I was curious at people's tastes in books in Wednesday's post question. Do people prefer to read about someone just like them or would they take a chance on characters not quite like themselves?
I want to thank everyone who participated both by leaving comments or e-mailing me privately.
I think what surprised me most was how loose definitions had become on what's "different." Race, ethnicity, national origin didn't matter as long as the characters were true and the story was entertaining.
Religion is another matter. As a non-Christian, I'm very conscious of this particular predilection in the U.S. I stayed in the broom closet for years, more for my clients' protection than mine. Texas isn't exactly the most tolerant of states when it comes non-Christians. I knew judges and juries would hold their bias concerning my beliefs against my clients.
Now that I'm no longer practicing law and openly wear my pentacles, I get a jerky comment about once a year. For the most part, people either don't care or are smart enough to keep their bigotry to themselves.
Then there's the times that people seem to forget who they're talking to.
The most weirdly amusing comment came privately. Let me make my stance perfectly clear, folks. I'm not the least bit troubled by mixed-religion relationships. I'm in one. So don't expect me to agree this is a bad thing. It ain't going to happen.
Besides, DH and I have a bet going on whether GK will become a Zen Buddhist or a Shi'ite Muslim.
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