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Talking animals in children stories....demonic?

Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by JeffM, Apr 27, 2004.

  1. JeffM

    JeffM New Member

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    I am developing a DAVEY AND GOLIATH style animated series and have a few questions.

    The main character is a boy who has a pet gorilla (yes gorilla) that was rescued from a cruel owner. I am a big fan of the original KING KONG, so this is part of the story line.

    Originally I had it based on Davey's relationship with Goliath, where Goliath speaks only to Davey but while I was discussing this with a friend and fellow fundamental Baptist, he mentioned that some people may take a talking animal at any capacity as being somewhat demonic. He mentioned that the DAVEY AND GOLIATH series was produced from a Lutheran/Catholicism doctrine, which doesn't doesn't mind this sort of thing. He certainly got me thinking and I've never considered this, especially growing up with the DAVEY AND GOLIATH series.

    I intend to market this series to the Christian community and knowing how diverse the Christian community is, will this pose a problem?

    I look at VEGGIE TALES and all of it's talking vegetables and I can't imagine this upsetting people.

    My series is intended to presented from the Baptist point of view, which tends to be little more fundamental and black and white (as God is) so I look forward to your input and suggestions.

    Thank you

    Jeff
     
  2. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    God used a talking donkey so I don't see why people would think talking animals are demonic! Have you watched The Donut Man? He uses a talking donut and puppets that talk too.

    We own Veggie Tales, Bibleman, 3-2-1 Penguins, MaGee and Me, The Donut Man, Prayer Bear (Steve Green) and many others. I'm as SBC as they come and I'm not offended. A puppet course I took for AWANA a few years ago stressed to not allow the puppets to accept Jesus as their savior tho.

    Diane
     
  3. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    No one has a problem with talking vegetables. I think you're fine. If anyone has a problem with talking animals, then they should stop watching scooby doo.
     
  4. Tim

    Tim New Member

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    The demonic thing is pretty far out, but I do think there are issues to consider when writing stories with talking animals.

    First, I think that having non-humans (even vegetables) making spiritual decisions is problematic. It tends to trivialize spiritual things, mixing them in with the world of make-believe. Animals learning lessons in character--OK, being saved--not OK.

    Second, having animals talk coherently to people can be less believable than even Scooby-Doo's meaningful grunts. It makes the reader/viewer suspend his disbelief a little more because the real and make-believe worlds are being mixed together. I'm not saying it's immoral or anything, just that it tends to diminish the effectiveness of the story.

    Third, animals talking among themselves is less of a problem. When we place them into a human world, we simply pretend they are human. But when we allow them to talk among themselves, yet leave them in the animal world, I think it's more effective. Most classic children's stories about talking animals fall into this last category.

    I've been involved in children's publishing for a long time, and I've had several talking animal stories published--but I generally heed the advice of editors and try to maintain certain limitations as I've mentioned above.

    Tim
     
  5. LadyEagle

    LadyEagle <b>Moderator</b> <img src =/israel.gif>

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    Jeff, go for it! Agree with Diane. God used a talking donkey. May God bless you richly as you use your talents for His honor and glory! [​IMG]
     
  6. Gib

    Gib Active Member

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    I'm down with it as long as you don't bring back the purple dinosaur.
     
  7. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    You know I can't remember a single talking animal in scripture that was demonic.
     
  8. Paul of Eugene

    Paul of Eugene New Member

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    Well, there was that one snake . . .
     
  9. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    I don't think that there is any real harm as long as some of the practical guidelines mentioned are observed.

    I am not comfortable with animals of vegetables getting saved, but other than that I can't see a problem.

    BTW, I am a conservative IFB (although some of my brethren would consider me a liberal ;) ).
     
  10. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    LOL, your right LOL
    I would suggest then that he not use a snake in his story and he'll be fine LOL
     
  11. Charles Meadows

    Charles Meadows New Member

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    "he mentioned that some people may take a talking animal at any capacity as being somewhat demonic."

    Anyone who would think that is silly anyway!!
     
  12. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    You mean Larry Boy isn't going to be in heaven after he becomes an after-school snack? :(
     
  13. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    "Daddy won't let us watch 'Davey and Goliath'. He says a talking dog is Satanic." - Todd Flanders
     
  14. Mike McK

    Mike McK New Member

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    Great idea but I think the folks over at Hanna-Barbara might have something to say about it.

    It was produced by the Lutherans.
     
  15. Artimaeus

    Artimaeus Active Member

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    [​IMG]
     
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