[silentNate]

Sorry if this thread has been done before but I only just saw this youtube video and it makes some interesting points.

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?

[be more pacific]

Is Doctor Who a religion?

Short answer: No
Long answer: No, it obviously isn't a religion.

[sovietusername]

dont be silly

[saladfingers81]

No. It isn't. It is more important than that. And more plausible.

[Dave-H]

Well the number one thing that all religions offer is the idea that there is something after death.
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!

[silentNate]

Originally Posted by be more pacific

Is Doctor Who a religion?

Short answer: No
Long answer: No, it obviously isn't a religion.

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?

[saladfingers81]

I think as a rule of thumb people on Youtube yacking down their webcams are best ignored in the same way as the mad old woman in slippers who talks to the ducks in the park. See also the moron who posited the theory that Moffat had based his vision of Doctor Who on Twilight.*

*who funnily enough was also American. Hmmm...

[saladfingers81]

Also, and I realize this shows me up as an irrational and prejudiced curmudgeon but I hate hearing Americans pontificate on Doctor Who. It just irks me so much. Completely silly I know as its a global show now but I still get that 'Oi Yank! You don't know what you're on about. Go and watch Seasame Street' reaction. Silly I know.

Though the guy in that video is your typical self important Youtube Tommy Tanker.

[be more pacific]

Originally Posted by silentNate

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?

Regardless of the Doctor's moral code, pretty much everyone acknowledges he is a fictional character whose adventures were written as works of entertainment.

[tomwozhere]

Originally Posted by saladfingers81

No. It isn't. It is more important than that. And more plausible.

This.

[silentNate]

Originally Posted by be more pacific

Regardless of the Doctor's moral code, pretty much everyone acknowledges he is a fictional character whose adventures were written as works of entertainment.

I acknowledge that there is no actual evidence that Jesus Christ existed. Your argument is invalid.

[RememberMeWhen]

In Sociology, for theological research, a general definition has to be widely established so people can measure and determine the scale of religion.
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.

[silentNate]

Originally Posted by RememberMeWhen

In Sociology, for theological research, a general definition has to be widely established so people can measure and determine the scale of religion.
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

[be more pacific]

Originally Posted by silentNate

I acknowledge that there is no actual evidence that Jesus Christ existed. Your argument is invalid.

Saying there's no actual evidence Jesus Christ existed is pretty much irrelevant when Christianity is based largely upon faith in Christ. Do the vast majority of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews and Buddhists acknowledge that their icons are fictional and created primarily for entertainment purposes?

No, they obviously do not acknowledge any such thing.

[saladfingers81]

I wonder what the point of opening this thread and posing a question was if you are only going to respond with Your argument is invalid?'

[silentNate]

Originally Posted by be more pacific

Saying there's no actual evidence Jesus Christ existed is pretty much irrelevant when Christianity is based largely upon faith in Christ. Do the vast majority of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews and Buddhists acknowledge that their icons are fictional and created primarily for entertainment purposes?

No, they obviously do not acknowledge any such thing.

“…offer a child a suitcase full of sweets and they’ll take it. Offer someone all of time and space, and they’ll take that too, which is why you shouldn’t.”

Originally Posted by saladfingers81

I wonder what the point of opening this thread and posing a question was if you are only going to respond with Your argument is invalid?'

Your argument is invalid and your quotation mark is in the wrong place

[prof_travers]

Originally Posted by silentNate

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.

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.

Originally Posted by silentNate

You think The Doctor doesn't have a moral code?

I have a moral code too - does that make me a religion too ?

[Dave-H]

Originally Posted by silentNate

I acknowledge that there is no actual evidence that Jesus Christ existed. Your argument is invalid.

I believe that there is historical evidence that a man called Jesus did exist at that time and was executed by the Romans.
Whether he was the son of God and rose from the dead is another matter entirely of course!

[ShootyDogThing]

Originally Posted by be more pacific

Regardless of the Doctor's moral code, pretty much everyone acknowledges he is a fictional character whose adventures were written as works of entertainment.

The Doctor is a work of fiction?! Blasphemy! Shun the Heretic!

[korbany]

Doctor Who is not a religion, despite the fact that many fans are religiously devoted to it

[Dizx]

Originally Posted by RememberMeWhen

In Sociology, for theological research, a general definition has to be widely established so people can measure and determine the scale of religion.
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.

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?!

[Glyn W]

Well...the programme was betrayed and abandoned by it's followers and then crucified, only for it to rise from the dead and take it's place in heaven...

[RememberMeWhen]

Originally Posted by silentNate

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

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.

Originally Posted by Dizx

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?!

Exactly!

Haha! Same, my Sociology A-Level exam in January is basically this thread.

[sandydune]

Originally Posted by silentNate

Your thoughts?

I would answer no to your question


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

[Helbore]

No, its a TV show. I'm surprised there's anyone in this forum who didn't know that.