Atheist Fiction

Event_Horizon · February 24, 2011, 06:05:37 AM

Hey everyone, I wanted to extend a question or two.

Have you read any fiction that has a strong atheistic character, or shows atheism accurately, or even positively?

I've been working on a story for the last few months that touches on basic questions of belief and the supernatural while trying to keep from stepping on anyone's toes. That task is pretty much impossible, but I'm trying to refrain from being pushy. The only source I can think of off the top of my head where a nonbeliever's perspective is shown with clarity is in the character of Jubal Harshaw in Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land (technically he is an agnostic). However I can't really think of others. If anyone wants to share a particular character that they remember, or know of the material itself, then I'd greatly appreciate input.

My other question is more broad. Do you think there should be more prominent atheist figures in literature, or any media for that matter?

LegendarySandwich · February 24, 2011, 09:04:27 AM

The obvious one that comes to mind is the His Dark Materials trilogy (the first book being The Golden Compass).

ForTheLoveOfAll · February 24, 2011, 02:03:25 PM

Weren't the people on Fox News complaining about The Golden Compass promoting Atheism a few years back when the movie came out? :hmm:

LegendarySandwich · February 24, 2011, 08:18:29 PM

Quote from: "ForTheLoveOfAll"Weren't the people on Fox News complaining about The Golden Compass promoting Atheism a few years back when the movie came out?

Yep. And it does, although the first book/movie is much more subtle than its sequel, and especially its sequel's sequel (that one didn't even try to be subtle).

Cecilie · February 24, 2011, 08:30:59 PM

Quote from: "LegendarySandwich"
Quote from: "ForTheLoveOfAll"Weren't the people on Fox News complaining about The Golden Compass promoting Atheism a few years back when the movie came out?
Yep. And it does, although the first book/movie is much more subtle than its sequel, and especially its sequel's sequel (that one didn't even try to be subtle).

And they only made one movie...

DirtyLeo · February 25, 2011, 01:11:28 PM

Quote from: "Event_Horizon"Have you read any fiction that has a strong atheistic character, or shows atheism accurately, or even positively?

Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy was the first thing that came to my mind too.

Also... I haven't read it but I kinda remember religious bigots complaining about Christopher Paolini's Eldest.

Having said that I love religion in fantasy (I'm a big fan of sci-fi/fantasy books). It shows me that people can be much more imaginative when it comes to defining/designing new deities and religions compared to the man-made religions that we see on Earth.

LegendarySandwich · February 25, 2011, 04:56:06 PM

Quote from: "DirtyLeo"Also... I haven't read it but I kinda remember religious bigots complaining about Christopher Paolini's Eldest.

Having said that I love religion in fantasy (I'm a big fan of sci-fi/fantasy books). It shows me that people can be much more imaginative when it comes to defining/designing new deities and religions compared to the man-made religions that we see on Earth.

I bet it was the one scene in the book where one of the elves says that all of them are atheists.

DirtyLeo · February 25, 2011, 05:36:24 PM

Quote from: "LegendarySandwich"I bet it was the one scene in the book where one of the elves says that all of them are atheists.

I think you are right. As I said, I haven't read the book but I think I remember something about his elves versus Tolkien's elves etc.

The Magic Pudding · February 26, 2011, 12:38:31 AM

In Sci Fi atheism is pretty common. Characters in Dune recognised religion as a tool to control people, something they could create or change for their own purposes.

Sophus · February 26, 2011, 12:41:37 AM

Aren't Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter atheists?

Believe there are atheists in Star Trek too.

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Atheist Fiction