Religion in Science Fiction

[George Wallace]

This is not meant to be a discussion on Religion, but just a question of if it shows up often in Film in some form.  For instance, in the various Dune films, do there seem to be a lot of similarities to Islam: or in the Original Battlestar Galactica did there seem to be a large Mormon influence?  Did Scientology themes run through the movie "Battlefield Earth"?  Has religious themes been the background for many of our Science Fiction movies?

GW

 

[brin11]

GW,

I agree with you.  I'll go further in saying that many of the science fiction/fantasy books out there have a strong religous theme; for example, C.S. Lewis, Sheri S. Tepper, Guy Gavriel Kay to name a couple.  There are lots more but I think that, for authors, its a safe and interesting way to examine religion by basically calling it something else.  Makes you think.  (Can you tell I read this stuff??  ;D)

While I agree with you on the movie bit I don't find them half as thought provoking as books do.  Probably the special effects distracting from the true theme. 

 

[Ryoshi]

I know I read or heard from some Trek actor somewhere that Science Fiction was simply a different way of examining and criticizing the present. that includes religion, among other things. Makes sense.. being able to examine the issue without as much of the "real" prejudices that we might have associated with it because it's real. SciFi maybe can take the core issue, replace the "players" and allow us to take a close look at the issue, analyze and debate?

 

[Fusaki]

Those Heinlein fans out there might want to check out Stranger In a Strange Land.

Its the story of Michael Valentine Smith, a human raised by martians from birth. When he eventually returns to earth, he brings not only martian philosophy but seemingly superhuman powers, despite the fact that genetically he is still a homo sapien. Those of you who have read Starship Troopers have probably already gained an appreciation for Robert Heinlein's underlying philosophies on military service. Check out Stranger In A Strange Land for his take on religion and our materialistic culture.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

The concept of "The Force" was sort of a religious one.  Francis Ford Coppola advised George Lucas to actually turn it into a full blown religion.  Lucas politely declined.  The Force lacks a deity, but does speak to a greater power at work that goes beyond the individual, and does speak to life after death.

 

[Bert]

Science fiction most often considers the beliefs, the various challenges or mind sets of today, and
speculates on their past, present, or future impacts.  Religion, and the "meaning" of mankind in the
universe and the question of "are we alone?", can hardly be defined objectively and is a good source
of speculation.