Options
Is Dr Who a religion?
silentNate
Posts: 84,079
Forum Member
✭✭✭
Sorry if this thread has been done before but I only just saw this youtube video and it makes some interesting points.
His argument seems to lie on the fact that The Doctor is seen as a spiritual teacher and that the programme points out a method of understanding the universe and how humanity fits into this. The Doctor has companions (?apostles) while is seen as being omnipotent due to his ability to regenerate and move through time and place.
Your thoughts?
Dr. Who is one of the longest running TV shows on the BBC, and it's got a huge fandom surrounding it, called Whovians. And while it might not seem like, Whovianism, might just be RELIGION!!!!! Whovians, like other passionate fan cultures, create art & fan fiction and engage in a strong remix and cosplay culture. But it's more than that. Dr. Who provides a philosophy; a way of understanding the universe. Fans embrace this in ways that are similar to most world religions: a positive influence that changes their approach to daily life. Also, the Tardis makes a pretty great shrine!
His argument seems to lie on the fact that The Doctor is seen as a spiritual teacher and that the programme points out a method of understanding the universe and how humanity fits into this. The Doctor has companions (?apostles) while is seen as being omnipotent due to his ability to regenerate and move through time and place.
Your thoughts?
0
Comments
Short answer: No
Long answer: No, it obviously isn't a religion.
Regeneration is not he same of course, apart from the fact that you have to be an alien being to do it, it doesn't make you immortal, you can still die.
Doctor Who cannot be a religion anyway, because it never pretends that it's not fiction, unlike religions!
I'm forced to disagree... Whovians appear to worship the show and take on many of the show's philosophies and ideas about the universe.
The definition of Religion is, 'a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.'
You think The Doctor doesn't have a moral code?
*who funnily enough was also American. Hmmm...
Though the guy in that video is your typical self important Youtube Tommy Tanker.
This.
I acknowledge that there is no actual evidence that Jesus Christ existed. Your argument is invalid.
They use this explanation: Religion is anything which worships something sacred, brings the community together in a state of idol/worship and has its own set of morals/beliefs e.g. collective identity.
Using this definition - the substantive definition - Doctor Who would be classed as a 'religion' in Sociology. Just as football, sport and other televisions shows would.
However, taken from the second definition called the Functionalist definition, a religion is anything with a divine being and a power in large establishments. In this view, religions only apply to mainstream churches, and therefore, not Doctor Who.
By that definition Paganism isn't a religion as there are no main churches... most Duidic and Wiccan devotees worship outside.
Thanks for your posts but yet again your argument is invalid
No, they obviously do not acknowledge any such thing.
Your argument is invalid and your quotation mark is in the wrong place
You are confused - specifically about cause and effect. It is much more likely that people that have a similar philosophy to the show enjoy watching it; those that have a different philosophy don't enjoy the show, and don't watch it, rather than adopting it.
I have a moral code too - does that make me a religion too ? :eek: :cool:
Whether he was the son of God and rose from the dead is another matter entirely of course!
The Doctor is a work of fiction?! Blasphemy! Shun the Heretic!
Exactly! Mr. 'Is Doctor Who a Religion?' is explaining how the media is now socialising us to have specific moral codes and ideas instead of, for example, the church, as would have been more of the norm in days gone by. But yeah, this idea could be used to anything with a fanbase, they didn't need to single out Doctor Who... It's quite interesting really.
My sociology A-level course is basically this thread Can you tell?!
That's assuming I agree with the Functionalist definition to which no one does apart from Functionalists, because they don't class denominations as proper religions either. They're a delusional bunch.
Exactly!
Haha! Same, my Sociology A-Level exam in January is basically this thread.:p
but what does each companion bring to the Doctor, if a companion could be described as one word what would it be?
for example
Sarah Jane- Respect