Accidentally offending readers

[Jason Hook]

Thanks Mike, I totally agree with you...I'm sure my next book in the series will aggravate a few people.
Joe - I like that quote...might have to use it!!!

[William Woodall]

I haven't offended anybody, per se, at least not yet that I know of.  I figure it's just a matter of time, unless I want to write tasteless pap (which I don't).  Although I freely admit that I've deeply shocked a good number of people.  I tend to view that as a good thing in most respects because it gets people thinking.

[Daniel Arenson]

Daniel--I haven't read your book, but I can tell you this. If anyone is "offended" by what you created, that's their problem. A writer should never bow to the demands of the PC police, because their demands are insatiable. This hysteria of making sure no one is "offended" offends me. For a little more on the subject, I wrote a blog on my website on this topic called "We'll return to sanity, following these words". It's http://mikedennisnoir.com/well-return-to-sanity-following-these-words/881/

Thanks, Mike.

That link didn't work for me.  Can you repost maybe? 

Recently I had a chance to watch some old stand up comedy from Johnny Carson and Ed Sullivan.  Some of the jokes were surprisingly racist -- stuff that would NOT fly today.  But in those days, it was normal.  I'm thankful that today, in 2010, we live in a society that's more sensitive to these matters.

That said, I do agree that some people take the whole PC culture WAY too far -- analyzing every word with a magnifying glass, seeking any hints of inappropriateness.  I haven't had any emails from such folk (thankfully), but it might happen in the future.

I remember a case a couple years ago.  Jerry Lewis said how he doesn't find female comedians funny.  It was a bit offensive to women, and a dumb thing to say... but to hear the "PC Police" speak of it, you'd think he was Mussolini on the balcony, rather than just an old man who spoke inappropriately.  Heck, I myself sometimes (often?) say the dumbest things, and occasionally get called on it.  Happens to all of us.  The only solution, really, is to remain forever silent... which is probably a bad idea for a writer. 

[Daniel Arenson]

That link didn't work for me.  Can you repost maybe? 

Never mind -- I clicked again and it worked this time. 

[Daniel Arenson]

Yes, Islam, Christianity and Judaism have very similar basic tenets, from my understanding. 

They do.  The three religions are remarkably similar.  Sad how so many people focus on the differences, rather than the commonality....

[Arkali]

I wouldn't sweat it.  Not to offend anyone, but some people are VERY strict about what is "permissable" or not.  My ex was a designer working on a fantasy MMO (think World of Warcraft) and he knew a guy who was a programmer.  He asked him if he'd like to work on the game with him.  Guy told him thanks, but no thanks.  The fact that there was a pantheon (totally made-up gods/goddesses) meant that he'd be going against his religion if he helped create said game.  While I have all the respect in the world for him for that viewpoint, I also found it to be illogical and pretty hypocritical because Guy was an AVID EverQuest player (another MMO which, surprise, had its own pantheon).  Anyway... yeah.  I don't think I'd even slow down on what you're doing

[traceya]

They do.  The three religions are remarkably similar.  Sad how so many people focus on the differences, rather than the commonality....

They are far more similar than most people feel comfortable with.... the Koran, the Bible and the Torah read almost the same in many, many places.  A true pity that more people who profess to those religions didn't follow what their sacred text tells them 

[Edward C. Patterson]

Which reminded me today to download a copy of the Qur'an, the Bhagavad gita, and the Dharmapada to dwell in peace with my Bible on my Kindle (in their own collection). The Tao deh ching already has a special with the 5 Confucian classics, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Gilgamish Epic.

Edward C. Patterson

[R. Doug]

I studied portions of the Qu'ran a few years ago for research for my third novel, Grand Slam (no, it's not yet published).  It is in fact a religion that preaches tolerance of other religions to a degree not seen in many others, unfortunatelly.

[SidneyW]

I think it's impossible not to offend some of the people some of the time. All you can really worry about is telling a story, and the chips will fall, well, we all know where the chips fall.

[traceya]

Which reminded me today to download a copy of the Qur'an, the Bhagavad gita, and the Dharmapada to dwell in peace with my Bible on my Kindle (in their own collection). The Tao deh ching already has a special with the 5 Confucian classics, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Gilgamish Epic.

Edward C. Patterson

Ed I think I love you and I know I love your reading material 

[William Campbell]

... Qur'an, the Bhagavad gita, and the Dharmapada to dwell in peace with my Bible on my Kindle (in their own collection). The Tao deh ching already has a special with the 5 Confucian classics, the Egyptian Book of the Dead and the Gilgamish Epic.

Well rounded, you are.