So, I like science fiction; I admit it. It is fun, and often is an insightful way to represent certain philosophical questions. Yes, there are times when science fiction has wandered off into heresy and outright moral goofiness, but, even then it can be an interesting way to examine the perspective of the writers (assuming that one reads carefully, and critically).
There really are times when truth is stranger than fiction. I heard a quote recently that said the only difference between science and science fiction, is that science fiction has to make sense. I, personally, am tired of being amazed at the ridiculous claims made by scientists. They do not just "not make sense", many of the claims are completely insane. Sometimes they are promoting and encouraging the most heinous and sinful practises in the name of "scientific progress". Maybe we need to "regress" a bit in the area of science (or did I just speak scientific blasphemy?).
The scientific pursuit of knowledge is, in itself, not a bad thing; please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that I want to revert to the middle ages level of science (blood-letting is not very appealing, in my opinion). What I am saying is that there are many people who assume that science is always holy in its efforts. They believe that if science can discover something, it is always good. This is not so. Far too many people (including some Catholics) have been catechized more by scientists than by the Word of God.
We live in an age when "scientific progress" has been leading the way in societal advancement more than almost anything else. "Scientific progress" has given us the internet, cell phones, heart surgery, air conditioning, infanticide, hallucinogenic drugs and torture devices; the list could go on and on. Hence, we have to ask: how do we discern just what is an acceptable scientific endeavor, and what is unacceptable? Most scientists have no idea how to do this, because they broke away from the moorings of morality long ago. As soon as "science" has no God to guide her, she also has no way to tell the difference between a baby, and a blob of tissue.
The Church needs to return to her place of being the conscience of technological and scientific endeavors. Yet, this will not happen until the scientists themselves wish to submit to an authority higher than their own. This is a difficult thing to do and is very humbling as well. Once again, as I have said many times before, we need to be working to change people's hearts before we can expect to change society.
Science fiction has given us zombies, aliens, and monsters, and yet much that is behind these fables is being experimented with now by scientists. Dr. Frankenstein used to be viewed as insane; it appears today that he was just a bit "ahead of his time". Nowadays, we can do it right and not make the mistakes he made; right? Wrong. We have been pushed along the scale of scientific shock for about a generation, and we no longer think it odd to delve into areas that our forefathers would have considered foolish.
As "science" becomes more like science fiction, I do not think that the old idea that only science fiction needs to make sense is going to hold up. Instead, I believe we will be subjected to a "science" that not only does not make sense, it also does not work for the good of mankind. Some of this is already happening, it will likely only get worse if we do nothing about it. Scripture says that evil always destroys itself (because it is inherently self-destructive). In the same way, evil science will destroy itself as well. I know this to be true, because Christ is on His throne, and He will conquer all His enemies. The only fear I have is, will science destroy a few of us in the process as well?
