Is Fiction a form of lying?

[Coleton Bryce Ritmanich]

I usually don't ask questions on CF, seeing how God's word is good enough for me, but I just want another opinion.

I was writing a book, "Hope" I was writing the story for a graphic novel about a Christian Superhero who fights demons and demonic beings, but when I told my Christian friend about it, he said fiction is a form of lying and that I should stay away from that.

I asked God in his word, and he directed me to Esther chapter 6.

Is Fiction a form of lying, if you write it to the Glory of God, or if you open in prayer before you write, like I did?

 

[sfs]

No. Lying requires an intent to deceive. No one is supposed to be deceived when they're reading a novel, since they know what it is.

 

[Radagast]

Is Fiction a form of lying, if you write it to the Glory of God, or if you open in prayer before you write, like I did?

Fiction is in general not lying, because it is not intended to deceive. If you write fiction and pretend it's fact, that's a different story.

 

[Christie insb]

No, fiction is not lying. Jesus told parables to illustrate his points. People who think fiction is lying lack something important in their personalities, IMO.

 

[Coleton Bryce Ritmanich]

No, fiction is not lying. Jesus told parables to illustrate his points. People who think fiction is lying lack something important in their personalities, IMO.

I brought that up too, that Jesus used parables, but Jesus told true stories right? I really want to write this book, I know what it will do once finished, it will definitely glorify God, if I can write.

 

[Coleton Bryce Ritmanich]

Thanks for all of your replies!

 

[Radagast]

No, fiction is not lying. Jesus told parables to illustrate his points.

Indeed, and see also Jotham's fable in Judges 9.

 

[Radagast]

I know what it will do once finished, it will definitely glorify God, if I can write.

The one important point to be careful about is that the theology your story espouses is actually correct theology.

 

[Coleton Bryce Ritmanich]

The one important point to be careful about is that the theology your story espouses is actually correct theology.

I posted my first Major story Arc here on CF, under the Post, "Hope" I think. I upload the PDF here and you can make sure it's right.

I prayed each time before I wrote a single word.

 

[Radagast]

I posted my first Major story Arc here on CF, under the Post, "Hope" I think. I upload the PDF here and you can make sure it's right.

I was thinking more that it would be something to discuss with people at your church.

 

[Coleton Bryce Ritmanich]

I was thinking more that it would be something to discuss with people at your church.

Yeah, I guess so.

 

[Coleton Bryce Ritmanich]

Alrighty, I'll contact my artist after I talk to my preacher, thank you everyone!

 

[Halbhh]

I usually don't ask questions on CF, seeing how God's word is good enough for me, but I just want another opinion.

I was writing a book, "Hope" I was writing the story for a graphic novel about a Christian Superhero who fights demons and demonic beings, but when I told my Christian friend about it, he said fiction is a form of lying and that I should stay away from that.

I asked God in his word, and he directed me to Esther chapter 6.

Is Fiction a form of lying, if you write it to the Glory of God, or if you open in prayer before you write, like I did?

Well, most writing conveys some false ideas, and one good thing about 'fiction' is that it is saying it's made up to begin with, so you know you are only looking at the notions of the writer, and there is no pretense those notions are facts most often.

You can increase this honesty by writing a short preamble or afterword and saying whatever is accurate, such as "the _____ characters in this book are not historical or actual, nor accurate, but are entirely fictional creations"

 

[Coleton Bryce Ritmanich]

Well, most writing conveys some false ideas, and one good thing about 'fiction' is that it is saying it's made up to begin with, so you know you are only looking at the notions of the writer, and there is no pretense those notions are facts most often.

You can increase this honesty by writing a short preamble or afterword and saying whatever is accurate, such as "the _____ characters in this book are not historical or actual, nor accurate, but are entirely fictional creations"

Thanks for the advice, I'll do that, after I talk with my pastor.

 

[JIMINZ]

Fiction is in general not lying, because it is not intended to deceive. If you write fiction and pretend it's fact, that's a different story.

.
Sort of like the NY Times, and CNN

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Well the bible has parables which are:
"a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson"

So technically you could call that lying. But its not. It wouldn't be in the bible if it was considered a lie. I have used my own parable sometimes to help people. They stories are not real but they get a point across in a way that easier for people to understand. Actually look at shows little kids watch (like Seaseme Street). It teaches your kids things through stories that are not real. Parables in a way.

So I wouldn't call fiction a lie. Its not real, but not a lie really. Now if you wrote a book about your life but half of it was just you exaggerating or even making up stuff, then that would be a lie.

 

[dreadnought]

I usually don't ask questions on CF, seeing how God's word is good enough for me, but I just want another opinion.

I was writing a book, "Hope" I was writing the story for a graphic novel about a Christian Superhero who fights demons and demonic beings, but when I told my Christian friend about it, he said fiction is a form of lying and that I should stay away from that.

I asked God in his word, and he directed me to Esther chapter 6.

Is Fiction a form of lying, if you write it to the Glory of God, or if you open in prayer before you write, like I did?

No, I don't believe fiction is a form of lying.

 

[Adstar]

I usually don't ask questions on CF, seeing how God's word is good enough for me, but I just want another opinion.

I was writing a book, "Hope" I was writing the story for a graphic novel about a Christian Superhero who fights demons and demonic beings, but when I told my Christian friend about it, he said fiction is a form of lying and that I should stay away from that.

I asked God in his word, and he directed me to Esther chapter 6.

Is Fiction a form of lying, if you write it to the Glory of God, or if you open in prayer before you write, like I did?

It is dangerous because your fiction writing could end up teaching false doctrines..

As for fiction being sin.. No it is not in itself sin.. Jesus used Parables which are fiction stories designed to deliver a moral or a teaching.. So if using fiction was sin Jesus would not have used Parables to teach people..

 

[Coleton Bryce Ritmanich]

It is dangerous because your fiction writing could end up teaching false doctrines..

As for fiction being sin.. No it is not in itself sin.. Jesus used Parables which are fiction stories designed to deliver a moral or a teaching.. So if using fiction was sin Jesus would not have used Parables to teach people..

Your right that is dangerous, but I opened up in prayer before I ever wrote a word, and I pretty much let God Almighty write it for me, so I don't think I have to worry about teaching false doctrine.

 

[Coleton Bryce Ritmanich]

Thanks a lot for all of the replies!

 

[Halbhh]

Well the bible has parables which are:
"a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson"

So technically you could call that lying. But its not. It wouldn't be in the bible if it was considered a lie. I have used my own parable sometimes to help people. They stories are not real but they get a point across in a way that easier for people to understand. Actually look at shows little kids watch (like Seaseme Street). It teaches your kids things through stories that are not real. Parables in a way.

So I wouldn't call fiction a lie. Its not real, but not a lie really. Now if you wrote a book about your life but half of it was just you exaggerating or even making up stuff, then that would be a lie.

Your post reminded me of something -- that when a novel, fiction, conveys a philosophy with some false ideas, which is the norm, the common everyday norm, then it can convince people those ideas are true. Examples are good writers read by tens of millions of people that wove together true and false ideas into compelling philosophies, like Ayn Rand and Robert Heinlein (naming only a couple that stand out to me, of many dozens at least), both of whom temporarily tricked me as a young teenager.

So....the reality is that it's a powerful avenue quite often (just like movies) to convey tricks and illusions that snare many people.

But, a writer that truly believes in God and has truly come to Christ and believes in Him risen and saving, and has learned much of His teaching and commandments to us will likely be able to avoid all of the most damaging errors if they choose.