We all know "Star Trek" is somewhat notorious for is monocultures. All Klingons have one culture, one religion, one language, etc. All Andorians, all Vulcans, all Cardassians, have one culture and one language. All Bajorans obsessively worship the same religion, unless they're rebelling against it via the Pah Wraiths or just a flat out loss of faith.
Well I say tribble sh*t.
These are planets, not islands.
Besides, Human characters will sometimes simplify Earth's vast diversity by saying things like "Christmas is an Earth holiday" or "on Earth, this is how we kiss..." So we can presume that other species do the same thing.
Sure, it's possible one culture or religion controls the planet's government on Bajor, Cardassia, and the Klingon Empire, but that doesn't mean there is no diversity left within the population.
This thread is for speculating on what different types of cultures or belief systems might exist within these various species. I'll list my ideas; feel free to disagree.
Bajorans:
I'm thinking that most Bajoran religions do involve the Prophets and the Orbs, in some way or another, since the Prophets were intervening in Bajor for centuries. And it does seem like one religion controls the Bajoran government. I can even buy that the majority of Bajorans belong to this religion. But again, planet, not island.
Also, keep in mind that not all Bajorans we see wear the earring. And even with those who do, the earring may have become a planetary cultural practice in addition to a religious one. (Sort of like wedding bands becoming the norm for humans, despite culture or religion.)
So here are some different belief systems that might exist within the Bajoran population:
With a species like this, there must be countless differing ideas about who, if anyone, should be joined. Obviously the planetary Symbiosis Commission has resolved this, but that doesn't mean individuals don't still have their own opinions and values.
Before the teachings of Surak, there must have been countless groups with differing ideals, and even after the switch-over to planet-wide logic, they'd surely retain at least some differences.
SO........................ yes, I need to get laid. But it's a "Star Trek" site, we all do. So throw some more ideas at this thread. What are some other subcultures, or just differences, that you think might exist within the alien races of "Star Trek?"
Well I say tribble sh*t.
These are planets, not islands.
Besides, Human characters will sometimes simplify Earth's vast diversity by saying things like "Christmas is an Earth holiday" or "on Earth, this is how we kiss..." So we can presume that other species do the same thing.
Sure, it's possible one culture or religion controls the planet's government on Bajor, Cardassia, and the Klingon Empire, but that doesn't mean there is no diversity left within the population.
This thread is for speculating on what different types of cultures or belief systems might exist within these various species. I'll list my ideas; feel free to disagree.
Bajorans:
I'm thinking that most Bajoran religions do involve the Prophets and the Orbs, in some way or another, since the Prophets were intervening in Bajor for centuries. And it does seem like one religion controls the Bajoran government. I can even buy that the majority of Bajorans belong to this religion. But again, planet, not island.
Also, keep in mind that not all Bajorans we see wear the earring. And even with those who do, the earring may have become a planetary cultural practice in addition to a religious one. (Sort of like wedding bands becoming the norm for humans, despite culture or religion.)
So here are some different belief systems that might exist within the Bajoran population:
- Descendant Worship: A religion that believes the Prophets are the descendants of the Bajoran people, existing outside spacetime, and helping their own ancestors from a distant future. In this religion, how you behave and raise your children is extremely important, because it will impact how your descendants, the Prophets, turn out, and how they in turn treat you. Suffice to say, this belief system can be a mind-screw for outsiders.
- Orb Worship: A group that believes the Orbs themselves are, or contain, the deities to be worshiped, and views the Prophets as little more than messengers.
- Elementals: Bajorans who worship all elements of nature equally, and refuse to hold the Prophets or Orbs in higher regard than anything else. This group likely faced a lot of persecution even before the Cardassians came along...
With a species like this, there must be countless differing ideas about who, if anyone, should be joined. Obviously the planetary Symbiosis Commission has resolved this, but that doesn't mean individuals don't still have their own opinions and values.
- Anti-joining: This group is against joining, for anyone. They believe one's body is a gift from the ancestors, and that your spots in particular are a special mark left by the ancestors. Altering your body in any way--piercings, tattoos, sex changes, and joining--is a major no-no.
- Slugs for the elders: Some other cultures might reserve joining for the wisest elders, who run the show.
- Competition: ...and others still, no doubt, held competitions, so the most "fit" candidate would win the symbiont. The Symbiosis Commission would have taken inspiration from these cultures.
- Royal joining: In nations that practiced monarchies, symbionts were sometimes passed down through ruling heirs. This naturally led to kings and queens receiving their own mom or dad's memories, and led to all kinds of messes like royal incest and insanity. This practice was obviously ended centuries ago, in some cases by force when the people rebelled and tore down the corrupt and literally insane monarchy.
Before the teachings of Surak, there must have been countless groups with differing ideals, and even after the switch-over to planet-wide logic, they'd surely retain at least some differences.
- Family is everything: Here's an idea I thought of; a culture where family is so highly valued, that in the olden days, when a family member was harmed or even mildly insulted, it meant a violent fight in their honor. After the teachings of Surak, this changed to a simple ritual where, if one's family member is insulted or done wrong, you simply deliver a single, controlled, slap to the offender, and then declare the issue settled.
- Vent it! Even if most Vulcans agree that emotions must be kept out of everyday life, there has to be differing ideas on how to accomplish this. Some would say, repress it all, except during Pon Farr; but others migth have designated times to regularly vent violence, sex drive, etc. No doubt these groups would be frowned on by other Vulcans.
- Is logic personal? Some cultures probably think an individual should find whatever way to control their emotions and rational works for them personally, while others would view this as a dangerous gateway to anarchy and say everyone must follow some rigid code or another.
- Telepathy? Maybe in some cultures, telepathy is considered highly private and personal, and projecting your thoughts in public is a no-no; for others, telepathy is used as often as speaking, and closing off your mind is seen as stand-offish and antisocial, maybe even dishonest.
SO........................ yes, I need to get laid. But it's a "Star Trek" site, we all do. So throw some more ideas at this thread. What are some other subcultures, or just differences, that you think might exist within the alien races of "Star Trek?"
