Before I begin I want to say that it has been quite a struggle for me to come out of science fiction and fantasy. I spent so many years and so much money on these worlds. I was a Jedi Consular, an Dunedain-Edain, Scarlet Spider, and a host of other types of identities I had in Star Wars, Middle Earth, Narnia, Marvel, and more. In this post I shall endeavor to explain what is drawing people in to fantasy and why I feel compelled to warn about the dangers of these worlds.
The Fantasy and Science Fiction genres have garnered great converts over the years. What began as fringe group of Comic book types and alien adventurers developed into billion dollar franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek, The Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, Marvel Superheroes, DC Superheroes and etc. But what makes these worlds in a Galaxy, Far, Far, Away.. or Middle Earth so appealing? Why do people devote countless hours online in forums, video games, and spend great amounts of money to dress as their favorite character? The answer is trifold.
Firstly, Fantasy and Science Fiction give people the opportunity to escape. To escape from the troubles, trials, and tribulations of life. For a moment or more people can shut off this world and explore another. Subconsciously they disassociated from reality to cope, distress, relax, and feel part of something special and exciting. While a coworker may feel common at his place of business, he or she can feel like champion wielding a sword, lightsaber, or wizard staff. This escapism gives relief from the rigors of reality and a sense of empowerment, however fictional that power maybe.
The second part of the allure of fantasy and science fiction is community. Instantly a person who is a Jedi or Sith, a Maiar or Orc, Superhero or Supervillan and any thing in between finds a sense of community among other fans. This creates a sense of identity lacking in life. A new fan can find friends who love the same characters, worlds, and concepts. A veteran or old sage of a series like Star Wars or Lord of the Rings can feel important and like a mentor similar to Obi-Wan or Gandalf. This community thrives while the Church community dies. For in the vast communities of every fantasy and sci-fi story there is a commonality and connection; a sense of belonging, a sense of family. Which is what everyone is looking for.
Finally people who enter the community of their favorite fantasy realm find acceptance. There in the virtual world or pages of books, you will find diversity. Someone who is morbid, marcabian, and morose can latch on to the figures of Sith Lords and Dark Lords and still be accepted; likewise the paladin, do-gooder, and virtuous person can live in harmony with the dark ones as Jedi Knights and Knights of Camelot. Those who are skeptics, in the middle of line, can find peace and acceptance as Grey Jedi, Sages, Wizards and so forth. The point is that everyone accepts one another, wither they be the sorcerer, the savior, or the skeptic. Everyone is glued together by the world they adore and an almost utopian/United Nations experience takes place.
There is a problem with all three of these reasons people are drawn into fantasy and science fiction. Firstly, as Christians we are not called to escape into other worlds and ignore the trials of this world. In Jesus says, "keep awake, be on the alert, for the Lord is returning soon," (Matthew 24:42) and "in this life you shall have trial and tribulation." (John 16:33). We are called to embrace the reality of God's Kingdom and bring it to this world by, "preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus with all openness, unhindered." (Acts 28:31). We should be evangelizing, not escaping to worlds that don't exist! Escapism has an antichrist element to it, for it is saying that Jesus Christ is not enough, that you need an out, but Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden lite, and you shall find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29). The weariness of this life should not draw us to worlds created by George Lucas, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and others, but instead draw us to the Word of God, who is Jesus Christ.
The second fallacy is community. Rather than find community in the church, the Body of Christ. People would rather commune with disturbed and dark people. While it is an opportunity to outreach and witness, the problem is that the identity people get from fantasy realms is in opposition to their identity in Christ. We are called out as "children of God," (Galatians 3:26) and to be a "chosen people, a royal priesthood." (1 Peter 2:9). But instead of being either of these people are pretending to be children of Skywalker and Ring-lords.
Finally, the acceptance in fantasy and science fiction is anti-Christ. We should find our total acceptance in Christ Jesus! The Scriptures calls us to, "accept one another, just as Christ accepted us to the glory of God." (Romans 15:7). But rather than be accepted by other Christians or Christ even, people seek out strangers and those deeply connected to the fantasy they are involved in. For the Lord Jesus said, "Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." (John 13:20). We aren't called to find acceptance in unbelievers.
Fantasy and Science fiction has created antichrists. Its important to know that antichrist is not just in "opposition to Christ," that is only one definition. The true definition of antichrist is to "replace Christ or divert you from Christ." I believe the fantasy and science fiction worlds and characters have done that for people. Rather than escape or find answers to their pain, hardships, troubles, and suffering in the arms of Christ, people go to their community of fantasy & fiction. Rather than find a community with other Christians called the church and grow in their faith, people get lost in the community of fantasy by dedicating themselves to trivia, knowledge, and their role as the hero, villain, Jedi, Sith, knight, marauder, wizard, sorcerer, and etc. Rather than find their full acceptance in Christ Jesus, people find their acceptance as character like Jedi Knight Mara Jade.
The Church has done much to draw people into science fiction and fantasy. It is in the church that people are suppose to find an escape (or rather help) from hardship, community/identity, and acceptance. But because the church has failed to do so, companies like Disney have draw people into a different church, one full of paganism and substitutes to the Savior.
I am sure some will read this and say that I am being austere and lack understanding about these worlds. But the truth is I was one of these. I was a Jedi, a Knight, a Nazgul, a Sith Lord, one of Eldar and Edain, and etc. I was die hard fan of many of the major fantasy epics and science fiction franchises. I left them because I realized that they were giving me an identity, community, acceptance, and escapism outside Christ and that they are fleeting; for when we arrive before Our Lord, we shall not be asked how many levels did we beat, how many names of Star Wars and LOTR lore can we remember or the intricacies of our fictional character; we shall be examined by the deeds we did (2 Corinthians 5:10) and wither we know Christ or not. (Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 22:13-15)
I know how long it took to be set free from these space odysseys (Star Trek and Star Wars) and magical realms (Narnia and Middle-Earth). So I have mercy and take to heart these words, "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters." (Romans 15:7). I know people who love Jesus but are deeply dedicated to their fantasy worlds and superheroes. I love them, but I do feel concerned that so many Christian brothers and sisters are spending their time on trivial things that will not store up any treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20), but waste much of the little time we have left (James 4:14) before we either go to be with Jesus or Jesus Returns.
Comments
Post a Comment