Why Literature and Religion Are Completely Incompatible
The relationship between literature and religion has long been a subject of debate, with some arguing that the two are inherently incompatible. At first glance, literature’s vast array of themes, from the exploration of human suffering to the questioning of morality, appears to stand in stark contrast to the doctrines and dogmas of religion. Literature often embraces ambiguity, subjective experience, and the complexity of human nature, while religion, particularly in its more orthodox forms, seeks clear moral absolutes and divine truths. One of the primary reasons why literature and religion are seen as incompatible lies in their differing approaches to truth. Religion, especially in traditions like Christianity, is often grounded in systematic theology —structured and systematic belief systems meant to explain the nature of God, humanity, and salvation. In contrast, literature, as a form of artistic expression, thrives in the realm of uncertainty and paradox, where moral questions r...