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Scifi and Fantasy Forum: Writer's Discussion: Questions :
Religious Controversy
Religious Controversy
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Funny how some things work out when you make a story.
Anyways, about a year ago when I first started my saga, it wasn't that great of a story. It had a cool main character, an interesting "race" concept (the Seraphim Angel) which to my satisfaction strayed largely from most fantasy, and a decent plotline.
Later I began to integrate Religious stories and concepts into my story. As an example, the first Aeon, "Pistis Sophia" was the co-creator with God, her light shined as brightly as his, and she was the womb from which all other Aeons (Spirits) were created. I used that name as the name of the birthpoint of Humanity. That's just a minor thing, though, as an example.
Now, though, the story reflects my personal views on Religion, not just any particular Religion, but Religion in general. And from what I've heard about the game Xenogears, a lot of Christians are going to be pissed off at my saga, should it be published.
To name a few:
A. One of the main antagonists is an army made to serve a major Religion that was formed only for control of the people.
B. The main character, the First Seraph, rebelled against his creators (The Seven Kelim Gods), thusly giving him an (unintentional) base on Lucifer.
C. The end of the story involves the Slaying of God. The God in question is man-made. So that says two things about my view there.
Now, I personally don't care one single bit about what you think of how this saga has ended up. I'm just curious about how many people would actually be offended by it.
Regardless, not one thing is going to change.
Yeah, this could get a few people mad at you. I'm Christian, and though it doesn't offend me, I can see how it would offend others I know.
But it's your story in the end, and everything in it is your choice. Who knows, maybe if there's controversy around it, it'll get more popular. I think that happened a little bit with Harry Potter.
Heh, you can't make everybody happy. If it's a good story, then someone is bound to read it.
For decades, people have been trying to get rid of D&D for it's Satanic themes or whatever. It's still around, and people still play.
Write what you want, and screw the rest.
Posted By:  talisman Dec 22, 2004 - 02:16 pm |       | Firstly, I agree with the above, its your story, so go with it. You can't please everyone all the time, so don't worry too much.
Secondly, I think the majority of people are quite open minded and those who do get offended by such trivial things probably constitute a small minority, with most being unlikely to read sci-fi/fantasy books.
Thirdly, if people take their religion (or any other belief) so strongly that they get offended by a book and try to censore it, then I think they deserve to be aggitated by that book and their beliefs challenged.
Of course I am 110% atheist, so my views are totally biased. 
| Posted By: Magus Dec 22, 2004 - 02:55 pm | | D&D has satanic themes? I play it all the time, technically AD&D games but still dabble in the classic. What themes are there, besides polytheism?
I'm Christian. I really would not be offended, I honestly don't know anybody that would be. But there are really stupid right-winged evangelists out there who I think would be.
Personally, I love witty objective views like yours appears. I don't really get offended about anything unless it is a blatently baseless all out attack. But as a story I douobt I could really be offended.
Stephen King ounce wrote a one minute tv short where God and Saint Peter get drunk and accidentally destroy the Earth.
True...If you are worried about severe Christians being offended by your book...well, they were offended by Harry Potter, and that has NOTHING satanic to it at all. So basically, trying to please the religious right in the fantasy genre is a lost cause anyway. Just go with it!! If your ideas are well considered, and have depth and meaning, your book will be read despite religious beliefs.
| Posted By: Magus Dec 24, 2004 - 09:10 am | | Right Winged Religious Evangelists are offended by anything that isn't the Bible. Don't worry about them.
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