Comments on: Cover to Cover #340A: J. F. Lewis

By: Chris of The Jesus Geeks

Chris of The Jesus Geeks — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:11:04 +0000

I really don’t have much of a problem with Mike classifying beliefs as mind viruses because as we learned in the “Quarantine” episode of Red Dwarf, there are positive and helpful viruses. I’ll go with that!

By: Trampas Whiteman

Trampas Whiteman — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 06:14:42 +0000

I bought the book, btw. I think I bought it for all the wrong reasons. Rather than because I like the story matter or the author, I bought it because I was outraged. Bad reason to buy a book – especially after 90 pages in, you realize it just isn’t your thing.

As I read this book, I found the transitions to be bad and the characters to be unbelievable. Plus, it came across as juvenile. Maybe vampire fans would like it, but not yours truly. Now I know not to read vampire books.

By: Summer Brooks

Summer Brooks — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:53:37 +0000

How can speculation about the redefinition or reclassification of thought as a viral transmission vector not be SFF?

Seriously, think of all the things you were told to think when you were a kid, by your parents, your friends at the time, your teachers, all of your good and bad influences… were you indoctrinated or were you infected? What would your parents have considered any bad behavior on your part as a result of “infectious thoughts” you picked up from someone else?

How many things did you take at face value when you were younger that you chose to re-evaluate or relearn for yourself later? Couldn’t that be considered much the same as a long recovery from an injury or a serious illness, from a certain point of view?

I don’t think that discussion was about the right and wrong of any particular ideology, political, religious or social… it’s about changing a preconception about something we all take for granted, and seeing how many different ways we can run down the street with it, in how many different types of stories.

I think I could have some fun with that…

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:42:20 +0000

Here’s my question: Who isn’t infected with a mind virus?

In reality, no one is. Yes, religious organizations do change the way a person looks at the world, but so does television and books and music and everything else that makes the world around us work. We call them biases. Often, a person is unwilling and unaware when they are infected. What child knows that Spongebob is shaping the way he views the world? What scientist would ever dare to think of something as a true miracle?

The question is, which infection is the right one? Undoubtedly, an unconscious infection is false. I mean, honestly, if you as a person do not know why you look at the world the way you do, then it can’t be legitimate. Can it? And one that has enormous holes in the ideology/theology/thought processes can’t be right either. The question is: what is left? Which infection brings us closest to our original mind frame or, rather, the one that brings us closer to “perfection” as humanity?

Personally, I doubt this infection is found amid a bit of everything, or even in trying to resist infection. Eventually, everyone is going to acquiesce. Do you want to know what you’re submitting to or be completely in the dark? That’s what it really comes down to — choosing the best one.

Thought provoking, though I’m not sure how much it has to do with SFF.

By: Pen to Paper » Blog Archive » Morality in Art

Pen to Paper » Blog Archive » Morality in Art — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:19:14 +0000

[...] a recent episode of Dragon Page: Cover to Cover, J.F. Lewis was interviewed about how his recent novel Staked eventually led to the author [...]

By: Skiznot

Skiznot — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:46:34 +0000

Just listened to this and found it very compelling. I’m not much into vampire fiction but I definitely pay to read the story of Author vs Church, very compelling stuff. And I really enjoyed the discussion that followed. Food for thought, blogging, discussion etc.

By: the lows

the lows — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 20:41:36 +0000

Speaking as a Christian, we all are here. We were like everyone else. Completly floored but what this church did. This is not at all in line with Christ teachings, in fact this is more in line with a group of church elders making up their own minds about things. (religious right, it sounds like to me.)
We Christians, (true Christians) believe and live our lives by one rule. “Love the sinner, hate the sin. Don’t not judge others, but show them love instead.” This is the main reason I got out of organized churches, and why I have not attended any church services since 1979. If someone should ask what religion are you, I respond by saying Christian.
Now I know what’s going to happen here, it’s always the same; Christians will be lumped together with these nut jobs. I am just giving my views in a head of time.
Great interview as always, I hate what this church did, and wish the writer well in his career. Hope this does not turn him away from his personal faith and beliefs.

Tim

By: Barry

Barry — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:29:37 +0000

Good Lord guys. This was a pretty wrenching interview. I’m not a Christian but I understand that when your own personal growth or beliefs suddenly come in conflict with your church, it can be pretty traumatic. If you’ve spent your life following a certain path and you come to a point where you have to either step off that path or deny a part of yourself, it’s a difficult emotional decision, one that a lot of people eventually have to deal with. So nice job there. (It would have been interesting to know what church Mr Lewis belonged to but I’m assuming it was a conscious choice to not disclose that.) What surprised me was the discussion later of religion as a “mind virus”. I understand that from an intellectual point of view, if you were, say, objectively plotting a science fiction novel, it’s an interesting way to look at things. But for a lot of people faith is a deeply felt very deliberate way of life. And to suggest to someone that the reason they are Christian is that they were simply infected with a “mind-virus” could be deeply insulting. And again, while I understand that when you’re speaking off the cuff, doing a talk show (Something I admittedly could never do.) it’s easy to say things you don’t necessarily mean, it was a little jarring to hear Mike S, speaking of small cult groups, say “…the point is though that either they are going to tend toward moderation or they literally take themselves out of the population. And so, I mean, it’s a lot of fun.” I’m assuming he meant fun in the plotting-a-novel sense. But to anyone who had family or friends in, say Jonestown, it might have seemed a little insensitive.
So again, interesting show but, a little jarring.

By: Mainframe

Mainframe — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:21:43 +0000

I am so sorry for all that Jeremy Lewis suffered for writing this book from his church. I am a devout Christian and I can positively attest that this behavior by a church is not representative of mainstream Christianity.

I agree with Trampas that it seems like this particular church is using their reading of certain scriptures to try to exert control over something they don’t like; rather than trying to address whatever issues they have in a mature manner.

Most of us Christians realize that we fall very short of the ideal we seek to emulate. Some of us forget that and think that because WE don’t like something, then God doesn’t either. This is the height of arrogance and hypocracy.

Religious people still have the right to protest that which they believe is wrong; but to be consistent with their religion, they need to do so with humility and kindness , I think.

I think that so many people believe that they have a right not to be offended. I believe that – not only do we not have that right; but rather we have a responsibility to be offended. If we don’t look around at the world and see the things that are offensive, then we have a very uninformed view of reality. We need to ask ourselves whether we are offended because it really harms other people, or because we just happen to dislike it personally.

Thanks for bringing this issue up on your podcast.

By: Trampas Whiteman

Trampas Whiteman — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:48:02 +0000

This has got to be one of your best interviews ever. My jaw was on the floor.

I think, really, the church has two things in mind. First, they don’t like their public image “sullied” by the book. But, more to the point, I think this is about control.

Mr. Lewis, I hope you’re looking into a new church.

All that being said, I’m going to buy a copy of this book even though it’s not my usual stuff – just because of the interview!

Thanks to the hosts for the discussion afterwards. Excellent topic.

By: Ian from BC

Ian from BC — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:25:13 +0000

some very Hrab-like subject matter… i liked it!!