King's Politics

**Sweet One** · November 15th, 2009

Anybody already read Under the Dome? I haven't yet, but how is it?

There is this article, though, that brinbgs King's politics to the fore:

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment...under-the-dome

It talks about "moral truths' in King's works. I tend to think King explores more philosophical truths than moral in his works--then again his works have explored feminist issues, the desctructive consequences of high shcool bullying, etc., so I suppose yes, some of his works are quite moral.

Insomnia takes on the abortion issue, though it basically doesn't do much more than make the pro-lifers the bad guys. A better exploration of the issue would be to show the possible negative consequences of a world where the right to choose an abortion is outlawed by the state.

One question raised here is the issue of King's faith. He says he hates many of the evils done in the name of religion, but is not against faith in a higher power. I wonder what he would think of Sam Harris, an atheist philosopher who calls for the end of faith. Harris beleives that reason, NOT faith in the unprovable existence of a God or Gods, should govern human behavior.

I tend to agree with King here, actually. I beleive that an actual force for Good may actually be guiding the human condition toward better morals. We've a long way to go yet. But we've ethically come a long way. if we substitue reason, or something else, for god, then we'll end up worshiping that, and rationalizing immoral acts in the name of reason. it is actually tribalism, rather than religion per se, that causes immoral acts. If we erradicate, humans will simply find other ways to do the same things.

**Damaris** · November 30th, 2009

In Insomnia, I don't think it's quite accurate that Mr. King made "pro-lifers the bad guys." Abortion has been one of the most contentious issues in politics and religion of the last half century and has spawned more homegrown terrorism than many realize. Clinics that allowed abortions or provided information on them have been rioted against, fired upon, and bombed - as have the individual doctors who perform the procedures - at the hands of (ironically) pro-life supporters. We know well that extremists are not representative of the movement (any movement) as a whole but they should be acknowledged. I also think the religious overtones harken back to Carrie and Carrie's mother (an extremist in her own right) in an effort to shed light on archaic and questionable dogma that organized religion often condones and followers implement (a recurrent theme in Mr. King's works). I do not think it can be distilled into a question of conservative or liberal values, as your statement implies. IMO, at least.

**Sehestedt** · December 6th, 2009

Originally Posted by Damaris

I also think the religious overtones harken back to Carrie and Carrie's mother (an extremist in her own right) in an effort to shed light on archaic and questionable dogma that organized religion often condones and followers implement (a recurrent theme in Mr. King's works).

King has written religious characters both good and evil. I've read in interviews of his mistrust of organized religion.

But Carrie's mom is a bad example of that. Carrie's mom is not an example of organized religion gone bad so much as disorganized religion. It's been a while since I read the book, but as I remember it Carrie's parents thought they knew more than any church, that they had the true insight on God's will, and so they didn't even go to church. Carrie's mom was a religion unto herself. A true nutter. A little organized religion might have done the woman some good.

But then you take a character liks Father Callahan from 'Salem's Lot. A Catholic priest who is very much one of the good guys. His failing is not a failing of his organized religion, but his own failure to cling to faith in an age of reason.

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is one of the most theistic thrillers I've ever read. Much of the story is a rejection of deism in favor of not only the reality of a deity, but the reality of a personal God who cares for us.

**Damaris** · December 7th, 2009

Sehestedt, well-said. On Carrie's mother, I merely meant that she was an extremist and that it was one of many religious explorations in Mr. King's stories.

**staropeace** · December 7th, 2009

I dont care about his political views at all. I dont agree with some of them but to each his own.
I want to read his stories and that is about it.

**pathoftheturtle** · December 7th, 2009

Well, I personally find SK's politics endlessly fascinating. Definitely complicated.
On the surface, he's much like the old hippies, but he has a pretty conservative core.
One thing that still does bother me is the "get the mutant" element that I think may ultimately prevail in his work. I very much agree with Sweet One that human evil will go on whether it is in the name of God or some other excuse, and I wonder if all of King's monsters might actually encourage our more negative tribal prejudices.

**dwspell** · December 7th, 2009

I find it interesting that in many if not most of SK's books there is the religious factor. Sometimes it is just one person like in 'the mist' or the old woman in the stand or the latest wacko in UTD, good ole jim rennie. This is just as interesting as any political view he may or may not display in a story.

**jnote** · December 13th, 2009

SK's political views are one of the main reasons I read his books.
I love his characters and their religious, political, and moral views also.

**guido tkp** · December 15th, 2009

i've always found that kings views are not nescessarrily commandeered by an agenda, left or right, as much as a belief that an individual, with the proper use of the resources around them, is perfectly capable of making their own decisions....

and, more often than not, able to make better decisions than when attempted to be told/directed as to what to do by those who would consider themselves to be more/better informed.

i've never seen this as a religious thing...
or a political one...
just an innate belief that we can overcome almost any obstacle if given a chance...

...but....why are they always vampires or rabid dogs...or something....
that's what i wonder about...