George R.R. Martin states in the second video below “I was never really a true believer… I don’t get it! How can any intelligent person believe that stuff?” Which leaves people questioning, why is religion used so strongly in Game of Thrones if the Author himself doesn’t believe? Martin was directly asked in an interview about what his views are on religion in which he replied “I suppose I’m a lapsed Catholic. You would consider me an atheist or agnostic. I find religion and spirituality fascinating. I would like to believe this isn’t the end and there’s something more, but I can’t convince the rational part of me that that makes any sense whatsoever. That’s what Tolkien left out — there’s no priesthood, there’s no temples; nobody is worshiping anything in Rings.” Martin raised a catholic, now a skeptic just does not understand how for example people will kill people because an “invisible” guy in the sky told them too (referring to historical events). Another question asked was why there are few acts of kindness in his stories, why if somebody is on their won or weakened is it expected that they will be taken advantage of or be treated terribly, basically he was asked why are his books so cynical in regards to human nature, in which he responds “I think the books are realistic. I’ve always liked gray characters. And as for the gods, I’ve never been satisfied by any of the answers that are given. If there really is a benevolent loving god, why is the world full of rape and torture? Why do we even have pain? I was taught pain is to let us know when our body is breaking down. Well, why couldn’t we have a light? Like a dashboard light? If Chevrolet could come up with that, why couldn’t God? Why is agony a good way to handle things?”

 

       Martin believes he had to use religion in these books and then onto the show because it comes down to the fact that religion shapes our society, culture and values all over, whether we like it or not, conflicts all over the world begin because of religious beliefs. Martin has clearly stated that you just cannot ignore religion when writing fantasy as its just far too important for the stories. In an interview he mentions that in Fantasy you have what he calls a “working Magic” Basically because we see it and the characters in the show see it, then its more believable. He explains that believing in a religion would be so easy for us all if we actually had visual proof, because in real life we are told of things that happened thousands of years ago, such as Catholics are told to believe stories of men walking on water and people rising from the dead… so why don’t these things happen now? If we were to see this now would there be more followers/believers? This is why he said you see some character’s switch beliefs in the show as well because if you actually watch someone being brought back to life because of a particular religion than you are most likely to believe in that religion, this would affect beliefs of any person.

 

       Though Game of Thrones surrounds various Religions, we should look at George R.R Martin’s opinion on the subject and why he has chosen to create these religions. Basically Martin wanted to not just “make-up” imaginary religions, he wanted them to have some connection to what the world has known at some point in history or current day and this is why I found the few connections with the religions I have discussed. The following is a comment made by George when discussing the religion of the Faith of the Seven:

“The Sparrows are my version of the medieval Catholic Church, with its own fantasy twist. If you look at the history of the church in the Middle Ages, you had periods where you had very worldly and corrupt popes and bishops. People who were not spiritual, but were politicians. They were playing their own version of the game of thrones, and they were in bed with the kings and the lords. But you also had periods of religious revival or reform—the greatest of them being the Protestant Reformation, which led to the splitting of the church—where there were two or three rival popes each denouncing the other as legitimate. That’s what you’re seeing here in Westeros. The two previous High Septons we’ve seen, the first was very corrupt in his own way, and he was torn apart by the mob during the food riots [in season 2]. The one Tyrion appoints in his stead is less corrupt but is ineffectual and doesn’t make any waves. Cersei distrusts him because Tyrion appointed him. So now she has to deal with a militant and aggressive Protestant Reformation, if you will, that’s determined to resurrect a faith that was destroyed centuries ago by the Targaryen’s”

George also goes on to discuss that instead of the Trinity used in Catholic churches he decided to use the Seven, one God with seven aspects. In Catholicism, you have three aspects (Father-Son-Holy Ghost) he states “I remember as a kid, I was always confused by that. ‘So there are three Gods?’ No, one God with three aspects. I was still confused: ‘so he’s his own father ad own son?’

 

     

 

 

 

        In closing, we have seen on this page the various fictional religions in the show/books and how they are lightly based off current and medieval religions and beliefs. Though George R.R Martin is not a believer in religion himself he still looks past that as he feels it’s truly a vital aspect of his writings because as stated all Fantasy needs religion and spirituality. As an avid fan of the show I have to agree with him, without the religious/spiritual aspects in this show it just would not be the same! For example, when it comes to the Lord of light, we see Melisandre give birth to a dark shadow or as some call the “shadow assassin”, which goes on to kill a king. We also see her bring a character back to life in front of watchers as well. This all is due to R’hllor, Lord of Light and because people are seeing this happen they have become believers. I agree with what Martin has to say in regards to Religion is what shapes our society, culture and values, the same would be said for the characters in this show.