What would Jesus do?

[RobertScorpio]

We all know that BSG and BATTLEFIELD EARTH are based on religious belief systems. But are they the only ones?? Can you think of other SCIFI movies that were based on 'belief systems' be they Christian or other world religions? And, on the same track, which did you like any of these movies/tv shows, even if you didn't believe in the agenda it was based upon???

Rob

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I haven't actually read the books...but isn't Dune centered around a syncretistic belief system that incorporates all of the world's religions?

 

[Klaus]

Well I have some books here too:

Dune was the first thing that came to mind for me...

Silmarillion is Tolkien's version of the Bible, essentially...

Hercules and Xena are obvious choices...

"Behold the Man" by Michael Moorcock...

"A Canticle for Leibowitz"...

 

[ALF]

Star Wars is noted for combing mythology and many religions, including the walk on water one about Jesus.

 

[Klaus]

In that case, what about Zod from Superman 2?

...and Stranger in a Strange Land, perhaps?

 

[RobertScorpio]

I think the OMEN would apply too...

BTW the Omen always 'creeped' me out more than the Exorcist.

And was TJ HOOKER a retelling of Exodus?

Rob

 

[Dr_Daystrom]

Equilibrium

 

[Trent Roman]

The Matrix films. Obvious messiah complex complete with fire-wreathed villain; less obvious allusions to other mythologies (Zion going through a cycle of destruction and rebirth sounded mesoamerican to me). And as to the agenda... I preferred what I saw as a more nuanced portrayal in Reloaded then the blind messianism of the third film.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[Kirkman1987]

The Omega Man had some pretty overt Christian overtones going through it.

 

[Zachary Smith]

In that case, what about Zod from Superman 2?

...and Stranger in a Strange Land, perhaps?

Who wins? Christ vs Zod! The ULTIMATE Match-up!

LET'S GET READY TO RUUUUUUUMMMMBBLLLEE!!!

 

[Nerys Myk]

I think the OMEN would apply too...

BTW the Omen always 'creeped' me out more than the Exorcist.

And was TJ HOOKER a retelling of Exodus?

Rob

The Omen is SF???? Why not Rosemary's Baby or any number of horror flicks with the devil in them?

 

[cb31]

Left Behind!

 

[CaptJimboJones]

I've always thought that 2001: A Space Odyssey basically makes a case for atheism.

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

We all know that BSG and BATTLEFIELD EARTH are based on religious belief systems. But are they the only ones?? Can you think of other SCIFI movies that were based on 'belief systems' be they Christian or other world religions? And, on the same track, which did you like any of these movies/tv shows, even if you didn't believe in the agenda it was based upon???

Rob

Unfortunately it's not a movie (that I know of), but I would say Diane Duane's Young Wizards series, AND even The Wounded Sky (the Trek novel).

 

[Greg Cox]

XENA drew on plenty of religions: Greek mythology, Hindu mythology, Christian mythology, Norse mythology, etc.

 

[Trent Roman]

Xena isn't science-fiction, though. I tend to expect gods and magic in a fantasy context.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[Thrall]

Deep Space Nine. Doing something like that was so ballsy. Especially in a franchise known for it's anti-religious messages.

 

[Greg Cox]

Xena isn't science-fiction, though. I tend to expect gods and magic in a fantasy context.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

True enough, although people had already invoked Tolkien, The Omen, and Superman--none of which are exactly hard sf!

 

[PurpleBuddha]

Left Behind!

More Sci-fantasy than sci-fi.

 

[Trent Roman]

I don't like that. Left Behind qualifies as sci-fi only on the basis of setting; i.e. it's an extrapolation of future events, which is traditionally a sci-fi domain. But it has no science. Calling it 'sci-fantasy' is not only a misnomer but a diservice to the abbreviation. If one is unwilling to alot it sci-fi status on the basis of setting alone, then it's modern fantasy pure and simple.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman