Does Religion Alienate Readers?

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Permalink Reply by Callie Leah on October 3, 2009 at 2:43am

That's a very intersting question you pose. It's actually something that I need to think about. I don't suppose it does, but some people might find it offensive, but then again some people are sensitive. Most people probably don't care though. I mean, I read greek mythology all the time. I'm in the middle of a book right now, actually. Most of the books I read have christian characters, but if you right a book about the life of a christian, then most people that aren't christians will know to stay away from it. Where as, if you were to write a book with just a few hints of the character's religion, then it probably won't matter. A very interesting question.

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Permalink Reply by scribbler on October 3, 2009 at 6:12am

Good question. There's a whole industry created around books specifically aimed at Christian readers. I don't feel that the odd mention in a book that's not primarily aimed at that segment of prayer or going to church would alienate readers. As long as any action is in keeping with the character, it's valid.

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Permalink Reply by Viviana Arteaga on October 3, 2009 at 8:49am

To tell you the truth I don't think it actually matters, unless the religious preference is part of the plot. I guess it helps to build character depth and understand the characters thoughts stereotyped ( I don't mean to use this word in a negative way) by people of the religion. I don't mean to offend anybody but I'm agnostic and I never really thought too deeply when I read that the character was this or that and some of my friends seem to skip over that too and most of them are really religious. I even write in at random that my characters are catholic or christian because, to me, gives me more to build on. To give it more of a persona. If you understand what I mean, I think I babble too much.

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Permalink Reply by scribbler on October 6, 2009 at 5:35am

FWIW I got what you meant there completely Viviana. I feel if it comes up, it comes up and if it doesn't, I wouldn't be left wondering why not and see it as some giant omission by the author.

Viviana Arteaga said:

To tell you the truth I don't think it actually matters, unless the religious preference is part of the plot. I guess it helps to build character depth and understand the characters thoughts stereotyped ( I don't mean to use this word in a negative way) by people of the religion. I don't mean to offend anybody but I'm agnostic and I never really thought too deeply when I read that the character was this or that and some of my friends seem to skip over that too and most of them are really religious. I even write in at random that my characters are catholic or christian because, to me, gives me more to build on. To give it more of a persona. If you understand what I mean, I think I babble too much.

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Permalink Reply by Callie Leah on October 6, 2009 at 11:38pm

I actually just finished reading a book by Gail Carson Levine called, "Ever" Some of you may know the movie, "Ella Enchanted", he wrote that book too. In those books, all the characters believe in gods. I am determined to read all of his books. So far, all I've read is, "Ever" "Ella Enchanted" and "Fairest" They are really good books.

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Permalink Reply by Viviana Arteaga on October 7, 2009 at 7:28am

Yay I've read and own Ever and Fairest I loved them but I haven't read Ella Enchanted I haven't found the book.

Callie Leah said:

I actually just finished reading a book by Gail Carson Levine called, "Ever" Some of you may know the movie, "Ella Enchanted", he wrote that book too. In those books, all the characters believe in gods. I am determined to read all of his books. So far, all I've read is, "Ever" "Ella Enchanted" and "Fairest" They are really good books.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Kunz on October 8, 2009 at 7:20pm

I was going to say something about this, but the first two comments by Scribbler and Callie, basically sum up exactly what I was going to say... So I'll just agree with them.
However, I did read a book once, though I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, that had one Character that was Christian and everything he did in the book revolved around his religion, but none of the other Characters were and neither was the Plot; I didn't pay much attention to it. But I can say that being Christian, or believing in it a little like I do, that doesn't stop me from picking up a book about Demons and Vampires, I actually prefer those kind of books. Truth be told, I can't stand reading books that are completely 100% focused on Christianity, though I don't know why.

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Permalink Reply by Callie Leah on October 9, 2009 at 1:23am

I totally agree. I love books that are completely fiction, and by that I mean, that they could never happen. I love the twilight series, and a lot of books that have fictional creatures in it.

Andrew Kunz said:

I was going to say something about this, but the first two comments by Scribbler and Callie, basically sum up exactly what I was going to say... So I'll just agree with them.
However, I did read a book once, though I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, that had one Character that was Christian and everything he did in the book revolved around his religion, but none of the other Characters were and neither was the Plot; I didn't pay much attention to it. But I can say that being Christian, or believing in it a little like I do, that doesn't stop me from picking up a book about Demons and Vampires, I actually prefer those kind of books. Truth be told, I can't stand reading books that are completely 100% focused on Christianity, though I don't know why.

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Permalink Reply by scribbler on October 9, 2009 at 10:33pm

Thanks for giving an example there Andrew of the point I was making. I don't understand why an author would an author include that if it's not relevant to the plot. If any aspect doesn't add to the momentum of the book and keep the reader turning the pages, then it takes away from what does by diluting the good parts imho.

Andrew Kunz said:

I was going to say something about this, but the first two comments by Scribbler and Callie, basically sum up exactly what I was going to say... So I'll just agree with them.
However, I did read a book once, though I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, that had one Character that was Christian and everything he did in the book revolved around his religion, but none of the other Characters were and neither was the Plot; I didn't pay much attention to it. But I can say that being Christian, or believing in it a little like I do, that doesn't stop me from picking up a book about Demons and Vampires, I actually prefer those kind of books. Truth be told, I can't stand reading books that are completely 100% focused on Christianity, though I don't know why.

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Permalink Reply by Jasmine Andrade on October 28, 2009 at 12:09am

This is exactly how I feel. It basically builds on the character's personality, and it probably wouldn't be offensive to anyone, as long as the character doesn't say anything to offend other religions. But just putting tiny hints or mentions of going to church or prayer couldn't hurt anyone, in my opinion. That's just me. Some other people are very sensitive about their own religion and it might seem offensive to them, although the majority of readers wouldn't mind.
Viviana Arteaga said:

To tell you the truth I don't think it actually matters, unless the religious preference is part of the plot. I guess it helps to build character depth and understand the characters thoughts stereotyped ( I don't mean to use this word in a negative way) by people of the religion. I don't mean to offend anybody but I'm agnostic and I never really thought too deeply when I read that the character was this or that and some of my friends seem to skip over that too and most of them are really religious. I even write in at random that my characters are catholic or christian because, to me, gives me more to build on. To give it more of a persona. If you understand what I mean, I think I babble too much.

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Permalink Reply by Kay Elizabeth on October 28, 2009 at 4:02am

I'm in the same camp as you two ladies. I don't think it alienates people any more than it would if say you mentioned your character was a vegetarian. It's just another part of their makeup.

If a person looks hard enough for a reason to be offended, they will find it in any book. You can't please all of the people all of the time and neither should you try to or you'll dilute your writing.

Jasmine Andrade said:

This is exactly how I feel. It basically builds on the character's personality, and it probably wouldn't be offensive to anyone, as long as the character doesn't say anything to offend other religions. But just putting tiny hints or mentions of going to church or prayer couldn't hurt anyone, in my opinion. That's just me. Some other people are very sensitive about their own religion and it might seem offensive to them, although the majority of readers wouldn't mind.
Viviana Arteaga said:

To tell you the truth I don't think it actually matters, unless the religious preference is part of the plot. I guess it helps to build character depth and understand the characters thoughts stereotyped ( I don't mean to use this word in a negative way) by people of the religion. I don't mean to offend anybody but I'm agnostic and I never really thought too deeply when I read that the character was this or that and some of my friends seem to skip over that too and most of them are really religious. I even write in at random that my characters are catholic or christian because, to me, gives me more to build on. To give it more of a persona. If you understand what I mean, I think I babble too much.

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Permalink Reply by Callie Leah on November 1, 2009 at 2:54am

That reminds me of something. Do you ever notice how girls will read any book, no matter who it's about, but a boy will usually only read a book where the main character is a guy. No offense to any of the men here, I don't mean that as an insult. I just realized it. At least, that's just the majority of boys.

Kay Elizabeth said:

I'm in the same camp as you two ladies. I don't think it alienates people any more than it would if say you mentioned your character was a vegetarian. It's just another part of their makeup.

If a person looks hard enough for a reason to be offended, they will find it in any book. You can't please all of the people all of the time and neither should you try to or you'll dilute your writing.

Jasmine Andrade said:

This is exactly how I feel. It basically builds on the character's personality, and it probably wouldn't be offensive to anyone, as long as the character doesn't say anything to offend other religions. But just putting tiny hints or mentions of going to church or prayer couldn't hurt anyone, in my opinion. That's just me. Some other people are very sensitive about their own religion and it might seem offensive to them, although the majority of readers wouldn't mind.
Viviana Arteaga said:

To tell you the truth I don't think it actually matters, unless the religious preference is part of the plot. I guess it helps to build character depth and understand the characters thoughts stereotyped ( I don't mean to use this word in a negative way) by people of the religion. I don't mean to offend anybody but I'm agnostic and I never really thought too deeply when I read that the character was this or that and some of my friends seem to skip over that too and most of them are really religious. I even write in at random that my characters are catholic or christian because, to me, gives me more to build on. To give it more of a persona. If you understand what I mean, I think I babble too much.

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