - I honestly feel that the only hope for rational thinking is to concentrate on the kids. So whatever you do may not may a whole lotta difference.
Secondly, if you can (and it works within the story you want to tell), show that your universe is only internally consistent, and that it could never really exist in our actual, real world.
I think the reason I wanted to hear from you specifically on this Andy, when we had our talk on your Athiest bus post, I thought a little deeper about my own personal apathy do belief fundamentally and while what we discussed didnt sway me at the time, it planted the seed to think about it.
One of my concerns I suppose is I'm not someone who really enjoys pissing people off and making enemies, which is what I certainly have an opportunity to do with the project in question.
In responce to the self containment of the Universe in question, Good advice. Although the root material does a pretty good job of that to start with.
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Well, there's your problem. Unless you want to go the Harlan Ellison "Deathbird" route, treating the established religious mythology as, well, mythology. And fucking with it.
If you haven't read it you should look it up.
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Some thoughts: first, there's little anyone can do to quell "True Believers" - I honestly feel that the only hope for rational thinking is to concentrate on the kids. So whatever you do may not may a whole lotta difference.
Secondly, if you can (and it works within the story you want to tell), show that your universe is only internally consistent, and that it could never really exist in our actual, real world.
Reply
One of my concerns I suppose is I'm not someone who really enjoys pissing people off and making enemies, which is what I certainly have an opportunity to do with the project in question.
In responce to the self containment of the Universe in question, Good advice. Although the root material does a pretty good job of that to start with.
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