Atheism In Science Fiction

Science fiction is an existential metaphor that allows us to explore the human condition. Isaac Asimov once said, "Individual science fiction stories may seem as trivial as ever to the blinded critics and philosophers of today, but the core of science fiction, its essence, has become crucial to our salvation, if we are to be saved at all."
-from the 200th episode of Stargate SG-1

Found an interesting article about religion (or the lack thereof) in science fiction, especially the subgenre of hard science fiction at Science Fiction Observer. It's far from comprehensive, but not a bad springboard for further thought and discussion.

A few general observations of mine (I'm sure I'll elaborate at later dates):

Battlestar Galactica, for example, combines hard sci-fi with mythic religious overtones (and something darn close to Zionism even).

Stargate SG-1 explains ancient myth and religion as derived from alien encounters, and does as much as it can to debunk "false gods" but also admits that there's a higher plane of existence, a means of spiritual ascendence (though they tragically make it appear to be a product of evolution, which is a little goofy).

And, despite five TV series and 10 movies... despite showing and hinting at religious and mythic beliefs in many alien cultures, never once was there a Christmas Episode of Star Trek. What's up with that? I guess Baby Jesus lost WWIII.

And then there's sci-fi and religion's most infamous merging...


Don't get me started.