Atheism Will Get You Killed
Spiritual-not-Religious means trouble for your protagonist
“Are you religious at all?” the old woman asks our protagonist, taking a long drag on her cigarette.
“I try to keep an open mind,” our protagonist responds.
The old woman smiles lightly, a clear look of victory flashing over her features.
- The Skeleton Key (2005)
In our modern secular times, authors often neglect the religion or lack thereof of their characters. This is a mistake, one that can hamstring your storytelling.
High fantasy and (of course) Christian fiction authors tend to incorporate religion and use it to fine effect. Other genres… not so much.
But faith dictates far more than what you do with Sundays and leaving it out entirely can leave your characters hollow at best, and behaving unrealistically at worst.
Your Character’s Faith is ALWAYS Important
Don’t think because you’re writing a cop thriller, this doesn’t apply to you.
Your hard-boiled detective has seen so much and sometimes feels like he’s lived too long. He doesn’t believe in God or the afterlife, not one bit.
Fair enou…