Religions derived from sci-fi films, especially simulation theory

[Sirona]

Why do people adopt incredibly complicated and thus improbable worldviews from science fiction movies, especially simulation theory? A friend of mine also believes in it. A saying I once heard from a psychiatric nurse, which belongs set in stone, is that Matrix would have produced a whole generation of delusional people. However, I still believe that patients' religious attitudes should be taken seriously as a matter of principle. But if you're going to derive a religion from science fiction movies, why not from Star Wars? The appeal of the very first Star Wars trilogy was also to sell the viewer, after the nihilistic 1970s, a religious belief that the universe cares about them, a belief in the Force. So, why aren't there more people promoting belief in the Force, when it is much more similar to a traditional religion than simulation theory?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Star Wars is so overrated, honestly. It's totally pop. It's enjoyable, but I don't see any deep philosophy being derived from it, imo. Just a cultish fandom.

 

[ChristineM]

Why do people adopt incredibly complicated and thus improbable worldviews from science fiction movies, especially simulation theory? A friend of mine also believes in it. A saying I once heard from a psychiatric nurse, which belongs set in stone, is that Matrix would have produced a whole generation of delusional people. However, I still believe that patients' religious attitudes should be taken seriously as a matter of principle. But if you're going to derive a religion from science fiction movies, why not from Star Wars? The appeal of the very first Star Wars trilogy was also to sell the viewer, after the nihilistic 1970s, a religious belief that the universe cares about them, a belief in the Force. So, why aren't there more people promoting belief in the Force, when it is much more similar to a traditional religion than simulation theory?

I am not religious but i can see how Arthur C Clarkes "Chrislam' could appeal to some abrahamic followers.

 

[Secret Chief]

Maybe they're trying to get rich, in the manner of L. Ron Hubbard.

 

[Eddi]

Why do people adopt incredibly complicated and thus improbable worldviews from science fiction movies, especially simulation theory? A friend of mine also believes in it. A saying I once heard from a psychiatric nurse, which belongs set in stone, is that Matrix would have produced a whole generation of delusional people. However, I still believe that patients' religious attitudes should be taken seriously as a matter of principle. But if you're going to derive a religion from science fiction movies, why not from Star Wars? The appeal of the very first Star Wars trilogy was also to sell the viewer, after the nihilistic 1970s, a religious belief that the universe cares about them, a belief in the Force. So, why aren't there more people promoting belief in the Force, when it is much more similar to a traditional religion than simulation theory?

My only response would be that The Matrix resonates with so many people is because its seemingly outlandish premise happens to be fundimentally true. And on some level, people intuitively know this.

However I would deny that the scenario in The Matrix films is Simulation Theory, as in the films organic humans are plugged into a virtual reality, which is not Sim Theory (as I understand it) although granted, it is similar

It's more a version of the brain-in-a-vat idea

And I think that Simulation Theory pre-dates The Matrix - e.g. that German thing from the 1970s

Also, I believe the origin of a religion (or world view) has nothing to do with its veracity so I don't think you can knock Sim Theory just because so many people came to it via The Matrix films

BTW, you may be interested in this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi_census_phenomenon

 

[Kooky]

I am not religious but i can see how Arthur C Clarkes "Chrislam' could appeal to some abrahamic followers.

I could see myself converting to ZenSunni Islam if exposed to a sufficient quantity of sand, worms, or a combination of the two.

 

[The Hammer]

Why do people adopt incredibly complicated and thus improbable worldviews from science fiction movies, especially simulation theory? A friend of mine also believes in it. A saying I once heard from a psychiatric nurse, which belongs set in stone, is that Matrix would have produced a whole generation of delusional people. However, I still believe that patients' religious attitudes should be taken seriously as a matter of principle. But if you're going to derive a religion from science fiction movies, why not from Star Wars? The appeal of the very first Star Wars trilogy was also to sell the viewer, after the nihilistic 1970s, a religious belief that the universe cares about them, a belief in the Force. So, why aren't there more people promoting belief in the Force, when it is much more similar to a traditional religion than simulation theory?

The people that believe in it, probably had a huge Metaphysical/Spiritual Experience/Enlightenment/psychotic episode or w/e, when not expected, it puts the body under duress. This causes what is known as Dissociation, if the dissociation is deep enough, one feels as if the "outside" world is fake/simulated, and all that exists is Mind.

I know, because it happened to me in November. I would get into panic states that would cause me to feel like everything around me was a film/movie/fake. This is because you have separated yourself completely from external input via dissociating. It's normal.

But if one does not understand this process, it can lead to views such as believing the world is in actuality a simulation.

There is more mind trickery involved, this is just the simplest I can explain it.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Why do people adopt incredibly complicated and thus improbable worldviews from science fiction movies, especially simulation theory? A friend of mine also believes in it. A saying I once heard from a psychiatric nurse, which belongs set in stone, is that Matrix would have produced a whole generation of delusional people. However, I still believe that patients' religious attitudes should be taken seriously as a matter of principle. But if you're going to derive a religion from science fiction movies, why not from Star Wars? The appeal of the very first Star Wars trilogy was also to sell the viewer, after the nihilistic 1970s, a religious belief that the universe cares about them, a belief in the Force. So, why aren't there more people promoting belief in the Force, when it is much more similar to a traditional religion than simulation theory?

Lucas got some of his idea for Star Wars from the work of Joseph Campbell and even credited Campbell for it. So it is no surprise that Star Wars would have a mythological, religious nature as the backdrop. But it does seem strange that people have not rallied to find some new religion within it.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Why do people adopt incredibly complicated and thus improbable worldviews from science fiction movies, especially simulation theory? A friend of mine also believes in it. A saying I once heard from a psychiatric nurse, which belongs set in stone, is that Matrix would have produced a whole generation of delusional people. However, I still believe that patients' religious attitudes should be taken seriously as a matter of principle. But if you're going to derive a religion from science fiction movies, why not from Star Wars? The appeal of the very first Star Wars trilogy was also to sell the viewer, after the nihilistic 1970s, a religious belief that the universe cares about them, a belief in the Force. So, why aren't there more people promoting belief in the Force, when it is much more similar to a traditional religion than simulation theory?

An Absurdly Large Number Of Australians Say Their Religion Is The Force | HuffPost

 

[The Hammer]

Lucas got some of his idea for Star Wars from the work of Joseph Campbell and even credited Campbell for it. So it is no surprise that Star Wars would have a mythological, religious nature as the backdrop. But it does seem strange that people have not rallied to find some new religion within it.

Jediism - Wikipedia.

 

[The Hammer]

I could see myself converting to ZenSunni Islam if exposed to a sufficient quantity of sand, worms, or a combination of the two.

I liked this book myself.
Western Animism: Zen & the Art of Positive Paganism by Melusine Draco

 

[Aštra’el]

If God(s), or whoever, created this world and originated in another world, then this world would be an alternate reality from their own... or, a “simulation”. I don’t really like that word though, because for whatever reason for certain people it implies that something is fake, not actually real, or illegitimate. This world is very real.

 

[The Hammer]

If God(s), or whoever, created this world and originated in another world, then this world would be an alternate reality from their own... or, a “simulation”. I don’t really like that word though, because for whatever reason for certain people it implies that something is fake, not actually real, or illegitimate. This world is very real.

Wonderful explanation