A QUESTION OF FAITH
First, I would like to thank you for being part of "The X Files" for nine years and for being a part of great television! Recently I have "rediscovered" "The X Files" and now that I'm older than I was when the show first aired I have recently been thinking of the show in a different light. The past few weeks I was thinking about the show in terms of Scully's religious beliefs and how as a scientist she could reconcile her beliefs with science. I was thinking this especially in terms of Christmas and how could Scully believe the "virgin Birth, son of God" which is what Christmas is about. How could she be faithful and still be a scientist? I'm sure this question has probably been asked 1,000 times but I was really thinking about how Scully could reconcile this within herself and how the character would deal with this if ever confronted about it. I mean, she called Mulder many times on his beliefs but I don't think he ever called her on hers. I understand that it's a question of faith, but I really was thinking about this and was wondering if there was any insight given on it. Thank you very much for your time.
Marci
Monrovia, CA
To me, this is one of the most interesting aspects not just of Scully’s character, but the entire series.
As you point out, Scully is a rationalist – a scientist – and still a person of faith. Mulder doesn’t believe in God, but does accept the existence of extraterrestrial life. Yet he remains a faithless character – significantly, the poster in his office doesn’t say “I believe,” but rather “I WANT to believe” (emphasis added). Mulder's need for proof is what drives the series.
It also expresses the central philosophical division between the characters. This is crystallized in an exchange Chris Carter wrote between Mulder and Scully as they’re pursuing proof of alien life in the fourth season episode, “Gethsemane:”
Scully: “You already believe, Mulder. What difference would it make? I mean, what would proof change for you?”
Mulder: “If someone could prove to you the existence of God, would it change you?”
Scully: “Only if it were disproven.”
Mulder: “Then you accept the possibility that belief in God is a lie?”
Scully: “I don’t think about it, actually, and I don’t think it can be proven.”
Mulder: “But what if it could be? Wouldn’t that knowledge be worth seeking? Or is it just easier to go on believing the lie?”
For Mulder, one risks believing a lie unless one has proof. This is why Mulder can “trust no one” (and nothing). But Scully sees no contradiction between rational, empirical thinking and religious faith – which, by definition, is beyond the realm of science. She accepts faith is no longer faith if it can be proven.
Marci
Monrovia, CA
To me, this is one of the most interesting aspects not just of Scully’s character, but the entire series.
As you point out, Scully is a rationalist – a scientist – and still a person of faith. Mulder doesn’t believe in God, but does accept the existence of extraterrestrial life. Yet he remains a faithless character – significantly, the poster in his office doesn’t say “I believe,” but rather “I WANT to believe” (emphasis added). Mulder's need for proof is what drives the series.
It also expresses the central philosophical division between the characters. This is crystallized in an exchange Chris Carter wrote between Mulder and Scully as they’re pursuing proof of alien life in the fourth season episode, “Gethsemane:”
Scully: “You already believe, Mulder. What difference would it make? I mean, what would proof change for you?”
Mulder: “If someone could prove to you the existence of God, would it change you?”
Scully: “Only if it were disproven.”
Mulder: “Then you accept the possibility that belief in God is a lie?”
Scully: “I don’t think about it, actually, and I don’t think it can be proven.”
Mulder: “But what if it could be? Wouldn’t that knowledge be worth seeking? Or is it just easier to go on believing the lie?”
For Mulder, one risks believing a lie unless one has proof. This is why Mulder can “trust no one” (and nothing). But Scully sees no contradiction between rational, empirical thinking and religious faith – which, by definition, is beyond the realm of science. She accepts faith is no longer faith if it can be proven.
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