Fictionology FAQ
What is Fictionology?
Fictionology is a religion above all other religions. It both embraces and transcends almost every other known religion. A true Fictionologist chooses which Fictions to believe and holds to them, drawing meaning, instruction, moral guidance, entertainment and comfort from them.
What is Naive Fictionology?
Most adherents of traditional religions refuse to admit that they are actually practising a type of Fictionology. We refer to this as Naive Fictionology. It is a much more mentally draining position, and has been shown in scientific tests to consume as much as 90% of an adherent's concentration just in coping with the interplay of simultaneously-held conflicting ideas. Some hold that it is this mental load that prevents Naive Fictionologists from comprehending true Fictionology.
Isn't Fictionology just believing any old crap?
An extremely facile view of Fictionology may lead to that interpretation. However, any mature, intelligent adult with even a rudimentary understanding of philosophy would recognise the wonder of the existence of narrative, the benefits of complete immersion in Fiction, and the edification that comes from exercising a faith. You must learn to think on the next level up from the prescriptive religions you're used to.
Do Fictionologists have churches?
Some do, but you won't always recognize them if you're used to traditional churches. Some meet regularly in small groups outside movie theatres. Some gather in members' homes to read, watch videos or role play. Some dress up and meet in dark noisy clubs. It depends on the Fiction selection of the group.
What are the benefits of Fictionology?
Peace of mind. Understanding. Significance. Prosperity. Friendship. Confidence. True humanity. (Not necessarily all at the same time and not necessarily just for you.)
Can I just choose my favorite book and believe it?
You can, but that won't grant you all the benefits of Fictionology. You need to know the way to apply Real Fiction to your ways of thinking.
How can I become a Fictionologist?
Send me an email and I'll add you to the growing list of people waiting to purchase my new book "Fictionology: A Panacea for the Information Age (Part 1)"
Comments
Brilliant.
For a modern religion to be successful a) your ancestors should also be deemed Fictionologists so your passing from Naive to Real "saves" your whole family tree (a la Mormonism) and b) there should be a defining wrapper, a story line of mythic proportions into which the most extreme Fiction fits (a la Scientology's Thetan mythology).
Fictionology is liberating!
I'll include a chapter on Fictionology's dramatic arc in the book. Of course, hyper-Fictionologists will understand that whole chapter to be a Fiction in itself, and will decide for themselves whether to embrace it.
On passing from Naive to Real Fictionology, it will become apparent to adherents that their religiously inclined ancestors (of almost any faith) were actually Naive Fictionologists. Unfortunately, there isn't a way to retrospectively improve the peace of mind experienced by deceased ancestors (unless you're an extreme Dr Who worshipping Fictionologist).
I wasn't going to mention the post-death benefits of Fictionology as they are still controversial in Fictionology circles. However, there is a majority view that faithful Fictionologists do experience a Fictional Life Beyond The Grave (FLBTG). The dispute that rages is not whether FLBTG is eternal or finite, but whether your FLBTG would cease if nobody remembered your Life Fiction.
The details of these arguments are best left for discussion in the followup book, "Fictionology: A Panacea for the Information Age (Part 2)".
You really have something here. Fictionology is the label that fits what people already believe, the hidden name of the shared universal truths.
Fictionology is "The Name".
This is way cool. You mean I dont need to go to a church and donate 10% to God? What if I refuse to accept that a single God even exists? No moral code or system of ethics? Bye bye sinner mentality, hello happiness. Sign me up!