[Cauthon]

I have seen Religion used in many ways in Fantasy.

I am agnostic and find some of the ways religion is portrayed in books as more believable than most of the "Real Life" religions.

Has there been books where you think to yourself......I see <i>why</i> they believe what they do.

Religion can be used to enhance a story or be the sole basis of one, it can also not be used at all.

What books/series have you read & found the best example of:

* Fundamentalism.
* Unfounded antagonism eg. Catholic-Protestant hatred in Nthrn Ireland.
* Monotheism
* Overly powerful Religions eg. Control of Govt/King.

Anything else I have missed ?

[Valada]

One of the things I love about fantasy is that the author, in creating a unique world, has to (to be successful) do it really comprehensively - including religions, myths, histories, etc.

Martin in aSoIaF is great in presenting a whole range of religions held by people in different geographical areas, and the struggle between different religions for followers. I think the way he presents religion throws an interesting light on our society. He also shows that different people interpret the same religion in a variety of ways, eg. by focusing on one of the Gods, or having their own way of interpreting the role and influence of the Gods in everyday life.

I like the way that Tad Williams, in the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series, shows the connection between the unification of a kingdom and religious imperialism.

I agree with much you've said, Cauthon, and think it's a really interesting post. There's much that could be written about it, and I know my post hasn't done the topic justice. You could probably write a thesis on the role of religion in the fantasy genre!

[Rob B]

* Overly powerful Religions eg. Control of Govt/King

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, a fascinating series. The "his" in the title refers to the Authority (God in the world of the books).

[Louis]

Firstly, I hate to bring up something as off topic as real life politics, etc. but I can't really let it go. Being from Northern Ireland myself I have to comment that the problems with Catholics and Protestants are _not_ 'unfounded'. The situation may seem that way to some people, but those sort of conflicts are never unfounded. There is always a reason, and there are many in this case, which I'm not going to go into. I simply dislike having something so serious trivialised, even though, I very much suspect that wasn't what you meant..

As for the question, I think the one Fantasy book/series which I enjoyed the religion most in was The Orokon by Tom Arden. He has got a quite typical creation myth and some other pretty widespread methods/settings, etc. However, his books are mostly based in a 17th/18th century world, which in and of itself is quite novel I think. I enjoy the twist he has put on some very typical religious dilemmas from our world.

Another author who I can think of whose religious system struck me was Kate Elliott. I was going to post on one of those threads earlier but decided against it. I just couldn't resist in this thread though. her religious system is the one thing that really makes me dislike her books. Otherwise I quite enjoy them. The characters are decently written, the story is admittedly quite absorbing and I like her writing style for the most part. It's still far from amazing but good enough. If only it wasn't for her religion and world. I quite her base ideas of changing around the status quo but I think it makes her seem petty and resentful rather than making a statement about the system here and now. Maybe if she had gone for a more equal distribution between the sexes instead of simply mirroring what it is like now. I'm not sure.

Louis

[matthewajg]

Thank you Louis for pointing out that religious tension/antagonism are not "unfounded". All conflicts, while to the uninformed witness may seem illogical or senseless, have some root cause. Even "senseless violence" has some motivation, even if it is as simple and perverse as a sociopath who wishes to "see what would happen..." If you look to history for the reasons behind religious conflict, in say the Middle East today, you will find a virtual domino effect of one event effecting another and another until two groups who were once peaceful and partners in trade (i.e. Muslims and Jews in the region of Israel right up until the 19th century) become bitter enemies. Look at almost any racial stereotype and if you do your research you will find the roots in history (however heinous they are to our sensibilities today).
As for religion in fantasy, I find the systems of Martin very effective, intriguing and believable. Then again, he has masterfully borrowed from ancient religious practices of our past. He's good, really good.

[Hobbit]

Would also add, in passing - Kate Elliott's Crown of Stars series for its distinctly matiarchial view of religion, Frank Herbert's Dune, agree with the Tad Williams's note of Storm Sorrow & Thorn earlier and remind you of CS Lewis's Narnia Christian allegory. Couldn't also pass a chance without mentioning Mary Gentle's Ash for its distinctly left-of-centre view of religion! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hobbit

Hobbit

[Rob B]

Others take a non-convential view of religion
Michael Moorcock's Von Bek sequence
To Reign in Hell by Steven Brust
Good Omens by Gaiman/Pratchett

[Janet]

Margaret Atwood, "Handmaids Tale" comes to mind as a cautionary tale about fundamentalism.

[Elan Morin Tedronai]

Robert Jordan is a christian auhtor! That's why he's very original, and I love him very much!

[Lord Soth]

Certain elements of religion keep cropping up time and again, an example of this is the tree and the passiveness of those who follow that religion in fantasy. This take on religion appears time and again in different authors writing. At the moment though i can only cite Gemmel as one.

It is sad though that religion can be used as a socially acceptable excuse for violence (i.e. Irlean as a prime example). People need to learn to move on and that certain things have to be let go of.