Along this topic, it made me wonder: how long time does a faith have to be out of style or have so little practicers that it becomes okay to make the figures into just characters and stories to play with as mythology and NOT have an outcry?
People still practice this faith in the True Gods. It is jut not so many as the major religions. Growing up in scandinavian areas, one is likely to know a little about it and to have a level of some respect, though perhaps not belief.
Major religions have their fictionalisation of the major figures and mythologies as well.
Christianity:
Many, many films, tv serials, books, games, etc. use the mythology and the minor characters and storyline.
The Jesus character has been portrayed in film.
The god character has been portrayed in film.
A great many of these portrayals either mean no harm or are meant to be taken seriously, though there are others who use the chosen medium to mock. While angels and devil and that part of the mythology are definitely just used as fodder for fantasy stories, the Jesus and god characters are more often than not used either in an attempt to be serious (even if it isn't universally liked) or in mockery. I can't think of a superhero Jesus who fights crime in her high heels and pushup bra or anything of that nature.
The reaction:
I think there is a lot of acceptance from people of that faith of the use of the angels and devils in fiction. Use of the main characters can prompt outrage, especially if it is used in mockery.
There is little to no violence associated with this outcry in the modern era.
Islam:
There is very little of this as far as I know except for the mockery stuff because of...
The reaction:
Fatwa! Death to the infidel! Burn! Kill!
Lars Vilks knows about this.
Hinduism:
Bollywood has Genesha, Hanuman, etc. galore dancing in the films. I don't really watch Bollywood films much, so I can't comment on how they are portrayed inside the culture very well. Maybe someone else knows more?
There are hindu god and goddess characters used in fiction, tv serials, games, comics, and so.
Maybe they have sex changed gods and goddesses who fights crime in western stuff? I don't really know since I don't read comics.
The reaction:
A lot of acceptance of the main story elements of the faith in fiction.
I think the reaction to mockery or poor taste is about the same as the christian reaction, though, perhaps a little more likely to get things banned through official channels.
Buddism:
Think this is about the same as above?
Anyway, currently practiced religions don't seem to like their god or goddess characters portrayed as a crime fighting sex changed super hero. However, Þórr can be sex changed, put in high heels and made to fight crime in comics with little reaction other than 'oh, look how big tits Þórr has now!'
So, how long time does a faith have to be out of favour for them to just become characters?
Also, I am still OUTRAGED. And, sussurated, screaming, shocked, soured, serious, salladed and sasquatched on this matter still!
Old Giantish has meter-long words, incomprehensible grammar, and äöå. This has æøå instead.
