10 Greatest Spiritual Characters in Science Fiction

I would add an honorable mention catagory for the many spiritual aspects of Star Trek:Next Generation. Worf's spiritual quest was remarkable, especially in the episode "Rightful Heir". "Darmok" ws both a spiritual episode and character who taught Picard something valuable. Wesley Crusher wound up on a sprit quest of his own. There is much to be made of the pinocchio-like quest Data had as he sought to understand and incorporate humanity. Guinan added many spiritual comments. And much of what Troi was dealing with was spiritual as well as psychololical.

Many other characters in other permutations of the Star Trek franchise also explored spirituality, with mixed success. Spock was notable among them, though Chkoteh and others also followed spiritual paths.

I totally agree with Diana about Buffy..That show will always be my favorite because of everything Diana posted....what a great show about about friendships....

DOCTOR WHO! DOCTOR WHO! DOCTOR WHO!

What about Kira fro ST: DS9. Her faith in the Prophets..... :-)

Peace and long life!

Regarding Star Trek, Buffy, Etc.

Thanks for all the comments. I'd like to address a couple of them specifically.
First, I knew when I wrote this that there would an overwhelming general cry of "Star Trek!" populating the comment boards. And, of course, in my internal debates and external conversations regarding this list, the issue of "Star Trek" came up quite frequently.

My personal take on the "Star Trek" thing is, ultimately, this: It was never meant to be a vehicle for speaking seriously about religion or faith on a personal level. Rather, "Star Trek" dealt with religion as a fact of culture (and sometimes a personal obstacle) rather than exploring it as a means of personal growth. I do sympathize with those who would make a legitimate argument for Troi (and she may have made a longer list), and Data, in light of his spiritual awakening upon recieving the emotion chip, was on the short list of ommisions (I will admit to having had a hard time eliminating that one). But ultimately my decision to leave "Star Trek" off the list had to do with what "Star Trek" was primarily concerned with (politics, diplomacy, power, cultural rifts, etc) and its exploration of the personal implications of religion as an afterthought (even if it was a quite thoughtful afterthought...)

As to Buffy, I tried to make this as clear a Sci-Fi list as possible, and disqualified Buffy on the basis of it being more on the "fantasy" side of the equator than the "SciFi" side. I love "Buffy". It is without question one of the greatest (and a argument can be made for simply "the greatest") shows in television history. But I had to keep a certain standard and, alas, that meant no Giles, no Willow, no Buffy, no Angel, no Cordelia (all of whom would have been candidates).
This is also why no "Narnia" or Tolkien characters make this list, but hold tight, because there may well be a more general "fantasy" list in the future.

Lastly, regarding "Doctor Who": you'd be hard-pressed to find a bigger "Doctor Who" than I am. I grew up on the original series (I was born in England right around the era of Peter Davison) and I absolutely evangelize the new series (and "Torchwood"). But I think it's a sign of respect to leave "Doctor Who" off of this, since the great minds behind shaping the original series in to what it ultimately became -and- the minds (including Russell Davies) behind the reboot are almost to a person in the "hopeful atheist" camp. "Doctor Who" is, I think, a deeply optimistic, wide-eyed, awestruck show, and if there are any common threads among the various incarnations of its protagonist, I think the argument can be made that they are such: optimistic, wide-eyed, awestruck. There *is* something very spiritual about the character and about the show itself, but it exists in large part to describe the universe in a mortal (although vast beyond the imagination) context. Much of its morality is rooted therein. And therefore, despite my love for The Doctor, so as not to do a disservice to its creators, I respectfully left it off this list.

Thanks for the feedback
-John Brooks

"Doctor Who" is, I think, a deeply optimistic, wide-eyed, awestruck show, and if there are any common threads among the various incarnations of its protagonist, I think the argument can be made that they are such: optimistic, wide-eyed, awestruck. There *is* something very spiritual about the character and about the show itself, but it exists in large part to describe the universe in a mortal (although vast beyond the imagination) context. Much of its morality is rooted therein. And therefore, despite my love for The Doctor, so as not to do a disservice to its creators, I respectfully left it off this list."

There is OTOH something extremely Chestertonian in this. Whether RD and the gang acknowledge it or not, DW is at the time an avatar of Innocent Smith.

I think #1 was referring to Guinan, from Star Trek TNG.
She was played by Whoopi Goldberg.

Yeah G'Kar has to be put in this list.

I see Yoda as more of a jedi trickster that liked to talk in reverse so that you hang on his every word. It seemed like you never got a strait answer from that little guy.

Delen was also great and should be on this list.
Babylon 5 needs more recognition (IMO).

As an old and avid Sci Fi addict I agree with most of the list. It is a shame to have to leave out so many tho.

"Dune", the whole series, and several characters teach us about faith, love, and trust.

I don't think one can write Sci Fi without a trip into the soul of self to find answers of origin. If the author does not find their answers, at least they have to ask the questions, thus become a seeker.

All of us on this site are "seekers." Some of us have found some pretty profound answers, but none have found them all. If we had, we would no longer be here.