Christian faith in TrekLit?

[Christopher]

Hmm. I wonder if 24th-century Hindus consider Surak to have been an avatar of Vishnu...

I don't know if this is a joke but I think it's an interesting suggestion. Ultimately I'd have to say that it's unlikely, but it's really impossible to predict how specific religions would involve.

It's not a joke. I've heard that there are some Hindus who consider Jesus to be a possible avatar of Vishnu, or at least that Jesus's unchronicled adolescence and adulthood were spent in the Subcontinent learning the ways of peace and enlightenment from Hindus. Hinduism is historically a very inclusive syncretic religion; indeed, the very name "Hinduism" is something of a Western imposition, a simplification of a whole range of diverse and freely overlapping belief systems. So there's little difficulty incorporating elements of other religions or cultures into Hindu belief.

I was raised Muslim and Muslim's are to pray at certain times, based on the position of the sun, and towards Mecca. I wonder how this would work in space, especially on a starship thousands of light years away from Earth.

I've researched that question for my own writing, and my understanding is that such practices are considered traditional, not obligatory. Facing Mecca is considered an aid in focusing the mind toward God, but if you don't know where Mecca is, it's enough to focus inward, since God is inside everyone. Or something like that. Generally, Islam is pretty willing to make exceptions to the standard practices, and only ask what you're practically capable of delivering. (For instance, you're expected to make the hajj, but only if you can afford to, are healthy enough, etc.)

Although, of course, it's not that hard to know what direction Earth is in as long as you know your position in space, and on a starship that would be easy to calculate. Muslims on starships could simply ask the computer which way to face for prayer, or carry the equivalent of a GPS device in their pockets.

Indeed...I've always appreciated Star Trek's portrayal of a future in which human beings are not held hostage by the beliefs, values, and limitations of the dead. TNG mentioned an observance of the 'Hindu festival of lights" during "Data's Day", and TOS made a reference or two to Christianity ("Bread and Circuses"), but otherwise it was free from creeds and dogma.

There's a big difference between spirituality and dogma. Organized religions and the proponents of dogma like to claim they have a monopoly on spirituality, but there are plenty of alternative, more individualistic and flexible approaches. It's certainly possible to believe in, or at least be receptive to the idea of, a spiritual essence to the cosmos while still rejecting the doctrines of any organized church. That's pretty much how Roddenberry thought -- not that there was nothing divine in the universe, but that whatever divinity might exist had nothing to do with the dogmas and strictures of any human religious institution.

 

[timothy]

if you have ever watched the x-files one my favorite sceens was when mulder and scully were talking about god and aliens . mulder say's he believe's in god he just wished in the bible that when god created the earth and the heaven's why did'ntt he tell us about his science projecr on the side.
then all you have to do is look at episode of sto where they meet apollo .
And then in the animated series they meet an aztec god not going to try to spell that at all then of course there is star trek v the final frontier . all also on the klingon ascpect you can't tell me that they wouldn't get along with the knight templar's
or aurther's knight;s of camelot.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I was raised Muslim and Muslim's are to pray at certain times, based on the position of the sun, and towards Mecca. I wonder how this would work in space, especially on a starship thousands of light years away from Earth.

From this article on Wired, reporting about Muslim astronauts on the International Space Station:

According to the report, determining the qibla [direction of prayer] should be "based on what is possible" for the astronaut, and can be prioritized this way: 1) the Ka'aba, 2) the projection of Ka'aba [on the orbit of the station], 3) the Earth, 4) wherever.

---

I wonder what the Catholic Church's view on Q would be?

I dunno about the Catholics, but I'm pretty sure the followers of Norse paganism consider him to be Loki.

 

[Christopher]

Q has been condemned by the Space Pope.

 

[timothy]

oh come on Q is not all bad I am sure he has some worshipers out there. He is a higher power after all. He belives I think that we will be like him given time that's why he test us. Look at how he reacted to when picard quotes shakepere. and he also changed in voyager big time .

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

The more irrational and destructive a powerful being like Q is, the more likely he is to have worshippers.

 

[Rush Limborg]

I would like to know if in Star Trek times Christians believe that Jesus died to save alien races as well.

Almost certainly. Jesus's Great Comission, after all, charged the disciples to "preach the gospel to all creation" (or "every creature", whichever version you have).

It would be interesting to read about the upheaval in the church first contact would bring about, as well as the fallout as to what conclusions people would come to.

If anything, it would give the church reason to be more accepting of a United Earth. As it stands...if we are alone in the universe, a United Earth would be a sign of the End Times. If we're not alone--it would be no worse than, say, the United States of America.

Fast fwd a few hundred years and assuming Christianity still thrived in some places I would like to know what was considered mainstream beliefs?

Hmm....

(Jots furiously in notebook....)

 

[Rush Limborg]

Q has been condemned by the Space Pope.

I could just imagine the head of the Evangelical Free Church (my denomination, BTW) of the Federation remarking that Q could have counted as the Antichrist, if only he wasn't such a spoiled brat....

 

[timothy]

Q's have been to earth there is no telling what kinda influence they or he has had in our religion.

 

[Marie1]

I would like to know if in Star Trek times Christians believe that Jesus died to save alien races as well.

Almost certainly. Jesus's Great Comission, after all, charged the disciples to "preach the gospel to all creation" (or "every creature", whichever version you have).

Doesn't Matt. 24:14 say something like all the earth and its nations? Unless someone wants to pay to send me to space!!!!!!! *ahem*... moving on...

*Mandatory reference to the Dominion... Founders... etcetcetc...*

I thought there was some refs to Christianity in CoE?

 

[Christopher]

Matthew 24:14, New International Version: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Source: http://www.biblegateway.com/

Eegh. This is a good thing?

But Rush Limborg seems to be referencing Mark 16:15. NIV: "He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." King James Version: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Young's Literal Translation: "and he said to them, `Having gone to all the world, proclaim the good news to all the creation."

 

[timothy]

steve austin 3:16 hell yeah
Q : I am alpha and omega

 

[Rush Limborg]

Matthew 24:14, New International Version: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Source: http://www.biblegateway.com/

Eegh. This is a good thing?

Depends what one means by "world". I believe Dr. McCoy, in the notorious ep "Spock's Brain", said something about bringing the planet's medical knowledge "to the world." "World", in this case, is almost certainly a synonym for "universe".

"But Rush, but Rush--that's 'Spock's stinking BRAIN' you're citing!"

I know. But I'm guessing the line wasn't just put there to make it worse.

And, when Picard corrected Q, telling him the Shakespeare quote is "All the world's a stage", not "All the galaxy's a stage", Q remarks, "Well, if he were alive today, it would've said 'galaxy'."

(BTW, Chris...the Bible itself is an easy enough source to check for references--citing a website as the "Source" is kinda redundant. )

But Rush Limborg seems to be referencing Mark 16:15. NIV: "He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." King James Version: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Young's Literal Translation: "and he said to them, `Having gone to all the world, proclaim the good news to all the creation."

That's the one!

And Matthew 28:19--"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..."

 

[captcalhoun]

Calhoun 3:16 i just punched your lights out.

 

[Rush Limborg]

...

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I've always wondered about human religions in the future.

I was raised Muslim and Muslim's are to pray at certain times, based on the position of the sun, and towards Mecca. I wonder how this would work in space, especially on a starship thousands of light years away from Earth.

Think there'd be a device to help get a fix on Earth's direction? Not sure what the actual fatwa about this would be (can the term fatwa apply to something like that? Not Muslim, so not sure), but I would think that from an astronomical standpoint, Earth's direction is as precise as anyone could get.

I also think Islam has a tremendous body of astronomical research, and some conclusions could be drawn from the works of those astronomers as well.

I wonder what the Catholic Church's view on Q would be?

I can actually PM you a link to something where I took on a question much like that. Shoot me a PM if you're interested, and I'll give you the link and all the disclaimers blah blah blah.

I would like to know if in Star Trek times Christians believe that Jesus died to save alien races as well. It would be interesting to read about the upheaval in the church first contact would bring about, as well as the fallout as to what conclusions people would come to. Fast fwd a few hundred years and assuming Christianity still thrived in some places I would like to know what was considered mainstream beliefs?

There are two different ways that could be approached, that I've seen people write. One is that Jesus would have died to save all sentient beings. The other approach is that God would have intervened individually on behalf of each race (but somehow this would all be part of one sacrifice). As to the theology/soteriology there I am not going to get into it because it would REALLY derail this thread, but those are the two approaches I suspect reasonable Christians would take.

Your unreasonable individuals...well, you can guess.

if you have ever watched the x-files one my favorite sceens was when mulder and scully were talking about god and aliens . mulder say's he believe's in god he just wished in the bible that when god created the earth and the heaven's why did'ntt he tell us about his science projecr on the side.

I don't think the Bible was ever intended to be a scientific treatise. That might've been a little difficult given that the initial target audience had very little in the way of science and math. So it's no surprise that some language is allegorical, in my opinion, but the main points that said allegorical language is used to make I still see as very relevant.

 

[Stephen!]

Religion in the Star Trek universe would seem to be somewhat contradicted by the events of "The Chase", where aliens were found to have been responsible for the existence of most of the Alpha Quadrant races.

 

[iguana_tonante]

I'm more fond of Kahless 25:17 "The path of the honourable klingon is beset on all sides by the in threacheries of the dishonourable and the softness of lesser races. Honoured is he who, in the name of strength and iron will, slaughters the weak through the valley of the darkness, for he is truly his wounded brother's honourable killer and the eater of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy My Empire. And you will know I am the Lord of Qo'noS when I lay My vengeance upon you."

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

Religion in the Star Trek universe would seem to be somewhat contradicted by the events of "The Chase", where aliens were found to have been responsible for the existence of most of the Alpha Quadrant races.

?

How is that a contradiction? There's no reason why, if we ourselves lived in such a universe, God could not have had any hand in that.

You still have the question about how they got started.

I know it wouldn't bother my faith in the slightest, any more than any other scientific discovery possibly could. Not a single thing that we observe naturally bothers my faith. Nor do I feel the need to revise the facts, either.

 

[timothy]

there are higher powers out there Q is just one of them. and remmber god gave mortals free will . I belive in god and jesus others might not if the word spreads more belive it's what you do with that belife and how you spread it consirnes me. I mean look at whar's going on right now. more chaos and chaos is a higher power it's just which chaos god is throughing there wieght around. these are dark times faith is all
we have . and then agin we have the borg and their Queen