On Mon, 01 Jan 2001 14:43:42 -0500, JDG wrote:
> Right..... and I'll admit that one of the things I find most
> frustrating about sci-fi is how often modern-day religions just drop
> off the face of the Earth. I mean, Christianity has been around
> for 2,000 years, yet in so much sci-fi it seems to disappear in the
> next 500.
It should be noted at this point, that shows like Star Trek often
feature controversial subjects. They explore the possible outcomes
of whatever "what if" scenario they think of. Because of this, they
already get anguish from conservative groups, religious organizations
prominently at the forefront.
If Star Trek, or any show for that matter, were to NAME a modern-day
religion and proceed to involve it in such a story, they would face
blistering protest and possible cancellation. Some shows don't even
have to do that much. For example, "Ellen" left the air because of
the wave of protest when its lead actress "came out of the closet".
The way shows avoid this is to make up some new alien race or
imaginary organization, then explore their ideas "hypothetically".
The only show that comes to mind that actually names groups and
proceeds to ridicule them is South Park, and they get away with
it because they seem to be equal opportunity insulters. That,
and they hit a nerve among Gen-X'ers.
-- Matt Grimaldi
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