for December, 2005
Koo koo ka choo, Mrs. Robinson?
Does any sort of spirituality really belong in a discussion about science fiction? I have talked to many people about this subject, and for the most part, I hear the same thing. Spirituality (or religion) is great, even wonderful in its place, but its place just doesn't belong on a message board, in a scifi web ring, or even in a book or a television show.
Science fiction itself came out of a literary movement in the nineteenth century - books that could be serialized in newspapers and bring the circulations up. One of the first (perhaps the first!) science fiction novels to be serialized was Around the World In 80 Days. This story was a vastly popular worldwide hit. Every week, each chapter was wired overseas, and the newspaper reading public waited with baited breath for each installment. Jules Verne, its author, was known as the father of science fiction, and books such as Voyage to the Bottom Of The Sea were also serialized in their turn. Saying this, once the ball was rolling, the audiences who were the most loyal to this type of novel were also those who were the most sceptical about things they could not prove (such as the existence of a higher being, etc.). And, throughout the years, being a fan of science and/or science fiction often meant a small amount of disdain for subjects steeped in spirituality.
I have seen spiritual issues being dealt with in almost all scifi movies and television. I mean, what is the Force in Star Wars but a spiritual element, and didn't someone say...
"Don't try to frighten us with your sorceror's ways, Lord Vader. Your sad devotion to that ancient religion has not helped you conjure up the stolen data tapes or given you clairvoyance enough to find the rebels hidden fortress--"
and Vader's reply? Other than basically strangling this guy, he says:
"I find your lack of faith disturbing."
In Star Trek V, spirituality is discussed with this famous Kirk line: "What does God need with a starship?" But true spirituality really comes into play in episodes of TOS with The Ultimate Computer or Who Mourns for Adonis? The Next Generation (with characters such as Ardra and the ancient Vulcans who came to think Picard was someone to kneel to), Deep Space Nine (the Emissary, the Prophets), Voyager (the Omega particles that Seven Of Nine found so interesting), or Enterprise with the Triannons and their "Chosen Realm".
Of course, there are many more instances of spirituality referred to in modern science fiction, I'm sure a whole book could be written about it (and probably has). But here at the AMAFSR, our focus is basically fan-made, science fiction-based websites. Tell me, do you believe that any sort of spirituality, outwardly religious ideals or any discourse regarding any established religion has a place on our sites, on message boards, in fan fiction, or anywhere we enjoy science fiction? I would really like to read your views on this subject. If you would like to see your opinions on this subject in print, please email them to kinda@msn.com, with the subject: Spirituality In Science Fiction? Your views could be read in the next edition of the Admiral Mudd and Friends Site Ring Newsletter.
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