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

[lea_hazel]

There is a lot in your comment to consider. One of the main reasons I felt like I didn't really need religion, is because in fantasy it is a force for social conflict, and the conflict in my story arises from differences in species and the type of stratified societies they form. Species is the differentiator that rises above nationality and unites or divides people accordingly. It seems to me that it can give rise to a set of social philosophies that are not really religious, but which have a similar organizing effect on society.

Epithets are tricky, although I am pretty good at spotting turns of phrase that have an underlying religious meaning.

I don't intend to draw attention to the lack of religion. I only recently noticed it myself, so I think I will just continue as I started, and take care that something incongruent doesn't slip in. Writing in limited third person should make that easy.

[ailelie]

Religion as philosophy. Forgot that one. My head was stuck on organized, which is really only part of the picture.

Add 'often' in front of your 'force for social conflict' and I'll agree with you. I'd even go 'usually.' I've seen it otherwise (outside of religious fantasy even) or at such a low degree of conflict that it didn't really register plot-wise.

As for your species differences, I'd simply point out that religion can affect the stratification of a society.

Epithets are also fun b/c they give an idea of what the society's values are.

As for your story, I do hope you share it. Should be interesting if it includes conflict between nation and species.