Offensive Novel-Much?

I don't think it will be a problem so long as you're not disrespectful :) Probably if people think they will be offended they just won't read it. Of course, that limits your audience quite a bit. And people don't like to read negative works - they'd rather read 50,000 words on how great atheism is than 50,000 words on how ridiculous religion is. But popularity isn't everything - plenty of offensive works are little read but have literary importance.

Oh, I'm not actually writing to offend anyone. It's just a novel whose plot itself might go against people's beliefs- there's not a single word about atheism or the Christian faith in it.

My novel will probably be regarded by many in mainstream religions as offensive---oh well! :-)
I think as a whole, novel writers, or just writers in general are pretty open minded.
Write on!

don't just maek fun of the religions or anything. but if it is not exactly what catholics believe is right or whatever, then ythey don't have to read it. but if you look at books that have been controversial, like The Da Vinci code and Philip Pullman's Dark materials Trilogy (which consists of The golden compass, The Suibtle knife and The Amber syglass), both were very controversial and yet they are extremely famous books and both are being or will be made into movies. So if you think about it a little controversy can help your books if your trying to bring up interest into it. it is kind of like that whole , telling a kid he can't have a cookie makes him want it even more thing. the cxhurch says you shouldn't read the book and immediately people read the book to find out why the church didn't want them to read it.

Speaking as a very liberal Christian, that wouldn't offend me. I would think it incorrect, but I wouldn't be offended.

I don't mind novels that call into question faith, if they are honest and accurate in their portrayal of the faith they question. I find dishonest books offensive, whether they are trying to undermine faith or promote it.

Examples:
Non-offensive book that raises difficult challenges to faith: The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell;
Offensive book that intends to undermine faith and is inaccurate: DoVinci Code by Dan Brown
Offensive book that intends to build faith and is inaccurate: Left Behind, by LaHaye

All IMHO, but that's what you asked for, after all.

Here's my thought: As writers, we have the opportunity to choose our audience.

Be real. Don't sweat who will or will not read it! Because, most assuredly, someone WILL! :-)

I'm a Christian. I don't read certain books simply for that reason. It's my choice. OH, and, just because something carries the title "Christian" does NOT mean I'll automatically choose to read it.

Peace,
Chris

no. it won't cause offense in the noveling community.

But it may cause offense in the religious communities. As such, I strongly urge you to finish writing your book, edit it well, and publish it so you can offend some zealots!

Of course they'll take offence. They believe in it and you'll be talking against it (it's like in any argument where both sides feel passionate for their side). If you make some good points, it will be understandable. Whenever I bash the Christian god, my friends (the majority of whom are Christian) understand and they'd understand if a stranger did it but only if that stranger gave a long explantion of why they are bashing god. As long as you don't sit there going "this is bad, blah, blah, blah" without reason (because that's when they take offence) then you'll be fine. I'm sure you'll be mature about it. Don't be ignorant.
(Note: I'm not assuming you're bashing a god or that you're ignorant, it's just an example.)

Where there is religion, there will be offense.

Where there is offense, there will be sales....

Those to take offense to a book shouldn't read it.

In my opinion, try not to worry about what others will think: If your book is extremely offensive (Which it doesn't sound to me), yeah, you could get some angry readers knocking on your door. But, brush hem off. Unless you write something like "OMFG DIS RELIGION IS SOOOO FAKE AND DUMB LOL." There's nothing to worrry about.

you should be totally good to go if you are not blatantly bashing a belief system. plus, why should you care? honestly, you shouldn't. you're not writing for someone who doesn't agree with your beliefs. you're also not writing for someone who thinks the same things you do. you're writing to inspire and invoke new ideas and ways of thinking. that should be your sole aim in writing this novel. that's fundamental.

What she said.

-----------

"And the Lord did grin, and the people did feast upon the lambs and sloths and carp and anchovies and orangutans and breakfast cereals and fruit bats and large chu--" "Skip a bit, brother."

Whenever I see a post along the lines of 'will this offend someone?', I wonder... why ask? Why care?

Because yes, inevitably, it will offend someone. Someone out there will not like it. Maybe a whole group of people won't like it. But from what I can tell from your posts, you're not trying to needlessly hurt people, so honestly? I wouldn't worry. It says more about those that are offended than it does about you, and besides - you can't please everyone.

You do know that Purgatory is not Biblical? Celtic monks introduced the concept around the sixth or seventh century. It comes from Pagan beliefs about the afterlife.

And considering the idea is kind of expelled now, Purgatory for any religion is fair game. Of course, people will whine even if you hint at being areligious, but they can go read their Left Behind novels and dust off their C. S. Lewis/Tolkein shrines instead of picking up your book.