Religion in Fantasy

[lea_hazel]

Supposing you picked up a book (secondary world fantasy, FWIW) and from beginning to end, it didn't have a single mention of religion in it. What would you think? I mean, none of the characters, major or minor, are religious, no places of worship, no names of gods, no forces beyond mortal ken, no epithets or swears or the like. How hard would you roll your eyes?


When I look at all the things I want to add to my story's worldbuilding, religion isn't one of them. Right now the world is very frail and basic, I have to add a lot regarding language, currency, economy, border politics and documentation, even technology. I also want to expand a few things I did address, like food and clothing, arts, and class differences.

Ostensibly religion is too big and too important a part of people's lives, even (sometimes especially) if they are not adherents themselves. Certainly I doubt I'd ever write a contemporary or historical story without addressing religion at least a little. However, building a whole set of religions suitable to four POV characters of four different species frankly sounds like more trouble than it's worth.

I don't really like religion, and don't find it fascinating enough. Then again, I don't find economics very interesting either, but I look at my story and see that it's necessary to address things like trade and craft, currency exchange and the value of certain goods, in order to accomplish the story I'm setting out to tell.


Can I accomplish my story in a world with no religion, or is that just too implausible?

Comments

[senmut]

I know one spec fic that is called Sci-fi, but the science is so iffy that I tend to think of it as retconned fantasy. The author tried to leave out religion. She replaced it with an aura of mystery around one of the social groups on the planet, and all the oaths they have revolve around that class and the threat they face. In the end, she set up an unorganized cult, or at least that was the feeling of it for me by the end of the first few books.

That does not, however, mean it cannot be done. Depending on the level of rational thought each society of your world has, it could be very feasible. Or maybe it's there, but doesn't subsume the people's thoughts and interfere.

The most important thing is for you to feel comfortable with your world. If it feels right without religion, it's right.

[lea_hazel]

Sci-fi is generally more flexible, although I shy away from that particular class of book that emphasizes too much how enlightened and post-religion everyone is.