I'm just curious. I was told recently that as an Atheist, is odd for me to love Fantasy. For me, the difference is that no one is pretending it's real. I write fantasy, and am an avid reader.
What are your thoughts on the genre?
34 answers:
Jesus Chrysler
2008-06-24 09:39:44 UTC
I personally don't care much for the genre. But plenty of people do, regardless of religion or lack thereof.
The idea that somehow an atheist isn't supposed to enjoy Fantasy novels as fiction is ridiculous. That statement had to have been made by a Christian - they're the ones who don't seem to be able to differentiate fact from fiction.
ANDRE L
2008-06-24 09:38:21 UTC
I'm an atheist and a long standing reader of SF, mostly good hard, tech based, SF. My view about fantasy is not that it is either better or worse a subject of fiction for any religious/non-religious reasons, but rather, because it is a *lazier* sub-genre of speculative fiction. Far, far too much of fantasy writing is lazy, in that it merely takes from medieval or pre-medieval human history, and then transplants it into the social structure of tales with so many different other social premises that it simply won't work. Thats one reason I cannot take most fantasy tales at all seriously, because world and society building, and doing it WELL, is at the core of *good SF*.
Its popular, but its not very good. That should hardly be surprising, as most popular books/shows/movies are also not very good. Most movies these days are either bad ripoffs of TV from the 60s, or are really stupid teen-ploitation flicks.
TV, well, the term "reality shows" makes the current wasteland that is TV clear enough. And, so on.
libby
2016-05-24 05:22:37 UTC
I am a non-Christian Theist and a huge fan of both fantasy and science fiction. I especially enjoy stories that are about or inspired by theist beliefs, even when some liberties have been taken. Christian tales (old and new testament), Native American, Ancient Greek stories, Egyptian, etc. ex: Stranger in a Strange Land, Joseph (TBS miniseries, really good!), Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore, Clash of the Titans, Spartacus, etc. I especially do not like when a story is depicted AS the theist story and too many liberties are taken. Noah the TV mini-series was horrible and way too fabricated.
H.u.S
2008-06-24 09:47:05 UTC
If a theist told you that, it would be a sort of unwitting admission that they recognize that there's no difference between their beliefs and fantasy. I like it. :)
While I'm not a fan of the genre personally, I do know other atheists who like it. Like others have stressed, most atheists who like fantasy are under no illusions that what they read in the books might be true.
Oh. There's no need to capitalise the word "atheist" when it doesn't appear at the beginning of a sentence.
David M
2008-06-24 09:38:41 UTC
I'm a minor fan of some of it at best, but there should be no link between any religious position and enjoying any genre of fiction as fiction.
If you started worshipping Crom we might have to worry about you as an atheist, but being a fan of the stories is just that, and has no relevance to your religious beliefs or lack thereof.
anonymous
2008-06-24 09:38:20 UTC
Hey I love fantasy. My room is covered in fantasy books. I have three bookcases fill from top to bottom with books. Really I love the fantasy genre there is nothing wrong with liking it at all. I don't see why it would be weird for atheist to like the fantasy genre.
Mia
2008-06-24 09:38:08 UTC
I love a bit of escapism. I am aware however, that its just an enjoyable fantasy and know the line between it and reality. I've had theists make similar comments about reading fiction to children if you are atheist. Its not really a valid point or analogy to religious beliefs as we aren't trying to convince them its true and that they have to believe it.
D.Dox
2008-06-24 09:39:26 UTC
The fantasy genre is very interesting because of the different things people make up. It's fun that you can create worlds with your imagination.
sprcpt
2008-06-24 09:36:54 UTC
The fantasy genre is exactly that, fantasy.
What is sad is that religious texts belong in this same genre, the problem is that people get pissed and kill each other because they believe that their particular fantasy is real.
I'm all for the fantasy genre, but when people have the delusion that fantasy is reality, it is dangerous.
Deke
2008-06-24 09:37:34 UTC
I'm not a fan of it, but I respect it. Also, no atheist that I know if is telling you that every word in a fantasy book is real, nor asking you to structure your life around the morals presented in the books.
Phoenix: Princess of Cupcakes
2008-06-24 09:35:09 UTC
There is a huge difference between imagination and fantasy and believing the fantastic and imaginary.
There is no belief involved in reading, writing, enjoying fantasy.
Regalstrickland [KATSURA DA!]
2008-06-24 09:37:03 UTC
I would have to agree with you, I as an atheist love sci-fi, fantasy, and fiction books in general. Just because we don't believe in God because we think he isn't real doesn't mean we can't enjoy reading about things that aren't real.
Pandora
2008-06-24 09:37:52 UTC
My thought is why would your personally beliefs or lack of them affect what you enjoy reading or writing? Fantasy is fantasy. It's MEANT to be an escape from reality.
vérité
2008-06-24 09:36:13 UTC
I like fantasy movies... but I guess most movies are fantasy!
I'm not really a fan of fantasy literature.. but to each their own... I'd prefer to sit down to a science, history, or philosophy book.
The Paul
2008-06-24 09:40:04 UTC
You were told that because people have this stereotype about atheism, that there's no imagination.
They mistakenly think atheists don't believe in god because they can't imagine anything like that. They don't understand it's because atheists *can* imagine what a world with god would be like and it's nothing like the world around us.
anonymous
2008-06-24 09:38:52 UTC
Why do you think it's called Fantasy, people? It's not supposed to be real, it's just supposed to be entertainment.
But apparently, the extremist Christians who burn Harry Potter books think otherwise.
anonymous
2008-06-24 09:36:58 UTC
Not true. I have atheist friends who love fantasy and science fiction.
T T
2008-06-24 09:36:56 UTC
Someone told you how you should think and feel? Who are you talking too? We are Atheists, we can read and watch fantasy and enjoy it without "spiritual" meaning. Who cares what Spiritual people think, they just can't believe we don't believe, and they are trying to make sense of it. In their head, of course.
anonymous
2008-06-24 09:36:17 UTC
I think for fiction, you can suspend your disbelief. I'm not one of those people who is annoyed by fiction having a different reality than actual reality. :)
But the actual genre I'm not a big fan of. I like some of it though.
anonymous
2008-06-24 09:39:35 UTC
Ah, but the difference is, you see, you know the difference between fantasy and reality. Some people apparently don't .....
anonymous
2008-06-24 09:36:00 UTC
I like fantasy. Those people probably don't know what atheists believe.
Robin W
2008-06-24 09:35:33 UTC
Atheist AND fangirl here. I love Supernatural, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Spiderman, etc.
All my fandoms are *fiction*.
Master Sarcasto
2008-06-24 09:36:49 UTC
I'm an atheist, and fiction does absolutely nothing to entertain me. I'm one of those people who picks apart a movie with "that's not possible", etc. I try not to be vocal about it, but I can't enjoy movies/books that I can't reconcile with reality.
EDIT: This is kind of ironic, since I love a good acid trip from time to time.
Colette Pioline ART
2008-06-24 09:34:54 UTC
I love the fantasy genre.
Old Dirty the 4th
2008-06-24 09:35:02 UTC
Wow, I have NO idea why someone would tell you that. Its just a hobby or passion of your right? I mean you dont believe that the fanasy novels you read are true or real do you?
Take it from Toby
2008-06-24 09:34:18 UTC
I don't see why Atheism would have any influence in your like or dislike of a genre. Like you said, it isn't a religion, it's a genre where people know it isn't real.
anonymous
2008-06-24 09:35:06 UTC
i love fantasy books.
i have a more active imagination i guess. i dont think being an atheist has anything to do with it.
anonymous
2008-06-24 09:34:55 UTC
no, nothing to do with atheists,so its not odd for you to be in to it
but intelligent ppl usually are into fantasy because of their more developed imaginations
amanda c
2008-06-24 09:37:20 UTC
i like fantasy.
and sci-fi, horror, drama. one of my favorite fiction books is about the building of a cathedral ironically enough.
you were probably told this by someone who never bothers to read anything at all.
anonymous
2008-06-24 09:41:27 UTC
you are probably subconsciously attracted to the fantasy genre because you probably want to have a higher power in your life, an unseen being that loves you and created you....
you need awe of the universe and spiritual awareness in your life, and your love of fanstasy is your subconscious way of getting something like that in your life.
manuel
2008-06-24 09:38:49 UTC
I personally don't go for it, but that's due to my personal tastes, and not to my lack of belief in god.
Road Horse No Scripture Please
2008-06-24 09:33:58 UTC
Suspension of disbelief, anyone?
tuyet n
2008-06-24 09:34:14 UTC
Whoever told you that is misguided.
Miss Bar Heels
2008-06-24 09:37:30 UTC
xD wtf. You can like whatever you want m'dear, it's what you BELIEVE.
ⓘ
This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.