This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
From YKTTW Working Title: Fantastic Religious Weirdness
Matthew The Raven: Cut this:
The interesting aspect about this trope is that while most religions do carry a specific set of rules that are meant to stand the test of time (and hence writers have a great deal of fun coming up with scenarios where this isn't necessarily true), other religions don't. For example, the base ruleset of (Protestant) Christianity does not have any restrictions on the celebration of Eucharist (any kind of bread, and any drink that resembles grape juice will do - and it doesn't need a priest, because we're all priests), or confession (anytime, anywhere, involving only yourself and God), or baptism (hopefully clean water, and if you can actually immerse yourself that's just a bonus), or church attendance (as often as you can, just meet up with a bunch of Christians); it's a little different for Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and many Anglicans. The basic ruleset for Buddhism is just as simple, seeing as it's essentially meant to be achieving self-enlightenment (the Eightfold Paths? Guidelines more than anything else, since there's no Cosmic Scorekeeper). As for Taoism or ancestral worship, well, you don't have to burn paper money; a paper house, Mercedes-Benz, washing machine, and a few servants will be just fine as well...
Because this is an obvious case of a cultural blind spot on the part of the author. All religions do carry a specific set of rules that are meant to stand the test of time, because that's what religions are. This passage assumes that Protestant Christianity is somehow a normative concept devoid of "rules," even though the Eucharist, Baptism, and Church attendance are exactly the same type of religious rule and ritual set this trope is talking about. Just because they're easier to adapt doesn't mean they're immune to a situation that could make them a little bit wonky in a sci-fi or fantasy setting (In the real world, just look at how Christianity had to adapt to non-Eurasian cultures just to gain a foothold).
How's an alien convert with a completely different biochemistry supposed to take the Eucharist? An AI? Or how about baptizing one of those dumbass hydrophobic aliens from Signs, especially since their invasion of earth, coupled with Mel Gibson's son's asthma, proved that God existed?
Won't somebody think of the souls of the dumbass Signs aliens?!
Micah: Cut this bit (in reference to the "medieval theologian" who thought about the souls of The Fair Folk):
- If this troper remembers correctly, it was St. Augustine. C.S. Lewis actually came to the same conclusion when considering the theological implications of aliens, citing Augustine as a reference.
