anthropologist thinks 'Star Trek Klingon' fan groups are a cult

[KimMH]

^^^the use of the word cult indicates a pejorative attitude toward the (ST/Klingon) philosophy in the first place. I can hardly imagine someone personally adopting the language, attitude and philosphy of a real world metaphysic which has such a long and honorable tradition as falling victim to a cult. I think the anthropologist is poking fun ( albeit gentle fun) at Klingonistas.

 

[Islander]

^^^the use of the word cult indicates a pejorative attitude toward the (ST/Klingon) philosophy in the first place. I can hardly imagine someone personally adopting the language, attitude and philosphy of a real world metaphysic which has such a long and honorable tradition as falling victim to a cult. I think the anthropologist is poking fun ( albeit gentle fun) at Klingonistas.

There's nothing pejorative about the word cult. It only denotes a marginal group following the same views. You have such impressions from the mediatisation of some cults either ripping off and abusing its members or committing mass suicide but there are thousands of different cults that are fine. Cult isn't even limited to religion, some movies or musical pieces have obtained this status like some of Stanley Kubric's movies or the older Genesis's albums for example.

 

[cwl]

If a bunch of people are so obsessed with the imaginary Klingon culture that they learn the conjured up language to a level of fluency and speak it amongst themselves, I'd say you've got a cult going there.

"Coming up on Channel 11's news at 10: Are people taking science fiction too seriously? We've got a breaking story about a scuffle between Star Trek enthusiasts fully captured on video, where one person slices off the arm of his victim with a Klingon Bat'leth while shouting out expletives... in KLINGON! Stay tuned."

Klingon culture isn't imaginary, think about it. if people follow that culture it is real- despite it being made up by a sci fi show.

 

[KimMH]

Islander - of course the word itself isn't pejorative and yes it does apply to so many ideas. It does have a negative connotation because it's often used in the media to describe and idea or movement which is deemed silly or preying upon vulnerable/ impressionable people. I'm saying when journalists use the word cult they often mean that the subject matter is silly or preys upon vulnerable/impressionable people . . . though sometimes there is that wink toward the reader - "I'm calling it a cult but enjoy it too " they're being a little disengenous; distancing themselves from the idea calling it a cult but implying they are also a believer - having their cake and eating it too.

 

[I am not Spock]

Sure, Trek is a religion. Anything which has millions of devoted fanatics worldwide, a Messiah (Gene Roddenberry), an antiChrist (Berman and Braga), a whole stack of holy texts which do not always correlate with each other, various denominations and sub-factions, takes wads of money from people every year, qualifies as a religion in my book.

 

[I am not Spock]

Does that makes George Lucas the devil?

Nah, B&B are!

 

[KimMH]

Sure, Trek is a religion. Anything which has millions of devoted fanatics worldwide, a Messiah (Gene Roddenberry), an antiChrist (Berman and Braga), a whole stack of holy texts which do not always correlate with each other, various denominations and sub-factions, takes wads of money from people every year, qualifies as a religion in my book.

I have spent more than I should in the last 30 years on Trek . . .

 

[jefferiestubes8]

Are Science Fiction Franchises As Popular As Religion?

The church of franchise reached mega-church dimensions in the 1970s, with the rise of Star Trek, Star Wars, and Doctor Who fandoms. For the first time, the scifi and pulp world began to fragment into sects. Where once fans had all met at the same conventions to share the same stories, now factionalism had begun. People went to Star Trek conventions, and called themselves Trekkers instead of just fans.

Fans began to speak in terms of canons. There were the canonical texts of yore, and then the non-canonical fanfic tales and paintings and videos that flooded conventions with stories that Stan Lee and Gene Roddenberry never intended.

Are Science Fiction Franchises As Popular As Religion?
Jul 29 2009,
http://io9.com/5325223/are-science-fiction-franchises-as-popular-as-religion

It is an interesting little article. The above quotes are related to Trek.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Sure, Trek is a religion. Anything which has millions of devoted fanatics worldwide, a Messiah (Gene Roddenberry), an antiChrist (Berman and Braga), a whole stack of holy texts which do not always correlate with each other, various denominations and sub-factions, takes wads of money from people every year, qualifies as a religion in my book.

This is a very good point. Writers' bibles, tech manuals, encyclopedias, etc. are all a part of the apocrypha of Trek and we see daily arguments about what is "canon" or not - virtually burning people at the stake for heresy (flaming) against commonly accepted dogma and practices. Anyone who has ever posted an opinion on any such topics would be a bishop of Trek with his or her own agenda. Now, all we need is the Trek equivalent of a Council of Nicaea to define what can be a part of canon that has not ever been on-screen.

So, when that day comes, I would like to make the official motion that TAS be re-canonized by Paramount. So mote it be!

 

[jefferiestubes8]

TAS as canon

I would like to make the official motion that TAS be re-canonized by Paramount.

Seconded.
It has the voices of the original TOS actors reprising their characters in a different medium.
Videogames have done it too but that medium does not just tell a story.

 

[john titor]

pfft they were just weren't asked to join the club.

 

[Sector 7]

I thought this question was already settled in Futurama "Where No Fan Has Gone Before". The Star Trek religion was outlawed following the Star Trek Wars (not to be confused with the Star Wars trek). Everyone knows that. Where have you been, in cryogenic suspension?

 

[Starbreaker]

Academics... sigh.

 

[Captrek]

There was a similar thread about a month ago here.