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Question 57

Did science fiction play any part in your atheism, and do you think that most theisms would pose borders to the fantasy of sf writers?

• No, it didn't, and yes, I do view theism as a constriction on sf. Notably, the best sf series, Babylon 5, was written by an atheist and periodically mocks religion. Such tame series like Star Trek always stay on the "moral" path, always conforming to the norms. Anyone who watches B5 knows what I mean (Chaos Theory #1354)

• Believe me, I do. But, Gene Roddenberry was also an atheist. He was under the restrictions of the day in the 60's. JMS can get away with a lot more than Roddenberry could. Besides, even though Straszinsky is a very out-spoken atheist, he is very fair to the religiously-minded on "Babylon 5". He knows that religion won't die out overnight, and is realistic about it. (Michelle Malkin #1)

• Definitely. Arthur C. Clarke, an avowed atheist, is my favorite writer. For creative writing in HS I wrote a story based on the premise that the JWs were right about humans not being allowed on other planets (this was pre-1969). In my current novel I have a very nice godless universe.

  I think a fundy would have a hard time writing sf. More rational religionists can and have handled it. God is also a good plot device. I'm thinking especially of "For I am a Jealous People" by Lester del Rey. (If people haven't read it I will reread it and post a summary.) ( Scott Davidson #1045)

• Yes, it did. In fact, as a very young Christian-raised boy, an Isaac Asimov novel was my first introduction to the concept, "there is no god."

  >... and do you think that most theisms would pose borders to the fantasy of sf writers?

  Well, theism influencing the plotline often turns what is supposedly "science" fiction INTO fantasy. :)

  It depends on the author, I think. Otherwise rational characters can seem really naive clinging to old fashioned myths, especially in "hard" sci-fi like Bear, and a few Brin novels that meet the criteria of that sub-genre.

  But, my favorite SF author is Philip K. Dick. His theological speculations really made a few of his novels, like VALIS. (Organic Machinery #284)

• Frank Herbert played a huge role in my disillusionment of theism. My quest for the truth was amplified while reading the Dune series. Herbert draws a lot of parallels between the jihad religion of the desert planet, and that of our own planet. His outlook on the whole messiah thing is really interesting. His quotes at the beginning of each chapters are enough just to get the atheistic mouth slobbering. Then I read his Ship series starting with Destination Void. It spoke of consciousness, and what it means to be conscious and how so many of us are still asleep, not aware of what is going on around us because we choose to look at the world not in terms of how it is, but of how we would like it to be. This was an incredibly insight full thing for me to realize. From that time forward I have always striven to look at the world as it is, not as how I would like it to be.

  Some great Herbert quotes from the Dune series....

  " Religion (emulation of adults by the child) encysts past mythologies: guesses, hidden assumptions of trust in the universe, pronouncements made in search of personal power, all mingled with shreds of enlightenment. And always an unspoken commandment: Thou shalt not question! We break that commandment daily in the harnessing of human imagination to our deepest creativity. " Bene Gesserit Credo

  " Humans are born with a susceptibility to that most persistent and debilitating disease of intellect: self-deception. The best of all possible worlds and the worst get their dramatic coloration from it. As nearly as we can determine, there is no natural immunity. Constant alertness is required. " The Coda (Jake #678)

• I think for me there has been a role for SF in discovering the absurdity of religion. When I was about 13 years old, and really addicted to SF-stories, I read a lot of Jack Vance. He portrayed a lot of different worlds, customs and ideas, and it made me think about how relative things are. It was sort of a catalyst for discovering the fantasy-like nature of religion I guess. (Don Antropos #1001)