In the next chapter of the story I'm working on, some religious/spiritual practices are discussed for a bit. I've been sorta struggling on how to portray the scene in a way that feels honest and realistic, without coming off as preachy or heavy handed. Does anyone have suggestions on how to best portray that sort of content in stories?
Portraying religious and spiritual beliefs in stories
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Comments
Beliefs
I think the best way is to have a skeptic.
They need not be a total disbeliever - maybe even somebody struggling with some disappointment or illogicality.
Presenting two sides will never see you coming off as preachy.
Maryanne
It depends
It would depend on what you're wanting to portray. It never hurts to simply be honest.
Hugs!
Rosemary
Faith
Keep your characters as authentic as possible to their world view in the context of being open - answering questions as opposed to making statements. A dialogue rather than a debate.
The trick for every writer is to understand all their own characters. Obviously, that understanding is so much easier if the author shares those beliefs, but it is still approachable if they respect those beliefs of the character even if they don't share their characters faith.
It is challenging to portray both the believer and the person who is questioning/doubting the faith of the believer. Unless the character is adamant and/or inflexible, it's entirely possible to keep it real; especially through dialogue, with the questions coming from either side reflecting your own sense of respect. I'm confident you are more than capable of writing a fair/balanced account. Have at it, dear one!
Love, Andrea Lena
One Way
I suspect that what I did in one story (and its side stories and its sequel, which I'm partway through) is not what you want. I took a religion that I am unfortunately overly familiar with, and portrayed it negatively. For the first one, Elrod warned me about the possible reaction to the portrayal of the religion. I was relieved that I got only minimal bad reaction.
One should avoid claims of fact unsupported by evidence, and also malice in the guise of morality.
-- Daphne Xu
Igniting A Firestorm.
I got in just lot of trouble, it was pure hell, a bar brawl when I first came here because I tried to portray all that from my point of view. I had been heavily invested in the Church and when I got sick they threw me out. I was still trying to figure all that out. The reaction to Islam seems less hostile than Christianity. Perhaps there are just lots of people around who have first hand experience with Christian hypocrisy? In my experience, Islamics are just as flawed but maybe people don't see that.
I think the idea of having a sceptic around is good. I'm still a believer but don't trust much.
Gwen
Keep your characters in charafter.
If your character is adamant in their belief, then the dialog should reflect it. If the character is simply, quietly faithful, then that too should be reflected. If it's a situation where one believer is counseling another then it OK to be a little preachy, even quote scripture, if in a real life situation like the one portrayed would call for it. If the entire piece isn't preachy then that should fly.
To paraphrase Lincoln; you can please all the people some of the time; you can please some of the people all the time, but you can't please all the people all the time.
Keep it honest and let the chips fall where they may. A short disclaimer at the beginning of the chapter as in "Author's Note" should give fair warning to the readers.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann
Thank you, everyone!
After reading everyone's comments, I'm feeling a little more confident in how to handle the scene I've been stressing over recently. Once I figured out who might have contrasting points of view, things started flowing again. I haven't figured out everything yet, but I do feel like I have a better idea of how to move forward. Thank you for all your insight and advice, everybody!
{{{hugs}}}