Wicked Game [Updated]
First off, I am a born and raised Catholic. I believe in one God and that Jesus died for our sins. I don’t expect you to believe or to agree with me. Just stating a simple matter of my convictions here, so that perhaps this next rant will make a little more sense. Also, as a warning in case you don’t want to read on.
I am so tired of anti-religion permeating popular media. I have my beliefs, the atheists their beliefs. I do not wish to force my beliefs down anyone’s throat so stop trying to shove yours down my throat while at the same time trying to strip the symbols of my religion from every public place.
This little rant comes courtesy of Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready. I am cruising along happily reading and enjoying this book when the main character’s and presumably the author’s anti-religious bent is thrown out there slapping the reader in the face. The first instance that leaves a bad taste in my mouth comes after Ciarra’s (pronounced Kee-rah) brush with death. She is thinking back on the thoughts that surfaced when she thought was going to die. At this point, the author informs us quite succinctly that the only thing that had not come to mind was prayer. What?! I do not look for Jesus in my vampire books, but to just throw that out there?
After feeling a little uncomfortable with that, I move on. I am still intrigued with the rest of the story. Then, I get hit with another one. Ciarra and Shane are sitting down to a get-to-know-you Q&A session. All very cute and revealing, until Ciarra says something close to the following (paraphrasing here):
“I hate religion. Wait no that makes me sound like I blame my parents for everything … I have studied religion, and I think it’s dangerous. Isn’t life enough?”
Now she is telling this to a vampire who happens to not be alive. So, I am to surmise that after a few college courses, she knows all there is to know about religion and can come to the brilliant deduction that religion is dangerous. Frankly, any fanatic belief whether it be religion, nationalism, patriotism, or racial is dangerous. These things can lead to cult/mob-like behavior which results in a great deal of suffering and death. However, religion, faith specifically, has been shown to provide many benefits from a longer life to a general sense of well-being and happiness.
I would like to know what Shane’s view point is. He was Catholic before being turned into a vampire. Is “life” enough for him? In that way I can see whether Ms. Smith-Ready is only going to present the negative side of belief or a more rounded look at the issue.
Now when I finish the book I will review it here without any of the religion/anti-religion rhetoric here. I apologize if I offend, but I will not apologize for my convictions.
Update: I would like to say that I have nothing against artistic expression and that I may very well be wrong about where the author is going. These statements may very well be a part of the character’s development. I will soon see when I finish the book. Regardless I will not be touching on this subject in the actual review unless it actually becomes a part of the character development or plot.
