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

[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.