Set the novel in Ancient Egypt. Focus on the religious beliefs and the role of the priests. A young apprentice priest discovers a heresy that challenges the established religious order. He has to decide whether to expose it or keep it hidden, which could lead to a great exploration of the rigidity of religious dogma and the power struggles within the religious elite.
One idea could be to set the novel during the Crusades. Have a fictional character, perhaps a young knight, who starts out with a very dogmatic view of the religious conflict. But as he travels and meets different people, including Muslims who are more complex and kind than he was led to believe, his views begin to change. This could explore themes of religious tolerance and the human cost of war.
One common theme is the exploration of faith. It often shows how characters' religious beliefs are tested or strengthened in different historical situations. For example, in many stories set during the Crusades, characters have to reevaluate their faith.
In science fiction, religious ideas can be presented in various ways. Sometimes, they are used as a contrast to the highly technological and scientific settings. For example, in some stories, the belief in a higher power might be questioned by the scientific advancements. Characters may struggle between their religious upbringing and the new scientific knowledge they encounter.
In historical fiction about the religious future of the US and Canada, perhaps there will be a resurgence of indigenous religions. As society becomes more aware of environmental issues, the spiritual connection to the land that indigenous religions emphasize could gain more popularity. People might start incorporating elements of these religions into their daily lives. This could also lead to a more inclusive religious landscape, where different beliefs co - exist and influence each other.
Well, 'Quo Vadis' is a classic religious historical fiction. It's set in the time of Nero in Rome and shows the clash between the early Christian community and the Roman Empire. Additionally, 'The Robe' is an interesting read. It focuses on the Roman soldier who won Jesus' robe at the crucifixion and how his life is changed by this encounter, with elements of both history and religious ideas.
One common religious idea is the concept of a creator or a higher power. This can be seen in many science fiction stories where there is a mysterious force or entity that seems to have created the universe or the advanced civilizations. For example, in the '2001: A Space Odyssey', the monolith is a mysterious object that has a sort of god - like presence, guiding the evolution of humanity.
One of the well - known historical religious fiction books is 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown. It combines religious history with a fictional mystery plot.
Religious historical novels often blend facts and fiction. They use historical settings to tell stories related to religious beliefs. For example, they might show how a certain religious group interacted with society at a particular time. They also tend to explore moral and ethical questions related to the religion.
A recent popular one is 'The Chosen' series. It tells a fictional story about the life of Jesus from the perspective of those around him, which has been well - received for its fresh take on the religious story.