Chapter Ten. Religion And Spirituality In Science Fiction Narratives: A Case Of Multiple Modernities?

Abstract

This chapter commences with a case study that shows that a science fiction narrative dealing with faith issues no longer needs to justify the existence of religion against a backdrop of atheism. It focuses on selective case studies of science fiction on the big and small screen, and in mainstream comics. The chapter emphasizes the fact that works of popular culture, even if they are pure scientific fantasy, reflect the time and form of the society from which they emerge. The case studies assess science fiction narratives that deal with the evolution of key characters and their stories. While the multiple modernities thesis will be of analytical utility in understanding this development, the chapter discusses the notion of secularization. The chapter is an exploration in the study of this change but cannot claim to be representative of the whole science fiction genre as more work would need to be done. Keywords: atheism; multiple modernities thesis; religion; science fiction narratives; secularization; spirituality