Battlestar Galactica and Religion

I’ve recently become absolutely addicted to the SciFi Channel’s hit TV series Battlestar Galactica (often times know simply as BSG). I’ve watched seasons 1 and 2 in the past two weeks and now I’m starting season 3 today. I think I like it so much because, while it is science-fiction, it’s the most human side of science fiction that I’ve seen since Asimov. The characters are compelling, lifelike people with great character development and they have to make many difficult decisions. The show also hits  a ton of issues that are relevant in today’s society, but it doesn’t force you into believing one side or the other, because it almost always shows some characters for and others against a particular issue.

The theology presented in BSG is quite eye-opening. The good-guy humans believe in polytheism, and the bad-guy Cylons, robots who were created by the humans and then branched off to rebel against the humans and are now at war with them, believe in monotheism. As a Christian, seeing the bad guys with the religious view that most closely matches the theology of my beliefs is a strange feeling. However, I more often find myself agreeing with the other tenants of the human’s beliefs, such as their belief in the preservation of innocent human lives whenever possible and appropriate, even though they are polytheist.

Once I watch the entire series, I’ll probably comment again about the topic, when I have a more complete view of the topics, but until then, I found this article, entitled “Born-Again Battlestar” an interesting read. (It was written in the gap between seasons 1 and 2, so there are no spoilers in it!) If you’re a fan of BSG or sci-fi in general, or even if you’re not, take a look at it and comment here on what you think of the theology or of the show or whatever. But please please please please PLEASE, NO SPOILERS. You’ll break my heart into a million tiny pieces if you do. Please don’t do it. Thanks!