Of Vampires and Morality

I just started a literary ordeal – New Moon. I hope to get done with it before Eclipse hits the theaters. Astonishingly, the book set me thinking and I came up with a discussion topic. Carlisle expresses to Bella his belief in God, and that his belief is a driving force in him being good. Edward on the other hand is skeptical and feels vampires have no souls.

Of course vampires are fictitious creatures. But let us debate religion, morality and philosophy based on these and other supernatural creatures. There are so many fascinating aspects of these mythical beings.

Are vampires, werewolves and such creatures inherently evil? Or are they 'neutral' or 'humanistic'?

Are these so called dark creatures 'Satanic', that is created to represent all that is evil in the world in opposition to good?

It is said that vampires and zombies are undead/living dead. Being dead they have no souls. What does life without a soul mean? How is it possible? What explains their consciousness and thought – or is it nonexistent?

Is a vampire evil because they consume blood? If they absolutely needed human blood to survive, would it be sinful of them to kill humans? What is more evil for a vampire to kill humans or to turn humans? Even if a vampire is good and desires to be good, does their lust or need for blood make them inherently sinful?

If a vampire who needs human blood starves itself to death, or exposes itself to be burned in sunlight – is it suicide, or is there no suicide for undead. If it is suicide can this 'wrong' nullify their wrong for 'craving blood'?

If suicide was an option – is vampirism or werewolf etc a choice or an unfortunate natural infliction? If a healthy human is bitten by a vampire, werewolf or zombie and they would turn into a creature that kills humans for survival – is it morally obligatory for that human to kill themselves before turning into an undead creature? If they choose to accept their fate, have they chosen 'sin'?

That's it for now, will share my thoughts later. I have not pondered much about it till now. It is fictional but it is intriguing.

The Twilight books have been criticized by the likes of Stephen King, who stated, "the real difference [between J.K. Rowling and Meyer] is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer, and Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She's not very good."

Cirque du Freak (Cirque du Freak: A Living Nightmare in the United States) is the first novel in The Saga of Darren Shan by Darren Shan. It is part of the "Vampire Blood Trilogy", which comprises the first three of the 12 book saga. Cirque du Freak was first published in Great Britain by HarperCollins in 2000, and was later published in the Vampire Blood Series in 2003 and 2004. Cirque du Freak is now a major motion picture.

[edit] Plot summary

Young Darren Shan has been fascinated by spiders from an early age. His best friend, Steve "Leopard" Leonard, has grown up reading horror comics and stories of the Wolf-Man and vampires. One day, a friend of theirs discovers a flyer advertising the "Cirque Du Freak", a traveling freak show. Steve could only purchase two tickets. He had to decide which friend to take along with him. They had a contest by throwing the ticket in the air and whoever had caught it he would go with Steve. Darren and Steve are mesmerized by the fantastic and disturbing show, especially by the act of the mysterious Mr. Crepsley and his giant spider Madam Octa.

After the show, Steve sneaks back into the theater and confronts Mr. Crepsley about the man being a vampire. He demands to become a vampire too, and join the circus as Mr. Crepsley's assistant. The vampire refuses Steve upon tasting his blood, and declares his blood "evil". Steve is miserable, and declares revenge on Mr. Crepsley. Unbeknownst to Steve, Darren has been hiding in the theater, witnessing the confrontation and becoming wary of Steve. Several days later, Darren develops an obsession for Madam Octa, and returns to the theater to steal her, using his knowledge of Mr. Crepsley's true nature to his advantage. He trains the spider in secret with a flute that forces the spider to obey his commands. Eventually, Steve visits Darren, demanding to know why Darren is avoiding him. Darren confesses he stole Madam Octa, but does not confess spying on Steve and Mr. Crepsley. When Steve is at Darren's house playing with Madam Octa, Darren's younger sister Annie barges into his room, and screams when she sees the spider. Darren gets distracted, losing control over the spider, which hence bites and paralyzes Steve. Steve's only hope for survival is if Darren makes a deal with Mr. Crepsley to become his assistant.

Steve lives, but Darren is turned into a half-vampire and is thrust into the dark world of the vampires. Darren tries to live amongst humans, but decides to join Mr. Crepsley after nearly attacking his sister. In order to successfully free Darren of all previous bonds, including family, Mr. Crepsley helps his apprentice fake his own death by slowing down Darren's heartbeat and breathing, breaking his neck, and throwing him out of his bedroom window, perfectly simulating an accidental, but fatal fall. Following the events of Darren's human body's funeral, Mr. Crepsley returns and digs Darren up. Unbeknownst to Crepsley, however, Steve tries to kill Darren, but chooses not to, saying he is not yet strong enough, instead swearing revenge on Darren for stealing his rightful place of being Mr. Crepsley's vampire assistant and betraying him. Darren continues following the vampire way.

Originally posted by: gengarjetty2

Originally posted by: return_to_hades

That is true. My mind is a vampire's workshop. I watched trailer for Mega Shark vs Giant Octopus with my coworker today. Then we watched trailer for Big Man Japan.

Originally posted by: gengarjetty2

no way! thats coool! im gonna seeeee 😃

Originally posted by: Summer3

I think the love of vampires springs from an inner desire to be immortal and invincible. Vampires have been glorified by some movies and are often depicted as dashing youngmen hanging around with fine and lovely young women.