They can't tell truth from fantasy, do they even know it when they lie?

[valarltd]

One thing that puzzles thinking people is why religious fundamentalists apparently fail to grasp the difference between fiction and reality. Why they think viewing the wrong movie or reading the wrong book can lead to demon possession and practicing witchcraft.

I had an epiphany, which fits my own world-view: we are the stories we tell ourselves and others.

Fundamentalists have had their lives changed by a story.
It has promised them a way to live beyond death. It has given them a sense of purpose for this life. It gives them unity with like-minded believers, creating an instant community.

Since they have been changed by one story, it stands to reason all stories are just as transformative.

Thus, a school story of young wizards is no longer harmless entertainment. It is a gateway into the study of the occult, an encouragement to learn witchcraft and to leave God behind for magic.

Thus a horror movie about a priest who is short of faith being called on to vanquish a demon is not an allegory for the modern church, but an actual chance that such a demon could infest their own lives. After all, Regan was an innocent when she was taken.

This is why there is no such thing as fiction to a true believer. There can't be. All stories are advancing a world-view, whether the story is true or not. (whether believers should even read fiction because it's all a pack of lies about people who don't exist is another argument entirely)

If you pick up the wrong story and are exposed to the wrong world-view, you can be transformed by it.


As a corollary of this, I write GLBT romance to promulgate a certain world-view. My readers, some of whom may or may not be gay-friendly, accept this world-view for the duration of the story. Some of that can linger even after the story is over. (I refer to some of my support for corporation-style plural marriage as "I have Heinlein damage.")

I'm not saying writing slash is a blow for gay rights. But it is stealth attack. Julian May's casual use of same-sex marriage in her Pliocene books planted the ideas in my head that later fruited after 15 years of closeted suppression.

So, in conclusion,
Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see.
There's a Father up above, looking down in tender love,
So be careful little eyes, what you see.

Be careful little ears what you hear
Be careful little mouth what you say...
Be careful little hands, what you touch...
Be careful little feet, where you go...

Because the wrong/right thing will transform you.


(title from "Gamers" by Leslie Fish. Downloadable here: http://www.prometheus-music.com/eli/virtual.html)

Comments

[sydmcginley.livejournal.com]

Holy crap!
That's a meme / viral epiphany ...

That's brilliant Angel.

[mecurtin.livejournal.com]

Yup.

I have Heinlein damage

omg, so true of so many.

[kc-anathema.livejournal.com]

Stories are quite possibly the most important things in the world. Nearly all of our entertainment and most of our instruction takes place in that format. The main problem seems to be people who either can't figure out that someone else's stories aren't an attack on their own belief structure, or that it's okay to simply turn away from something they don't like without having to condemn it.

As an admission, I do find religious instruction in a lot of the pop culture I enjoy. I took Belldandy's 11th commandment "thou shalt not throw away thy life in vain" to heart while disregarding most of the heavenly structure the manga is based on. But yes, the stories transform me. I think that's why Gaiman said that stories don't exist, so they're all that matters. The trick is choosing how you change. I think some people can't choose, so they get scared or angry and lash out.

[ravenskye8.livejournal.com]

*stares at you in awe*

That's one hell of an epiphany...

[hippediva.livejournal.com]

I'm simply far too educated to buy into the idea that one must 'restrict' one's knowledge for faith's sake. That's rather like saying one should cut off one's nose at birth, lest it be offended by the stench of humanity. In the paraphrased words of Roger Hopkins "there has never been an idea so dangerous that it can't be talked about." Those fundamentalists who stick their heads in the sand are simply illustrating their own deep-seated fears that what they claim to believe might just be fiction. Methinks they protesteth too much: why are they SO combative and defensive when challenged? Not because they believe it---those who truly are convinced of a thing have no need of the approbation of others. The ones who have to constantly be coddled and reinforced are those who, deep in their hearts, doubt their own faith. And the end result is a violent psychological reaction to their own natural doubts. Sad that they have to take out their personal religious issues on everyone else, innit? *G* The way I was taught, one kept such things private and did not make a public spectacle of oneself. But I suppose manners are yet another thing they jettisoned. Whatever the case, they certainly do not commend themselves to thinking individuals.

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

But, there's also a couple of injunctions.
Psalm 101:3 says "I will set no unclean thing before my eyes."
and
Phillipians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

That would let out most of the above, whether cartoons mocking one's prophet or priests getting pea soup puked on them

[nbrooks.livejournal.com]

The word "garbage" is unfortunately my trigger word. I am a mild-mannered atheist, myself. I am happy enough to let the deists, whatever their stripes, do as they will without a complaint on my part.

But when they start voicing the "this is garbage and should be avoided", my line is crossed. I become the rude atheist and feel free to tell them they're full of shit and why for.

But the line has to be crossed first, by them. You step on my garbage, I start dragging out yours, so to speak.

[oxbastetxo.livejournal.com]

Going to pipe in here as a "believer".

That it is it. It's the principle of "garbage in/garbage out"/"good in, good out". Everything you see, hear, read, etc. Influences you. You need to be careful and choose what you want to influence you.

I, myself, am a believer and do like horror movies. Heck, I was raised on the old Hammerhouse stuff. I had two older brothers who I was watching Peter Cushing with at the age of 4 or 5.

I don't believe in insulating children from the world, but I believe you need to explain the difference between real and make believe. I grew up with a very strong fantasy life, but also a very strong sense of right and wrong and reality, because I have very reality oriented parents. They also think I'm "wasting my time" with fandom, but the thing is, it's my choice. That's the issue. We have to respect that other people have other points of view and it is their choice what they do.

I have read the Harry Potter books (thanks to my boyfriend) and I will admit, I fell for the line that Harry Potter was "evil" before I really read it. The reason was, a very influential conservative paper printed an article about it, claiming it to be real. I have since found out the article they posted was from The Onion. *face palm* and I have been very vocal since then telling people that. I hate it when nonsense gets spread around like gospel. It makes Christians look like idiots and we're not idiots.

The good Lord gave us a brain and expects us to use it. The Bible states "try the spirits and see if they be of God", that mean, "DO YOUR RESEARCH SO YOU DON'T SOUND STUPID!".

I am not a slasher or into erotica, but I have read them. I have to read the stuff posted to one of my email lists because of the rating my list is set at, no NC-17.

As a Christian, it's my responsibility to be an ambassador, not a bully of God. Too many Christians forget that.

[mother2012.livejournal.com]

Paul exhorted his followers, calling them 'baby Christians'. I think you very well protray a 'mature Christian'. You've given thought to what you believe, you've looked around at other things, other ways of thought, and decided for yourself.

I chose a slightly different path for myself, choosing to include a variety of other religions into my dogma, but I salute and applaud (and respect!) your choice.

[oxbastetxo.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I was hesitant about posting, but thank you.

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

I love your take.

The problem is, while so many "test the spirits," they don't bother to basic library-style reference research. Hence, you get people passing the Onion as serious news.

[oxbastetxo.livejournal.com]

That's why I love Snopes.com.

*sigh* I am a fundamentalist, because I believe in the fundamentals of the gospel, but I cringe when people call Pat Robertson a "fundamentalist". That man is a mess. *sigh*

My boyfriend and I had a very long discussion when we were first friends about my boyfriend branding about "you Christians" and then labeling me in with Roberstson. He does NOT speak for me. *sigh*

But since then, my boyfriend came to understand and accept the Lord on his own and now that is something we share. The one thing we have to share for our relationship to work. My faith is too much a part of who and what I am, that I can't have someone who doesn't share it or there would be massive conflict always.

I think you met lordmathem at that party were we at a couple Medias ago. Tall guy with greying hair and glasses. Very sweet guy. :-)

[mother2012.livejournal.com]

Yep.

Not sure that any other comment is needed, but I did want to mention, in line with 'Heinlein damage' - I frequently dwell on his 'line marriage' concept. I'm not too crazy about the way he presented it - the very oldest person having first crack at the newest (comes too close to rape for my taste) but in a modified form, it appeals to me.

And yes, there would be little point to writing if there is no hope of affecting someone with your point of view. I certainly have been shaped as much by my reading as by the values my parents held. Which is why I encourage wide ranging reading.

Your sunday-school song is appropriate, of course, but there is also:

You've got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught!