The Future of

Religion in Space
as Glimpsed by
Interstellar
Fiction
Science fiction has served as a roadmap of hazards and possibilities for
technology innovation and space exploration. The human and societal side of
space exploration requires us to examine the role of religion. From Greg
Bear’s Heads to Ender’s Game to Dan Simmons Hyperion series to the
classic Dune, religion is carried by humanity to the stars. In some fiction it is
beneficial. In others, it becomes imperialistic. A survey of science fiction
literature presents a range of possible futures for religious ideologies amongst
the stars. This presentation will present a review of major and minor science
fiction literature, all with an interstellar component, that features human
religious practices and traditions in the future amongst the stars.
This presentation expands on presentations
made at the two previous 100YSS Public
Symposiums on the topic of the future of
religion and space exploration in the
presentations “The Church as Champion,”
“The Dangers of Religious Extremism”, and
“The Off-Planet Church.”
Previous Year Conclusions
Where humans go, they carry their religion. Where humans go, they take their
beliefs and practices.
The practice of religion in space has a long history.
There are parallels in the mission between the 100YSS and organized religion,
specifically Christianity.
The 100 Year Starship’s mission is a challenge to engage as many aspects of
humanity as possible to achieve this great goal.
In a vacuum of religions, religions will be formed.
Religion will exist on the starship. If it is not carried there, it will form there as
history as shown. Religion can be beneficial and provide benefits for the
“religious consumer.” However, the danger for extremist views to develop
exists, especially within a closed environment, with a limited population, and
with always-potential scarcity issues. The encouragement of a “vibrant
religious market” that is not state-supported along with a reinforcement of a
strong “cultural identity,” and strong checks and balances can deter the
flourishing of religious/ideological extremism.
Takeaways
• 100YSS is an exercise in applied Science Fiction
• Science fiction has its roots in fear and wonder, legend and mythology,
exploration and reflection.
• Science Fiction does not provide a roadmap to future developments
• First and foremost, Science Fiction accepts the fact and inevitability of change.
• Science fiction and innovation exist in a circle of influence, mutually dependent
upon each other.
• It may be the case that the future worlds and infinite possibilities projected in
science fiction can be used to inspire viewers to pursue work that will make those

possibilities or ones like them, real.

• The are ways to read science fiction that could be negative / dangerous.
• Reality is a mess and science fiction is developed and influences within that me
• Science fiction does get it wrong
• But Science Fiction Does get it right . . .
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
SCIENCE FICTION & RELIGION
The Interlude between the Ancients and the Enlightenment ended
upon the split of the Church. Changes in the church gave rise to
the new SF; opening the door to new ways of thinking.

“When interplanetary travel romances return to western culture

in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, they are all vitally
concerned with the theological implications of the aliens the
describe . . . When Francis Godwin’s hero travels to the Moon
and meets aliens there, his first words are ‘Jesus Maria’”
—Adam Roberts The History of Science Fiction
Religion has at its core a future-focused element. Most religions, and
distinctly the Abrahamic, have a complex eschatology. Yet, their future
thinking is in regards to the world. This is looking ahead towards the
possibilities of the change within religion and its future, assuming their
own don’t come true.
Criteria for Inclusion:
Works that focused on space travel, particularly interstellar
travel
Not just religious science fiction. Not just science fiction
that deals with religious themes. Not science fiction with
religious metaphors.
Specifically: Science fiction that speculates about religion
as an institution and practice. This is not an exploration
of philosophical thoughts. This is a look at the possible
futures for religion amongst the stars.
No self-published works
No IP tie-ins
Takeaways
• 100YSS is an exercise in applied Science Fiction
• Science fiction has its roots in fear and wonder, legend and mythology,
exploration and reflection.
• Science Fiction does not provide a roadmap to future developments
• First and foremost, Science Fiction accepts the fact and inevitability of change.
• Science fiction and innovation exist in a circle of influence, mutually dependent
upon each other.
• It may be the case that the future worlds and infinite possibilities projected in
science fiction can be used to inspire viewers to pursue work that will make those

possibilities or ones like them, real.

• The are ways to read science fiction that could be negative / dangerous.
• Reality is a mess and science fiction is developed and influences within that me
• Science fiction does get it wrong
• But Science Fiction Does get it right . . .
Religious
Origins: Alien-developed
• monotheistic
Earth-based
• polytheistic
minimal modification of
beliefs • Earth-analog
belief systems merged
with other beliefs Developed in Space
new beliefs added to the • monotheistic
current theology • polytheistic
• Earth-analog
Dune Frank Herbert Catholicism, Zen Gnosticism
Ender’s Game Orson Scott Card Christianity (Catholicism)
Heads Greg Bear Scientology-analog
Hyperion Cantos Dan Simmons Christianity (Catholicism); Zen Gnosticism
Battlestar Galactica
The Expanse Series James S. A. Corey Christianity (Methodist)
Calculating God Robert Sawyer Alien-based / Atheism
The Sparrow Mary Doria Russell Christianity (Catholicism)
A Case of Conscience James Blish Christianity (Catholicism)
Cosmic Trilogy C. S. LEwis Christianity
Childhood’s End Arthur C. Clarke Christianity
Lord of Light Roger Zelazny Hinduism
Book of the Long Sun Gene Wolfe Ship-based
Anathem Neal Stephenson The Discipline
The Last Starship from Earth John Boyd A variation of Christianity
“In partibus infidelium” / “In the Land of the
Unbelievers” Jacek Dukaj Christianity (Catholicism)
The Star Arthur C. Clarke Christianity (Catholicism)
Safehold David Webber The Church of God Awakening
That Leviathan, Whom Thou Hast Made Eric James Stone Mormonism
Blindsight; Echopraxia Peter Watts Christianity (evangelicism)
The Smoke Ring Larry Niven Ship-based
Paradises Lost Ursula K. Leguin Ship-based
Woken Furies Richard K. Morgan Knights of the New Revelation
Astropolis Sean William The First Church of the Return
Orphans of the Sky Robert Heinlein Ship-based
Twenty Lights to the Land of Snow Michael Bishop Buddhism
Observations of the
literature review:
Just as now, the opinions and
approaches to religion are varied.
Some see it as beneficial, some see
it as a negative, some see both
aspects, some provide it minimal
concern and treat it as an
Observations of the
literature review:
Religion, as is now, as
commonplace amongst the
local solar system expansion.
Expanse series, Heads, Ender’s
Game,
Observations of the
literature review:
The potential for a generation
ship to become its own
environment and its own
foundation for religion.
Paradises Lost; The Smoke
Ring, Book of the Long Sun
Observations of the literature
review:
If we encounter alien cultures, our
current religious structures will likely
be too inflexible to accommodate the
varieties of cultural life, even if they
are also religious. That Leviathan,
Whom Thou Hast Made; The
Sparrow; A Case of Conscience
Observations of the
literature review:
Aliens are just as prone to
religious development as
humans are. Calculating God.
Observations of the
literature review:
Religion on earth has potential
for spreading as humanity
spreads. It could adapt and
change or it could remain
entrenched in its practices:
Dune’s Catholics vs. Dune’s
Observations of the
literature review:
Humanity’s religion could be
dangerous to alien cultures.
Observations of the
literature review:
Humanity’s religion might be a
strong catalyst towards
interstellar exploration. The
Star; Expanse
Observations of the
literature review:
Religious expression from
humans to humans could be
beneficial amongst the stars as
a stabilizing force. The Expanse
series
PIECES TO NOTE:
That Leviathan, Whom Thou Hast Made by
Eric James Stone
Paradises Lost by Ursula K. LeGuin
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
The Expanse series by James S. A. Corey
Battlestar Galactica
The Star by Arthur C. Clarke
Dune by Frank Herbert
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