FOR WRITERS/READERS
Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Brad Townsend:
I think it would be cool to have a discussion about religion in fantasy and sci-fi. In my circle of LBGT friends, religion, especially Christianity, is a no no topic. I pull heavily from it in my own book and I know it costs me readers – even though it’s got a strong dose of Norse Mythology mixed it and bears no resemblance to reality lol. In fantasy worlds, fantasy religions are often common and magical (like AD&D and other FRP games) and seem safe because (usually) they aren’t based on anything in our world.
So as a writer, do you use religion – Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or any other organized religion, real or imagined? If so, what does it add to your work? If not, why do you prefer not to? As a reader, do you like seeing religion included in queer spec fic? Or would you rather not see it, and why?
Writers: This is a writer/reader chat – you are welcome to share your own book/link, as long as it fits the chat, but please do so as part of a discussion about the topic.