Religion in speculative fiction

Religion is a commonly tackled topic in the speculative fiction genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror and others. Proto-speculative fiction texts have strong similarities to mythological or religious texts.Clute, John & Nicholls, Peter,"The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction", "Religion" p. 1000, 2nd Ed., (1999), Orbit, Great Britain, ISBN-10: 1857238974] Science fiction often incorporates transcendental or mystical themes, investigating questions usually associated with theology or metaphysics.. Transreal mono- and poly-theistic religions are a common feature in fantasy, particularly epic and heroic fantasy.Clute, John & Grant, John,"The Encyclopedia of Fantasy", "Religion" p. 808, 1st Ed., (1997), Orbit, Great Britain, ISBN-10: 1857233689] Monotheistic religion are often portrayed as corrupt. Christian science fiction and fantasy also exists,cite book|first=John|last=Mort|title=Christian Fiction: a Guide to the genre|publisher=Libraries Unlimited|date=2002|isbn=1563088711|pages=159-184] often written as allegory for inspirational or propaganda purposes.Clute, John & Grant, John,"The Encyclopedia of Fantasy", "christian fantasy" p. 191, 1st Ed., (1997), Orbit, Great Britain, ISBN-10: 1857233689] cite book|last=Sammons|first=Martha C.|title="A Better Country": The Worlds of Religious Fantasy and Science Fiction|publisher=Greenwood Press|date=1988|isbn=0313257469|page=21]

In contrast, Orson Scott Card has stated that most fiction, including speculative fiction, is anti- or a-religious, in which religious people are depicted as "ignorant and stupid and easily fooled" followers or "exploitative and cynical" leaders. [Interview with Orson Scott Card http://www.writing-world.com/sf/card.shtml]

Fictional religions

A number of works portray invented religions, placed into a contemporary Earth society such as the Earthseed religion in Octavia Butlers Parable of the Sower, or in the far future as seen in Dune by Frank Herbert with its Orange Catholic Bible, the text of a syncretic blend of current religions.

The animated science fiction television series Futurama features a satirical religion for Robots called Robotology amoungst its treatment of multiple religions.

Christianity

Numerous works have explored Christian faith. Notable examples include the award winning A Case of Conscience by James Blish and The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell, in which Jesuit missionaries seek to spread to Christianity to newly discovered alien worlds.. The classic Canticle for Liebowitz explores a world in which Catholicism is one of the few institutions to survive an apocalypse, and its slow re-achievement of prominence as civilisation returns.

Christian science fiction and fantasy also exists,cite book|first=John|last=Mort|title=Christian Fiction: a Guide to the genre|publisher=Libraries Unlimited|date=2002|isbn=1563088711|pages=159-184] often written as allegory for inspirational or propaganda purposes.Clute, John & Grant, John,"The Encyclopedia of Fantasy", "christian fantasy" p. 191, 1st Ed., (1997), Orbit, Great Britain, ISBN-10: 1857233689] A Christian theme may be subtle, expressed by way of analogy, or more explicit.cite book|last=Sammons|first=Martha C.|title="A Better Country": The Worlds of Religious Fantasy and Science Fiction|publisher=Greenwood Press|date=1988|isbn=0313257469|page=21]

Hinduism

Islam

Judaism

ee also

* Religious ideas in science fiction
* List of fictional religions
* List of Catholic Science Fiction and Fantasy authors
* List of Protestant Science Fiction and Fantasy authors

References

External links

[http://www.adherents.com/lit/sf_rel.html Religious Science Fiction Books and Links ] at www.adherents.com