Parallel or Blasphemy?

[Vulgivagus hagiographus]

Okay, I put this idea in another part of the forum, but I want to have some writer's opinions on it. I plan to write a certain fan fiction piece this summer based off of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time that would use the religion from that game and parallel it to Christianity.

For those of you who have never played the video game, there’s three golden (g)oddesses that created the world that represent three things: power, courage, and wisdom. Anyway, there are several things that make me think this parallels Christianity, which you can read more about on my other thread
My main problem is that I’ve got these characters that I want to show what a true relationship with Jesus is like through this parallel. I think this parallel works very well in exposing the theology of Christianity, but I feel a bit blasphemous when my characters treat the (g)oddesses as they would God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

I know that these deities are representative of the true Trinity, but it doesn’t seem quite right to have my characters singing songs of praise to someone referred to as “she” if you know what I mean.

That probably didn't make much sense, but I'm kind of out of it at the moment. Maybe I'll come back and clarify later...

 

[Vulgivagus hagiographus]

Let me clarify this... (haha, what movie is that from?)

I was just talking to somebody who convinced me to make them male. Horray! I'm so happy THAT problem is fixed. Well, at least for the moment. I always seem to find new problems though... Some game lovers might be disappointed, but oh well! It's my story!

Okay, for another question, do you think the names Din, Nayru, and Farore sound like they could be masculine? (This does have to do with the point of this thread)

 

[Buskanaka]

well they don't to me cause I know the game

but I dunno about the whole thing with making parallels to Christianity in stories of fiction. If it's too much the same as the real thing it just seems to me that it encourages the view that the reality is just story too, if you know what I mean? But I think it's ok for something like the Chronicles of Narnia, because there are definite parallels to Christianity but it's not blatantly the same story with a trinity etc. Often it just seems corny as well.

 

[Vulgivagus hagiographus]

Someone said something to the same affect on the other thread. I don't know if I quite understand exactly what you mean... I really don't want to make it just dumb. Ugh, I'm all upset about this story now. Sometimes it's hard to know what God wants.

 

[Buskanaka]

well I guess it's kind of the same as the popular view of the devil being a little red guy with a long tail and horns and a pitchfork, and so people just think the devil is a made up fantasy creature.

 

[Vulgivagus hagiographus]

I think I get your meaning. Yeah, I was trying to write up some of it yesterday, and it just came out horribly. I was all sad and ready to give it up when I suddenly got a new idea. Why not have them discover the truth about Chistianity? You know, they find a Bible or something, and they discover God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, just like that. Then they can compare this Trinity to their religion from the game and there's where I can expose the parallels. This also has the advantage of pulling out the things that are different from the game's religion and Christianity, and how Christianity is far better. Yay! Unfortunately, I need to change the plot to accomidate. Oh well, tis the life of a Christian writer.

 

[stonetoflesh]

If you haven't already I'd suggest reading The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe for ideas on incorporating Christian world views into a fantasy setting without being corny or childish as the Narnia stories can be at times.
I've tried my hand at writing Christian-themed fantasy (and running Christian-themed RPGs) in the past but have run into the same problem as you-- I would come across blocks to creating a "Christian" religion in a fantasy setting. What I've realized is that it's impossible to do such a thing; after all, Christianity is unique to our world. Perhaps in your fantasy world a Christ-avatar (or whatever you want to call it) appeared or maybe not; what seems most important is relaying the message of Christianity, not trying to force a direct imitation "Christianity-with-the-serial-numbers-filed-off" into a purely imaginary world. Hope this makes sense and helps a little...
Whatever you decide to do, just keep at it!

 

[Vulgivagus hagiographus]

No, at the moment, I'm working on "Christianity-with-the-serial-numbers-left-just-as-they-are." It will work. There's still nitches, but I think I can get them worked out. Thanks for your responses! I know I've been a bit vague... I think I created this thread in a bit of despiration and didn't really think it out.