The Star Wars series and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy both have cosmology at their hearts. Although wildly different from each other in per
These and other science fiction films like Avatar, Inception and the Harry Potter series create alternate realities with their own belief systems. In the case of the Star Wars series, The Force – which contains elements of several real-world religions – has become a metaphor in popular culture for the life energy of the universe. Fans sometimes take these “invented” religions for their own, and occasionally it’s difficult to discern the line where fandom and genuine faith intersect. According to census figures published in late 2012, “Jedi Knight” is now Britain’s most popular alternative faith and seventh most popular faith overall.
For the general audiences who read the books or watch the films, these fictional worlds are a modern extension of a long human tradition: storytelling as a way to express larger truths. All cultures have their narrative myths, and religion is often an essential element (think Greek mythology).
Princeton’s WordNet defines cosmology as “the metaphysical study of the origin and nature of the universe.” In this context, sci-fi films and popular speculative fiction are more than just escapism; they can contain messages that confirm deeply held convictions, or they can open new windows to understanding for their readers and viewers.
Why it matters
Religious themes often have been woven into popular fiction and found their way into film. The intertwining of art and faith creates a way for secular storytellers to touch the human need for narrative myth.
Questions for reporters
How do the moviegoers perceive spiritual themes? How do audience members relate these issues to their own lives? Do sci-fi fans tend to have a specific religion – or is sci-fi their religion? Or entertainment? Do local clergy have a perspective on the religious elements in movies? What do futuristic films have to say about our future?
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy opened April 29, 2005 (Read the May 2, 2005, USA Today story, “Surprising ‘Galaxy’ hitchhikes to No. 1“). The Guide takes on cosmology head-on, with humor: A computer called Deep Thought sets out to discover the answer to “Life, the Universe and Everything.”
The cover of the hilariously erroneous cosmic guidebook used by the story’s characters is emblazoned “Don’t Panic.” If the number 42 means nothing to you, spend some time in The Guide to the Guide.
The Guide trilogy was actually made up of four – eventually, five – books by Douglas Adams. Read a synopsis of each installment at douglasadams.com. Read a 1987 CBC radio interview in which Adams, who died in 2001, summarizes the plot points of the Guide.
The Guide began as a BBC radio series in 1978, became a novel and also spawned several other BBC projects (read a review at the Museum of Broadcast Communications). It continues to be a favorite of science fiction fans.
Read a transcript of an April 28, 2005, CNN program, “The Meaning of Life.”
Star Wars
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the final film in the six-part series, opened May 19, 2005. The original Star Wars film (now Episode IV: A New Hope) caused an international sensation when it debuted in 1977, and the concept of The Force set off waves of pop theology.
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“The Apocalyptic Cosmology of Star Wars”
A paper published in 2000 by John C. Lyden, editor of the Journal of Religion & Film.
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“Any Gods Out There? Perceptions of Religion from Star Wars and Star Trek”
A paper by by John S. Schultes, published in the October 2003 issue of the Journal of Religion & Film.
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“The Tao of Star Wars”
A look at the Taoist concept of wu wei through the lens of the Star Wars series. Published by John Porter on Beliefnet in 2003.
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“Census returns of the Jedi”
A BBC News article published in 2003 about fans urging people to list Jedi as their religion in census records.
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“Galactic Gasbag”
In a 2002 Salon article, Steve Hart writes, “Beneath all the pseudo-mythic Joseph Campbell hogwash, the roots of George Lucas’ empire lie not in “The Odyssey” but in classic and pulp 20th century sci-fi.”
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“Of Myth and Men”
A conversation between Bill Moyers and George Lucas on the meaning of the Force and the true theology of Star Wars (Time, Apr. 26, 1999).
Sources
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James F. McGrath
James F. McGrath, a professor of religion at Butler University in Indianapolis, has taught a course called “Religion in Science Fiction.” Read the syllabus and introduction with extensive bibliography and links. He is editor of the book Religion and Science Fiction and co-editor of a book about religion and the long-running BBC television series Dr. Who. His blog, Religion Prof, sometimes touches on religion and science fiction.
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Michael Collings
Michael Collings is a writer and former professor of English at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., and author of a biography of Orson Scott Card, an award-winning science fiction author who has used portions of the Book of Mormon in his works. Collings traces a link between belief in Mormonism and an affinity for science fiction. He blogs at Collings Notes. Contact via his blog or website.
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Ted Baehr
Ted Baehr is founder and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission, a ministry that publishes Movieguide: The Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment, which advises Christians about popular culture offerings, including science fiction films.
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Ed McNulty
The Rev. Ed McNulty is a retired Presbyterian minister and publisher of Visual Parables, a journal that examines faith in films, and the author of Jesus Christ: Movie Star. He can talk about the Star Wars canon from a theological perspective.
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Russell W. Dalton
Russell W. Dalton is professor of religious education at Texas Christian University’s Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, where he teaches a course on faith and film. Dalton is the author of Marvelous Myths: Marvel Superheroes and Everyday Faith and Faith Journey Through Fantasy Lands: A Christian Dialogue with Harry Potter, Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. He also has an essay, “Aslan Is on the Move: Images of Providence in Narnia,” in the book Revisiting Narnia.
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Roy Anker
Roy Anker, a longtime professor of English at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., is the author of Beautiful Light: Religious Meaning in Film. He has also written about religion and the films of M. Night Shyamalan and the use of artificial intelligence in the films of Steven Spielberg.
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Reg Grant
Reg Grant is a professor of pastoral ministries and director of the Media Arts and Worship Program at Dallas Theological Seminary. He has an interest in media as a writer, producer and actor and frequently comments on spirituality. He can speak about the connection between comic book heroes and religion, the Star Wars film series’ Buddhist-style philosophy in the context of traditional Christian doctrine, and more.
He says the strong religious underpinnings in the Star Wars franchise have been a part of why it has resonated so well with audiences over the years. He can also discuss the movie’s Buddhist-style philosophy in the context of traditional Christian doctrine.
Other resources
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“Other Worlds, Suffused With Religion”
An article on publishers’ perspectives on religion in science fiction by Kimberly Winston (Publishers Weekly, April 16, 2001). Don’t miss the sidebar about the connection of science fiction to Mormonism.
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“Religions in Literature”
The interfaith website adherents.com maintains a page that documents religious references in science fiction writing. It also keeps track of the religious affiliation of science fiction writers. According to this list, there are more Mormon science fiction writers than there are science fiction writers of any other single religion.
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“Scientology overview”
Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard was also a science fiction writer. Read an overview of the movement’s development (posted by the Religious Movements Homepage Project at the University of Virginia), beginning with its launch after an article in Astounding Science Fiction magazine in 1950 promoted Hubbard’s book Dianetics.
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“Buddhism, Christianity, and The Matrix: The Dialectic of Myth-Making in Contemporary Cinema”
This article by James L. Ford, assistant religion professor at Wake Forest University, appeared in the October 2000 issue of The Journal of Religion & Film.
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“A Christian Reflection on the ‘New Age'”
A 2003 Vatican report on “the complex phenomenon of ‘New Age,'” which is influencing many aspects of contemporary culture.
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“Elves, Wookies and Fanboys: Star Wars and our need for stories”
A Christian perspective on narrative myths by Roberto Rivera, a former fellow at the Wilberforce Forum at Prison Fellowship.
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“Science and Faith in the Murky Multiverse”
An article by Kimberly Roots, from the January 2005 issue of Science & Theology News, posted by Beliefnet.
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Science, Religion and the Human Experience
Science, Religion and the Human Experience was a program from the University of California, Santa Barbara. It ran from 2001-2003 and it studied human history through the lens of the intersection of science and religion. James D. Proctor was director.
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Center for the Study of Science and Religion
The Center for the Study of Science and Religion at Columbia University’s Earth Institute examines the idea of the natural from both scientific and religious perspectives. Robert Pollack is founder and director.