DonIago wrote:
As I'm not especially familiar with the concept of a chaplain, I have to wonder how atheists tend to feel about them.
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I'm not familiar with them either, hence my questions earlier. I would think that so long as they don't try to preach to those who have no belief system, then there wouldn't be any issues. I know that people get a lot of good out of their religion, just please don't come knocking on my door telling me about it and trying to get me to sign up
Relayer1 wrote:
The future portrayed in Star Trek (at least in the Federation) seems to have pretty much moved beyond religion. While not it's precisely universally atheist, there's not a lot of need for a chaplain on a Starship that already has a counselor.
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A lot of what Chaplains do seems to be covered by Counsellors, just without the religious aspect, though I think they would be trained to help people during crisis of faith--for those that still follow religious teachings.
Knight Templar wrote:
What about an alien chaplain who was cross trained to serve for all faiths?
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An alien character wouldn't bother me, it would be interesting to explore some truely alien concepts of faith and belief. Whoever had the job would have to be well-read and knowledgable about all faiths, or at least be damn good at doing quick research.
Knight Templar wrote:
And it is more than possible you could have Federation members who refused to serve in Starfleet unless they had some kind of chaplain aboard ship.
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That is a possibility, in which case a specialist in that field may need to be assigned. Likewise there are bound to be worlds that have no concept of religion, so they would see such a role as unnecessary, which could be good for some banter and bickering (the new Spock-McCoy).
Knight Templar wrote:
As for controversy? This when people want an openly gay character on a Trek series?
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Not looking to open a can of worms here, so I'll just say this: Is having a gay character in the next series is still controversial?