There are several ways in which religion and issues of faith find their place in SF. In many SF stories, the focus is on the conflict between science and faith. As we've discussed, there is often a discontinuity between the ideals of religious faith and the evidence of scientific research. Where is truth found? How do we know what is true? Some people say that science, for much of our society, has taken the place of religion. Where we used to pray, or dance, for rain, we now look to barometers and thermometers and a meteorologist with satellite images . Instead of priests or shamans, many people see physicians to heal their bodies. Even spirits (minds and emotions) are seen to be the business of psychology, rather than theology.

But we're not always easy in our minds about these changes. There are huge struggles, still, between evolution (scientific fact) and creation (religious faith). Check this site or this one . Science Fiction, frequently, allows these struggle to play out, sometimes resolving them in favor of science, sometimes in favor of faith. In the best works of SF, the issues are left standing, in all their complexity, and with all their emotional impact and power.

Another example of religion in SF is in stories of alien religions, or human religions transformed by new worlds and future cultures. These stories allow authors to comment on contemporary Earth religions, either making clear their deep human roots, or holding them up for ridicule.

In many stories, religion plays a role which is a corollary of Arthur C. Clarke's statement, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." (The third of his three--or more--Laws) Humans can appear, to less-advanced aliens, as gods. And vice versa. This type of story allows further exploration of the responsibilities of gods, and the expectations of worshippers. (This subject can be explored in the computer game Black and White).

Sometimes alien or future human religions are presented only to give a clearer picture, a deeper picture, of an alien or future human culture--or to point up other issues, about what the definition of humanity, or the crises or faults of our own time. Other times they provide the entire subject for a story.

Religious belief is a vital part of human culture, driving huge historical and personal events. So, naturally, it can be just as vital a part of SF.

What are your beliefs about religion? Do you ever feel a conflict between science and faith? Between knowledge and religion? Go to the discussion board

Don't forget to take the quizzes on the stories you read for this module.

Remember, the password is "quiz" (without the quotes, right?)

Title	Direct Link to the Online Text (you will have to login with your library barcode)	Page number (in The Ascent of Wonder)
"Mimsy were the Borogoves"	Link removed because of copyright restrictions. Read the substitute story instead.	122
"The Star"	Link (This one doesn't need any login)	86
"Weyr Search"	Link	398
"I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream" This is the substitute for "Mimsy Were the Borogoves" which had to be removed because of copyright restrictions (and be sure to click here for some extra information)	Link (This one doesn't need any login)	398