Monsters Without, Monsters Within: And the Twilight Zone of Imaginative Literature

“My mommy always said there were no monsters. No real ones. But there are." Newt: lone survivor of a space colony in the Sci Fi film: Aliens

What is a Monster? 1 a : an animal or plant of abnormal form or structure b : one who deviates from normal or acceptable behavior or character 1 a : an animal or plant of abnormal form or structure b : one who deviates from normal or acceptable behavior or character 2 : a threatening force 2 : a threatening force Pronunciation: 'män(t)-st&r Function: noun Etymology: Middle English monstre, from Middle French, from Latin monstrum omen, monster, from monEre to warn -- more at MIND (Date: 14th century)

Monster Defined Continued: 3 a : an animal of strange or terrifying shape b : one unusually large for its kind 3 a : an animal of strange or terrifying shape b : one unusually large for its kind 4 : something monstrous; especially : a person of unnatural or extreme ugliness, deformity, wickedness, or cruelty 4 : something monstrous; especially : a person of unnatural or extreme ugliness, deformity, wickedness, or cruelty 5 : one that is highly successful 5 : one that is highly successful

Are Monsters Real? If we define them as anything which deviates from the norm—yes. If we define them as anything which deviates from the norm—yes. If we define them as beings of extreme wickedness or cruelty–yes. If we define them as beings of extreme wickedness or cruelty–yes. If we define them as an animal of unusually large for its kind—yes. If we define them as an animal of unusually large for its kind—yes. If we define them as beings of supernatural malevolence—yes. If we define them as beings of supernatural malevolence—yes.

Real Monsters:

What About Supernatural Monsters? Yes! For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

What Other Kind of Monsters Are there? The Monsters of Myth The Monsters of Myth The Monsters of Fantasy (and Science Fiction) The Monsters of Fantasy (and Science Fiction) Monsters of the Imagination

So These Monsters are Imaginative and thus Not Real—no problem for Christians, Right? Well it depends on one’s World View, One’s “Cosmology of Belief”

A Literal, Fundamentalist View of Belief Systems

The Only Truth is that which comes from the direct revelation of God first through the Jews, then through Jesus and finally through the Fathers of New Testament Church: All other belief systems since they are false, come from Satan. Intended to delude. All other belief systems since they are false, come from Satan. Intended to delude. Thus Wicca is Satanic because it is outside of the true belief system. Thus Wicca is Satanic because it is outside of the true belief system. So is Greek Mythology, Norse Mythology and Celtic Mythology—all perversions, all Satanic So is Greek Mythology, Norse Mythology and Celtic Mythology—all perversions, all Satanic So is Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and even the Jewish faith since it has failed to recognize the Messiah-ship of Christ. So is Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and even the Jewish faith since it has failed to recognize the Messiah-ship of Christ.

The Exclusive Nature Endemic to Those Who Are Certain

“Essencalism” A word or an idea has qualities organic to itself

What is the most evil symbol of the 20 th Century?

What Does this Mean?