Need Some Opinions and Encouraging Words

I am not sure what you mean by picking up a project. Is this something you are writing at someone else's request, or is this your project from the get go?

In any case, I would ask, what is the primary aim of the book? You said it is dealing with disability, so is the main point of the book to help kids understand a disability? Or is the main point that people with disabilities are equal in God's eyes (or whatever)?

If the main point is something that can be independent of Christianity, I don't think I'd have a problem removing references to God. For instance, maybe this book could be used to educate kids in a public school who will have a disabled classmate. But the teacher probably could not read it if it talked about God. So which is more important to you? Reaching a lot of people about one topic or reaching fewer people with a topic that you believe in?

Personally I think I would have a harder time changing the story if it were my story. That is, if I thought it up and wrote it. I think of my novel and what I would do if a secular agent/publisher asked me to remove the discussions my characters have about religion. I wouldn't do it. But nor would I remove the profanity if a Christian agent/publisher asked me to. Either element would be negotiable if it were a minor issue that didn't have much bearing on the plot, but in the case of my novel I feel that both elements are equally important.

If the story originated with someone else, and I was doing this for the sale (or whatever), I'd have no problem conforming to their wishes as long as it didn't specifically go against my beliefs.

I dunno if this really helps at all, but those are my thoughts.

I don't see anything wrong with retooling it for the mainstream market. Why not try it and let God decide? He's quite capable of doing that, you know.

Besides isn't there something somewhere about God being a Hidden God. I'm sure He won't mind lurking rather than being overt And if your story brings something good into a life that mightn't otherwise have read the book (if it were Christian published), that's grace, too. Good luck with the project.

Most Christians work every day in a job that does not overtly promote Christianity. Even Paul was a tent-maker. I don't think he wove "Jesus is the Messiah" into the fabric of his tents. And nobody has any trouble with that.

In the same vein, not everything we write has to be overtly Christian. I would have problems if a Christian's writing promoted anything anti-Christian, but there's nothing wrong with earning a living in an honourable, secular way. It's not any different than selling groceries in that regard.

Even if the word God isn't there, He was inside when you wrote it and He still is.

Is there a possibility of it being published both ways? Different titles, perhaps?

Tangent, sorry.

I don't usually hijack threads, but this was just too funny to pass up.

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Many religions mention God. How can anyone tell it is Christian without the mention of Jesus. I don't mean to sound corny but if Jesus were writing your story, what would He do. In Jesus lies your power, not God. God has given all power to Jesus.
You do not rebuke demons in the name of God.
You don't pray in the name of God.
Jim

Brookie, I agree with Unique. God knows where your heart lies with this book, and as long as He's there - no matter how He's referenced - your true message will shine through. Good luck and God bless!

Keep in mind that the book of Esther never once mentions God.

Theognome

Dang it, I'm the last one in the pool. "What they said". And you look lovely today Brookie.

You're definitely NOT Judas! And who knows, if the mainstream version is published, someone might contact you about the book and you would have a witnessing opportunity that way. You never know how things can work out.

C.S. Lewis noted that we could use fewer books about Christianity and more books in the mainstream (science, etc.) that have Christian values embedded in them. (paraphrased)

There's a lot to be said for sublety.