I have a few questions about the need to submit fictional work for review.
1. If a character in a story believes things and does things
that would be easily recognizable to a Baha'i, but the name Baha'i
is not explicitly mentioned, does the story have to be reviewed
at the Baha'i national center? For example, a character may
mention that he has to pay 19% of his surplus to the international
governing body of his religion, or he says obligatory prayers every day
or she needs consent from parents in order to marry....etc.
If the name Baha'i is not in the story, does this have to pass review?
2. If a *brief* passage from the writings is used in a story, is it necessary
to get permission from one's national office? I am talking here about
short phrases, such as "Be....thankful in adversity", or "Is there any
Remover of difficulties save God?" Is it acceptable to use these
in a story without saying they are from the Baha'i writings? For
short passages like these, is it necessary to obtain permission
from a national institution? I assume permission is not needed
if one paraphrases something. For example, a writer could make
a character say: "Can anyone save God remove difficulties?"
I think it would be acceptable to use a paraphrase without
identifying the source as Baha'i.
3. If a minor character in a story is identified as a Baha'i, but the
Faith is presented in a non-controversial way, does that require
review?
I assume that if a major character is named as a Baha'i then the book
or story would have to pass review; is that right?
4. If an irritating or ill-tempered character who is otherwise
a decent person, is identified as a Baha'i, is that likely
to be approved or disapproved by a review board?
I assume this would not prevent approval because it's
been done in for example, the biography of Louis
Gregory To Move the World. In that book, Horace Holley
is portrayed as rather cold and unfeeling, but a dedicated
believer. The basic question here is, is it acceptable to
a review board if a Baha'i character in a story has normal
human shortcomings.
I would truly appreciate anyone's insights, experience, thoughts
concerning these matters.
Thanks very much,
Tim Nolan
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