Christianity and Fandom

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Christianity and fandom...

General

Utilized by Purity Control and Censuring

Specific Fandoms

Stargate

Things that are relevant and had fan reactions:

  • The basic premise of Stargate is that most mythological gods (covering almost every pantheon) were actually malevolent aliens using religion to control and enslave ancient civilizations, or else benevolent aliens using religion to fight those other aliens. Although canon understandably shied away from any implication that Jesus of Nazareth might have been an alien using advanced technology to perform his "miracles," many fanworks show Christian characters struggling with what this idea might mean to their faith, for instance Danny Can't Dance by Martha.
  • The episode I've forgotten the name of that has Christian mythology instead of Egyptian or anything else.
  • The Chaplain series by Fabrisse

Star Trek

flyer for the 1978 Christian-focused science fiction, Star Trek, and Star Wars zine called Spirit

Some example fanworks:

  • Fesarius #5: This issue consists mainly of two novels: one by Leslie Fish and one by Theresa Holmes, on the theme of "What would be the effect of the ST universe if Christ were not an influence?" See Sunset and Evening Star and Difference.
  • From Showcase #2: Proof Positive—by Sharon Emily: "By fall, Paula Smith had written a satire on Sharon Emily's story, "Proof Positive." The satire, "100 Proof Positive," appeared in both Menagerie 6 and Warped Space 13 by the year's end. ... her story, "Proof Positive," mixed Star Trek and religion (a difficult task even for more experienced writers). The story was a reprint of a similar story appearing in a more obscure fanzine called The Worksheet. The premise of Sharon's story is that Spock goes back in time to meet a religious figure [Jesus]. In Paula's satire, Spock goes to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. Paula's satire was funny and well received by many fans; Sharon later commented that she found the satire flattering." [1]
  • Spirit is a 1978 Star Trek, science fiction, and Star Wars anthology centered on Christian-oriented material. The publisher's ad called it "science fiction for Christians."
  • Trekkin' with Jesus was a newsletter produced by a Christian Star Trek club in Texas.

Forever Knight

If there's one thing that any Christian fan of a science fiction TV show knows, it's the feeling of being alone. It's so easy, considering that many Christians look down on the genre, to believe you're the only one out there. But you're not. Knights of the Cross is a gathering of Christian Forever Knight fans for fellowship and prayer support. Our members are drawn from all corners of the globe, from all denominations, from all walks of life and from all FK factions, united in spite of our diversity, by our love for God, and our interest in the show. Whether you're drawn to Forever Knight by its theme of the search for redemption, the characters, the writing, or anything else, here is where you can connect with others who will understand. And even if Knights of the Cross is not the place for you, maybe you fill find a haven in one of our sister groups, Highlander-Christians, X-Philes for Christ, Babylon 5 Christians, or the original, C-Leapers.

Just remember, you are not alone. — Message at the top of the index page to the faction website (archived)

Kung Fu: The Legend Continues

From a flyer for Enter the Grasshopper, a Kung Fu: The Legend Continues zine:

Advance Warning: We're Christians. WE MEAN IT. We've toned down the violence in our fanzines and won't even look at naughty manuscripts, but we also realize that the opposite side of the fence -- mixing Judeo/Christian religion and fan fiction -- just might offend some readers. If so, we're nonprofit and non-competitive. Get the Spirit or tune us out!

The Lord of the Rings

Tolkien himself described his book as a “fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.”[2] This in turn attracts many religious fans.

Other Fandoms

Christian Hegemony

See also: Cultural Imperialism in Fandom

Christian Hegemony is a concept describing the way in which Christianity has become powerfully dominant within global society through the normalisation of its ideas, whether forcefully or otherwise.[3] Inevitably, this has affected fandom. Christian culture and traditions are seemingly overwhelmingly centred in fandom, with events such as Christmas being much more of a focus than those of other religions and cultures, and xtian morals and concepts are frequently prevalant within fandom spaces.

Though individual Christian fans can experience personal alienation as a result of their Christianity, and even the religion itself may not be especially explicit in fandom, many of Christianity's core ideals and viewpoints are still present within fandom nevertheless on a wider, bigger and often subconsious scale. These ideas have influenced issues such as fandom purity culture.

Works

Additional Reading

Links

References

  1. ^ from Boldly Writing
  2. ^ Letter #142 to Robert Murray, S.J., 2 December 1953, in The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien (1981).
  3. ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_privilege#Christian_hegemony
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