Religious controversy Novels — interesting or mere crap?

The controversy around creationism or theories of Religion versus evolution and intelligent design is a battle which each religion across the world witness from time to time. That is so because, underlying this debate is a set of truths and values related to the nature of the human being and the meaning of life, which we cannot avoid. It is not novel for a religious tradition to discover that a transmitted truth is challenged by new wisdom — be he be a novelist.

However any religious controversy has managed to develop interest amongst the public. Particularly novels on religious controversies or religious conspiracy have sold like hot-cakes in all nations across the globe.

The furore and even more the interest that the recent Dan Brown novel "The Da Vinci Code" had created go to show these novels never fail to attract the readers' attention. Naturally people look to religion for answers. And when the very origin of religion is questioned, people like to know more. They like to know why and on what basis is the novelist or writer arguing. There are extensive debates, discussions among various public circles.

Perhaps Dan Brown is not the only novelist that has brought to fore religious controversy novels for public scrutiny. In 1968 Swiss writer Erich von Däniken's book "Chariots of the Gods" (published by Putnam and Bantam Books) went on to be a collector's item and was later made into a film by the same name. Even today his books including "Gods from Outer Space," "The Gods Were Astronauts" are read extensively across the planet.

So till the time when religions will thrive on beliefs and Science will progress on facts, novels on religious conspiracies and controversies will be widely read and will also serve as popular cultural demand.

From time to time we have seen novels and non-fiction that crossed the thin line of fiction and reality. Interestingly hardly have we seen these same books missing the reader's eye. Salman Rusdie's Satanic Verses which was later banned, found a huge reader base who not only bought the book from outside the country, read it and took it to public discussion. Yes, the book and the author faced the wrath from certain quarters, nevertheless the book was a huge success.

Experts are of the opinion that this success can be the the result of a mature readership who understands the thin line between fiction and reality and accepts it as an work of art.

When Dan Brown's Da Vinci's Code was released in India, there was much talk, particularly in the Christian-dominated states of Goa and Nagaland, but it didn't hold readers back. The book as an work of art was appreciated and read in even the smallest and farthest state of India. Even the movie which came later was screened in all major cities was received plentifully.

There have been debates on why the reactions of Indians to Religious controversy novels are so mild. Is it because they are not bothered that their age-old religious ideals are being attacked by a novelist? The usually accepted facts which critics opine as reasons for this behaviour are: Firstly, India's readers are mature enough to differentiate fiction from reality. Secondly, the democratic setup of the country allows all to express their views — be it in the form of speech or art. Thirdly, the social fabric of India, be it any religion, is strong enough to embrace novels that might attack their religion, but not to be affected to the extent of fanaticism.

Yes stray incidents of protests going out of hand were seen in certain areas, yet these can't be taken as a barometer to calculate India's readership base. India will continue to read and appreciate or criticise novels on religious controversies. As long as religious fiction is supported with reason, there is no dearth of readers. The fathomless reader-base of religious novels is always thirsty for more. It's a tall ask but a successful one.