Christianity - selling point or turn-off?

Not having read the article, I won't comment on it. I will; however, point out that there are probably far more fundies and witch-burners out there than there are "skeptics" such as you and I. Mankind has needed to worship something since long before recorded history. My suggestion is don't stop your run at a miles distance. Witch-burners can run too. The only thiing that may save you is if you leave a bit of cash on the ground for them to follow. It will throw them off your scent.

I think they do heck look at the bible ;)

The Exorcist had a 'Christian underpinning' of sorts, so it would depend upon whether it was dealing with themes or if it was pushing a religious agenda. As for religious nuts, I stay as far away as possible. I grew up in a part of the country sporting a small but noticeable number of Jesus freaks, and they are truly some of the scariest people on earth, much like Osama Bin Laden (hopefully) without an RPG.

I think a Cristian angel would sell more books,dont know about Muslim angels though.

I think the question is, is this a good writer who happens to have a christian world view (e.g. Chesterton, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis etc) or a person who's decided to be an author as an alternative way of proselytising (e.g. some of the American 'fantasy' writers). There are plenty of christian writers on this site, and not a few Hindus and Muslims, those who just want to "witness" will post a few things and go away again when their inbox isn't inundated with people wanting to be saved.

If I'm making a choice between two different books, lets say fiction...and one book is a religious topic and another is non-religious in nature, I'll choose the non-religious book. So, yes religion is a factor in what some people purchase, rather it be for or against. Religion sells, it can be no other way. I just don't buy it unless I'm doing research.

Nothing wrong with having Christianity in a book, as long as it's not evangelical, in my opinion. I'm not so interested in reading about religious questions of the past as about current issues. I have in mind a character for a novel who has some Christian beliefs while being turned off by the Church and by the mumbo-jumbo elements in the bible. Such a character wouldn't be too far from myself, and millions of others, I suspect (the pray-when-your-desperate brigade) - so his doubts, shortcomings, and fears, tested against evil on the one side and religious cant on the other, would make a valid contemporary subject, I think.

correction: pray-when-*you're*-desperate

*says prayers* nah not a joke i muts admit i a have respect for liberal christainity

i realy need to slow d o w n s o i d o n t m a k e a s m a n y t y p o s

On a more series point a project that i am working on just now is called 'second breath' and includes me self publishing a book of scripts stories poetry and a play. Second breath is very much associated with liberal christianity. I went through it and found it and belive it not in way that i need to shove it down peoples throats but it helped me in abig way i feel my second breath project is a thank you and also creates inspiration for others who find themselfs in similar situations. I was insane i did lose it i had nothing and was dying on the streets only three years ago. you have seen what i have been like. At times in the last few years i ahve been in tears while using this site. Thats why i know you give me bit of lea way for some of the stuff i have written and thats ultimately good and shows the strength of understanding. The book is going to be called seciond breath and i am sure it wills eell a few copys becasue of its connotation with chritianity and of course the profits go to charity and i win my life back. It doesn't have to be all bad.

hey you know the bitter words where my pain i insulted everyone including my own wee mum i am so ashamed of that i am so ashamed of what i have been saying on here recently anyway this week i am going to cut down on multiple posting and gather my thought s more before i post. I am winning not to be a winner but just to be..

I only buy Vatican approved literature. No bollox ...but just as a book being blacklisted by the Vatican or other recognised religious institution (e.g. "The last temptation", "The satanic verses") always boosts sales, so does religious advocation. It's a human thing.

I have actually a 'liberal christian' story that will maybe change your life, i also have the proof which is something very special indeed. I'll leave it up to you I don't think i will write it online as i don't want to be some kind of attention seeker but if you want to know, and it is about 'second breath' just have a word with me. I aint trying to sound like charlie big balls or some kind of prophet because i aint but never the less if you need strength it is there. *sometimes i wonder where i get the wide boy cockney talk from cause i aint, anyway have a nice week all and when you wake up tomorrow no matter what your situation is in life 'justs smile and know its ok'*

So much of our literature has a kind of Christian ethic running through it, just as a lot of our language owes a lot to the legacy of the King James Bible. I think a Christian worldview as filtered through a book often provides a really interesting slant... the problem comes when you feel that someone is presenting their perspective as the undisputed status quo, skewing reality to fit that framework - ie, all 'bad' characters in the book get punished, all 'moral' ones are in some way rewarded. The novel I'm writing at the moment has a strong Buddhist undercurrent running through it, but I'd be mortified if a reader felt I was being dogmatic. In fact, I hope I'd be surprised that they'd noticed it at all. When your worldview segues seamlessly with a convincing narrative, I think you're doing something right.

ok i am going to say what i have got. Are you ready for this, a worlds first. I belive i have the single most valuable piece of paper in the world. When i was involved in self harm i managed to sacr myself with the 'stigmata' apart from the scar on my side which appeared and that looks like a sword has entered that wasn't me and i have no record of ever having such a wound placed on my body. This year i was about to release an article to media outlets across the UK and the big issue in Glasgow wanted to publish it. It was the accumualtion of two years of rersaerch and the article was excellent done on pagemaker and probably one of the finest pieces of journalism about this subject ever done. The headline screams '21st century epidemic or just a case of 'attention seeking'. Bascially about the same time that i was working on this in college and printing out the first copys the printer started to act funny. All the paper started coming out as if there was blood ingrained on the paper, it wasn't stained it as if there was blood actually ingrained on it. There was no stains on the paper when it was being put in but when in it came out it was stained. I have one of the few copies in existence and the only one that is signed and dated by me. I belive if i put it on ebay and told the story about it which is alll backed up by witness'ss facts amd other evidnce the piece of paper would sell for a lot of lot of lot of money. But anyway its in a laywers office. When you see it you will know what i mean. I am thinking of putting it on ebay with a starting bid of £50,000 and giving all money raised to my favourite charity. Any thoughts?

Plenty.

of course it could be simply explained as a printer error but its a bit strange nevertheless does no one think so considering what has been happening in my life. Anyway i am still trying to get abit of help. I made another appointment and have been given one three months away what am i meant to do? I was going to put this on ebay just to draw attention to what is happening. Do any of you guys know a pyscitrist that could help me get in to the cassell project in west london. Its a projecthat helps people like me without forcing medicine down them. Its aproject that helps people confront ther problems. They are not helping me up here. Three months wait to see someone. Anyone. Its run by the nhs and if i get psyciatris who will help me get in here i will be ok. you stay in the project for about 6 months to 1 year and get it of your chest.

Keep the money; that's my only reservation about your plans. (Fifty grand sounds a bit steep, mind.)