One of the major differences between the most recent edition of Battlestar Galactica and the original series that preceded it are the villains. No longer do our heroes just have to face off with formidable warrior-like machines, they are also met with the challenge of Cylons who look just like humans. This is one of the show’s more compelling sub-plots (though in my opinion it goes off the rails a bit in the latter seasons). It sets up a dramatic tension that is not dissimilar to the underlying suspense of several science fiction fixtures of the Nineteen-Fifties (most prominently, Invasion of the Body Snatchers), namely “Who can be trusted?”
Of course, the nature of The Cold War was exceptionally rich for such premises. Citizens of the United States were already eyeing their neighbors a little closer, watching out for anything that bore a resemblance to communism. Despite the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, this theme remains poignant. Our distrust of those around us did not crumble into so many pieces with the Berlin Wall. We still have the capacity to live in fear of one another and the series certainly revels in a post-9/11 paranoia. But let us forget about terrorists and communists for the moment and look at this issue from the lens of a pilgrim people who place their identity and faith in the personage of Jesus Christ and the community of fellow believers. Can the Church function properly if we are constantly trying to separate our enemies from our allies?
I don’t think that there is an easy answer to this question. Indeed, even going to scripture can place us into a definite tension on the subject. On the one hand, we are given the warnings about those who seek to pervert the Gospel. Jesus himself tells us, “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). But on the other hand, we are to be a people defined by loving our enemies, forgiveness, and grace.
This episode of Battlestar wrestles with this issue, and it doesn’t come away with any easy answers, either. On the one hand, these Cylons in human clothing are a very real threat to the survivors. But, as the episode makes clear, precautions for protection can easily transform into a witch-hunt, an opportunity to go after people who we may simply disagree with. Unfortunately, the Church has seen its fair share of witch-hunts, both literal and proverbial. I definitely think that if the Church is to flourish in its pilgrimage then we need to calm down a little bit. Just because someone disagrees with what we may think on an issue it doesn’t automatically make him or her anathema. I find some comfort in the fact that all of us probably have heretical ideas in someone’s book. Scripture seems to value unity more than perfect doctrine. Can the same be said of us?
Of course, there are times when doctrine can threaten the unity of the Church. I think, however, that it is usually sin that does that. If our thoughts are threatening those we are in community with, or simply allowing us to continue in harmful behavior, then the root problem is not really doctrine but sin. As we see in the episode, our decisions affect other people. We are linked to one another, and our behavior affects those around us. I don’t know if I would immediately recognize an individual’s personal beliefs about some theological subject as an open threat to the safety of a pilgrim people, if it were rooted in sincerity and presented with openness. I do, however, recognize such things as pride, entitlement, and envy as capable of taking down the most well knit community.