Need advice on how to handle religion in comic books

[Eagelswings]

Hi, again.

I’ve created a new story for a comic in which there will be instances, from time to time, where religion will play a part. I’ve always figured that such a thing is wonderful and God can use that to inspire me and others who see it. However, in this particular story, the characters are not human. They are anthromorphic animals. You may have heard the term anthro or furry for short.

If you don’t know what an anthro is, here is a wiki article on it:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropomorphism

Anyways, this creates a problem. The reason this is an issue is because when making references to my catholic faith, through the story, or using catholic imagery I am worried about whether or not it is sacrilegious and blasphemous to portray religious figures, such as priests and nuns as animals, especially if and when they are performing the duties of their office, such as saying mass, giving a homily, hearing confessions, anointing the sick, giving blessings, etc.

Think of the Disney movie Robin Hood. The Fryer Tuck character (who is a badger) is playing the role of a human priest or monk. References to God are made, the character gives blessings, prays, etc, wears robes and has a mission church, etc. Was this acceptable in the catholic christian view for Disney to do that?

If I have scenes with characters having dinner and saying grace, even something simple, pure, and innocent like that is potentially torn asunder by the fact they’re animals and I wonder whether it’s scandalous because they’re animals and not human.

If I’m going to make this comic, should I just omit religion, and religious themes entirely? I’d love to be able to put religious elements into the comic without it being blasphemous, but I’m not sure how that could work no matter how hard I try.

Well, if you are going to use anthromorphs then perhaps you should do what Tolkein did with the Lord of the Rings… use fantasy and symbolism. My personal opinion, I would find it kind of strange to see an anthromorph do the sign of the cross. I actually do draw anthromorphs but I include human characters with them. It’s more of a superhero thing. I use the human character as the protagonist because when it comes to religious stories, God favored Man. My human superhero is a Catholic in my story (if I ever make one). If you are going to use Catholic references I would go with symbolism, not the direct thing.

Also, what are the age groups your story is directed to?

P.S.: I think anthormorphs and furries are two different things. Anthromorphs are just used for fantasy and stories, furries on the other hand tend to lead to fetishism and excess.

 

[Sonic]

I’ve created a new story for a comic in which there will be instances, from time to time, where religion will play a part. I’ve always figured that such a thing is wonderful and God can use that to inspire me and others who see it. However, in this particular story, the characters are not human. They are anthromorphic animals. You may have heard the term anthro or furry for short.

I missed this topic, because I’ve been reading the Politics section. Oh well!

Otaku, I’m also working on a similar story premises. After reading your posts, I’m glad to see that you are really thinking about how anthro characters can be used in a story with religious themes (and still remain true to the Catholic world view).

Thank you!

 

[Ghoti]

The monk character (whose name I don’t remember) also attaches himself to the group, although I don’t remember what the reason was.

Rev Bem. “Rev” is short for “Reverend”, “Bem” is old Earth lingo for “Bug-Eyed Monster”. Bem is a Magog – a race of aliens who only eat (and lay their eggs in) sentient life forms. Bem has suppressed his species’ urge to kill and eat everyone, and is a devout follower of “The Way”. One of the more interesting and original sci-fi characters I’ve ever seen.

 

[jmcrae]

Rev Bem. “Rev” is short for “Reverend”, “Bem” is old Earth lingo for “Bug-Eyed Monster”. Bem is a Magog – a race of aliens who only eat (and lay their eggs in) sentient life forms. Bem has suppressed his species’ urge to kill and eat everyone, and is a devout follower of “The Way”. One of the more interesting and original sci-fi characters I’ve ever seen.

Thanks! Yes, I agree - he’s definitely memorable! He’s not quite Mr. Spock, but he’s definitely up there.

 

[Matrix_Refugee]

I don’t see anything wrong in this at all. I’m minded of a hard to find 6th century icon of St. Christopher, which depicts him as – get this – a kind of dog or wolf anthromorph.

 

[Sonic]

I don’t see anything wrong in this at all. I’m minded of a hard to find 6th century icon of St. Christopher, which depicts him as – get this – a kind of dog or wolf anthromorph.

I understand the icon is heraldic in much the same way as images used to represent the four gospels. According to one legend, St. Christopher’s face was transformed by Christ… representing Christopher’s conversion and living in the image of Christ. The legend states that for some reason Christopher’s face was in such a physical state that he was being called a dog-head (Cynocephalian). Another reason given is that Christopher’s family or tribal crest was that of a Cynocephalian. The Cynocehalians were a mythic people often represented in various ancient legends (like the Amazons).

 

[Neildown]

This is my personal opinion on the subject. I myself am writing a book which involves Catholicism and animals, though there are humans as well, and I sort of ran into this issue a little bit.

I think it is perfectly fine for there to be animals in place of humans, concerning clergy, laity and the like. But then it comes to the figure of Christ. My suggestion is that you use something similar but not completely the same as the Crucifix in this matter. I would suggest instead of a human [which would disrupt the furriness] and instead of a furry [which would be seen as blasphemy], why not just put a figure on the cross that is just definably a “figure” - ie. not identifiably a human or animal.

As for referencing Christ, just don’t specify his species. Keep Him wholly specified simply as Jesus, Christ, Savior, etc.

If people can’t be happy with that then it’s just too bad, as that’s pretty-much as close you can be to Catholicism with furries while not being blasphemous. I hope I helped somewhat.