Religion and Star Trek

[JeffinOakland]

I haven't read any of the posts in this thread. Just dropped by say I'm surprised it hasn't been closed yet.

why would it be?

 

[Amaris]

Okay, Coloratura, now that I've had some time and have a keyboard to type on, I think I need to give more of a response than what I did earlier. I can understand why you did and why others do as well. Our life experiences mold our faith and religious choices.
For me, the last decade and a half has been quite a journey. The last nine years or so have been probably the worst as my mother's mental and physical health deteriorated. I prayed for understanding and for strength, and for a moment of peace.
I learned from Deep Space Nine and from my own experiences that you have to listen carefully to what God says, because He doesn't always respond in words (see "The Reckoning."). I haven't had the sudden urge to break an ancient tablet dealing with Armageddon, but I have had insight that I hope I've used well. I also learned that hearing God is a special thing and not going to happen every day, so you have to learn to listen.
I think the reason I loved Deep Space Nine so much is because it showed that faith and science can peacefully co-exist. Everyone can believe as they do, but no one has to look down on anybody for it. I think that's beautiful and a future I can love.
ETA: Just saw your new post. I know you weren't trying to dissuade me. <3

Good, I just wanted to make sure you knew I wasn't trying to talk you or anyone else out of their faith. As for DS9, it's one of my favorite Trek shows because it addressed religion in the future, rather than swept it under the rug. Kira is one of my favorite characters, and it's partly because she believes so strongly in the Prophets and what they represent, and I love how Sisko had to straddle that line between Starfleet Officer and Emissary to the Prophets. I think the show had some of the most complex stories when it came to religion, and never was it "religion dumb, Starfleet smart."

 

[stardream]

I haven't read any of the posts in this thread. Just dropped by say I'm surprised it hasn't been closed yet.

We're actually getting along pretty well in here.

 

[ichab]

I haven't read any of the posts in this thread. Just dropped by to say I'm surprised it hasn't been closed yet.

I'm not. It's very possible to have a civilized discussion on religion or politics so long as neither side takes an opposing viewpoint personally.

 

[VulcanMindBlown]

I am not trolling in any way, but I can see Gene Roddenbury voting for Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders this election. I somehow feel that I've betrayed my values learned or pushed by Star Trek. However, I believe that at the core of the Star Trek universe is toleration, open mindedness, and exploration.

I remember one time I mentioned that I got disgusted by the mention of Deanna Troi being a hermaphodite. I didn't mean to be discriminatory toward people like that, I just find it immoral. Hopefully this post won't get deleted....

 

[stardream]

How can being a hermaphrodite be immoral? Do you know what that means?

It's what we call today 'intersexual'. Look it up.

We had a friend who was raised as a girl but always felt she was a boy. When 'she' became an adult 'she' went to the Doctor, had a physical and found out ' she' had undescended testicles. Had an operation and is now a man. He did nothing 'wrong' or immoral. He just had a birth defect corrected the same someone might have a cleft palate taken care of. It was a pain because a lot of people had to do some readjusting but after the dust settled I don't think anyone considered what he did 'immoral'.

 

[Amaris]

I am not trolling in any way, but I can see Gene Roddenbury voting for Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders this election. I somehow feel that I've betrayed my values learned or pushed by Star Trek. However, I believe that at the core of the Star Trek universe is toleration, open mindedness, and exploration.

I remember one time I mentioned that I got disgusted by the mention of Deanna Troi being a hermaphodite. I didn't mean to be discriminatory toward people like that, I just find it immoral. Hopefully this post won't get deleted....

I doubt it would get deleted, as that's not something that happens around here. As for your stance on the immorality of being a "hermaphrodite," I must admit I'm confused, as being intersexed is a biological trait, not a moral one.

 

[BillJ]

I remember one time I mentioned that I got disgusted by the mention of Deanna Troi being a hermaphodite. I didn't mean to be discriminatory toward people like that, I just find it immoral. Hopefully this post won't get deleted...

Might want to read up and learn something. Not all things the local preacher says are true.

 

[JeffinOakland]

Roddenberry's original conception of Deanna Troi was her as a "a four-breasted, oversexed hermaphrodite." DC Fontana talked him out of it.

"In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes. Many taxonomic groups of animals (mostly invertebrates) do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both partners can act as the "female" or "male"."-Wikipedia

Biology doesn't care about morality.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I am not trolling in any way, but I can see Gene Roddenbury voting for Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders this election. I somehow feel that I've betrayed my values learned or pushed by Star Trek. However, I believe that at the core of the Star Trek universe is toleration, open mindedness, and exploration.

I remember one time I mentioned that I got disgusted by the mention of Deanna Troi being a hermaphodite. I didn't mean to be discriminatory toward people like that, I just find it immoral. Hopefully this post won't get deleted....

Only spam gets deleted. Besides, why would I delete it? There's nothing more perfectly indicative of the ills of religious bigotry than finding something you clearly have zero understanding of disgusting and immoral just because you blindly followed what some ignorant person said.

 

[VulcanMindBlown]

That is not what I planned to talk about, but I am just saying that I'd like to be tolerated as a Conservative.

We might be able to talk about that in another thread or message, or never...

 

[VulcanMindBlown]

I doubt it would get deleted, as that's not something that happens around here. As for your stance on the immorality of being a "hermaphrodite," I must admit I'm confused, as being intersexed is a biological trait, not a moral one.

My mention of my religious beliefs on sexuality got censored even though I was stating what I believe and tolerated other opinions and asked for the same in return.

 

[Amaris]

My mention of my religious beliefs on sexuality got censored even though I was stating what I believe and tolerated other opinions and asked for the same in return.

Where? No one has censored what you've said. There is obvious disagreement with your sentiments, but no censorship taking place.

 

[stardream]

I believe he mentioned something about not agreeing with LGBT lifestyle but the moderator wanted the thread to be more in line with the actual title and not have it become a political debate. I could be wrong...feel free to correct me.

 

[Amaris]

I believe he mentioned something about not agreeing with LGBT lifestyle but the moderator wanted the thread to be more in line with the actual title and not have it become a political debate. I could be wrong...feel free to correct me.

I didn't see that anywhere in LoB's response.

 

[stardream]

'sideswiping controversial topics.' was referring to that I believe.

I maybe misrembering
.

 

[Amaris]

'sideswiping controversial topics.' was referring to that I believe.

I maybe misrembering
.

Well, that's what I mean: I don't see anything like that in his response. This is what I see:

Only spam gets deleted. Besides, why would I delete it? There's nothing more perfectly indicative of the ills of religious bigotry than finding something you clearly have zero understanding of disgusting and immoral just because you blindly followed what some ignorant person said.

With all those immoral hermaphroditic dinosaurs running around, watching Jurassic Park must have been like your own personal Vietnam. And don't even get me started on all the crazy sinful hermaphrodite incest that was going on behind the scenes of Finding Nemo. It's a slippery slope... mostly on account of all the water, but the point stands!

 

[VulcanMindBlown]

'sideswiping controversial topics.' was referring to that I believe.

I maybe misrembering
.

Something like that, Coloratura. It was the first post.

 

[JeffinOakland]

Bigotry is not as an aspect of conservatism. It's just bigotry.

 

[Amaris]

Something like that, Coloratura. It was the first post.

Ah, okay, you're talking about the initial posts in the thread. I was confused there for a moment, as I was looking at his latest post. Well, here's the thing: it's not actually censorship to tell someone to stick to the point of the topic. If you start off discussing religion, but then start digging into someone's biology, or skin color, then you're no longer really discussing religion, but people you don't like. You may feel that your religion targets gay people, or intersexed persons, but that doesn't make it okay to start tearing into them.

One can choose one's religion, but one's biology is another matter entirely. If your faith told you that colored persons were inferior, or that disabled persons should be removed from the gene pool in order to encourage the betterment of humanity, should other people respect your faith?