The story Close Encounters of the Third Kind references the Devil's Tower - a real geographic artifact. Does the real-life existence of Devil's Tower outside the story lend evidence to the idea that the story of CE3K is true?
The TV show Stargate references the real-life Egyptian pyramids, offering that they are landing sites for UFOs. Is the existence of the pyramids outside the story evidence that the Stargate story is accurate and true?
In general, does the inclusion of real-life elements in a fictional story cause the story to be any less fictional?
I would say No, just as you would, and very likely for all of the same reasons you would. But I also doubt that you would dismiss all of the studies that have ever been done in the fields of Geography and Archeology on that same basis. Right? And neither do I.
I really enjoyed watching Stargate back in the day!
If you found a real piece of a Stargate artifact out in the Egyptian desert personally, what if you saw it and touched it, what then?
Would that make you at least think about it a little more?
This is a different kettle of fish, in my mind, from the writings of fiction you refer to, because there is real physical evidence for much of it on the ground, and I can go there and see and touch the evidence for myself. I would only have to buy a plane ticket to get there.
In a sense the Exodus Account can perhaps be thought of like an ancient 3000 year old treasure map that you look down and find uncovered by the wind in the sand, while you are walking along.
You pick it up, and find that it describes a path and location of a Treasure Chest of great value.
At first it could and probably would be best and wise to question it and doubt its authenticity.
Otherwise you could end up spending all of your time and money chasing it, only ever after the wind.
Is it real?
Is there a real treasure to be found?
Who drew the Map?
When was it made?
Are any of the places on the Map real?
What if we start there? Are any of the Places on the Map real Places?
If none of the Places shown on the Map actually exist, wouldn't you perhaps just toss the Map in the Bin right away, or only keep it for a toy for your kids?
But what would you do if you knew exactly where the starting Place on the Map was.
What then?
Would you spend the money and take the time to go there, because of the value of the Treasure?
What if you decided to go to the first Place on the Map, and you found the next Place on the Map, and then the next after that?
Would you keep going just in case the Treasure is real? Or would you stop? Your choice?
What if you kept going and made it all the way to the Place on the Map where the Treasure was supposed to be.
Would you just go home and decide it wasn't all real at that point?
Or would you start digging?
Again your choice!
What would you do?
That is how I have personally approached and found the Exodus Account in the Bible to be.
I actually cannot view it as fiction because of the evidence that exists on the ground in Saudi Arabia.
This would be an impossible thing for me to do at this point because of what I know.
Does that make any sense, or do you think I am crazy?