Sigh I see we are having the conversation about how the future should be secular again and SF should downplay religion (not going to link to the tweet because I refuse to give oxygen).
It should not.
(small thread)

Lots of complicated thoughts on SFF (esp media) depicting civilisations as advanced based on their lack of religion (often white Christian atheism), and Othering civilisations which continue to practise religion regardless of the nature of said religion.

Obv religion can and has been harmful, but same goes for science (which is emphatically not value neutral). The idea that science is GOOD and religion is BAD is overly simplistic. And also tied to a history of dismissing civilisations as primitive (as part of colonialism).

Seriously I feel a whole rant coming on, because the amount of harm done by science during (but not only) during the colonial era is actually quite vast. Theory of race, using of colonials as test subjects, etc etc.

In fact, the concept of science as value neutral, as objective, as a way to determine easily what is superior, was a prime driver and justification behind the formation of colonial empires. So before you parrot it, think seriously of WHO you're echoing.

Anyway I haven't had enough tea and I feel very salty, and if you enjoyed this small thread please check out my book about a Vietnamese space empire where they still practice ancestor worship and Buddhism
https://subterraneanpress.com/seven-of-infinities
https://subterraneanpress.com/seven-of-infinities-ebook https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Infinities-Aliette-Bodard-ebook/dp/B08L17LFYV