ThelmaLou Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 My son has decided to write a persuasive paper about the benefits of fantasy literature. I just ordered a couple of books from Amazon containing essays from Tolkien and Lewis on the fantasy genre. But where do I go to get the strongest and most credible arguments on the other side? I don't want him to set up a straw man. I really want him to address the most reasoned objections of those who have a problem with fantasy and fairy tales. Any websites, articles, essays or books would be helpful to him. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Just bumping this up for you.:001_smile: Fantasy is my favorite genre. I have a close friend who is against it, though. To my knowledge, it was just her opinions based on passages of biblical scripture. If there was a book on it, she probably would have read it:D I would say that your son could get scriptures from the Bible on witchcraft and sorcery to go for the other side of it. I'm interested to see if anyone HAS written a book on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Just bumping this up for you.:001_smile: Fantasy is my favorite genre. I have a close friend who is against it, though. To my knowledge, it was just her opinions based on passages of biblical scripture. If there was a book on it, she probably would have read it:D I would say that your son could get scriptures from the Bible on witchcraft and sorcery to go for the other side of it. I'm interested to see if anyone HAS written a book on this. Those who I've run into tend to cite Timothy 1:4, "nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than righteous edification which is in faith," as an injunction against myth, fantasy, fable or what have you. I don't find it a very satisfactory interpretation though. It seems more likely that Paul is addressing a situation where a congregation has gotten bogged down in legalisms and argument over the Hebrew scriptures or OT. Early Christians were dealing with lots of diversity remember, from Jewish Christians to Gentile converts and there was a lot of tension there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I've heard that Charles Dawkins is going to write a book about whether it's harmful for children to read fairy tales and fantasy literature, and his arguments would add a different perspective to the discussion. I don't pay much attention to what he says, so I'm not sure what you would be able to find on the topic yet, since the book hasn't been written. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secular_mom Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I've heard that Charles Dawkins is going to write a book about whether it's harmful for children to read fairy tales and fantasy literature, and his arguments would add a different perspective to the discussion. Do you mean Richard Dawkins? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Do you mean Richard Dawkins? :) Yes. Not sure why I typed it that way. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThelmaLou Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Wow, Richard Dawkins opened up a can of worms (when I googled). Thanks for the name. Any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 The book A Landscape with Dragons deals with this issue. This book is in favor of fantasy- but also explores the genre carefully and sets limits on some of it- from a christian perspective. Wonderful book! Rebecca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThelmaLou Posted May 14, 2009 Author Share Posted May 14, 2009 I just ordered A Landscape with Dragons, plus a couple of books by Lewis and Tolkien with essays, among which are essays about fantasy lit. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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