I read something funny a few years ago where somebody complained that most popular fiction and most movies don’t have a religious element where the protagonists pray to God to ultimately solve the problem. I imagined some pretty funny movies, like Indiana Jones being trapped and the bad guys are about to kill him, and he just can’t get free. And instead of resorting to some amazing feat involving a whip and the element of surprise, he sits back, prays to God, and a lightning bolt strikes the bad guys dead and he goes on his merry way.

Thanks Hemant!

Jeff Mark

He does use religion as an example on multiple occasions, and is a big Richard Dawkins fan. The book even includes caricatures he has drawn of both Dawkins and Bertrand Russell, which are quite good (at least I think so).

“Umm, says who? You might not have meant it this way, but I’m getting a little annoyed at atheist authorities acting as if atheists as a group don’t celebrate Christmas. Some do, some don’t. I’ve heard it said from a couple of prominent atheists now, and I wish they’d just speak for themselves.”

Aren’t you being a tad touchy about the idea of not celebrating Xmas?

The very word Christmas, indicates
the birthday of Christ, probably the most holy day next to Easter as being the whole reason to be Christian. If you’re annoyed by this line of thought maybe you should rethink your religious views
and become deluded again.
I have never been religious and like the idea of having a holiday to re-unite with old friends and family over a nice meal etc. But to become annoyed because “atheist authorities”, who ever they are, are trying to control whether you
have Christmas or not, is unusual.
But I guess you could be a new convert to atheism and still have some doubts.

Or fantasy for that matter; the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman comes to mind.

I’m tossing around an idea myself including plot lines and character sketches, though it’s very hard to decide where to draw the line between what is allowed in the fantasy universe and what is not. The obsession with reality you mention is definitely there; my imagination is wild, but I know when I’m not being realistic.

I forget the author’s name, but I’d remember it if I saw it.