I wondered if anyone's got any interesting thoughts about the portrayal of religion and religious thought in science fiction?
I've come across some really interesting stories and authors:
The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell
Children of God (sequel to The Sparrow) - Mary Doria Russell
The Hyperion and Endymion sequence - Dan Simmons
A Case of Conscience - James Blish
Downward to Earth - Robert Silverberg
Any others?
Anyone read these and care to comment?
Any thoughts about the value and/or portrayal of religion in science fiction?
Originally posted by howardgee Surely the title of this thread should more accurately have been :
"Religion IS science fiction"?!?!
If that's the title of a thread that interests you go for it - I'll yawn and go back to discussing other things since we've been there before ... many times.
In this thread I was interested in exploring people's thoughts about the portrayal of religion in SF and the consideration of religious themes and issues in SF.
Originally posted by amannion If that's the title of a thread that interests you go for it - I'll yawn and go back to discussing other things since we've been there before ... many times.
In this thread I was interested in exploring people's thoughts about the portrayal of religion in SF and the consideration of religious themes and issues in SF.
Originally posted by amannion I wondered if anyone's got any interesting thoughts about the portrayal of religion and religious thought in science fiction?
I've come across some really interesting stories and authors:
The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell
Children of God (sequel to The Sparrow) - Mary Doria Russell
The Hyperion and Endymion sequence - Dan Simmons
A Case of Conscie ...[text shortened]... are to comment?
Any thoughts about the value and/or portrayal of religion in science fiction?
The Space Marines from Warhammer 40k were very religious based, holy warriors from various chapters fighting back the hordes of chaos across the galaxy. Whilst the books and things were a bit childish and D&D market aimed, I always thought the world they created and the political/religious aspects of it were very interesting. They also incorporated pagan and folk aspects with the Eldar races and there was a lot of potential for discussions on the nature of identity with such things as bio-engineered men and stuff. And whetehr humanity can survive the integration with future technology.
Originally posted by amannion That's right, the main character was almost a Christ figure wasn't he ...
Yes, that would be Michael Valentine Smith. And Jubal Harshaw was the only person who could grok without knowing Martian. I loved that book in junior high.
Come on. What about the Dune series by Herbert? Even the prequels written by Herbert's son were good. They are all about political/religious intrigue and mind games. Some of the greatest SF I've ever read. I'm on my second time through the original 6 now. Can't put it down. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Originally posted by TheSkipper I seem to remember "Stranger In a Strange Land" by Heinlein had some fairly strong religious themes...great book, too!
I also enjoyed Stranger in a Strange Land (grokking was very big for a while!). Another one I liked was Inferno by Larry Niven (maybe with a co-author but I don't remember). This was a tour through hell with a science fiction writer who went there when he died. Based strongly, and loosely, on Dante's famous book.
Originally posted by Big Mac Come on. What about the Dune series by Herbert? Even the prequels written by Herbert's son were good. They are all about political/religious intrigue and mind games. Some of the greatest SF I've ever read. I'm on my second time through the original 6 now. Can't put it down. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Religion in Science Fiction
26 Apr '07 05:41
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