Where my family in Christ fails

[Silver Saint]

Is in trying to be idealistic Christians. I've been met with a lot of opposition in the past for my graphic or violent writings. Other times simply for speaking of things that were not solely about God or writing about subject matter that is dirty and unwholesome. I've been told that there is nothing to writing things that doesn't show Christianity in a perfect light or that doesn't directly glorify God.

There is only folly in this mindset.

The Idea that one can write about anything in life without having a downside is denying sin-nature itself. We are at war. Now, we are not fighting, more like becoming vessels through which to be worked by whichever faction you choose. But my entire existence thus far has been centered around this conflict.

I make a joke of the fact that I was born a few thousand years too late. I am a warrior at heart. I would've loved nothing more than to fight for a holy nation, winning honor for my people and Lord with my skill. I can't help but feel robbed of this now. Thus my writing is a way to realize my dream. I cannot be happy without voicing my wants and aspirations, no matter how dire or terrible they may be.

They are after all honest sentiments, honest feelings. I sometimes must write gore, but it is never pornographic violence. If I write and you cry, then I am content. If I write and you laugh, I am content. If I write and you cannot keep reading for being so disturbed by that which you read, then I have done my job.

I write so that you may choose to share in me, allow yourself to be manipulated into feeling what I feel. If you are to tell me that you cannot handle it, then do so. Do not make out your weakness to be mine. To offer your opinions to me as fact or truth is nearly punishable by pain in my mind.

I know well the breed I speak of, and many of them really are Christians. They have however lost contact with the people that they are meant to save. These are the kind that when presented with a theological debate, merely throw scripture at their opponent and think they've won. But that is something else entirely.

As there always seems to be, there will be those who disagree... Your thoughts?









I am aware,

Isacc

 

[Blessed-one]

um... haven't seen an example of your writing.. so can't say much.

Other times simply for speaking of things that were not solely about God or writing about subject matter that is dirty and unwholesome.

nothing wrong with writing about these things i think, but that depends on which style you use. For a christian for example, one would not glorify these things in the writings.

 

[Tangnefedd]

as we have not seen an example of your writing, as Blessed-One says, we cannot comment!

 

[Justice4JC]

Well, I read your fourteen (I think 14) chapters, and I can honestly say that it was perfectly fine. Yeah, there was fighting, but nothing is wrong with that when what you're trying to bring out is between good and evil.

Technically, I don't believe in fighting for the fun of it (in normal life, ya know), but if someone is coming against you, solely based on killing you, I'm sure most people would defend themselves. That's why we have wars on this earth. But we aren't in a war with flesh and blood.

And we shouldn't get caught up in the story about whether or not it mentions God, but more on the principles. Non-Christians will look at the story and take it for what it is, not knowing that there is truth embedded into the story.

Christians can take the truth face-on and in story form. But we shouldn't look at the story and say, "It doesn't say God or Jesus!" but if it has God's principles then I'm good with it (ya know, as long as it's still respectable like not showing people having sex every chapter or so. I believe if a person needs to fit in that a person had sex -- perhaps out of marriage if that's the person's goal -- you don't need to show it).

But, do what you must to get your point across, and just don't let others bother you.

But, I understand if it's too violent for some. I mean, look at the Passion of The Christ. Lots of people know they wouldn't be able to handle it so they don't go, but still support it. Yet, some people say they've seen more violent stuff, so... I'll have to go for myself and rate it.

Oh, and by the way, did my critique help you? Didja write any more?

 

[the_cloaked_crusader]

I concur that there is nothing wrong with having battle and warin a story. I also agree that it's alright to have "bad stuff" in a story. what we have to be careful of is to make sure that none of it is pointless. it makes me mad when I se movies that are just full of killing just to sick people out; the same goes for books. and sometimes you need the bad stuff to make your bad characters bad and your good ones really good.

best of regards
the_cloake_crusader

 

[katelyn]

I think it depends on the context. If the main content is people killing other people for no real apparent reason, I will most likely be grossed out. However, if it has an underlying meaning in the story, I'm not as disturbed by it. Actually, in that case, I'm more likely to be disturbed by attitudes rather than acts.

I also agree with what Justice4JC had to say on the matter.