Religions in Firefly
POSTED BY: Astragynia
UPDATED: Friday, April 15, 2005 13:18
VIEWED: 13636
PAGE 5 of 8
Indeed, I agree. As long as people ask "Why am I here?" there will always be people who can give them an answer, largely involving a tenth of their earnings, everlasting damnation/eternal rewards and/or sexual favours. I don't think that part of humanity is going away any time soon.
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Originally posted by SimonWho:
Indeed, I agree. As long as people ask "Why am I here?" there will always be people who can give them an answer, largely involving a tenth of their earnings, everlasting damnation/eternal rewards and/or sexual favours. I don't think that part of humanity is going away any time soon.
It sounds to me like you have an irrational dislike for all thing spiritual/philosophical. What issue do you take with asking a broader question which might not have an immediate answer?
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People who claim to know nothing and people who claim to know everything have at least one thing in common: both are either fools or liars.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
You’re missing the point, YT. No one is asking you for an opinion on comparative religion or social demographics.
That partly explains why I haven't offered one. It also seems rather far afield from "General Discussions About Firefly".
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Your opinion seems to be ...snip... that the use of Christian symbolism is purely pragmatic.
I wouldn't say "purely", but that's reasonably accurate.
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But I also think that the use of Christian symbolism was intentional.
Since it seems I was not clear in my earlier post, I think Joss's use of Christian symbolism was not only intentional, it was brilliant.
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Christian symbolism is used to establish continuity between this world and Joss’ futuristic one.
I think Joss said something like: take the old west & the future, combine them and make them seem like now. I'd say "support" rather than "establish", but if this seems to you different from what I posted, all I can say is they sound similar to me.
Keep the Shiny Side Up . . . (wutzon) Stones, "Almost Here Your Sign", from "Steel Wheels"
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Emma wrote:
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I am writing a lecture on the Bible in Whedonverse at the moment and was wondering whether you would mind me quoting some of your comments?
Certainly, you have my permission if what I've written interests you - and will you be posting this written lecture somewhere? I'd be interested in reading it.
The conversation seems to be at something of a standstill, though - ShinySeven put everything so well, s/he pretty much answered the original questions!
I notice nobody's said much about the burka, though - it seems a bit strange to me that it's the only reference to Islamic cultures that we've seen - and with all these desert landscapes, you might expect to see more of the long, loose clothing traditional in the Middle East and North Africa. I would say that it's because it wouldn't fit into the whole Wild West theme - but if that's the reason, then why the isolated burka?
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Quote:Indeed. Perhaps I’ve misinterpreted your post. There seems to be some anti-religious underlying tones to some of the posts that are hard for me to construe, and that may have lead me to draw an inappropriate assumption on what you were trying to say. But it does seem like we are of similar minds on this.
Originally posted by YT:Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
You’re missing the point, YT. No one is asking you for an opinion on comparative religion or social demographics.
That partly explains why I haven't offered one. It also seems rather far afield from "General Discussions About Firefly".
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Qui desiderat pacem praeparet bellum.
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Quote:
will you be posting this written lecture somewhere? I'd be interested in reading it.
I can do if people would like although it may not be so exciting as I am comparing televisual depictions of martyrdom (and possibly redemption) with movie depictions: the Whedonverse & Babylon 5, with The Passion of the Christ and Dogville.
I am also applying to write a PhD on how science-fiction/fantasy depicts the Bible and how fans understand the Bible through science-fiction. I figure that way I can combine my hobby with my work, pretty lucky if it comes off!
This really is a great discussion, us Browncoats are so friendly; normally religion sparks nasty arguments but everyone here is shiny - hoorah!
I really should get me a signature
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Quote:
Originally posted by Astragynia:
- and with all these desert landscapes, you might expect to see more of the long, loose clothing traditional in the Middle East and North Africa.
Might that not have reminded SciFi fans of Dune? I have no idea whether such garb even occured to Joss but, he was trying to tell a story as unusual today as Dune, in its time; he may have prefered to avoid a reference to a SciFi classic.
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I would say that it's because it wouldn't fit into the whole Wild West theme - but if that's the reason, then why the isolated burka?
My guess is it was Shawna Trpcic's idea, with no input from Joss.
Keep the Shiny Side Up . . . (wutzon) Jazz Is Dead, "Eyes of the World & Two Sisters", from "Further Most"
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Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
Perhaps I’ve misinterpreted your post.
No big. I think I know where you were going with your previous post, but if I posted my reaction to what I thought you meant, but did not say, we could wind up so far afield we might not get back in time for the BDM.
Keep the Shiny Side Up . . . (wutzon) Stones, "Far Away Eyes", from "Some Girls"
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Quote:
Originally posted by FourSkys:
It sounds to me like you have an irrational dislike for all thing spiritual/philosophical. What issue do you take with asking a broader question which might not have an immediate answer?
I have no dislike for the spiritual nor the philosophical, nor those who ask broad questions. I do have extreme scepticism for those who say that have the answer, particularly as the powerful they are, the more odious they become. This isn't irrational. This is what happens when you've read too many accounts of priests abusing boys, women being pushed back into burning buildings for being improperly dressed, warriors being told to fight in the name of God and above all else, the leaders of those institutions defending the abusers, attacking the victims, defending their institution rather than doing the right thing.
Perhaps if we stopped those who say that there's a great life ahead of us in the next world, maybe we'd try to do better in this one. Because if Firefly demonstrates anything, even if there's a new world for us, it'd still be full of the same old people - thieves, killers and whores.
>> People who claim to know nothing and people who claim to know everything have at least one thing in common: both are either fools or liars.
That nicely sums up my attitude to religious leaders too.
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If there is one faith that I would think could stand the destruction of Earth, Hinduism is the one that stands out in my mind.
Yes there is the Ganges river that would be lost, however, Hinduism is a versatile and lasting religion.
Even in Dune, Frank Herbert recognizes that this would be one of the few religions unchanged(at least in name), this is probably due to it's fluid nature.
I heard at one time that there was a mention of Catholics in the Pilot for Firefly, it is before Book sees Kaylee, he goes to one ship where the owner says "No Asians or Catholics" and then book turns and heads toward what we find is Serenity, I heard the scene was cut because they didn't want to catholicize Book. But he does seem very "High Church" to me, maybe the Anglicans, Catholics, Orthodox, and Lutherans Mixed it up?
It would make sense that various groups would eventually merge together, especially if they are fleeing a destroyed earth, with that kind of horrific event, I am sure matters of theological difference become null and void.
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