Airlock Alpha Debate: Is There Too Much Religion in Science Fiction?
An interesting debate is quietly raging on the Internet concerning science fiction and religion. The debate was launched by the website Airlock Alpha with an article by Tiffany Vogt titled “TV Watchtower: Is Religion Killing Good Sci-Fi Shows?”. As Vogt tries to make her case for answering the question of the article’s title with a resounding “yes!”, she cites Battlestar Galactica, Lost, and Caprica as examples of programs that “lost their way” by relying to heavily on the incorporation of religion. Vogt concludes:
Therefore, modern-day television writers need to remember what kind of show they are writing and who they are writing for. If they are more interested in writing about theology, then they should write those shows and not distort good science-fiction shows beyond recognition. For what purpose does it serve to pull a bait-and-switch on the very audience that provided them with tenure?
But a fellow Airlock Alpha writer provided another point of view, articulated by Dennis Rayburn in “Religion, Science Fiction: Another Point of View.” For Rayburn, religion need not be seen as an unnecessary intrusion into the alternative worlds of science fiction. Rayburn writes:
Seeking to remove religion from science-fiction, in the name or returning science to it, will return the science, but what about the fiction? The immortal words of the opening of “Star Trek” said, “… to explore new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations.” We must be brave enough to explore what those new civilizations are like and not blindly assume that they will be extremely similar to ours.
As noted at the beginning of this post, the raising of the question at Airlock Alpha has sparked a debate on the Internet, a phenomenon discussed in yet another essay in this series at the website in a piece by Michael Hinman titled “So Tell Us Honestly, Is There Too Much Religion in Sci-Fi?”. In this essay Hinman summarizes some of the controversy over the issue, and also solicits reader feedback on the question.
In my opinion, science fiction is a genre of literature, television, and film that is just as suitable for the inclusion of various elements of the human experience as any other. Why not religion? The question should not be whether religion has a place within science fiction, unless one assumes sci-fi to be atheistic, and I have yet to see a good argument made that this should be the case, but whether religion plays an appropriate role in storytelling that captures the imagination and reflects the totality of human experience, many times religions, sometimes irreligious. Let the debate continue.
Related posts:
“Douglas Cowan Interview Part 1: Forthcoming Book ‘Sacred Space'”
“Douglas Cowan Interview Part 2: Sci-Fi, Transcendence, and ‘Sacred Space'”
Strange Kids Club Interview
Already it’s been a busy Halloween week, and with this post I share news on my interview at Strange Kids Club by Rondal Scott. From the introduction:
For the most part I like to keep things around the clubhouse light and fun. However, there’s also something to be said for taking a more intellectual viewpoint at times in order to awaken the jiggly grey matter that’s lodged between our ears and in that regard you’d be hardpressed to find a better pen pal than today’s guest: John W. Morehead.
From his own online home at TheoFantastique, John examines the culture of horror from the perspective of a childhood in search of the fantastic. With an assortment of original articles and interviews, TheoFanstique has become a hub for those seeking for a place to start their own spiritual journey into this entertainingly weird world of ours. In addition to his own site, John also contributes his insights to CineFantastique Online in addition to being a fellow member of both the League of Tana Tea Drinkers and the Fantastic Culture Preservation Society.
I hope that readers of Strange Kids Club will not find the interview too formal and tedious, but instead might find a few chestnuts that make the exploration of the strange that much more enjoyable. My thanks goes to Rondal Scott and the Strange Kids Club blog for the opportunity. See the interview at the fine SKC blog at this link.
HEREAFTER: Cinefantastique Podcast 1:37
Yesterday I was privileged to be a guest contributor for Cinefantastique Online with their Podcast 1:37. Here’s the description from the website:
Take a journey into the HEREAFTER on this week’s edition of the Cinefantastique Podcast. Special guest John W. Morehead, of Theofantastique, joins Dan Persons, Lawrence French, and Steve Biodrowski for an in-depth discussion of Clint Eastwood’s drama of people confronting the afterlife, scripted by Peter Morgan and starring Matt Damon. Is this another Oscar-worth contender from the director of UNFORGIVEN and BILLION DOLLAR BABY, or does it disappoint? Listen in and find out. As always, the Cinefantastique Podcast also includes a round-up of recent news, events, and home video releases – everything you need to know in order to be in the know.
I also stayed around for the Post-Mortem Podcast where we discussed other films dealing with the afterlife and additional topics. My thanks goes out to Steve Biodrowski, Dan Persons, and Lawrence French for the invitation and opportunity to be a guest. You can listen to the podcast here.
