Religion and Star Trek

[Annorax849]

Gene probably wanted everyone to be Atheist in the Federation, but then again Star Trek is at it's best when it's not quite following his vision, otherwise we get things like TMP or TNG season 1.

I will say Voyager was probably the most pro-faith of the different series.

Also, concerning Jesus visiting other worlds, I've always thought it would be an interesting theory that He was also Surak, Kahless, and Gint (Ferengi). I could see a "Universalist" type religion supporting that, though I'm sure there would never be an episode about it.

 

[Philip Guyott]

I was just curious if anyone knows what the symbol on the right is next to the Cross in the Enterprise Chapel?

 

[Nerys Myk]

I was just curious if anyone knows what the symbol on the right is next to the Cross in the Enterprise Chapel?

They both look like spaceships to me. So space religions.

 

[Philip Guyott]

Speaking as a Christian, after seeing the fan film 'Star Tract' I have come to the conclusion that Star Trek and Religion don't mix well after all!

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[m.lp.ql.m]

I was just curious if anyone knows what the symbol on the right is next to the Cross in the Enterprise Chapel?

Assuming the one on the left is actually a cross, then maybe the one on the right is some other sort of corporal punishment device?

 

[TwoJakes]

I don't immediately recognize it, possibly the symbol of a alien religion.

 

[Philip Guyott]

I don't immediately recognize it, possibly the symbol of a alien religion.

A sword and shield perhaps?

 

[Nerys Myk]

Which would fit with the show being set in the future.

 

[BillJ]

Which would fit with the show being set in the future.

Or it could be a subtle jab by Roddenberry about religions being more about violence than peace?

 

[Philip Guyott]

Have you guys heard before about the Jewish origin of the Vulcan salute?

It was originally a hand gesture used by Jewish Priest as they gave the priestly blessing:

"May the LORD bless you and guard you –
May the LORD make His face shed light upon you and be gracious unto you –
May the LORD lift up His face unto you and give you peace –"

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Personally I think that this is all a cover up for the fact that the Jewish Priests got the idea from the Vulcan’s who had visited earth in the past and broke the prime directive.

 

[m.lp.ql.m]

Have you guys heard before about the Jewish origin of the Vulcan salute?

It was originally a hand gesture used by Jewish Priest as the gave the priestly blessing:

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And here I was thinking it was some sorta "two in the pink, one in the stink" sorta thing...

 

[Philip Guyott]

two in the pink, one in the stink

"Blasphemy!"

 

[Shawnster]

Not sure what you're referring to, but SF has engaged with religious themes and concepts since the very beginning, albeit not always in conventional or doctrinaire ways. See H.G. Wells, C.S. Lewis, Olaf Stapledon, Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Fritz Leiber, Theodore Sturgeon, James Blish, Larry Niven, Michael Bishop, Gene Wolfe, James Morrow, etc.

Hell, one of Heinlein's final books was an irreverent take on The Book of Job . . . .

I've read the Bible book of Job as well as J.O.B. Heinleins' book is more an irreverent take on Christian Fundamentalists/the Rapture (which, by the way, is not mentioned in the Bible) than on the book of Job itself.

 

[Greg Cox]

And then there was INFERNO by Niven and Pournelle, which put a modern, sci-fi spin on Dante. And LORD OF LIGHT by Zelazny, which was a sci-fi riff on Hindu mythology. And STILL FORMS ON FOXFIELD by Joan Slonczewski,which was about a space colony founded by Quakers.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I recall a book by Phillip Jose Farmer called "Jesus On Mars". Jesus also appears in Farmer's short story Riverworld, along with his look-a-like Tom Mix and in another short story called J.C on the Dude Ranch.

 

[JeffinOakland]

Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land is a particularly obvious Christ parable.

 

[Greg Cox]

Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land is a particularly obvious Christ parable.

So is the original THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL. I mean, Klaatu adopts the alias "Mister Carpenter," which is not exactly subtle, before rising briefly from the dead to warn the world to repent its warring ways or face a final judgment . . . .

(I'm guessing that doesn't require a spoiler warning after sixty-plus years!)

 

[Nerys Myk]

So's Tommy in the rock opera/movie/musical of the same name. Or maybe he's the Buddha. Tommy's SF, right?

 

[Greg Cox]

Adam Warlock, in Marvel Comics, started out as a Christ figure, but eventually became more of a edgier, Moorcockian anti-hero. Not sure how they're writing him these days.

 

[fireproof78]

If aliens showed up tomorrow I don't know if any Christian will feel the need to go knock on their spaceship door. I can't speak for other religions but as far as Christianity is concerned it is about the redemption of 'humanity', not other sentient species. If there is a spiritual path for the others I'm sure it's been taken care of in a way that is most suited for them.
.

I would. I also have used a similar idea in some of my scifi short stories.

Also, from a theological point of view, I would not argue that Jesus would have to go and die on each planet, but rather other planets may have their own theology, and road to redemption.

As I recall, that was basically the take of that minister I debated years ago. He was certainly able to find Christian values (peace, sacrifice, forgiveness, etc.) in any number of classic STAR TREK episodes, even if they weren't specifically identified as such.

(And by "debated" I mean we had a friendly discussion in front of an audience.)

I certainly have been able to use Spock's death in TWOK as a similar example. Even if I don't agree with everything in Star Trek, I certainly don't mind watching it.

Gene probably wanted everyone to be Atheist in the Federation, but then again Star Trek is at it's best when it's not quite following his vision, otherwise we get things like TMP or TNG season 1.

I will say Voyager was probably the most pro-faith of the different series.

Also, concerning Jesus visiting other worlds, I've always thought it would be an interesting theory that He was also Surak, Kahless, and Gint (Ferengi). I could see a "Universalist" type religion supporting that, though I'm sure there would never be an episode about it.

Interesting idea. I wouldn't mind seeing someone explore it, even if I think it's a bit odd.

And then there was INFERNO by Niven and Pournelle, which put a modern, sci-fi spin on Dante. And LORD OF LIGHT by Zelazny, which was a sci-fi riff on Hindu mythology. And STILL FORMS ON FOXFIELD by Joan Slonczewski,which was about a space colony founded by Quakers.

There is a new book that is being written based upon Norse mythology, though it is a more dramatic retelling.

The Quaker colony sounds very interesting to me (adds to reading list).