Science and Religion
Matt, a physics graduate student, establishes himself as an atheist very early on in the novel, through sarcastic references to God and by referring to himself as an “Ex-Reform Jew atheist (95),” and an “atheist non-practicing Jew”. The strongest representation of this theme takes place in the theocratic society Matt visits on his fourth jaunt through time. It is in this time period that Matt meets Martha, a graduate assistant, at a future MIT where the "T" stands for Theosophy rather than Technology.
When Matt first encounters Martha, she devoutly believes in God, though as she and Matt travel through time, she becomes less and less sure of her beliefs, saying, when introduced to sex, “I’m not sure I anymore, either (233)". Near the end of his time in the theocratic time period, Matt meets a version of Jesus that only appears in holographic form. Later in the novel, a “holy land” is mentioned as being cordoned off by killer satellites called “Avenging Angels". This can be read as a criticism of the radical measures a repressive religious society will take to control its citizens and maintain its beliefs.
Read more about this topic: The Accidental Time Machine, Themes
Famous quotes containing the words science and, science and/or religion:
“There does not exist a category of science to which one can give the name applied science. There are science and the applications of science, bound together as the fruit of the tree which bears it.”
—Louis Pasteur (1822–1895)
“Copernicanism and other essential ingredients of modern science survived only because reason was frequently overruled in their past.”
—Paul Feyerabend (1924–1994)
“No, no; Religion is a Spring
That from some secret, golden Mine
Derives her birth, and thence doth bring
Cordials in every drop, and Wine;”
—Henry Vaughan (1622–1695)