webbles Posted July 5, 2013 Posted July 5, 2013 Well, I can't say I've read all the works of C.S. Lewis, but I was rather struck by the Christian influence when I read Mere Christianity and The Great Divorce, to say nothing of the Narnia series. So by that token, I'd have to say no, Lewis was not an atheist author.Was Evenson actually excommunicated from the LDS Church and that's why you're belaboring the point, Hamba Tuhan? I understand he was effectively let go from his position at BYU, but hey--there might even be a Mormon apologist or two who can make that boast. I'm unaware he's not still on LDS membership records. If you know better than me, I'll gladly take correction.--Erikhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Evenson mentions that he was excommunicated.
Five Solas Posted July 5, 2013 Author Posted July 5, 2013 https://en.wikipedia...i/Brian_Evenson mentions that he was excommunicated.Good old Wikipedia, thanks for that. Unfortunately there's no working reference link for the specific claim, so I wouldn't take this as definitive. But if it's true, someone important in LDS leadership must have really been scandalized by Altmann's Tounge (the work that got him relieved from duty at BYU). A shame, IMO. I remember him well and favorably. And it in no way extinguishes the LDS influence in his writing. Immobility simply could not have come from someone who wasn't LDS (or had been). And it in no way diminishes this recent work, which I'd recommend to anyone. --Erik
Calm Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Good old Wikipedia, thanks for that. Unfortunately there's no working reference link for the specific claim, so I wouldn't take this as definitive. But if it's true, someone important in LDS leadership must have really been scandalized by Altmann's Tounge (the work that got him relieved from duty at BYU). A shame, IMO. I remember him well and favorably. And it in no way extinguishes the LDS influence in his writing. Immobility simply could not have come from someone who wasn't LDS (or had been). And it in no way diminishes this recent work, which I'd recommend to anyone. --ErikHaving references to a certain faith's themes in one's work does not make one a member of that faith as demonstrated by the numerous anti-Catholic or anti-mormon literature out there.
HairBear Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 I am my favourite Mormon author of fiction, though none of my books have an LDS theme. Do I, and they still count?
rpn Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 You wouldn't be any different in that regard from Orson Scott Card. I'd say you fit.
Five Solas Posted July 6, 2013 Author Posted July 6, 2013 Having references to a certain faith's themes in one's work does not make one a member of that faith as demonstrated by the numerous anti-Catholic or anti-mormon literature out there.But it's not quite so simple in the case of Brian Evenson, is it? You wouldn't argue Altmann's Tongue wasn't written by a Mormon author (Brian was still on the BYU faculty when his first book was published). Unless you suppose an excommunication has a retroactive effect--that somehow he never really was a genuine Mormon. Having read both, it seems strange to attribute one book to a Mormon author but not the other. The LDS identify is unmistakable both times. And it is the same guy, after all. Perhaps it's somehow fitting my favorite LDS author would get excommunicated...--Erik
HairBear Posted July 7, 2013 Posted July 7, 2013 You wouldn't be any different in that regard from Orson Scott Card. I'd say you fit.Great, thanks
bluebell Posted July 7, 2013 Posted July 7, 2013 (edited) But it's not quite so simple in the case of Brian Evenson, is it? You wouldn't argue Altmann's Tongue wasn't written by a Mormon author (Brian was still on the BYU faculty when his first book was published). Unless you suppose an excommunication has a retroactive effect--that somehow he never really was a genuine Mormon. Having read both, it seems strange to attribute one book to a Mormon author but not the other. The LDS identify is unmistakable both times. And it is the same guy, after all. Perhaps it's somehow fitting my favorite LDS author would get excommunicated...--ErikWas Evenson still a member when he wrote the book in question? Edited July 7, 2013 by bluebell
Stargazer Posted July 7, 2013 Posted July 7, 2013 I like Orson Scott Card, but my favorite LDS fiction author is ME. Unfortunately, I haven't yet written any fiction, but I do have about three novels in me. They're trapped, and can't get out. 1
Stargazer Posted July 7, 2013 Posted July 7, 2013 I am my favourite Mormon author of fiction, though none of my books have an LDS theme. Do I, and they still count?Please believe me, but I really didn't intend to appear to be echoing you. I posted before I saw what you posted.BTW, who are you that I can discover what you have written?
Stargazer Posted July 7, 2013 Posted July 7, 2013 You and Stargazer better skip seeing the latest Brad Pitt movie then. But if someone twists your arm, it's not too bad. Good story ending.Oh, make no mistake, despite good reviews from reviewers I trust, I will nevertheless continue to skip the latest Brad Pitt movie.
Stargazer Posted July 7, 2013 Posted July 7, 2013 Well, I can't say I've read all the works of C.S. Lewis, but I was rather struck by the Christian influence when I read Mere Christianity and The Great Divorce, to say nothing of the Narnia series. So by that token, I'd have to say no, Lewis was not an atheist author.Ah, but you see, CS Lewis was from age 15 to 31 an atheist. I suppose most of his writings were written after he came back to Christianity, but if a Mormon writer becomes a non-Mormon, can he still be called a Mormon writer?
HairBear Posted July 7, 2013 Posted July 7, 2013 Please believe me, but I really didn't intend to appear to be echoing you. I posted before I saw what you posted.BTW, who are you that I can discover what you have written?Here's the link to my website so you can take a look http://www.cjwrightbooks.webeden.co.uk/
Five Solas Posted July 7, 2013 Author Posted July 7, 2013 Was Evenson still a member when he wrote the book in question?Not sure we can know with 100% certainty whether he's still in the LDS membership files. Since webbles' revelation back on post # 26, I've Google'd the question and there seems to be some conflicting information. But as I wrote in post # 31--I don't think it's as simple as whether he's in the database or not. A database doesn't determine a man's identify. A man's writing, on the other hand, can reveal quite a lot...--Erik
bluebell Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 Not sure we can know with 100% certainty whether he's still in the LDS membership files. Since webbles' revelation back on post # 26, I've Google'd the question and there seems to be some conflicting information. But as I wrote in post # 31--I don't think it's as simple as whether he's in the database or not. A database doesn't determine a man's identify. A man's writing, on the other hand, can reveal quite a lot...--ErikHow does Evenson self identify?
Five Solas Posted July 9, 2013 Author Posted July 9, 2013 How does Evenson self identify?A fine question, bluebell, but it calls for speculation and I'm going to let it go...
bluebell Posted July 9, 2013 Posted July 9, 2013 A fine question, bluebell, but it calls for speculation and I'm going to let it go...I don't have a dog in this fight, as I have no idea who Evenson is and have never heard of the book in question. It just seemed like whether or not Evenson could be considered a 'mormon' author would largely depend on whether or not he considered himself one. That was the thinking behind my question.
Recommended Posts