Is S.E. an atheist?

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Is S.E. an atheist? Rate Topic:

#1 Ain't_It_Just_

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 07:01 AM

He seems to have a fairly low opinion of gods and religion. Is he an atheist?

Suck it Errant!

"It's time to kick ass and chew bubblegum...and I'm all out of gum."

QUOTE (KeithF @ Jun 30 2009, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It has been proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the most powerful force on Wu is a bunch of messed-up Malazans with Moranth munitions.

#2 Aptorian

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 07:34 AM

He seems to have a low opinion of mankind as well, especially the ones that would force their gods to bow to their image of what their god should be like.

I don't know why people seem to think they can naturally extrapolate an authors personal beliefs through his characters and stories.

#3 RangerSG

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 08:14 AM

Aptorian, on Jun 11 2009, 02:34 AM, said:

Agreed. I don't think I'd ever give a character my view of God in a published work. It would be the ultimate invitation to a Gary Stu.

#4 Mr.James

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 08:30 AM

I don't think it's fair to judge wether he's an atheist or not by his novels. He can write what he wants and still be faithful or not...

When a man lies he murders
Some part of the world
These are the pale deaths which
Men miscall their lives
All this I cannot bear
To witness any longer
Cannot the kingdom of salvation
Take me home
'James

#5 Ain't_It_Just_

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 08:34 AM

Aptorian, on Jun 11 2009, 05:34 PM, said:

What's that second part mean? (I don't know why....)

Suck it Errant!

"It's time to kick ass and chew bubblegum...and I'm all out of gum."

QUOTE (KeithF @ Jun 30 2009, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It has been proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the most powerful force on Wu is a bunch of messed-up Malazans with Moranth munitions.

#6 Bauchelain the Evil

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 08:37 AM

He is saying what I also believe: you can't try to understand someone's faith or wiews from a fantasy novel. It's fiction for heaven'sake, his Gods are simply other characters, they aren't that much of a spiritual becaon.

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#7 dktorode

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 08:43 AM

Is Anne Rice a Vampire?

...┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐...

Why dont they make the whole plane out of that black box stuff?

#8 Traveller

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 08:51 AM

I wouldn't have assumed he was definitely an atheist, only that clearly the relationships between people and god/s interest SE, or he wouldn't include so much debate about it in his books. I like the way he uses different characters to question the reasoning behind worship, and what different people get out of it; I also like the way he turns it round to look at what the gods themselves demand or expect from their worshippers.

I think I would guess at him being an atheist, but not because he has a 'low opinion' of religion.

This post has been edited by Traveller: 11 June 2009 - 08:55 AM

So that's the story. And what was the real lesson? Don't leave things in the fridge.

#9 Hoods Balls

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 08:58 AM

I think SE gives fresh view to Gods,worship and religion. Not the ordinary omnipotent, all-ruling patriarch God with a beard on a cloud. No the Gods are sometimes weak, bored, tired of being Gods or just dont give a f**ck about the worshippers. THe whole Mael/Bugg thing is fantastic.

Is SE a religious man or an atheist? No idea whatsoever. Is it interesting if he his? Not in my book. He's a great writer with a wonderful imagination. I would rather drill a little hole in his head and look inside instead :killingme:

The superfluous, that very necessary thing

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#10 Sindriss

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 10:47 AM

Well, I think it is hard to find out a authers religion or lack thereof, by reading his books. But personally I think he is an atheist. Or agnostic more likely.

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#11 MTS

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 10:52 AM

I'm in agreement with Apt - you can't naturally assume SE hates religion because he wrote it in a book, unless he actually admits that's what he believes like Goodkind. He writes about those things to explore the themes of gods and worship, and their expectations - what he comes up with is not necessarily his belief, though.

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#12 Illuyankas

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 12:56 PM

Does it matter?

Hello, soldiers, look at your mage, now back to me, now back at your mage, now back to me. Sadly, he isn’t me, but if he stopped being an unascended mortal and switched to Sole Spice, he could smell like he’s me. Look down, back up, where are you? You’re in a warren with the High Mage your cadre mage could smell like. What’s in your hand, back at me. I have it, it’s an acorn with two gates to that realm you love. Look again, the acorn is now otataral. Anything is possible when your mage smells like Sole Spice and not a Bole brother. I’m on a quorl.

#13 SonOfDarkness

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 03:35 PM

Bauchelain the Evil, on Jun 11 2009, 09:37 AM, said:

what is this madness? this is fiction fantasy??????? Wu does not exist?

U mean after im done my degree i cant just pack up and go and meet up with Karsa and start our battle against the rest of Wu? and also what happens to my plans to rescue Rake?? I was looking forward to drinking with fiddler and throwing darks with Kalam and singing songs with the the BBers.... argggggg

this is MADNESS!!!!

#14 coltainereborn

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 05:28 PM

Illuyankas, on Jun 11 2009, 08:56 AM, said:

Does it matter?

exactly

#15 foolio

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Posted 11 June 2009 - 05:38 PM

Quote

I was going to go find Masan Galani and see if she wanted to shack up.

Quote

Is Anne Rice a Vampire?

did robert jordan wear womens clothing?

This post has been edited by foolio: 11 June 2009 - 05:39 PM

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#16 Ain't_It_Just_

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Posted 12 June 2009 - 06:49 AM

I suppose it doesn't matter...I just read some of the interviews he had with Pat and....yeah.

Suck it Errant!

"It's time to kick ass and chew bubblegum...and I'm all out of gum."

QUOTE (KeithF @ Jun 30 2009, 09:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It has been proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the most powerful force on Wu is a bunch of messed-up Malazans with Moranth munitions.

#17 dktorode

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Posted 12 June 2009 - 08:03 AM

Ain't_It_Just_, on Jun 12 2009, 08:49 AM, said:

I suppose it doesn't matter...I just read some of the interviews he had with Pat and....yeah.

God told me in a dream last night (i know it was god because of the hawt angels and the burning bush) that SE does not believe in him, and that its ok...

Well he IS SE so god should give him a pass...no?

...┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐...

Why dont they make the whole plane out of that black box stuff?

#18 Aptorian

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Posted 12 June 2009 - 08:21 AM

RangerSG, on Jun 11 2009, 10:14 AM, said:

Aptorian, on Jun 11 2009, 02:34 AM, said:

Agreed. I don't think I'd ever give a character my view of God in a published work. It would be the ultimate invitation to a Gary Stu.

Who is Gary Stu? Is this like the male version of Mary Sue?

#19 RangerSG

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Posted 12 June 2009 - 08:36 AM

Aptorian, on Jun 12 2009, 03:21 AM, said:

RangerSG, on Jun 11 2009, 10:14 AM, said:

Aptorian, on Jun 11 2009, 02:34 AM, said:

Agreed. I don't think I'd ever give a character my view of God in a published work. It would be the ultimate invitation to a Gary Stu.

Who is Gary Stu? Is this like the male version of Mary Sue?

Exactly.

#20 Chiggerflea

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Posted 27 June 2009 - 04:09 AM

I don't think it matters if Erikson is an atheist or not. Would you think less/more of him if he was? As a speculative fiction author, he's simply exploring the themes of organised religion, faith and spirituality.

However, I did personally read some criticism in the novels of Christianity. More specifically, the notion that God forgives all, and how that makes some people think that they can suddenly repent on their deathbeds or when it suits them. I'm not picking on Christianity - I'm not a religious expert so maybe this is also something that happens in other religions.

I also love how the Crippled God is one big nasty twist on the idea that salvation and reward comes through personal suffering and sacrifice, which definitely references all the major real world religions.

This post has been edited by Chiggerflea: 27 June 2009 - 04:10 AM