I’m geeked about seeing Ridley Scott’s new sci-fi epic Prometheus, and have been following details about the film with interest. Besides the insanely cool-looking special effects, what really intrigues me is the movie’s thematic elements. Apparently, Prometheus is an origin’s story.
John Morehead recently expounded on this in a post entitled Ridley Scott’s’ ‘Prometheus’: Origins and Wonder in a New Mythology. Morehead writes:
Scott has spoken of Prometheus as setting forth a mythology that includes an origin story. Humanity has long wondered where it has come from, and answers have come from religion and non-religious ideologies. In his origin story as portrayed in Prometheus, Scott draws from the ancient astronaut hypothesis. This idea was popularized in the late 1960s by Erich von Daniken, and it holds that certain advanced phenomenon in ancient cultures can best be explained with reference to the appearance of aliens who visited and influenced human cultures with their technology. Used to help guide the Aluminium Extrusion from the die. It has the same number of holes as the die itself and can be used on all presses.
This “ancient astronaut hypothesis” is articulated by two of the film’s characters, both coming at it from opposite ends. Hollywood reviewer Todd McCarthy describes the set-up in his review of the film:
Elizabeth and her scientist boyfriend Charlie (Logan Marshall-Green) continue to spar about the potential momentousness of their journey — she, who wears a cross, hopes to find confirmation of her religious beliefs that will point to the existence of a traditional creator, while he is convinced that what they discover will merely prove once and for all that Darwin was right.
Justin Chang in his Variety review describes this divide among characters regarding origins as bringing a “philosophical dimension” to Prometheus:
The continual discussions of creation vs. creator, and the attitude of one toward the other, supply the film with a philosophical dimension that its straightforward space-opera template doesn’t have the bandwidth to fully explore.
It’s rather fascinating that Scott uses the film not just to resurrect ancient astronaut theories, but to frame it as a debate between a Darwinian evolutionist and a cross-wearing believer hoping to prove “the existence of a traditional creator.” In other words, religion and secularism, theism and atheism, provide the film’s philosophical tension.
And really, that’s where the ancient astronaut debate always ends up.
I have long fascinated over the theory for this one reason: It doesn’t really answer anything about our origins. Of course, it answers where WE came from. But what about Everything Else? As I recently mused on Facebook, “‘The “Ancient Astronauts’ theory begs the question of human origins. I mean, where did THEY come from?”
So in one sense, those who adhere to the ancient astronauts theory of human origins are simply stretching the origins question out, skirting the more obvious issue. This may be tactical. I mean, why believe in some bearded Cosmic Killjoy who delights in setting rules and enacting judgement when we can believe in benevolent ETs who wink at moral misdeeds in favor of cosmic evolution?
Despite this possibility, Morehead sees the intersection of traditional religion with ancient astronauts mythology as a good thing.
Scott’s creation of a new mythology within Prometheus that presents an origin story based upon ancient astronauts is certainly not the stuff of tradition religion, but it does incorporate a sense of wonder. And it is here that we find a point of connection between science fiction and religion.
In other words, the ancient astronaut theory is a step in the right direction, it is a concession to “wonder” which is at the heart of all religious belief. So even though the sci-fi genre is often antithetical to traditional religious views, the ancient astronaut mythology and all its variants across secular and/or sci-fi culture, may be an (unintended) compromise with religion.
Think about it, the belief that ancient astronauts seeded earth is a concession to a Designer without a concession to the Christian God. It is a concession that humans could not just have happened. Some Intelligence must be behind life as we know it, even if that Intelligence turns out to be little green men. This is a good thing; it is a move toward wonder. After all, if the heavens declare the glory of God (Ps. 19), then lifting our gaze to the sky might be a step toward faith. Even if the “seeker” hopes for flying saucers rather than God, the implications of belief in extraterrestrial origins may start a chain reaction the “believer” cannot avoid.
However, ancient astronaut proponents must take their inquiry a step further. Even if interplanetary cosmonauts seeded the human race, we must answer the ultimate question: Where did our creators come from?
Are ancient astronauts the product of a Designed Universe, or simply chance byproducts of a Big Accident? An atheistic ancient astronaut mythology — one that concedes superior intelligences without conceding a Superior Intelligence — is ultimately contradictory. For if one answers that humanity was caused by superior intelligences, the assertion that those intelligences were Uncaused Accidents is nonsensical. It’s like saying the Moonlight Sonata could not just have happened. But Beethoven, its Creator, is an evolutionary accident.
Which, I’m afraid, brings us back to square one. Humanity is either an evolutionary accident or intelligently engineered. And all the sci-fi origin mythologies in the world can’t seem to skirt that dilemma.
I agree. If aliens “seeded” the earth, who “seeded” the aliens? The ultimate question (and mystery) is still the same.
Regarding Prometheus, ack! I’m so excited to see it now. I saw the preview before Hunger Games, and the last half of it was literally breathtaking, incredible, beyond intense.
One thing I’m hearing is that the movie has some incredibly squirm-inducing gore. I’ve read probably a dozen reviews and, for some reasons, there’s lots of spoilers about the film out there, sometimes issued without warning. So read with caution. But, yeah, the sets look freakin’ awesome!
Well, Scott did direct Alien. Been awhile since he has done sci-fi.
So he’s remade Stargate?
Haha.
It does sound like Stargate. Nothing new under the sun, right? Or outside the solar system, either…..
I don’t think anyone, atheists included, can get away from the appeal of wonder. If you seriously believe there is no God, and that humans are alone…it’ll stinkin’ drive you insane. You can wax eloquent all you like about humans bettering society and prospering, but the vastness of the universe is too much an elephant in the room to ignore. So, we invent aliens. It’s the best of both worlds: the wonder of something out there and we don’t have to submit to any kind of authority. It’s a concession, but I wouldn’t put much weight in it.
I too am quite interested in Prometheus. I wonder if we’ll get a new alien? I’ve heard there’s a (possible spoiler ahead??) scene reminiscent of the “chest burster” scene from Alien, so I wouldn’t doubt it. I’ll say this: if Scott basically re-does what he did in Alien, with a new monster hunting the crew, android with “other orders” running around and the like, I’ll be a bit disappointed. Just a bit, though.
It sounds like Scott avoided replicating the same story arc as “Alien.” And I know the scene you’re talking about but…
*spoiler here*
…it’s a reverse “chest-burster,” one of self-extraction. Enough said.
I’m such a sucker for good special effects that even bad reviews can’t keep me from seeing this movie. I’ll post some thoughts when I do. thanks for commenting, Bobby.
I appreciate that you have interacted with this intriguing aspect of the forthcoming Prometheus, and that you have quoted my previous essay on it. It does make for an interesting addition to a potential summer blockbuster film.
It is also interesting to note that there are interesting black and white dichotomies in the film, such as either Darwinian evolution or theistic creation, either ancient astronauts or the Christian God. Of course, there are other logical possibilities, such as that a creator made life elsewhere in the universe that then seeded life on other planets via ancient astronauts, or that evolution took place but that this is not incompatible with Christian theism (even while it may be incompatible with some readings of the Bible). It would appear that the screenplay writers suffer from the same limited vision of metaphysical possibilities as others in popular culture.
It is also worth considering that ancient astronaut theory is part of the paranormal, and this represents an increasingly significant way of expressing alternative religiosity. That it should find its way into yet another film is important.
Finally, I do believe that the wonder of science fiction is significant, and a point of connection to religion. Indeed, in some expressions it may be another way of expressing the sacred. See my previous thoughts on this here: http://www.theofantastique.com/2011/06/19/david-hartwell-and-the-wonder-of-science-fiction/.
Thanks again for touching on this topic.
In more detail from my previous comment (although the Prometheus team is going to have to go to great lengths to give sci fi fans something different than the diet we’ve swallowed for 20+ years of that hallowed franchise) I really think that I’m hard-pressed to point to any atheist evolution proponents who advocate the Ancient Aliens origin theory. In the hard scientist world that I’ve interacted with, Ancient Aliens are seen as just another flavour of Crackpottery.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to know that “Ancient Aliens” were actually some type of angel sent here to get us on our feet. Why not? And since the Bible seems to stress that the boundaries of time are a construct of the fall I also have no problem believing that Ancient Aliens could be our future shaping our past. It’s all brain gum, though. Just something to chew on and blow the occasional bubble. I don’t doubt that the actual story far eclipses our scope of understanding and we’ve been told what we need to know.
So the ancient angels were the Nephilm? (Who, as Mike has previously posted, are becoming increasingly popular in Christian fiction.)
Nope. This is before the Nephilim, who were after creation but before the Deluge.
I’ve been surprised how often the panspermia theory crops in science when they realize their origin theories here on Earth aren’t working. It’s the aliens building pyramids, etc., part that they don’t like. Usually it’s just microbes or bacteria arriving on rocks, not people in flying saucers.
Interesting post, Mike. I agree with you that the Alien theory does not answer the infinte question. In my opinion, neither does the Big Bang theory. I mean; where did the gas cloud, that exploded, come from? Where did the space that the explosion went into come from? Nothing is answered. No matter which way you go about it, you always come back to infinity.
Atheists used to oppose the Big Bang because it sounded so much like special creation. The name “big bang” was meant to deride it. Now, in design theory, the fine-tuning required in the big bang event is so great, that it defies chance. Atheists accept the theory now, but ignore its implications.
Watch the first landing scene in the orginal “Alien” movie, you’ll see something familiar in the Prometheous trailer.
As far as origins, Star Trek tried it, as did Mission to Mars. Niether did it well.
Just found another fascinating interview with Ridley Scott. This exchange via Esquire mag:
I have been up and down all day, trying to come back and make a comment. Although this is purely personal, I don’t feel any connection at all to aliens in the same way I feel connected to God. And I don’t see a lot of inspiration coming from these ancient alien seeds. In fact, if you want to go w/ one of the world’s foremost alien experts, David Icke, the alien bloodlines left on earth only inspire evil. So regardless of who the aliens are, if they exist, if they planted seeds in the human race–demon seeds or some such–then I still go w/ God, who brings me comfort and hope rather than fear. With God, I’m left with the answer “I am” which dispels my need to keep searching back farther and farther still for ultimate origins.
Don’t ever listen to reptilian beings. They aren’t to be trusted. Unless, of course, Katherine’s right, and then the aliens might be angels sent from God to help humanity in its early days. Still, though, don’t listen to reptilians. That’s my advice for the day.
Steer clear of the mind-controlling amphibians too. We can’t see them, but they’re sucking on our brains.
Jessica, don’t let them know you know. This is my theory as to why I am the way I am.
No. I don’t think the Aliens were sent from God. I think they were exiled here for siding with Satan. And I think they look like what we know as dinosaurs.
When God cursed Satan after the fall, the curse was to forever crawl on his belly. I think that’s when the exiled angels lost their Dinosaur forms and became snakes/small lizards.
Yes, I may be crazy. But it works for me, and answers a lot of evolutionary questions.
That’s an interesting theory. I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before. Huh. Now you’ve made me wonder.