Well, that’s
what happens when you drop a rock in still waters. No, the controversies
between Horror and Christianity aren’t very still, but I think a lot of people
tend to stay pretty silent about it. Except those who write Christian Horror,
like for instance, Mike Duran.
“Reasons
Christians Don’t Read Horror (And Why They Should)” was the article Duran
posted on the blog Speculative Faith. It was posted Friday, and as of
Wednesday night, it has already accumulated 85 comments. After the inundation
of responses, Duran tweeted that he needed to get a special app alerting him of
whenever someone left a mean comment.
See what I
mean about dropping a rock?
I feel kind of
odd writing this now. Like someone trying to come fashionably late to a party,
but instead, they happened to wait too long and now it’s just plain awkward.
Duran starts
off talking about the Christians who refuse to read in the Horror genre. I’ll
back him up by saying that a lot of the time it’s not just non-believers who
seem convinced that Christianity and Horror can’t work together. I’ve received
a lot, a LOT of strange looks from Christians when I talk about my interest in
Horror.
Though, to be
truthful, I do have to admit my fascination with the genre may stretch beyond
normalcy.
When Duran
mentions the questions posed by those who reject horror, my answer probably
wasn’t the right one.
Duran writes,
“So why should we voluntarily scare ourselves?” My first instinct was
simply… Because it’s fun. The answer popped in my head before I even read the
next sentence. While it seems harmless enough, it probably wasn’t the best
first impulse I could have had.
The article
got me thinking. Do I take this love of fear too far? Is it getting to a
twisted or dangerous level?
If you find
yourself asking these questions as you read through the article, keep reading.
Duran states something that many of us often forget.
“…there’s a
difference between what we look at / observe / encounter / ponder and what we
choose to embrace. Just reading or watching something horrific does not make us
horrible, any more than watching a car accident, robbery, adulterous affair, or
elder abuse makes us compliant.”
Yes, Duran’s
article is straightforward, and may even be taken as harsh. But whether you
agree or disagree, the topic deserves a decent amount of thought before
replying.
Whether you
agree with him or not, he makes some awfully strong points.
In my opinion,
I agree with him. Not just because I like reading Horror (and the adrenaline
rush from being scared), but because as Christians we can’t ignore everything
that isn’t pretty or what makes us cringe a little.
So, if your
aversion to the genre of Horror is based purely on your taste and you honestly
just don’t like it… Don’t read it. I’m not going to say (and I don’t think Mike
Duran would either) that you’re a bad Christian or you’re not actually
Christian if you don’t read Horror. Honestly, that’s quite silly. It’s a rare
occasion if I pick up a non-fiction book, a romance novel, or even historical
fiction. Honestly, I don’t read much else in the Christian Fiction world except
Horror. Duran mentions Amish Fiction… It’d have to be one strange day for you
to ever catch me reading that stuff. I’m not against it, it’s not because I
think the Amish shouldn’t be written about, I just don’t have the taste for it.
My reads have
to have that rush, that thrill, that uncertainty of what’s going to happen.
They have to have the type of exhilaration that only comes from the ups and
downs of a Horror or Thriller/Suspense novel.
HOWEVER, if
your excuse for not reading Horror is “I’m a Christian” or anything along those
lines… I’m not going to tell you you’re wrong. We’re all entitled to our
beliefs and personal values. But I ask you to re-consider. Read a couple more
articles about the controversy; maybe even pick up a Christian Horror novel.
Mike Duran’s
article, “Reasons Christians Don’t Read Horror (And Why They Should)” would be
a good place to start. If you’re against it or not, I encourage you to join the
conversation. Do a little research on the topic. Find out what’s best for you
personally.
That also
involves not criticizing those who have found no conviction in reading Horror.
While I did
say Duran’s article could be taken has harsh, I think he’s done a good job of
pointing out some concrete ideas. (Should I dare to say facts?) As I read his
article, I’m glad to see his enthusiasm. The article practically oozes with
emotion. Which, most of the time can be a bad thing, but the elements he brings
to the conversation are solid enough that the emotion adds an extra level of
strength to his argument.
So to answer
his final question, “Do you ‘do horror’?” Yes, I do. I love it and I don’t
think much would able to stop me from reading it. I love the scare and ever
present battle between the good guys and the bad ones. I agree with Duran that
while we are supposed to be full of light and overflowing with God’s love, we
can’t ignore or deny the fact that there is real evil in the world.
For details on
Duran’s ideas, you’re going to have to read the article yourself:
http://www.speculativefaith.com/2012/06/15/reasons-christians-dont-read-horror-and-why-they-should/
For more of his writing you can also check out
Mike Duran’s blog: http://mikeduran.com/
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