What goes in a Holy Book?

[deshokia]

Hi there. I am writing a novel, with a fictional world. In this place, religion is important on a huge scale, and the Holy Book is important in the plot, so I thought, why not write a Holy Book. So, I ask you here at RF, what would need to go in a Holy Book?

 

[Jeremiahcp]

A fictional world.

 

[Stevicus]

Hi there. I am writing a novel, with a fictional world. In this place, religion is important on a huge scale, and the Holy Book is important in the plot, so I thought, why not write a Holy Book. So, I ask you here at RF, what would need to go in a Holy Book?

I suppose just about anything could be transformed into a "holy book." I remember an episode of Star Trek where an Earth ship had left a book about Chicago gangs in the 1920s on another planet, which somehow turned into their "holy book" and patterned their entire society according to "The Book."

As for what a Holy Book might entail, I would imagine some sort of creation myth would probably have to be in there somewhere.

 

[Valjean]

Words, words, words..

 

[Muslim-UK]

Hi there. I am writing a novel, with a fictional world. In this place, religion is important on a huge scale, and the Holy Book is important in the plot, so I thought, why not write a Holy Book. So, I ask you here at RF, what would need to go in a Holy Book?

Guidance for mankind from a being that transcends time and space.

 

[The Holy Bottom Burp]

Going by the holy books we have, you'll need plenty of stories that are fantastical, bizarre or ridiculous, and that contradict each other, how else are you going to end up with the faithful arguing over it and having holy wars? Large swathes of a decent holy book should be boring, rambling, and repetitive also, don't forget the boring and rambling bits. Or being repetitive, oh wait, I've already said that.
Finally, you need to demonise sectors of the population, who are "different", how else are you going to cultivate bigotry, homophobia, and misogyny? Whatever you do, don't go giving women equal status, give them an inch and they'll steal a mile, those damn women. Include a bit that tells the faithful they have to wear a hat as well, most religious people seem to like wearing hats, not sure why.
Hope that helps!

 

[The Holy Bottom Burp]

Wait! Almost forgot - violence! You'll need lots of violence and killing in it as well, cant believe I forgot violence.

 

[The Holy Bottom Burp]

While I'm about it include some stuff that is incoherent as well, you know like the Trinity. Incoherent stuff is usually popular, it all adds to the "mystery" of the deity. Enough already, I think I've briefed you on all the requirements of a good holy book now.

 

[Skwim]

Unless what is written is essential to the story stay away from more than a smattering of details. Such digressions slow the pace and invariably bore the reader. Keep the story moving. If an element doesn't do this forget about it. You're writing to please the reader not yourself.

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