Science as a Religion

[Aranfan]

As you know I am doing some world building for a story. I'm currently making the various alien societies. And one of the Protagonist Aliens has the religious Dogma of "Mortals have flawed minds, they can have no true knowledge without gaining it from the Mind of The Creator. The Creator's mind can be known from its creation, the Universe. Reasoned Scientific Inquiry is the only way to know the Universe, and thus the mind of The Creator. Such an endeavor has the blessings of the Creator."

There are other parts but that's the biggest for what will be seen in the story. I'm wondering how to flesh this culture out and if it fits in my setting.

[Sarevok]

As you know I am doing some world building for a story. I'm currently making the various alien societies. And one of the Protagonist Aliens has the religious Dogma of "Mortals have flawed minds, they can have no true knowledge without gaining it from the Mind of The Creator. The Creator's mind can be known from its creation, the Universe. Reasoned Scientific Inquiry is the only way to know the Universe, and thus the mind of The Creator. Such an endeavor has the blessings of the Creator."

There are other parts but that's the biggest for what will be seen in the story. I'm wondering how to flesh this culture out and if it fits in my setting.

Does a Creator whose existence can be proven exist within the verse in question ?

[Aranfan]

I haven't gotten that far yet. I'm thinking that if one does, then nobody has the technology to find said Creator.

[Magus]

I haven't gotten that far yet. I'm thinking that if one does, then nobody has the technology to find said Creator.

Then you have, perhaps, just created the world's most ironic religion.

[Sarevok]

I haven't gotten that far yet. I'm thinking that if one does, then nobody has the technology to find said Creator.

In that case such a Cult of Science would be no different from Cult of the Invisible Dragon that lives in Car Sagan's garage.

I think it would be more fruitful to look at "techno religions". Although they would deny it Mac fanatics, Linux lovers, Win geeks can be eerily similar to religious movements. Given how passionate some people are about simple computer software and what a great influence in their lives it plays it is possible when true AI comes around you could see start of some machine god cult.

[Shroom Man 777]

Why don't you make it a cult of applied sciences? Why not worship the power of an ideal that can cure sickness, create light, build wonders and monuments, and destroy countless lives?

If science became a religion... well, maybe the only difference would be instead of "fundamentalists", our scientists would be more like stereotypical mad scientists going all: "More power! It's alive! It's alive!" and everything. Like this guy.

[ray245]

Why don't you make it a cult of applied sciences? Why not worship the power of an ideal that can cure sickness, create light, build wonders and monuments, and destroy countless lives?

If science became a religion... well, maybe the only difference would be instead of "fundamentalists", our scientists would be more like stereotypical mad scientists going all: "More power! It's alive! It's alive!" and everything. Like this guy.

Or apply science to destroys society.

Such as celebrating the creation of an atomic bomb by bombing a city for example.

Celebration of the destruction, scientific research can bring about to society. Instead of focusing and celebrating the benefits, they celebrate the negative effects.

[Kanastrous]

I guess that sainthood might be conferred upon people who develop new technologies, processes, or mathematical/scientific theorems. If you are advancing the sciences, then you are serving the goal of apotheosis...

[Aranfan]

Why don't you make it a cult of applied sciences? Why not worship the power of an ideal that can cure sickness, create light, build wonders and monuments, and destroy countless lives?

If science became a religion... well, maybe the only difference would be instead of "fundamentalists", our scientists would be more like stereotypical mad scientists going all: "More power! It's alive! It's alive!" and everything. Like this guy.

Or apply science to destroys society.

Such as celebrating the creation of an atomic bomb by bombing a city for example.

Celebration of the destruction, scientific research can bring about to society. Instead of focusing and celebrating the benefits, they celebrate the negative effects.

These are the good guy aliens remember. Who have always dealt honestly and fairly with Humanity, treating us as equals who simply got a late start.

I guess that sainthood might be conferred upon people who develop new technologies, processes, or mathematical/scientific theorems. If you are advancing the sciences, then you are serving the goal of apotheosis...

That's what I was going for yes. But what I really need is a sermon from one of these guys. To drive home how deeply tied their religion and their science is.

[ray245]

[qoute]
These are the good guy aliens remember. Who have always dealt honestly and fairly with Humanity, treating us as equals who simply got a late start. [/qoute]

Unless religion isn't a huge part of their lives, then them being the good guys can work to a certain extend.

If they are uptight about it, sooner or later, it will become destructive to any society.

Fanaticism is always a part of every religion, the more people view religion as important, the chances of them causing damage is higher.

[Aranfan]

These are the good guy aliens remember. Who have always dealt honestly and fairly with Humanity, treating us as equals who simply got a late start.

Unless religion isn't a huge part of their lives, then them being the good guys can work to a certain extend.

If they are uptight about it, sooner or later, it will become destructive to any society.

Fanaticism is always a part of every religion, the more people view religion as important, the chances of them causing damage is higher.

Dude, Aliens, their psychology is different.

[PainRack]

Hmmm...... Adapt some of the Machine God sermons from WH40k?


You would probably need to identify some form of saint or prophet worship, since human pyschology requires some form of identifier leader to revolve around(Look at how Hindu extremists identified themselves with a monotheist god despite the Hindu religion being a pantheist?) Granted, alien pyschology could be so communal and non invidiualistic that they could identify around sole concepts, but you would still need some form of symbol for worship to conceptualise around.

Perhaps wheel or fire? Or if science as religion was started late, perhaps atoms?

To show how deep their connection between religion and science is, it would be probable to justify scientific research against ethic, political and resource constraints by appealing to the Creator and how one would be blessed in doing such research. Or moralising about philosophy from scientific concepts, such as how we're all made from starfire and thus shows the interconnection of all beings......... And see, how the suns bring forth life, yet bring death when they go nova. To worship the power of fusion, the lifeforce of stars and the bringer of life! To sustain and maintain it.......