AJC: Android preaches faith in God on Battlestar Galactica

A new mission for sci-fi | ajc.com: "The stunning blonde in the clinging red dress had just triggered the near annihilation of the entire human race when she embraced a shaken survivor and whispered in his ear:

'God is love.'

That's what Number Six, the android who looks like a Victoria's Secret model, declared in a pivotal scene from the Sci-Fi Channel's hit show 'Battlestar Galactica.' Her statement of faith came while she was trying to convert an atheist to her belief in the 'one true God' —- after a toe-curling sexual tryst.

That scene offers a glimpse into why critics and fans are calling 'Battlestar Galactica' one of the most provocative explorations of religion on television today. Androids are nothing new in sci-fi. But an android who believes humans need to convert or be exterminated is an audacious leap.

'Battlestar Galactica,' which returns for its third season at 9 p.m. Friday, is more interested in exploring some of the most incendiary issues in religion and ethics than in spaceship captains sporting tights, or funny-looking aliens."