I need to know if this is a sin

  • Thread starter Thread starter reader16
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

reader16

Guest
Hi,

I am writing a book well I want it to be a book, cause I love writing and reading. Anyway a character in my book denounces God I guess is the best way to put it. Here is what the character said, “I don’t even believe he exists.” Is that a sin? Please if anyone has an answer can you get back to me? I am going to confession soon, and I need to know if this is a sin I have commited?

Amy
 
Not unless you’re trying to get people to follow his/her example.
 
Why would you think it is a sin?

You can’t write a book until you have succeeded in creating a story line; and with a story line, there is resolution.

Are you making the resolution that the person who says this is right? Or that his behavior or choices are right?

Then there migh be an issue of sin - if it is your intention to laud this type of behavior.

Is the character going to change - metanoia in Greeek - turn around and find God? Then how could there be a sin?

Is the person going to suffer the consequences of his disbelief?

Then how could there be a sin?
 
Many Catholic movies, more recent ones being some movies about John Paul II, they have characters that kill people and do similar bad things, even make audio tapes of Confessions so they can listen to them.

In works of fiction, and even in non-fiction, what counts is the message that is sent.

That message will be revealed through the working of the plot. And in every book and movie, no matter what, if it has a plot then the movie is about redemption.

Redemption could be a girls team winning a baseball game in a guys league, or it could be annihilating the alien invaders.

Pope Pius XII wrote a lengthy exhortation to the cinema industry for a conference he held to film makers. Here’s the link. I’ve read a lot of it, you would probably like it.

Books or movies, same basic principles apply.
 
And remember this too…

Even the Bible has very clear depictions of sinful activity. But the story of redemption in the Bible is actually redemption itself, redemption in Christ.
 
He is simply a fictional character. Does this character reflect personal questions you may be having about your own faith? Does he help you to address those questions? While I am not a fictional author, it is my understanding that characters used in a story reflect something about the author or a person the author has known. In other words, you draw upon your personal knowledge and experience of life. These characters will continue to develop as you write your story and in their own way will answer the questions that your ask.
 
The bible itself records lots of people making dumb mistakes, and God inspired that. So, if writing about peoples mistakes is a sin, then God is a sinner. And, we know that is not true.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top