Quoted from James McClung This is so obviously not what I'm talking about. I don't condone or defend but rather condemn both scenarios. I really don't see what in my previous comments would lead anybody to believe I would advocate imposing religious beliefs on others or threats/abuse based on said beliefs. Utterly flabbergasted.

I've been told I was going to Hell by a member of this board.  Although I don't believe in Hell, I find it insulting.  It's kinda like saying, "Your Mom's a whore."  Even though you know she's not, it's still an insult.


Phil

I don't really get the entire religion thing.  I myself was raised in a Catholic family where not exactly everyone went to mass on Sundays, or like, ever.  

I don't really believe in anything really.  I guess maybe I'm Atheist.

Even though I have these beliefs I can talk openly about, I would never preach them to someone or shove my ideas about religion down someone's throat, and I would expect other members to do the same.  Beleive what you want to, but just don't try to pressure it upon some else.   I respect everyone whom believes in religion/belongs to a particular religion even if I have different views.

Just my cents.  'Tis all.

-- Curt

I think it would be cool to have religion/politics discussed in script threads only if it involved everyone analyzing the character's beliefs, actions, consequences, or the plot of the story.  If everyone started debating issues amongst themselves -- and totally left the script in the background -- it would be a whole different ball game.  

Quoted from dogglebe I've been told I was going to Hell by a member of this board.  Although I don't believe in Hell, I find it insulting.  It's kinda like saying, "Your Mom's a whore."  Even though you know she's not, it's still an insult. Phil

You're preaching to the choir, dude (if you'll pardon the expression); I'm in total agreement with this. Again, I feel like I'm not getting through somehow.

Quoted from dogglebe I've been told I was going to Hell by a member of this board.  Although I don't believe in Hell, I find it insulting.  It's kinda like saying, "Your Mom's a whore."  Even though you know she's not, it's still an insult. Phil

Dear Phil,

You know I had not long ago finished "Devil's Jokebook", and I can understand and sympathize with someone caught up in whatever religosity where-to-hitherto-and-forementioned-or-something-like-that Jesus (in said mentioned script) is called bastard.

You know, and I know, that your intention is not to blaspheme or cause hurt to any religious entity. At least, that's the way I feel it.

I think the problem comes in (as with anything) where people feel like they or their beliefs are threatened. Heck, it might not be something so serious as the G-d topic. It might be how one fashions their homemade Chicken-chow-mein. Some critic winds up at your house and boasts chef credentials and you feel like an insignificant pea.

Yes, and I agree that some people are so damn religious that they're no earthly good. Now...

That's not to say that I don't believe in G-d and many sacred scriptures (including modern fiction). I do, but that's my story and I believe in sharing; not shoving my experience down another individual's throat.

If we didn't have this individuality, what is it that would distinguish us from machines?

What would provide the texture that is life?

Anyways, I know that you don't have bad intentions. Enough said.

Sandra

Quoted from dogglebe I've been told I was going to Hell by a member of this board.  Although I don't believe in Hell, I find it insulting.  It's kinda like saying, "Your Mom's a whore."  Even though you know she's not, it's still an insult. Phil

Just so I've got this straight.   It's not okay to insult your mom, but it's perfectly acceptable to insult Jesus, who's very much alive and well.   The same Jesus who died a horrible death on a cross, rose again on the third day, and now sits at the right hand of God, and has ALL authority under Heaven and earth.    

Definitely not a good idea..  So please, stop trying to shoot the messenger.  

Bottom line  --->http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A17-18&version=NIV

Take it or leave it.  God bless.

Quoted from M.Alexander Just so I've got this straight.   It's not okay to insult your mom, but it's perfectly acceptable to insult Jesus, who's very much alive and well.   The same Jesus who died a horrible death on a cross, rose again on the third day, and now sits at the right hand of God, and has ALL authority under Heaven and earth.

Jesus is a public figure and therefore usable as a character in satire or parody.  Phil's mother is not.

Quoted from M.Alexander Just so I've got this straight.   It's not okay to insult your mom, but it's perfectly acceptable to insult Jesus, who's very much alive and well.   The same Jesus who died a horrible death on a cross, rose again on the third day, and now sits at the right hand of God, and has ALL authority under Heaven and earth.

In some people's mind, Jesus doesn't exist. The issue here is when people try to force their religion on others as opposed to accepting their beliefs in a mature way. You may not realize this, mate, but the one thing that really annoys other members (or anyone for that matter) is having something forced upon you. Some choose to not believe in Jesus and write fiction about it. It's their choice, not yours.

Quoted from mcornetto Jesus is a public figure and therefore usable as a character in satire or parody.  Phil's mother is not.

I'm trying my hardest to wrap my mind around that one.  Still doesn't make sense.  Considering Phil's mom is a mere mortal  and Jesus is Creator of all things great and small.  And I'd have to reference John 1:1.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (Jesus was the Word - God manifested in the flesh).

So therfore, I have a tendency to find it just as offensive when someone badmouths Jesus, just as somebody would find it offensive if I badmouthed their mom.  It's the same thing.  And yet people wanna get all up in arms (like albinopenguin did, when I called him on the utter tastlessness of his BBS script.  And Irish Eyes, too).

If these guys are gonna go out of their way to take cheap shots at my Lord and Savior, then they should expect guys like me to answer them back.  And no disrepect meant to Phil's mom.  That was just an example.  Anyway, I've already spent too much my time on this subject.   The fact that albinopenguin started this thread is ridiculous.   Hhe could care less about religious discussions on the board, although he's acting like he started this thread for the greater common good of SS.   Yeah right.  

Quoted from M.Alexander I'm trying my hardest to wrap my mind around that one.  Still doesn't make sense.

Then you're probably happy I didn't say that Jesus is a character from a public domain novel.  He is free to use in any derivative or non-derivative work without concern for copyright or trademark laws.

Whether it's intentional or not, I've definitely seen some very lopsided evaluations of what's OK to discuss with religion. On the one hand, posting pro-religious comments is deemed unnecessary, and yet, calling religion out for being nonsense is accepted because it appears to be the general consensus of the board. That can't be right. The right to expression goes both ways. Let's get this straight: there are people who believe religion should be taken off the playing field and are entirely intolerant of it. To me, that mentality differs not one jot from bigots in any subject or area.

Personally, I'm as offended by people like Dawkins (or his ridiculous band of merry atheist cultists) as I'm by any OTT preacher trying to convert me to disavow my gay friends or to not drink or to give 10% of my earnings to a church. They are one and the same. I'm not personally religious, but do I believe in God? You betcha. The reason I discard religion is simply because of the man made rules designed to control and calm a poulace rather than allow them the rights to self-expression within the confines of the law. But we should respect those who hold religious views because in society their voice is being diminished by the sometimes vicious disdain of those trying to prove the unprovable... there is no God. If your life's work is to achieve that goal, you really will be disappointed. No one can prove anything either way.  

And let me put it on record that my respect for 'people of the cloth' is greater than avid atheists like Dawkins whose motives appear largely egotistical under the guise of scientific motivations. Many scientists have faith and to have faith is something to be respected, not mocked.

Regards inputting religion in revews, I think it's best to place it in the category of perspective, as you would if people were inserting gender, race or sexuality perspectives. If it's obviously ridiculous like "you're going to hell", why would you even let that scratch your shoulder? It's silly and very likely designed to wind you up. Ignore it. As David Brent said (the superior British one): "like water off a duck's back".

To me, it appears a self-inflicted wound to strip away the possibilities that injecting religion (or any subject, for that matter) into the mix when writing or evaluating work. We should all be seeking to add depth and texture to our work, and by closing to your mind to any area that may allow you to do that, you're depriving yourself of a chance to be a better writer.  

There have been alot of good, reasoned posts on this particular thread.  Here, here.

My three cents.  I don't have a problem with someone bringing up religion - if the discussion plays directly into the story itself.  (The movie Dogma being an obvious example of that.) Or  - if there's something that truly offends one's religious sensibilities about a script - mentioning so.  In a polite, reasonable way. (IE: saying something along the lines of 'I do object to such-and-so due to my belief X.')  I've seen reviewers do that (recently, in fact.)  And I very much respect it.

What I DO object to is when a thread is hijacked, or used as a platform for posting one's general religious beliefs.  Or a script is slammed SOLELY for religious reasons, without bringing up the merits of the writing or story. Because the purpose of these boards is to foster terrific writing.  And that's regardless of it's impact on religious sensibilities.  

I'm with Janet.

The purpose for posting on a script review thread should be limited to this: helping the writer make the script better. That's it.

That allows for a wide latitude of commentary. Including religion, if it's relevant.

Those threads are not a place to try to convert people to the reviewer's belief system.

Quoted from KevinLenihan I'm with Janet. The purpose for posting on a script review thread should be limited to this: helping the writer make the script better. That's it. That allows for a wide latitude of commentary. Including religion, if it's relevant. Those threads are not a place to try to convert people to the reviewer's belief system.

How about trying to help a writer avoid the fires of Hell?  I'd say that's pretty darned relevant, too.  

The only time I ever interject my religious belief is when i see a writer blantantly giving God the finger.  

If they bring up the subject in their script in a negative manner, sure I'll react.  Hopefully in a loving way.  But I'm still foulible.  

As we all are.

Quoted from M.Alexander Just so I've got this straight.   It's not okay to insult your mom, but it's perfectly acceptable to insult Jesus, who's very much alive and well.   The same Jesus who died a horrible death on a cross, rose again on the third day, and now sits at the right hand of God, and has ALL authority under Heaven and earth.

To most people in the world, Jesus never existed; he's a fictional character.  How much respect and belief do you have for Mohammed, Odin and Xenu?

My mother, on the other hand, did exist.  I'm proof of that and can provide further proof if needed.


Phil