Replies

It makes you think. I'm a recent convert to the Church and I've been fascinated with fantasy literature all my life. I've played Dungeons and Dragons since I was 8 years old (34 now), I've been immersed in this stuff all my life. I have dozens if not hundreds of fantasy books and I've read the Harry Potter books (and seen the movies).

I was also a Wiccan for 8 years - have I been corrupted by this sort of thing? Of that I have no doubt.

The other side of it is Science Fiction, fantasy and sci-fi often go together in a person. I have always been a fan of both. All sci-fi that I can think of is dogmatically naturalistic, if religion is mentioned at all it is in the context of some anachronistic practice of a backward people. I first picked this up on the series "Sliders" where the hero ( a genius scientist and his friends) are constantly battling murderous religious fanatics. That's the plot line of about every 1 out of 3 episodes.

I'm also more than a little disturbed about the new plotlines in the re-made "Battlestar Galatica" series. It is not totally revealed yet but so far human race, who have a polytheistic religion (the "Lords of Cobol", based on Greek gods and goddesses), are being persecuted and nearly exterminated by the monotheistic Cylons whose religion seems to have a great deal in common with Christianity (in one episode Dr. Baltor is forced by his Cylon handler to "repent of his sins"). They have even gone as far as to trot out Cylon "suicide bombers".

Now I remember the original Battlestar Galatica, and yes the Humans worshipped the same Lords of Cobol but I do not recall it ever being anywhere near such an integral part of the storyline as it is in the new and no mention was ever made of the Cylons having a religion. It seems the persons responsible for the remake of the series have made the conflict a religious war, and the Monotheists are the bad guys!

Fantasy and sci fi are some of my more favorite recreational reads. However, as I have grown older I have ran into the same things you did. Most fantasy and sci fi are anti Christian. If any Christianity is in a sci fi book, you can bet it is promoted as backward and bad.

I love Tolkien, and have found memories of Lewis. I just wish there were more Christian writers in this field. My brides cousin asked for some recommendations for her son. I can't think of that many sci fi writers who I would want a boy of ten to read.

For the D&Ders I have a question.... do any of you online play? Specifically Neverwinter Nights? This is the closest I get to actual play, since I can't get a baby sitter to go with my gamer husband. Plus, he thinks his friends are too offensive for me to be around on a regular basis. LOL!
Actually, I have a whole fantasy world that I really wanted to make a game out of, but I am not good at the technical aspect of D&D.

I honestly don't have a problem with Harry Potter but it is funny that those who scream censorship the loudest when someone attempts to remove Harry (or any book which causes discomfort) from a school are also the ones that scream establishment of a religion when someone attempts to bring a Bible to a school.

As I understand it, Bibles are rarely even in school libraries.