Religion

Religion was often used interchangeably with the terms "faith" and "belief system" or "belief structure". Broadly speaking, it was a set of stories or beliefs that were believed or gave meaning to a particular society. (PROSE: Twilight of the Gods ^[+]Loading...["Twilight of the Gods (BNA novel)"])

According to the Eighth Doctor, belief without proof was the foundation of all faiths. (AUDIO: Faith Stealer ^[+]Loading...["Faith Stealer (audio story)"])

Specific locations and civilisations

Gallifrey

Religion was present on Gallifrey during the time of the Pythia when mysticism ruled Gallifrey. It was a time of psychics and prophecy. (PROSE: Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible ^[+]Loading...["Cat's Cradle: Time's Crucible (novel)"])

Later in Gallifrey's history, another "religion" formed: a cult known as the Faction Paradox, a voodoo-organisation who revelled in the art of a paradox, something that was practically sacrilegious (if Gallifreyans believed in such thing) on Gallifrey. (PROSE: Alien Bodies ^[+]Loading...["Alien Bodies (novel)"])

By the time of the First Doctor, Gallifrey had no official religion. (AUDIO: Tick-Tock World ^[+]Loading...["Tick-Tock World (audio story)"]) He would later explain to Dodo Chaplet, that the Time Lords believed in the "basic scientific principles of the universe", a philosophy he noted was similar to the teachings of Tibet. He did note however that he viewed religion as people explaining scientific phenomena they did not yet fully understand. (AUDIO: The Secrets of Det-Sen ^[+]Loading...["The Secrets of Det-Sen (audio story)"])

Earth

Around the 12th century, the major religions on Earth were — in the West —"Mohammedanism", Judaism and Christianity, and — in the East — Hinduism, Buddhism, Janism, Sikhism, Parsee and Shinto. At this point in history, these essentially comprised of the entire planet's population, and each religion fought against each other. (PROSE: Doctor Who and the Crusaders ^[+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Crusaders (novelisation)"])

Certain belief systems, such as that of the Church of the Outsiders, were not recognised as religions by the United Kingdom government. (AUDIO: Believe ^[+]Loading...["Believe (audio story)"])

There were several instances of a variety of species masquerading on Earth within belief structures: the Gorgons controlled a sect of Christian nuns; (TV: Eye of the Gorgon ^[+]Loading...["Eye of the Gorgon (TV story)"]) Exxilons visited Earth several times, influencing civilisations (and their religions) such as the Mayan and Aztec; (PROSE: The Left-Handed Hummingbird ^[+]Loading...["The Left-Handed Hummingbird (novel)"]) Cessair of Diplos was worshipped by the Druids for 4000 years (till the mid-1970s), adopting several identities while maintaining control of the religion around a stone circle comprised of several Ogri; (TV: The Stones of Blood ^[+]Loading...["The Stones of Blood (TV story)"]) and at least one Time Lord portrayed himself as a Christian monk while on Earth. (TV: The Time Meddler ^[+]Loading...["The Time Meddler (TV story)"])

Following the Planetary Relocation Incident, religious humans underwent crises of faith, causing a rise in religious suicides. (TV: Children of Earth: Day One ^[+]Loading...["Children of Earth: Day One (TV story)"])

By the 59th century, the major human religions had fallen as a result of science having made the various miracles of humanity's past, such as reincarnation and walking on water, firmly mundane. This resulted in the Earth government reclassifying belief in anything as a religion. (AUDIO: Blood on Santa's Claw ^[+]Loading...["Blood on Santa's Claw (audio story)"])

Divergent Universe

Within the Divergent Universe, there existed the Multihaven where a large number of religions could all exist in harmony together. While there, the Eighth Doctor and Charley Pollard claimed their religions to be 'tourists'. (AUDIO: Faith Stealer ^[+]Loading...["Faith Stealer (audio story)"])

C'rizz was a member of the Church of the Foundation. (AUDIO: The Next Life ^[+]Loading...["The Next Life (audio story)"])

Elsewhere

The True Faith was a Sorvix religion that continued to worship God. (AUDIO: Escape Room ^[+]Loading...["Escape Room (audio story)"])

Religion was forbidden on Platform One. (TV: The End of the World ^[+]Loading...["The End of the World (TV story)"])

On Delta Magna the 'Swampies' worshipped Kroll. A high priest would often dress up as Kroll to terrorise their captives. (TV: The Power of Kroll ^[+]Loading...["The Power of Kroll (TV story)"])

When the All-Gods awoke and took over the planet Dellah, religious practices became sacrosanct, and read to the letter of their beliefs; many people were punished or killed for not following a religion. (PROSE: Where Angels Fear ^[+]Loading...["Where Angels Fear (novel)"])

Drang had religion banned on Aoris. (AUDIO: Legacy of Death ^[+]Loading...["Legacy of Death (audio story)"])

By the 52nd century, the Silence, the Church and the Order of the Headless were all allied to kill the Doctor to stop him reaching Trenzalore and answering a Question that must never be answered. (TV: The Impossible Astronaut ^[+]Loading...["The Impossible Astronaut (TV story)"], A Good Man Goes to War ^[+]Loading...["A Good Man Goes to War (TV story)"], Let's Kill Hitler ^[+]Loading...["Let's Kill Hitler (TV story)"], Closing Time ^[+]Loading...["Closing Time (TV story)"], The Wedding of River Song ^[+]Loading...["The Wedding of River Song (TV story)"])

Religious iconography, symbols and vocations

Nuns were often associated with a particular religion; on Earth they were often associated with religions with ties to Christianity. (TV: Eye of the Gorgon)

Study of religion

St Oscar's University in the 26th century had a Department of Comparative Religion, headed by Professor Urquhart. (PROSE: Dry Pilgrimage ^[+]Loading...["Dry Pilgrimage (novel)"]) The People had an interest group called Apocalyptic Religions Interest Group. (PROSE: Where Angels Fear ^[+]Loading...["Where Angels Fear (novel)"])

The Devil

The Devil idea was a form that ran through several religions. The "horned beast" in particular was an icon that was seen on several worlds and in many civilisations. Some of this imagery could be credited to the Dæmons of Dæmos. (TV: The Dæmons ^[+]Loading...["The Dæmons (TV story)"])

Others could be credited to the Beast. During the 42nd century in particular several religions included the Beast within their belief structures; the Arkiphets, the Church of the Tin Vagabond, Quoldonity, Pash Pash, San Klah, Christianity and New Judaism. (TV: The Satan Pit ^[+]Loading...["The Satan Pit (TV story)"])

External links

• NZDWFC: The Rite Way - A look at Religion in Doctor Who
• NZDWFC: The Bible According to Doctor Who
• The Theology of Doctor Who

• The Theology of Doctor Who (full work) (article posted on a blog site, start at base of article and work up to newest post)