Religion is a much more prevalent issue in the sequel, which takes place about 3000 years after EG. Unfortunately since it's on audio book I couldn't earmark the passage, so I don't have the precise text handy. But, the passages that caught my attention were:
- The Catholic Church has returned to its medieval prominence (or, close to it) in culture and government. Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part, but I sure hope that isn't the case 3-4 millenia from now.
- In describing the faster-than-light communication technology known as the "ansible", he writes that even though humanity has learned to utilize this technology, nobody really understands how it works. I'm not sure what Card was getting at here, but it smacked of a flaky "science is just another religion" viewpoint. I suppose one could argue our understanding of quantum mechanics is like that now, but I would think by the time we're able to integrate quantum theory into common technology we'll have a better idea how it works.
- When the main character first arrives at Lusitania, the planet whose colonists are overseen by a Portuguese Catholic theocracy, he's greeted by the local mayor. He has a reputation for being a raging atheist, but he surprises the mayor by espousing his appreciation for religious belief. Near as I can tell, he thinks religion is an "opiate of the masses", and that's a good thing.
It's too bad, I really like the characters, and I like Card's writing.
I did a little research on him and found he's an outspoken Mormon advocate (and a homophobe, to boot). In this article, he explains his belief that Mormonism is better than other religions because it's more scientific. This part sounds good:
I suppose his outlook is better than those who do not question their faith at all. I only hope that many of them come to the conclusion that they can hold onto the valid and powerful aspects of their faith (e.g., their strong emphasis on family and community) while discarding the silly ones.
Ah well, he still writes good sci-fi.
... all scientific "knowledge" will eventually be found to be at least incomplete and quite possibly flat wrong, so if any area of science remains unquestioned, that is where the errors will accumulate.Excellent sentiment. We should always be willing to test existing knowledge. But he loses me here when he says his church uses the scientific method to discover
Real scientists are unafraid of questions and never stifle them. The evidence of honest experiment will either affirm the existing belief or replace it with a better understanding. What's to fear in that?
There are no final answers in science, and anyone who thinks he has found one is no scientist.
The LDS faith is an experimental religion. We use the scientific method. No one is asked to rely on other people's faith; we are expected to ask the questions ourselves, and then "prove" and "test" the answers we are given.This is laughable given some of the basic tenets of his religion, excellently satirized by South Park.
I suppose his outlook is better than those who do not question their faith at all. I only hope that many of them come to the conclusion that they can hold onto the valid and powerful aspects of their faith (e.g., their strong emphasis on family and community) while discarding the silly ones.
Ah well, he still writes good sci-fi.
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Several of his books are adaptations of books in the book of mormon placed in a science fiction genre. He clearly states that he believes science fiction is the best way to do to espouse a philosophy and believes he is called to teach Mormonism through his writings. He also wrote a fascinating history book describing his view point on why polygamy made sense for Mormons at that time and how it enhanced the life of Mormon women when there was such a shortage of men in the Mormon faith at that time. It's is the life story of one of Joseph Smith's wife and eventually a wife of Brigham young. This person did actually exist and was married to both of these founders of the religion.
Are the Ender/Shadow books based on any Mormon writings?
I get that there was a period in history where polygamy might have worked out for women. But if it has clear practical advantages that Card is able to lay out, why not simply rely on reason? Polygamy wasn't taught as 'a good idea for our times' or 'a temporary compromise', it was taught as the will of God.
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