Comments on: Article of Faith by Mike Resnick

By: scatterbrain

scatterbrain — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:58:32 +0000

Very good Atlantic; I know this’ll sound weird, but I’m glad you’re offended.

By: Atlantic

Atlantic — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:15:20 +0000

Hi, I’m new to this site but have been a SF fan for many years. scatterbrain, I hope it will reassure you that I am religious and found this story somewhat offensive.

The pastor, by definition someone who should educated in the faith, is presented as rather stupid, ignorant of traditional Christian theology, and intellectually incurious about theological questions. The congregation is portrayed as viciously bigoted and violent, and when they manifest these qualities, the compassionate pastor stops being a pastor and loses his faith. This is a very negative portrayal of religious people.

By: Scatterbrain

Scatterbrain — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:05:34 +0000

I’m not saying science fiction *has* to be offensive as such, just that science fiction writers can’t be overly sensitive all the time or else the whole genre just becomes meaningless pap.

As for the story, me and you differ. I love Resnick, but I thought this was just weak sauce.

By: john

john — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:37:01 +0000

Why does science fiction have to be offensive to someone? I don’t get it.

I thought this was a great story. I loved it!

By: scatterbrain

scatterbrain — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:20:27 +0000

The last thing I want is for science fiction to become too generic; we are the genre of change and let’s hope we stay that way!

I can respect your desire for some non-controversial, enjoyable (as opposed to “agressively enlightening”) reading, which I enjoy myself in small doses, but I still like my SF thick and fast and challenging.

By: Rusty

Rusty — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:19:45 +0000

Wow, Well said scatterbrain! I like being challenged in my thinking too (as I was with "Oceanic"), but sometimes I think it is also nice to just read a story and not feel like the author is trying to make you see his or her point of view.

By: scatterbrain

scatterbrain — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:09:04 +0000

This story seemed very old-fashioned to me.

Also, I don’t like all these science fiction stories that portray religion too ambiguously, as though they’re not trying to offend anybody at all.

I say “Offend all you like!” The whole point of science fiction is to challenge people, that’s why I love it; if that means a few wet noses that’s fine with me.

I’m as pro-choice as you can get, but when I read Philip K Dick’s “The Pre-Persons” it felt good to be challenged and given the alternative viewpoint(although I did not agree).

I’m as atheistic as you can get, but when I read fiction with a spiritual-edge I feel enlightened and diverse, but not taken in.

My message to science fiction wriers: Take a stand! Offend! Insult! Question! But most of all, entertain!