Outgrown Such Silly Superstitions: Difference between revisions

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Science fiction where an advanced civilization has given up religion as backward and primitive. Alternately, religion is shown as [[Scam Religion|a form of control without any real moral purpose]]. This is usually an [[Author Tract]]. Eventually, [[Easy Evangelism|everyone "comes around" to the author's point of view]], realizing that [[The Presents Were Never From Santa|the miracles were natural]] and [[Windmill Political|the demons they were so afraid of never existed]].

Occasionally a few small minority religions will still be around, almost always of theology that can be treated as the province of harmless fanatics. Jews and Mormons seem to be favourites, as are [[Magical Native American~~|Magical Native Americans~~]].

Occasionally a few small minority religions will still be around, almost always of theology that can be treated as the province of harmless fanatics. Jews and Mormons seem to be favourites, as are [[Magical Native American]]s.

This trope has become less common over time (and subversion has become more and more common). In the Golden Age of Science Fiction, SF was much more the province of empiricists and purely secular humanists. As time has passed, however, three things have lessened this trope's prevalence; the genre moving into the mainstream, disenchantment with the "Science will save us!" mindset, and the simple notion that religion (for better, worse, or neither) is here to stay. This trope still exists, however, especially on the harder side of [[Mohs Scale of Science Fiction Hardness]].

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** The closing stories in the ''[[Rendezvous With Rama|Rama]]'' books, on which Clarke either collaborated or wrote himself, subvert this. The setting has humanity already in religious decline by default, however the very end of the series presents not only possible evidence for the existence of a divine being such as God, but an explanation for his laissez faire attitude to dealing with his creation.

* The advanced cultures of [[Isaac Asimov]]'s ''[[Foundation]]'' trilogy seemed to be atheist, and talked about religion as a tool of control at several points.

** Not exactly the same as this trope on two points. Most of the main ''characters'' are supposedly atheists, and the leaders of Terminus certainly ~~are -- but~~ the way the Foundation's participants were chosen initially and the way their lives are structured would logically make them tend more towards rationalism, so it's not that much of a stretch. Outside Terminus, religion itself survives, even if it's used as a tool at times. But more importantly, over time Hari Seldon assumed an almost religious significance to the people of Foundation, to the point where many of them had a decidedly ''irrational'' belief in the infallibility of his predictions. Asimov himself was certainly not a religious man, and his treatment of religion is definitely from a sceptic's position, viewing it solely as a social construct with no mystical powers behind ~~it -- but~~ within that view, he doesn't show religion and religious thinking as actually dying out (just the opposite; he shows it as surviving and being used).

** Not exactly the same as this trope on two points. Most of the main ''characters'' are supposedly atheists, and the leaders of Terminus certainly are—but the way the Foundation's participants were chosen initially and the way their lives are structured would logically make them tend more towards rationalism, so it's not that much of a stretch. Outside Terminus, religion itself survives, even if it's used as a tool at times. But more importantly, over time Hari Seldon assumed an almost religious significance to the people of Foundation, to the point where many of them had a decidedly ''irrational'' belief in the infallibility of his predictions. Asimov himself was certainly not a religious man, and his treatment of religion is definitely from a sceptic's position, viewing it solely as a social construct with no mystical powers behind it—but within that view, he doesn't show religion and religious thinking as actually dying out (just the opposite; he shows it as surviving and being used).

*** Even more interesting is the ''Second Foundation'' trilogy (written by modern authors) which portray the different aspects of Robot philosophy (Asimov linked his Robots of ''Foundation'' series in later books) as being akin to religions, including "Calvinists" (which for religious scholars is wonderful as these are the conservative/catholic analogues), and several other sects who have their own interpretations of the body of doctrine that is the Laws of Robotics.

** His "Nightfall" is even more interesting. The scientists had worked out the cause of the periodic devastation and the things called "stars," and the religious fanatics were deeply ~~offended -- and~~ also had a much better idea than the scientists how serious the matter was.

** His "Nightfall" is even more interesting. The scientists had worked out the cause of the periodic devastation and the things called "stars," and the religious fanatics were deeply offended—and also had a much better idea than the scientists how serious the matter was.

** In any event, Christianity is certainly long-dead by the Empire-Foundation ~~era -- Asimov~~'s characters frequently utter "science-y" sounding oaths like "In the name of space!" and "Great Galaxy!" where "For the love of God!" or "Jesus H. Christ!" might be used in modern English.

** In any event, Christianity is certainly long-dead by the Empire-Foundation era—Asimov's characters frequently utter "science-y" sounding oaths like "In the name of space!" and "Great Galaxy!" where "For the love of God!" or "Jesus H. Christ!" might be used in modern English.

** Asimov also played with religion in some of his robot stories, including one where a robot that was activated on a space station believed the station's machinery was a god, called it "the Master," and believed ''Earth'' was a religious fiction designed for the small-minded humans.

{{quote|[[Does This Remind You of Anything?|"There is no Master but the Master, and QT-1 is His prophet."]]}}

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** It's also deconstructed because it's implied that post-Deluge humanity was no more religious than they were before, whether by mere ignorance or secularization.

* ''[[Giants Star]]'' by James P. Hogan has a particularly fierce instance: {{spoiler|the protagonists deduce the existence of an alien [[Ancient Conspiracy]] to suppress human progress as a reasonably parsimonious explanation for the continued existence of religion in modern times}}.

** The truth, as revealed in ''[[Entoverse]]'', turns out to be that human religion, along with pretty much all mysticism and spirituality, is a result of {{spoiler|1=[[Starfish Alien]]s which evolved inside a planet-sized supercomputer future humans built where their perceived laws of physics are completely different (basically meaning that magic and gods are perfectly normal for them, in a manner of speaking) accidentally [[Body Surf~~|Body Surfing~~]] to reality in human users, which drove them insane. The behaviour of the crazy [[Digitized Hacker]]-possessed people gets corrupted, eventually forming mysticism as we know it today. Oh, and all this predates the creation of the supercomputer, due to a [[Stable Time Loop]] established in the last book}}.

** The truth, as revealed in ''[[Entoverse]]'', turns out to be that human religion, along with pretty much all mysticism and spirituality, is a result of {{spoiler|1=[[Starfish Alien]]s which evolved inside a planet-sized supercomputer future humans built where their perceived laws of physics are completely different (basically meaning that magic and gods are perfectly normal for them, in a manner of speaking) accidentally [[Body Surf]]ing to reality in human users, which drove them insane. The behaviour of the crazy [[Digitized Hacker]]-possessed people gets corrupted, eventually forming mysticism as we know it today. Oh, and all this predates the creation of the supercomputer, due to a [[Stable Time Loop]] established in the last book}}.

* At the start of ''[[Hyperion]]'' religions such as Judaism, Islam, and Catholicism are still around but Catholicism is dying and only practiced by a small minority.

** The book also includes a rather un-subtle chapter in which {{spoiler|a Catholic priest stumbles upon a tribe of primitives who are sexless, slow-witted, and exceptionally docile. Turns out they get this way by becoming completely reliant upon the promise of an afterlife provided by parasitic creatures ''shaped like crosses.''}} Yeah. This is a big [[Xanatos Roulette|Xanatos galactic sized gambit]] organised by {{spoiler|[[Magical Computer|Artificial Intelligences]] who worship a [[Deus Est Machina|god]] they made themselves}}. The initial excitement of the priest (who is also a man of science) rapidly turns to utter horror. This is not meant as a [[Take That]] at Christianity, but is rather a deliberate ''perversion'' of its imagery.

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* In a rare fantasy example, the elves of the ''[[Inheritance Cycle]]'' have also outgrown religion, mostly due to [[Writer on Board|the author being on board]].

** However, the main character was slightly distrustful of the elves' atheism, in the third book, he witnesses what may be the dwarves' god crown their king. Later, he prays to same god, and his prayer gets answered, although it's never told if it was just coincidence or divine intervention.

* Played straight by the Edenists and averted by the Kulu Kingdom in Peter F. Hamilton's (sci-fi) ''[[Nights Dawn]]'' Trilogy. They are the two biggest players and the two biggest rivals in the ~~Confederation -- the~~ former are all atheists and the latter staunchly Christian. However, the Edenists' philosophy and way of life lead to the closest thing to paradise as you can get, and they're also the only human civilisation able to fully resist the possessed...

* Played straight by the Edenists and averted by the Kulu Kingdom in Peter F. Hamilton's (sci-fi) ''[[Nights Dawn]]'' Trilogy. They are the two biggest players and the two biggest rivals in the Confederation—the former are all atheists and the latter staunchly Christian. However, the Edenists' philosophy and way of life lead to the closest thing to paradise as you can get, and they're also the only human civilisation able to fully resist the possessed...

** Also, in Hamilton's ''[[Commonwealth Saga]]'', religion has for the most part been abandoned. However, in the distant sequels of the void trilogy, a massive religious pilgrimage is the source of the main conflict of the stories.

* Neal Stephenson's ''[[Anathem]]'' features a world in which a group of secular monks wall themselves away from society and study pure logic, science, philosophy and art. Although they are not officially atheistic, few members hold onto any religious beliefs. In the outside world, religions rise and fall unnoticed. While venturing in the outside world, monks can quickly reduce any religion they encounter into one of a number of basic categories so that they can avoid causing offense. Religious non-monks are mostly presented as morons, while the brightest are good enough that they aren't completely humiliated when they try to debate with a monk.

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** In "Day of the Dove", Kirk tells Kang, "Go to the Devil!" Kang replies, "We [Klingons] have no Devil...but we are very familiar with the habits of yours." Cue use of torture.

** In an episode of ''[[Voyager]]'', Tom Paris suggests that B'lanna should go to church if she wants to explore her spirituality, instead of invoking a near-death experience to save her mother from Klingon Hell.

** The most [[Anvilicious|Anviliciously atheistic]] ''Star Trek'' ever got was the third season ''TNG'' episode, ''Who Watches the Watchers''; a group of Federation scientists are using holographic technology to watch a primitive Vulcanoid culture that has apparently abandoned religion. The Federation equipment breaks down, revealing their existence and "magical powers" to the locals, one of whom declares they must be gods and tries to restart the Old Time Religions.<br /><br />The crew's horror over having brought back the "evil" that is religion was almost ''stronger'' than the horror of [[Unwanted False Faith|having said religion based on them]]. Picard takes another local up and explains that the Federation are merely [[Sufficiently Advanced Aliens]], not gods. The episode then goes into [[Author Filibuster]] mode; as the time humans had religions of any sort is referred to as "the dark ages of superstition and ignorance and fear." Afterward, an away team goes down to the planet to explain how irrational it is to believe in gods because they never show up or tell believers what they want, and that believers are left putting their faith in what other mortals tell them.

** The most [[Anvilicious|Anviliciously atheistic]] ''Star Trek'' ever got was the third season ''TNG'' episode, ''Who Watches the Watchers''; a group of Federation scientists are using holographic technology to watch a primitive Vulcanoid culture that has apparently abandoned religion. The Federation equipment breaks down, revealing their existence and "magical powers" to the locals, one of whom declares they must be gods and tries to restart the Old Time Religions.

The crew's horror over having brought back the "evil" that is religion was almost ''stronger'' than the horror of [[Unwanted False Faith|having said religion based on them]]. Picard takes another local up and explains that the Federation are merely [[Sufficiently Advanced Aliens]], not gods. The episode then goes into [[Author Filibuster]] mode; as the time humans had religions of any sort is referred to as "the dark ages of superstition and ignorance and fear." Afterward, an away team goes down to the planet to explain how irrational it is to believe in gods because they never show up or tell believers what they want, and that believers are left putting their faith in what other mortals tell them.

** In "Where Silence Has Lease" Picard is asked by Data about death; interestingly his philosophical answer seems to hint that while he isn't personally religious he seems to have equal problems with a purely atheistic view.

** ''[[Deep Space Nine]]'' is a 7 year mix of affirmations and aversion/subversions of this Trope. The Commander of the station was declared to be alien Jesus in the first episode, later finding the alien Gods to confirm it, then having visions and becoming a god himself.

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** Ivanova is a religious Jew. At the beginning of the series she has lapsed in her practice of Judaism, but when her father dies in the first season she finds solace and closure in her once-lost faith.

** Commander Sinclair was educated by Jesuits when he was young.

** Doctor Franklin is a ~~Foundationist -- a~~ religion founded in the 22nd Century following first contact with the Centauri, which teaches that all existing religions have an essential truth (or foundation) at their core. Foundationism incorporates practices from many Earth and alien cultures, such as the Australian aboriginal "walkabout".

** Doctor Franklin is a Foundationist—a religion founded in the 22nd Century following first contact with the Centauri, which teaches that all existing religions have an essential truth (or foundation) at their core. Foundationism incorporates practices from many Earth and alien cultures, such as the Australian aboriginal "walkabout".

** The Centauri are modeled on the late Roman Empire, with an official polytheism almost nobody still takes seriously.

** In the third season, an entire chapter of monks shows up on the station to research ''other'' races' religions, looking for common ground; each one is a [[Badass Bookworm]], highly respected in various prized fields such as computers, medicine and physics.

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** In one of the "Lost Tales", demons (NOT aliens, but acutal supernatural demons, the story makes this clear) possess a man and force him to journey to Babylon 5. Having been bound to Earth to be damned to eventual destruction when the Sun goes nova eons from now, they hope to fool a priest into exorcising them while still on the station, which would loose them on the galaxy.

** The same priest during the story remarks on how much of its influence Catholicism has lost since mankind went to the stars. The demons tempt him to exorcise them right then and there, saying that it would give him proof enough of the reality of God to restore the Church to it's former power and status.

* Averted in the new ''[[Battlestar Galactica Reimagined]]''. Humanity still has ~~religion -- some~~ stronger than others. But not only that, the Cylons, machines created by humans whose technology is far more advanced, have their own religion, and while humans worship the pantheon of twelve gods, the Cylons are monotheists. While neither God nor the gods put in an appearance, visions and possible angels do.

* Averted in the new ''[[Battlestar Galactica Reimagined]]''. Humanity still has religion—some stronger than others. But not only that, the Cylons, machines created by humans whose technology is far more advanced, have their own religion, and while humans worship the pantheon of twelve gods, the Cylons are monotheists. While neither God nor the gods put in an appearance, visions and possible angels do.

** {{spoiler|[[Word of God]], ironically, confirms that Head Six and Head Baltar are agents of a higher power. It does not state whether this higher power is the Cylon command or gods.}}

** {{spoiler|It was actually God, though it dislikes being called that.}}

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** The other races are no different. Besides their native religions, the codex notes that some turians have adopted human religions such as Confucianism and Zen Buddhism.

* In ''[[Deus Ex]]''; religion is alive and well in the 2050s. Some of the [[Ancient Conspiracy|Ancient Conspiracies]] are themselves religious or spiritual; for example, [[The Illuminati]]. [[The Knights Templar]], influential bankers who directly descended from the original order of knights. Morgan Everett even comments that prior to the Templars' downfall, he would pray alongside other leaders in finance at the Cathedrale de Payens for the continued stability of Templar banks.

* ''[[Deus Ex: Invisible War|Deus Ex Invisible War]]'' is a [[Double Subversion]]; according to its backstory, the aftermath of ''Deus Ex'' led to The Collapse, in which most people had their faith shaken to the point this trope almost got played ~~straight--until~~ The Order popped up, uniting all of the old faiths into one syncretic philosophy. Later, however, it's revealed that {{spoiler|The Order is just one of two fronts for the Illuminati, and is part of their method of controlling polar opposites of society}}.

* ''[[Deus Ex: Invisible War|Deus Ex Invisible War]]'' is a [[Double Subversion]]; according to its backstory, the aftermath of ''Deus Ex'' led to The Collapse, in which most people had their faith shaken to the point this trope almost got played straight—until The Order popped up, uniting all of the old faiths into one syncretic philosophy. Later, however, it's revealed that {{spoiler|The Order is just one of two fronts for the Illuminati, and is part of their method of controlling polar opposites of society}}.

* In ''[[Dead Space (series)|Dead Space]]'', the only known religion humans have left is Unitology, which has been extremely corrupted by leaders who demand high "donations" in order to move up in rank and bastardize their founder's idols. As a result, many (even level header and nice ones) are mocked by their atheist co-workers. Of course they just happen to worship something that comes out of [[H.P. Lovecraft]] (and odds are, their beliefs are right).

* ''[[Star Control]] II'' plays the trope to different ends. While there isn't enough contact with actual humans to tell if they're still religious or not (having the entire planet encased in an impenetrable bubble for the entire game will do that), several races are heavily religious, such as the [[Religion of Evil|sadistic Ilwrath]], the mystical Utwig, [[New Age Retro Hippie|the new-age-ish Pkunk]], and [[Dirty Coward|the Spathi]] who constantly pray to not get horribly killed today. [[One Nation Under Copyright|The Druuge]] have a literal contract with God, the VUX mention a Creator, [[Plant Aliens|the Supox]] believe that they have divine origin (but they're not arrogant about it), and the Zoq Fot Pik tell the (somewhat mocking) story of how they discovered fire, the wheel, and religion all at once.

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* ''[[Star Ocean 1]]'' has Ronixis, who claims that humanity has moved beyond religion. However, finding himself in the backwards world of Roak, and confronted with the existence of magic, which he'd hitherto never believed existed, he finds himself re-examining his views. The sequels make clear that magic is nothing more than [[Magic From Technology|advanced science]], however.

** The [[Star Ocean 3|third game]] even simultaneously proves that God exists ''and'' provides a scientific explanation for the [[God Is Evil|big jerk]].

* Both played straight and averted in ''[[Starcraft]]'' universe. Background material mentions that upon taking control of Earth, the United Powers League(later becomes United Earth Directorate) promoted state Atheism, banning or co-opting all religions and exiling or killing those who didn't adhere (alongside political prisoners, cyber-deviants and other undesirables) in an effort to stamp out the things that have divided the human society. As a result, the territories of the UPL/UED are non-religious while the Koprulu Sector is teeming with religious groups ranging from mainstream Christianity to [[Crystal Dragon Jesus]] and to even stranger [[Cult~~|Cults~~]] and movements.

* Both played straight and averted in ''[[Starcraft]]'' universe. Background material mentions that upon taking control of Earth, the United Powers League(later becomes United Earth Directorate) promoted state Atheism, banning or co-opting all religions and exiling or killing those who didn't adhere (alongside political prisoners, cyber-deviants and other undesirables) in an effort to stamp out the things that have divided the human society. As a result, the territories of the UPL/UED are non-religious while the Koprulu Sector is teeming with religious groups ranging from mainstream Christianity to [[Crystal Dragon Jesus]] and to even stranger [[Cult]]s and movements.

** The most advanced race in the setting, the Protoss, nearly killed themselves before the religion/social structure of the Khala was established, and while it's lessened in importance with the acceptance of the Dark Templar, it's still hugely important to most of the race.

* Heavily averted in ''[[Ground Control]]'' with the 'Order of the New Dawn'.