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February 22, 2005
Battlestar Galactica offers a surprising faith challenge
Yesterday I mentioned the blog maintained by Battlestar Galactica producer Ron Moore. On it, he'll respond to fan questions about the show. Moore used to do this on AOL's "Star Trek" forum back when he was one of the producers on "Deep Space Nine," so I'm not surprised to see him doing it again.
Here's one question posed to Moore that I find rather curious.
"The question I would really like to see addressed is how to reconcile the underlying quest of Battlestar Galactica with actual scientific plausiability. The quest of Battlestar Galactica is to find Earth, the 13th Colony. However, it is a basic and well-substantiated tenet of science that human life here on Earth evolved slowly from a primate ancestor. Attempts to deny evolution based on the notion that human kind deserves a far more worthy origin than what evolution details, are a diservice to the pursuit of scientific truth and endeavors in our own world. There was always that reactionary sense to the original series, which drove it away from a secure standing as *science* fiction. How will the new series avoid this pitfall?"
(Here's where William Shatner steps in and says "Get a life!")
Okay, since Battlestar Galactica suggests that the origin of life on earth is found in outer space, not only does it run counter to evolutionary theory, but it runs counter to the Christian teachings on the origins of life. So neither of the competing theories is supported by the show.
But as a Christian I'm not offended at all.
Maybe it's because I'm used to the way science fiction assumes that God is a myth. Maybe it's because I've heard Captain Picard announce once too often that humanity has outgrown the need for God, or I'm no longer surprised when Q whisks us back in time to watch life spring up from the primordial ooze.
And maybe it doesn't bother me because . . . it's fiction!
But I find it interesting that someone is seriously bothered that a fictional television show might not support the theory of evolution. Every day I encounter challenges to my faith in the entertainment industry. Yet my faith suffers not. How strong is this viewer's faith in evolution if a fictional television show causes such a crisis?
Moore's response should cheer him:
I don't have a direct answer for this question yet. There are a couple of notions rolling around in my head as to how we reconcile the very real fact of evolution with the Galactica mythos, but I haven't decided which approach to take. However, it was a fundamental element of the orginal Galactica mythos that "Life here began out there..." and I decided early on that it was crucial to maintain it.
"The very real fact of evolution."
Don't worry, little fanboy. The producer is on your side.
Posted by Drew at February 22, 2005 11:09 PM
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Comments
How 'bout: "It's a work of fiction!"
Posted by: Mark Sides at February 22, 2005 11:46 PM
Well, that works for me.
Posted by: Drew at February 23, 2005 08:21 PM
FYI. "slender fangirl"
For fiction to be *science* fiction it needs to be based, at least in general, on science, and is distinct from other forms of fiction in that its purpose is to explore realms of intellectual curiosity about the future and technology, and their effects on humanity. There isn't an aspect of BSG that shakes my faith *or* makes me doubt my own cognitive capacity. Like other shows of its kind, BSG is a game of pretend where different ideas and solutions, with their consequences and benefits, can be examined without any real world cost. In all, science fiction is a whole different social indice than something of the cut of *Left Behind.*
Posted by: redsh1rt at June 30, 2005 02:15 AM
You are somewhat confusing the notions "Evolution" and "Theory of evolution". The first is a hard fact, the second is a theory or more precisely a set of theories.
Contrary to what you may believe Evolution is not contradictory with the concept of God. In fact NOTHING truly scientific is contradictory with the concept of God because God is IPSO FACTO beyond our logic and thus our science.
Posted by: menes at April 8, 2007 03:01 PM