How do you feel about Gods in fiction?

[jadekite22]

I've noticed a trend in fiction recently that has bugged me: the portrayal of Gods. There have been a number of writers as of late that humanize Gods, giving them everything from emotions to issues simplistic enough--and sometimes disturbingly timely-- to be social issues dealt with in human society today. I don't know about you guys, but I feel like Gods should be above such traits and weaknesses of humanity since, after all, they did create it. Why are Gods in literature dealing with conflicts as intelligible as humans if they've managed to be mysterious enough to evade scientific proof of their very existence since the beginning of humanity. Hell, every day, we are still learning the intricacies of our own species! The only argument I can find to support writing them this way is that it's fairly hard to write about something beyond our very comprehension.

Being a writer myself, I'm very interested in hearing your take on this issue. Do you like the way Gods are written in literature? If so, what are some of your favorite examples? If not, why do you dislike it?

Note: this consistutes for all celestial beings, including angels, demigods, demons, etc.

[42fordprefect]

Jul 2, 2009 4:01:20 GMT -5 jadekite22 said:

I've noticed a trend in fiction recently that has bugged me: the portrayal of Gods. There have been a number of writers as of late that humanize Gods, giving them everything from emotions to issues simplistic enough--and sometimes disturbingly timely-- to be social issues dealt with in human society today. I don't know about you guys, but I feel like Gods should be above such traits and weaknesses of humanity since, after all, they did create it. Why are Gods in literature dealing with conflicts as intelligible as humans if they've managed to be mysterious enough to evade scientific proof of their very existence since the beginning of humanity. Hell, every day, we are still learning the intricacies of our own species! The only argument I can find to support writing them this way is that it's fairly hard to write about something beyond our very comprehension.

Being a writer myself, I'm very interested in hearing your take on this issue. Do you like the way Gods are written in literature? If so, what are some of your favorite examples? If not, why do you dislike it?

Note: this consistutes for all celestial beings, including angels, demigods, demons, etc.

and no jesus excpet in pisstakes how funny that since christianity is around so much people dont want to portray their own religion wtf.

[shazam]

Well gods ar portrade diffrent in diffrent religions some gods are more forces of nature then humans but in greek and north mythology they are more like super powerful humanbeings so it is a hard question but angels are really just sevants of god so i personally think they can be more humanized.

[browncoateric]

Jul 2, 2009 4:01:20 GMT -5 jadekite22 said:

I've noticed a trend in fiction recently that has bugged me: the portrayal of Gods. There have been a number of writers as of late that humanize Gods, giving them everything from emotions to issues simplistic enough--and sometimes disturbingly timely-- to be social issues dealt with in human society today. I don't know about you guys, but I feel like Gods should be above such traits and weaknesses of humanity since, after all, they did create it. Why are Gods in literature dealing with conflicts as intelligible as humans if they've managed to be mysterious enough to evade scientific proof of their very existence since the beginning of humanity. Hell, every day, we are still learning the intricacies of our own species! The only argument I can find to support writing them this way is that it's fairly hard to write about something beyond our very comprehension.

Being a writer myself, I'm very interested in hearing your take on this issue. Do you like the way Gods are written in literature? If so, what are some of your favorite examples? If not, why do you dislike it?

Note: this consistutes for all celestial beings, including angels, demigods, demons, etc.

Well if you read old mythology (perticuarly Greek) you'll find that Gods are portrayed as having personalities like humans. I mena the Greek Gods were basicly the first soap opra.

[42fordprefect]

most gods in fiction are from relgions that have died out, vanished or christianity and hinduism. but the greek gods arent around anymore save ares and aphrodite(wtf: Watch xena)

[gunsmoke1235]

all gods are fiction

[GarlenGreenGoblin]

Jul 9, 2009 18:24:38 GMT -5 @browncoateric said:

Jul 2, 2009 4:01:20 GMT -5 jadekite22 said:

I've noticed a trend in fiction recently that has bugged me: the portrayal of Gods. There have been a number of writers as of late that humanize Gods, giving them everything from emotions to issues simplistic enough--and sometimes disturbingly timely-- to be social issues dealt with in human society today. I don't know about you guys, but I feel like Gods should be above such traits and weaknesses of humanity since, after all, they did create it. Why are Gods in literature dealing with conflicts as intelligible as humans if they've managed to be mysterious enough to evade scientific proof of their very existence since the beginning of humanity. Hell, every day, we are still learning the intricacies of our own species! The only argument I can find to support writing them this way is that it's fairly hard to write about something beyond our very comprehension.

Being a writer myself, I'm very interested in hearing your take on this issue. Do you like the way Gods are written in literature? If so, what are some of your favorite examples? If not, why do you dislike it?

Note: this consistutes for all celestial beings, including angels, demigods, demons, etc.

Well if you read old mythology (perticuarly Greek) you'll find that Gods are portrayed as having personalities like humans. I mena the Greek Gods were basicly the first soap opra.

I agree with Browncoat, Greek gods even had weaknesses of sorts, Zeus was a Lounge Lizard, and had an Ego, Zeus Sister was vain and very hateful, they're very human in a way even though they've got extraordinary abilities, Superman would be more what gods would want to be, he doesn't live with mistakes he's the epiphany of the Perfect Patriot, and is in many ways in the books worshiped like he's a god

[iarent]

Oct 22, 2009 3:21:56 GMT -5 gunsmoke1235 said:

all gods are fiction

zing. I think that they should be used anyway an author sees fit if it helps create or further an interesting story. Anyhow i think one of my favorite portrayals is in Preacher.

[andrew]

depends on which gods. for the catholic god, i rather he/she be mentioned in movies and not show up.

pagan gods such as Greek and Egyptian gods and show up in fiction but need to be handled carefully. there are only a few forms of writings i have seen that portrayed pagan gods good.

[weslyv1]

Jul 2, 2009 4:01:20 GMT -5 jadekite22 said:

I've noticed a trend in fiction recently that has bugged me: the portrayal of Gods. There have been a number of writers as of late that humanize Gods, giving them everything from emotions to issues simplistic enough--and sometimes disturbingly timely-- to be social issues dealt with in human society today. I don't know about you guys, but I feel like Gods should be above such traits and weaknesses of humanity since, after all, they did create it. Why are Gods in literature dealing with conflicts as intelligible as humans if they've managed to be mysterious enough to evade scientific proof of their very existence since the beginning of humanity. Hell, every day, we are still learning the intricacies of our own species! The only argument I can find to support writing them this way is that it's fairly hard to write about something beyond our very comprehension.

Being a writer myself, I'm very interested in hearing your take on this issue. Do you like the way Gods are written in literature? If so, what are some of your favorite examples? If not, why do you dislike it?

Note: this consistutes for all celestial beings, including angels, demigods, demons, etc.

theres nothing wrong with gods being portrayed with mortal emotions in fact whos to say that they dont

untill we know more about them (and i say this with all seriousness) i say the gods can and should be portrayed however the author sees fit and if you dont like it hey you can always put down the book

[jokerjack]

coming from a thor perspective i think that gods shud be portrayed as either wanting to live a life outside of like valhalla or olympus or the void or whatever. characters like thor and hercules r one of the first mentioned. and when it comes to god portrayals with thor they get the thing right that they were seen as mighty warriors who smited all their enemies or women who had huge breasts and had children by thse wariors kinda sexist attitude but its the truth and if they want to portray godly beings like thor and wonder woman as finite whereas they use people like christianity's god as an entity or a presence either that or....


THERE IS NO GOD!!!

this guy says so anyway.