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.
Absolutely! It may enable a very helpful objective perspective on the whole thing. If you don't subscribe to the teachings of a faith, it can still be interesting reading as a work of fiction.
Very true, infact I would go so far as to say disbelief in something maybe the only way you can expand upon or work within the medium. As the images are made of clay for someone and not of stone. The issue presents itself within' geekdom quite often, hollywood studio decides to brush up again'st our junk. Of course, you and I don't actually believe that junk is real so the comparison is a little moot.
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
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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.
Why the hell not? Do your research. Get right what you want to get right and change the rest. It's called art and its inspiration comes from anywhere that inspires, regardless of belief or faith. I loathe the Catholic church, but I sure love their mythology. Makes for great storytelling. Sort of why the religion has been so successful over the centuries.
Thank you Steve, as you're of like mind to myself on this subject. I sort of covered my thoughts in the two above posts in the thread. The problem is we are storytells, when dealing in subjects as these outside my realm of belief, I worry my views would be misunderstood or interpreted incorrectly. As Scotty boy said, being outside solid blind ignorant belief is really the only way you can tamper with this stuff... you know... unless your a priest rewriting the books in the first place.
religion is fantasy. it's making up stuff to make your thought processes easier and your fears disappear. well, now it's a "think what we tell you to think" sort of cult, but whatever.
think of Lord of the Rings. Tolkien didn't have dragons lazing about to inspire him, he said "dude, wouldn't it be neat if..." and went from there.
Interesting about Tolken.taluagelMay 20 2009, 15:08:27 UTC
The only issue is since I am very much an Anti-Thiest and I loathe Religion, I brought this up since it seems like I'm inspired by what I hate. Since those of faith are a group of some of the most immature, sensitive insane people ever, I often worry if I do infact do something like this that I'm going to make enemys with violent crazy people, or worse yet, they think I'm one of them. Thats the stem of the conflict of art vs interpretation for me.
Tolkien's Lord of the Rings was inspired by a peoples faith, true, but not ones that currently still has much weight. I mean, I think theres very few people in the world who still think Dragons, Elves, Dwarves, Trolls and Goblins exist. On the other hand... thats kind of a scary thought. People who believe in stuff like that I've come to view as unhealthy, when someone tells me they believe in that stuff I've started looking at them like they are crazy. The bible does have a bunch of dragons in it... Thanks, now I'm scared!
Re: Interesting about Tolken.cynMay 20 2009, 16:02:39 UTC
try referring to god as "the magical sky wizard" in front of thumpers. heh heh.
you could make an enemy by unknowingly wearing a blue t-shirt on international red t-shirt day. don't think about what others think, just vent what you need to vent.
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Do you have a specific concern?
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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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I loathe the Catholic church, but I sure love their mythology. Makes for great storytelling. Sort of why the religion has been so successful over the centuries.
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think of Lord of the Rings. Tolkien didn't have dragons lazing about to inspire him, he said "dude, wouldn't it be neat if..." and went from there.
go for it!
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Tolkien's Lord of the Rings was inspired by a peoples faith, true, but not ones that currently still has much weight. I mean, I think theres very few people in the world who still think Dragons, Elves, Dwarves, Trolls and Goblins exist. On the other hand... thats kind of a scary thought. People who believe in stuff like that I've come to view as unhealthy, when someone tells me they believe in that stuff I've started looking at them like they are crazy. The bible does have a bunch of dragons in it... Thanks, now I'm scared!
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you could make an enemy by unknowingly wearing a blue t-shirt on international red t-shirt day. don't think about what others think, just vent what you need to vent.
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