Never let it be said that I missed an opportunity to talk about science fiction here at TC. The TheoFantastique blog has a great interview with James McGrath, sci-fi fan and Professor of Religion at Butler University, about how and why religion crops up in science fiction.
I like McGrath’s use of Star Trek to illustrate the changing treatment of religion in sci-fi over the years: compare the original Star Trek’s very modern, non-superstitious outlook with Deep Space 9’s awkwardly earnest inclusion of religious belief and ritual everywhere you look, and you get a good picture of the emergence of postmodernism in sci-fi. And the trend toward making religion a key component of sci-fi storytelling is clearly continuing, as seen in Battlestar Galactica and Lost.
While you’re at TheoFantastique, take a look at some of the other posts—there are quite a few good ones, like this recent post on the curious interaction between religion and popular culture, and the resulting “hyper-real” religions.
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November 2, 2007 at 10:32
having read the interview, I enjoyed and respect the viewpoint and knowledge Dr. McGrath’s has on this subject. The comments I want to say is that I hope Christians can see the difference in Religion and Relationship with God. It is true their are religious themes in Sci-Fi but the problem with it is that it’s not all Biblical. I talk with “Christians” who have warped views on being a Christian due to what sci-fi teaches. I believe that Satan is allowing hollywood to throw in the lie that having some form of religion is what is important and no holding on to the One True God and salvation through Jesus Christ. Well, a movie about the truth wouldn’t sell tickets now would it?
November 2, 2007 at 11:26
Must be in some kind of time quark…Friday is casual day at work for me and so I chose this morning of all mornings to wear my Scotty tee from this year’s sci-con and now you run this post…will check out the blogs later after I get off work, Cap’n – er – Andy…
November 2, 2007 at 14:48
I remember Matt Groening speaking in a tv show about Futurama and he said the following, which I think he attributed to his co-producer David X. Cohen: Sci fi isn’t about the future, it’s about the present. That may seem weird, but nearly evry sci-fi storyline is basically built on themes of racism, scientific progress, politics, etc. Usually something topical and that can then be expanded on in a setting like the one you know, but just slightly different. The science bit is usually just a plot-device, like in Sliders, Stargate, etc, so in a way science fiction is no different from any other form of fiction. However, I adore sci-fi (not enough to go to conventions), and my standards for sci-fi tv and films are very much lower than other genres. The one thing sci-fi does have over most genres is that as long as the universe you create is internally consistent, there can be very much more scope to expand on grand themes and subsequently it can be made just different enough from the real-life inspiration so as not to cause offence e.g. DS9’s Bajoran/Cardassian storyline.
November 2, 2007 at 17:21
Thank you for the post on my blog and the recent interviews on science fiction, popular culture, and religion and spirituality. As the discussion and interviews on my blog indicate, there is something significant here in the nexus between spirituality and these aspects of pop culture that go beyond the superficial froth of entertainment, and the alleged manifestations of demonic alternatives. Rather, the increased interest in these aspects of pop culture reflect, in part, a re-enchantment of the Western world after secularization, and an attempt at finding myths to live by, many times in the wake of the perceived lack of credibility of Christianity as the once defining center of Western culture. Christians would do well to recognize the significance of such things in what they signify as to broader cultural, social and spiritual shifts, and that such things also represent opportunities for the mythic engagement with pop culture in our time as Lewis and Tolkien attempted with their own generation.
November 3, 2007 at 01:53
I disagree with you about that, Bill. I think a movie about the Truth would sell tickets – but I don’t think that anyone would produce it if it got written, and I don’t think anybody would act it faithfully if they were cast in it, and I don’t think anybody would sit down and write it if it occurred to them. We all want to do other things more than tell the truth – we want to act big parts that move us, produce powerful spectacles that enrich us and gain us respect, write good entertainment or good art that expresses our thoughts and feelings.
None of those things, are or could ever be ‘true’, as far as I can see. Art is something people do, as a way to address their community about something. Instead of art (or Scripture) as being said to “capture” truth, maybe it’s more useful to think of the emotional and intellectual experience of storytelling, in the ideal, as aiming to “release” the truth inside us that are already know – loosening our stiffness, quickening our hearts and challenging our reprobate nature, so we can kneel before truth.
So when you say “not all Biblical”, I don’t feel that I know what you mean. Do you mean “all-Biblical”, as in “science fiction books don’t encompass the Bible stories”, or “these stories often don’t possess the fullness of Biblical truth as I understand it”?
November 7, 2007 at 05:26
This article reminded me of a great podcast called God Network News. You can find the website at http://godnews.podomatic.com
It gives an alternative perspective on what God is up to around the world.
I highly recommend it!
Cal
November 10, 2007 at 20:11
Would like to hear more about how “postmodernity is re-enchanting the world”. An interesting concept.
November 10, 2007 at 20:56
Check out “Cal Cast” for what God is doing around the world using Media and the Arts for Missions! If you would like to see their podcast it is at:
http://createit.podomatic.com
or subscribe through iTunes