Do believers have a more difficult time differentiating fiction from reality?

Question

I've seen believers (mainly Christians believers) say things that give me the feeling they don't know what is fiction and what is reality. Take for example the "DaVinci Code," this is a work of fiction but i've seen so many Christians go absolutely ape over it. Same thing with Harry potter... They believe that if kids read these fictional stories they will somehow be empowered to cast spells and fly on brooms.

The catalyst for this question was an answer to another question* that asked if anyone had actually seen god. The answer made reference to the movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and said that if you saw god your face would melt off.

*This may have been a joke answer but in it's context it seemed serious, it's really hard to tell sometimes on Y!A.

Gary, my list of sources doesn't include the Da Vinci Code, i dont know where you got that tid bit from. My Sources are renowned religious historians, philosophers, and logicians.

Answer 1

I'm afraid you might have a point here.
If it makes you feel any better, there are Christians out there who do know the difference between fact and fiction.
Personally, I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I also enjoyed RAiders of the Lost Ark, but it never prompted me to think that anyone's face would melt off...that does sound rather silly.
I do wonder about the Da Vinci Code, though. I mean, yes, it's fiction, but it does seem as if a great many people take it seriously...I've lost count of the numbers of times I've been asked if Jesus was really married to Mary Magdalene...
Another fiction work that has given me pause would be The Left Behind stories. It amazes me how many "Christians" have made those books their Bible!

Have a nice day!

Answer 2

Christians do not have a difficult time differentiating fiction from reality. The reason why many christians are conserned about the DaVinici Code is that it is fiction. Some people do not know that it is fiction and they start to loose sight of reality. With Harry Potter it is mainly that parents do not want to attract their young children to witchcraft. I do not agree with sheilding and padding things for kids. They need to know whats out there in the world. This will make them stronger christians and it also helps advance the kindom of God. Hope I answered some of your questions.

Answer 3

I'm a Christian - I have a very firm grasp on reality vs. fiction. I actually like the Harry Potter stories (I know I'll hear about that!) I think they are the 'Wizard of Oz' of our time. I like Star Wars (actually the first three ep 4,5 & 6), I liked all three Indiana Jones adventures, I liked The Lord of the Rings - but I can actually tell the difference between simple entertaining fantasy and reality. As for the Da Vinci Code - I don't like it because it is demeaning to my Lord and Savior. And yes, I know it's fiction, but the heresy contained within is repugnant to me as a Christian.

Answer 4

I'm a born again Christian and I hate to say it but many Christians have and still do believe the Davinci Code movie and go ape over it, as you said. Never seen one that believed in Harry Potter though. The bible says no man can see God and live. It doesn't say your face will melt off. We don't know what would happen but God would never show anyone His face for that reason so we'll never know.

Answer 5

To explain this to you would be an exercise in futility. First you have to know that God is real. Then you have to know without doubt which God is the God of gods.

Then, you'll know that it is what we call "satan" behind the promotion of opposing spirits and doubting God. The people behind these movies, do not know it, but because they are not right with the Lord, they allow another Spirit to influence their thoughts and actions.

But don't you worry. Their lives will go by in a flash and in due season, will find out that God isn't playing games. Perhaps you too are toying around with a flame you cannot see or fathom.

Answer 6

When is showing an fiction,must exist an responsability about who will receive it.
An men who know the true,will understand the fiction.
But mens who don't know the truth,
can believe , that an procent from this fiction can be real.
For believers is clear the reality is the time lived in true,all other time is just fiction(iluzion).

Answer 7

My question to you is "How do you know they're Christians?".

Only those whose names are written in the book of life are Christians, everyone else who calls themselves christians are committing the sin of taking the name of the LORD in vain.

All YOU have to go by is that they SAY they are Christians.

I personally refused to accept Christianity for a long time because I didn't think it squared with science. After all, everybody KNOWS life evolved over millions of years, right?

I attended a debate between evolutionists and Christians (Henry Morris and Duane T. Gish), and found out the kind of misrepresentations the evolutionists had to resort to in order to make evolution sound plausible.

Once my intellectual obstacles were resolved, I further investigated numerous other pre-conceived objections I held and most were indefensible.

I am now a Christian.

Answer 8

Please don't mistake the actions of some believers as the norm for all. There are many believers who think and behave in a very immature manner, and yes they can be confused by fiction. But not all are that way. There are some believers that may be better at seeing reality than non-believers.

Answer 9

The idea that children will misinterpret fictional books as fact is the principle of modern religion. Other fictional works like Harry Potter present unwanted competition for the bible. You only get one chance to warp your child's mind, you don't want J.K. Rowling to steal if from you.
Of course it's ridiculous. Without someone telling the child that the book is true and that it's the only thing keeping them from hell, it doesn't have the same effect.

Answer 10

All I know is that the reality in which we live is greater than any fantasy ever written.
It sounds like you lump all Christians in a category like some peole stereotype blacks. I like to look at people as individuals. I do not really care how Hollywood portrays anything.