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10-17-2007, 03:03 PM | #1 |
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Bible parallel idea
I was just wondering if anyone has ever thought of writing a story that parallels the Bible. I have had this idea for quite some time now. It would be a great big unfalsifiable story about why the universe exists and why humans are here and how we are so special. The story would have to have historically accurate evidence in it. It could go through a similar format, copying each book of the bible. Many people would have to colaborate on the project though, because again the bible is written by many "authors". So I thought that this would be a good place to throw the idea out. Of course, the point of such a book would be to show how the bible can "appear" to be accurate, but it is in fact mythology. There could even be a side project for something like an apologists handbook for such a story.
Now, I have heard of stories that this actually has been done before (i.e. Scientology) but the big difference would be that everyone would know that this book was just fiction and it's purpose was solely to show how the bible really could be just fiction. Let me know if this idea is stupid, already been done, or if it actually might be worth trying. |
10-17-2007, 03:14 PM | #2 | |
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10-17-2007, 03:21 PM | #3 |
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See: Tolkien, Le Guin, Lovecraft.
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10-17-2007, 03:30 PM | #4 | |
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Seriously though, if the bible was successful, then why wouldn't a book like this be? Can it be done? |
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10-17-2007, 03:31 PM | #5 |
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10-17-2007, 04:08 PM | #6 | |
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Le Guin was specifically investigating myth structure. Lovecraft was specifically trying to produce a myth cycle that would address the concerns of the modern world. They weren't trying to prove that the bible could be fiction. Tolkien was a devout Catholic, but was trying to understand Catholicism in the context of a profound love for pagan mythology. Lovecraft and Le Guin both take the fictionality of the Bible for granted. There are many reasons to produce mythology, but it hardly seems worthwhile to produce it simply to prove that a well-known myth cycle could easily be fiction. Myths exist to communicate specific things to people. Unless you have a point beyond "oh, the bible is a bunch of lies," your myths will fall on their face. |
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10-17-2007, 04:18 PM | #7 | |
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10-17-2007, 05:00 PM | #8 | ||
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The problem I'm seeing with your proposition, though, is that it's just a "see, we can do it too" approach with little understanding of actual mythological significance. A lot of authors have, however, approached the concept of modern myth constructions. Tolkien, Lovecraft, and Le Guin are obvious examples, but then, so is Gardner's Grendel, Goethe's Faust, Milton's Paradise Lost, and a number of others. Additionally, you might want to consider the various works of Neil Gaiman, especially Neverwhere, American Gods, Stardust, and, of course, the comic book series Sandman. While you're at it, it might be worth taking a look at the comic book genre in general. The various accounts of Batman, the X-Men, or Superman might suffice as a mirror to the Bible. |
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10-17-2007, 05:21 PM | #9 |
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It would be tough to do without a very deep understanding of comparative mythology, IMO. I recommend the works of Joseph Campbell, to start with.
Most of his The Power of Myth series is on Guba video. Might be a good place to start. http://www.guba.com/general/search?q...&set=5&x=0&y=0 |
10-17-2007, 08:11 PM | #10 | ||
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To the OP - Consider the Star Wars films/books/toys/games/costumes and whatever other merchandise comes to mind. In a lot of ways, you've already got what you were suggesting. The obstacle, as has been pointed out, is time. regards, NinJay |
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