Science fiction plays the role of myth for our times

I was amused to find out that comic book character The Thing was Jewish. If you are curious, someone has compiled an exhaustive list of the religious affiliations of dozens of other superheroes. Apparently, The Thing wasn't the only Jewish superhero.

If you want to read about Islam as it appears in science fiction, here's a sampling of stories that incorporate that religion. Needless to say, Dune tops the list.

Religion has its basis in myth and some think that science fiction fills the mythological role for our times. One of the most common myths that is used in our storytelling tradition is the Frankenstein myth. The message of that story? Don't play God.