Developed by       JJ      Burns Holy Science Fiction!

Friday May 02, 2003



 

 

Welcome to Holy Science Fiction!

Science Fiction as scripture?  Not quite, but God has played a divine role in the genre concerned with time travel, alternate dimensions and extra-terrestrials.  In the pages of science fiction, the concept of God has taken many names and many forms.  Science fiction has verified God, challenged God, and disproved God.  Some authors condemn the church and the thought of an omnipotent creator while others champion the idea of a supernatural universe.  Regardless of how religion is represented in science fiction, it is represented.

My aim here is three-fold.  I want to discuss the roles God plays in science fiction; I want to explain the theological themes present in the stories; and finally, I want to examine the universals (or lack thereof) present in theological science fiction.

I have divided Holy Science Fiction stories into seven not-so-distinct categories: Supertechnological, Governmental, Anti-religious, Universal, Traditional, Shaggy God, and New Religions.  I have also supplied a list of authors who write extensively about God and science fiction, and a list of novels and short stories that best represent the sub-genre.  

Favorite Links

Latest in Holy Science Fiction:

Best religion / sf sites
Adherents.com - Terrific categorization of religion in science fiction and fantasy.
dogchurch.org - Essay on God in Science Fiction, and a list of good examples from the genre.
Anitraweb.org - Good discussion concerning the theological themes present in science fiction.
Chipublib.org - "Theological Romances, Shaggy God
Stories, and Other Metaphysical
Speculations: A Selected List of Science Fiction and Fantasy"
Orion.ramapo.edu - Themes and Genres in Science Fiction.
Scifan.com - Books with religious and theological themes.
 
Calculating God

by Robert Sawyer

Read the review...

 

Aliens come to Earth and explain to us that they have proof of God...

 

Conclusions

Contact JJ Burns:

The conclusions I have made concerning the universals present in Holy Science Fiction... E-mail JJ

(JJBurns@DePauw.edu)

 

Tech, Govt, Anti | Universe, Trad, Shaggy | New Religions, Conclusions | Authors and Sources

This site was last updated 05/02/03