Faith in film: Why science-fiction movies abound with religious themes

Deseret News National ^ | April 6, 2014 | Kandra Polatis

[EveningStar]

In "Man of Steel," the most recent Superman film, when Superman's parents send their son away from their dying planet to save his life, his mom worries he will not be accepted on Earth because he is an alien to the planet.

"He will be an outcast. They'll kill him," his mother says.

"How? He'll be a god to them," says his father, Jor-El, who believes Superman will be an ideal Earth's inhabitants will strive to reach.

[EveningStar]

ping

[amnestynone]

Not so hard to understand. Fantasy and imagination come from the deepest part of the psyche which is Greek for soul.

[Olog-hai]

Neither Siegel nor Shuster wanted Kal-El to be godlike. Originally, Superman could not fly, but could leap great distances, rather like the Hulk (who came years after the original Superman). Superman’s creators wanted a plausible scientific explanation for whatever abilities the character exhibited.

[Gaffer]

Well. Religion may present themes for many sci-fi works, I don’t think it is in a positive manner. One writer whom I followed for 40 years, Heinlein, had an especially demeaning vision of religion that was present in many of his later works.

[cripplecreek]

I loved Book of Eli.

While not exactly religious themed, I liked the reverence with which the Bible was treated and the apparent divine protection of Eli who carried it.

[martin_fierro]

This movie was a nice surprise on a couple of levels.

[mad_as_he$$]

Yup, and the rest of it sucked rocks.

[Bratch]

As originally imagined, Superman was closer to Moses than Jesus.

[Ingtar]

Considering one Sci Fi writer started a religion on a bet from another, this is not so strange.

[Gaffer]

Touche’....the biggest joke of all. Lost on those Hollywood morons.

[huldah1776]

Actually, since Satan is here, don’t know of any intelligent alien who would want to be here.

[Borges]

Science Fiction was an outgrowth of Romanticism - which was an attempt to recreate the visionary aspect of Man while not going back to the pre Enlightenment Age of Faith rigidity which they hated.

[left that other site]

I loved that movie too.

The last scene, when he is dying and reciting the Bible was so moving.

[Kartographer]

Though more often than not Sci-Fi has had more than it's share of Nay-saying, but occasionally it has its moments:

"Mankind has no need for gods. We find the one quite adequate." – James T. Kirk, Star Trek ("Who Mourns for Adonais?"

“That's the thing about faith. If you don't have it you can't understand it. And if you do, no explanation is necessary.” Kira Nerys- ST DS9 'Accession'

Lourdes: “I know a lot of people have lost their faith, but mine is stronger than ever.”
Karen: “Good for you. Next time you get on your knees could you see if the Big Guy can get us a operational B-2 Bomber loaded with nukes?”
Lourdes: “I don't pray for God to give me things. I don't think it works like that.”
Karen: “The what do you pray for?”
Lourdes: “I ask God to show me what I can do for him.”
Falling Skies

Spock: Companion, you do not have the power to create life.
The Companion: That is for the Maker of all things.
Star Trek-Metamorphosis

Shepard Book: River, you don't fix the Bible.
River: It's broken. It doesn't make sense.
Shepard Book: It's not about making sense. It's about believing in something, and letting that belief be real enough to change your life. It's about faith. You don't fix faith, River. It fixes you.
Firefly

[Kartographer]

I thought you might like a ping.

[cripplecreek]

And despite the book falling into Carnegie’s hands, it was useless to him because it was in braile.

Mila Kunis was actually very good in that too.

[left that other site]

When he started reciting the KJV, I found myself reciting it with him.

(Of course, I have not memorized the whole thing...YET. LOL)

[Ingtar]

I guess I will have to look that one up and watch it.

[cripplecreek]

And he memorized the bible while walking across post apocalyptic America while blind.