(urth) Lupiverse(es)

[António Marques]

Daniel Petersen wrote:
> If some writer clearly portrays Marxism or Secular Humanism in his or
>  her work, so many readers have a tendency to praise this as clever
> and wise and somehow morally commendable.  But when a Christian
> author does the same with their faith, well, it had at least better
> not be too overt and should definitely be open-ended, etc.

For me, the question is a different one. I see three patterns when it 
comes to an author's beliefs:

- Preaching to the choir: honest but doesn't interest me, even when I'm 
part of the choir. I hear there are a number of christian writers who do it.

- Covert preaching: dishonest *and* unintereresting because it's 
generally nearisghted and sterile. That's what I usually see 'secular' 
authors doing.

- Faith/belief/worldview-inspired (emotionally and intellectually): 
that's where authors like Wolfe stand for me. Not any secularist that I 
can think of - well, I like Eco. Borges claimed to be an unbeliever, but 
he was certainly not a secularist.


So it's not a matter of legitimacy to preach or not. I interpret the 
above as your saying 2 is considered OK by the establishment while 1 is 
only barely tolerated if it is in fact 3.