I think this reader makes some fine points. And from everything I’ve read or seen by or about the guy, I think Whedon ranks very high on my dudes I’d like to have a beer with list. This reader may be right about the availability of some “religious” themes in Angel and Buffy, but they are to be found entirely in the subtext. The text, is quite a different matter. Positive images of organized religion were nearly entirely absent from both Buffy and Angel. There weren’t that many negative ones, either. But there were more. Witchhunts and inquisitions were occassional themes. Caleb was jarringly anti-religious (though brilliantly acted and written). And, the willfull refusal to weigh-in on the existence of the Biblical God vexed me considering how many other lowercas-g gods there were, not to mention hell dimensions, demons and the like there were out there. The use of the “higher powers” seemed a deliberate smack at both monotheism and organized religion. Anyway, I could go on — maybe over beers some day! — but back to work I go. Oh, I almost forgot. From a reader:

Jonah,
I’m following your conversation about voodoo atheists with a lot of
interest. However, I would like to make a point about Joss Whedon. You
know he has a lot of skepticism towards organized religion. This is
certainly true. He considers himself, if I remember correctly, a fairly
firm agnostic. However, he differs from a lot of the people you are
listing in that he is one of those rare birds who while skeptical is not
antagonistic. He has Christians as writers on his various shows, and
shows a huge interest not just in vague self-empowerment sorts of
spirituality but also very clear expositions of classical religious
themes. I consider Angel, for instance, the most Christian show ever on
television.
There is one even better illustration of Whedon’s almost support for
religion, despite his personal beliefs. Firefly. On this show, set 500
years in the future, one of the most brilliant sci-fi shows ever, there
is the character of Shepherd Book. The religion is somewhat vague at
first but as the series continued it became quite clear Shepherd Book
was a Christian, albeit a future variety. What sci-fi show ever has
religion part of the daily lives and has included a Christian pastor as
a supporting character? Every other sci-fi show drifts into that voodoo
atheism you mention. Not Firefly. Which is why, among other reasons,
it was so brilliant. Whedon put together a show that understood
humanity, and Americans.
Whedon may be skeptical but he’s put on television more episodes
supporting religion than anyone else. Neither 7th Heaven nor Touched by
an Angel were nearly as intelligently and respectfully religious as
Whedon’s work.
Please don’t lump him in with the rest.