It's Over :(

[EEE]

CindyLouWho said:
Neroon and I have, however, been making a deliberate, concerted effort over the years to put an end to what we call The War Without End (named after a B5 episode) between DS9 fans and B5 fans.

Naming this "war" for one side then trying to shut it down is a bit of a slant isn't it? *grin*

A month or so ago, I was in the same position as the original poster and was not aware of this "war" until I asked if I'd like B5. I did however get a hold of all the B5 DVD's and am currently approaching the end of season 2. The similarities are a bit startling and so prevalent, that I can't see how a war over who did what, could possibly end. It's a Kobayashi Maru at best.

 

[anti-matter]

Hey I'm down with the idea of watching the series over again.

 

[indranee]

intrinsical said:
I'm from a multi-cultural country of Singapore and have friends from many different races and religions. As a result, I am somewhat familiar with the various forms of Christianty, Islam, Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism as well as several minor cults. In so far as I know, none of these religions have truly solid proof that their gods exist and I am almost very sure that these gods do not routinely interact with its faithful the way the Prophets do.

I do concede, I do not have much knowledge about other religions and could be jumping to conclusions. If so, can you point to me a religion where their gods do interact with their faithful?

hi intrinsical (nice name), I am from India. it's good to see that you have done your homework. but what you wrote earlier did not take into account two or three things:

(1) the prophets did not appear in visions to all and sundry Bajorans (at least from what we have seen) but to certain "chosen" folk like Sisko (the Emissary), to the Kai or certain Vedeks or, possibly, during an Orb experience (Kira, for example). remember that the Orbs were not available to all and sundry Bajorans, either. the interesting thing here is that in the story of DS9, the prophets did indeed exist, but the majority of Bajorans were TOLD the fact of their existence by lore, certain people in the know, and by the public's willingness to believe -- a situation not unlike quite a few of Earth's religious traditions. also, it's interesting that very few Bajorans were shown to be NON-believers. to me, that says that the writers intended to demonstrate a point.

which bring us to (2). almost all of the major religions of the world are premised on the fact that their followers believe that a "god" of some sort appeared to a "chosen one" of their "tribe" in order to impart the specific message and guidance. some of these are considered major World Religions, some not. but there ARE more religions on Earth than the ones you outlined. there are at least 200 specific religions and religious sects in India alone -- OTHER than Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Jainism, and Zoroastianism.

3) fiction can be fantastic, but DS9's religious story is also a parable, intended to show the effects of faith, fanatic or reasoned. therefore, comparing fiction to actuality is a bit on the side, at least for me. nothing personal, though. I am always happy to talk to a fellow Niner

 

[kguru]

I saw some of the episodes when they originally aired, but the show seemed so much fuller when I watched the DVDs from beginning to end. I wish DS9 had gotten as much air time on SpikeTV as TNG. I got the DVDs because the airtimes were rarely ever convenient.

As far as the stories in DS9 go, I think that they are much deeper and further developed than in the other series. I was sad to watch WYLB as it felt like the crew was a family. Sometime soon I will watch over the DVDs a second time because it was so good.

 

[intrinsical]

indranee said:
3) fiction can be fantastic, but DS9's religious story is also a parable, intended to show the effects of faith, fanatic or reasoned. therefore, comparing fiction to actuality is a bit on the side, at least for me. nothing personal, though. I am always happy to talk to a fellow Niner

Hmmm... First of all, how did my reply to arwag's post about DS9 having too much fantasy and not enough sci-fi end up talking about real world religion?

Anyway to answer your question, when DS9 started airing the amount of Bajoran religious stuff was a to me too. I did not care for them and I certainly did not relate them to our real world religions.

I guess the years of re-watching my DS9 DVDs and reading relaunch novels have changed my perception. I now view these Bajoran religion episodes as palatable parables that in good old trek fashion, holds up a mirror to issues common to most real world religions. This doesn't change even if Bajoran religion is as real (or as fake) to Bajorans as real world religions are to humans.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Borgminister said:

Frosty the Vorta said:

I've been waiting to see if any show will ever come along to match DS9. Still waiting.

Me too...

Can Dexter stay fresh for 7 seasons?

That's certainly a good question. As brilliant as Dexter is, I can't see them extending that very fragile premise for more than four seasons. DS9 gets credit for having a hardy premise that could go on and on and on.

Another wild card is Lost: if they whomp up some mind-bogglingly perfect explanation for everything in the final episode, then I'll have to hand the prize to that show. I guess anything's possible.