Believers

Believers is an episode from the first season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.

Plot synopsis

Dr. Franklin faces an ethical dilemna when the parents of a dying child refuse to let him operate for religious reasons.

Arc significance

Production details

Issues

Believers one of a very few Star Trek styled issue episodes which dealt with currently relevant political issues. In this particulair case the classic struggle between religion and science; the rights of parents to make decisions for their children.

One obvious connection is with to the religious rejection of medicine often ascribed to the Jehovah's Witnesses. More controversially, and perhaps more interesting is the connection between this episode and the Judaic practice of circumcision believed by some to go against medical ethics. The aliens in this story believe that life-saving surgery will destroy their son's covenant, a word often used by Jews in association with circumcision. Also, the last scene in the episode shows a family dressed in clothing characteristic of Israeli Jews . This comparison is not fair, as Judaism permits any means of saving a life short of the three cardinal sins of sexual immorality, murder, or idolatory .

Trivia

• "Pfingle eggs" and the "Shakespeare Corporation" are mentioned in passing; these are mentioned in several of David Gerrold's works.

External link

• believerscafe, a Christian Resource and Community Site
• Lurker's Guide Episode Page