Poll: Reading Fantasy novels: Inviting evil or just good escape?

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rocklobster

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I happen to love fantasy, but I was wondering if anyone felt differently.
 
You can’t group all fantasy together. It depends on the content matter and each story needs to be judged independently of other works. And it also depends on the individual reading–for instance, a recovering alcoholic might be tempted by reading about drinking, while most people wouldn’t be affected by it.
 
I read The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, although in my opinion the writing is not as good as it used to be. But I prefer science fiction to fantasy, something on the order of the old Asimov SF books, such as the Foundation trilogy.
 
I agree that you can’t lump all fantasy together, and you have to know yourself and know how things will affect you. If a fantasy or sci-fi novel introduces a morality or worldview that is directly contrary to the truth, are you the kind of person who will let that wrong thinking in? Sometimes, I read things that I know are wrong or untrue for the purpose of strengthening my faith by refuting the untruth. There is value, too, in recognizing the literary quality of something while also recognizing the theological/moral errors in it. If you aren’t sure of what you believe, or if you aren’t sure you can defend it against an onslaught of error, then it’s better to be cautious.

Really, though, I can’t imagine anyone apart from a few nuts discussed in another thread (who believe C.S. Lewis was a sun-worshipper) who would object to the fantasy and sci-fi writings of noted Christians like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I’ve found that their fiction has always brought me closer to God. Even though I don’t know the religious leanings of some other authors, like J.K. Rowling, I’ve found that there’s plenty in their books that reinforces the truths found in Christianity. There are also authors like Philip Pullman, and to a lesser extent Robert Jordan (just my opinion on Jordan), whose books tend to contradict Christian truths or values.
 
It definitely depends on what type of Fantasy novels you mean . . . Lord of the Rings and Nardia are fantasy works and widely credited for drawing people into Christianity.

However, if LOR and Nardia have the ability to draw people in . . . other fantasy novels must have the ability to draw people away. So, be careful what you choose read! 🤓
 
It depends on the fantasy. LOTRs, for exsample, is not evil…lol

Harry potter is not intranisicly evil…

Da Vinchi code in my opinion, is evil because it is taking devien and sacred things, and turning them into lies.
 
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