Is Star Trek Anti-Religion Or Merely Ambiguous About It?

Television, Movies Games and Books Star Trek
#1

Is Star Trek Anti-Religion Or Merely Ambiguous About It?

I love me some Star Trek, I’m not going to lie. It’s science fiction, sure, but it always, when it’s at its best, has been interested in telling stories about the world as we know it. Even though it pushed its metaphors a bit too far at times (Vulcan AIDS, anyone?), Trek has often had trenchant and sometimes profound things to say about modern-day race relations, politics, and culture. Its commentary on religion, however, has often been problematic. There’s a tone of dismissal in the way the show sometimes portrays people of belief; a snooty air of disbelief that people in the 24th century could actually believe in a deity. But is Star Trek anti-religion, or merely skeptical about it?

#2

Yes I have found Trek from TNG on up to be overly rational and rejecting not only religion but anything spiritual.
Now I have to say for myself I am a large “A” Atheist. But I like a well told story involving ghosts the beyond or a religion that turns out to be real in that world.
This has bothered me for a long while about Trek.

Good example. When Dr. Crusher went to a funeral and was then haunted, and in true Trek fashion “It’s just another alien Yawn”.

#3

Roddenberry himself was a Humanist, so it naturally follows that his creation would follow in his footsteps.

#4

I’ve never viewed Star Trek as anti-religion. Maybe I just missed the point. I always viewed Star Trek as an exercise in tolerance and prudence. ‘Test all things and hold firmly to that which is good’. Kirk vanquished many false gods. Picard championed reason. Sisko battled sinister pride (Dukat) and ambitious charlatans (Kai Winn). Star Trek portrayed the strength of human ingenuity and quest into the unknown.

The most important lesson I learned from Star Trek’s view of religion is that it should not be a tool or wielded like a sword. Many folks hide behind the shield of religion to self-justified their hatred and vicious opinion. Others promote it and sell it like a commodity. Star Trek constantly questioned its own precepts which I think is important. I think many religions could take a lesson in discernment from Star Trek.

#5

Like 'talos, I never saw Trek as so much “anti-religion”. I think it has more basis in tolerance. Had a live and let live quality.

In fact, the the Trek episode Bread and Circuses, there were “Followers of the Sun”. However, at the end of the episode, Uhura says that it’s not the sun int he sky that they worship, but the Son of God. And Kirk marvelled at it and wondered what it would be like to see it all happen again. So even that interest, IMHO, shows the Federation was at least tolerant of other beliefs…in fact they found them “fascinating”

#6

I always thought Star Trek, other than DS9, has a weird communist utopia undertone to it.

Federation is a place where no one is oppressed, there is no money, people don’t need religion, since all things can be created from pure energy and everyone shares that energy, people share all material things. And for a while in TNG, Federation’s greatest enemies are a bunch of money loving Ferengis capitalists. People of Federation work hard just because they enjoy working.

But like the operator said, tolerance of other beliefs is the one thing that’s in Trek and not in communism.

DS9 on the other hand, heck Sisko himself is a mythical religious leader… so… no, not anti-religion at all.

#7

Star Trek can be anti-religion but not directly. It is more anti-extremist and anti-prejudice. Very often they way extremism and prejudice are shown in episodes is through alien religions and beliefs.
At the very least the Federation is shown to be accepting of different beliefs and religions, even if most of the characters to not believe in them themselves.

#8

I think that one could make a stronger argument that a particular character or storyline might be one thing or the other, but I think that the franchise as a whole presents characters that firmly believe in the existence of something beyond ourselves, be that understood through faith in the Federation, in a religious practice, or other organization.

#9

Good article really explores all angles of the question.

Star Trek has always been good about showing the errors superstition, belief in so-called superior beings, single-mindedness—all the things the are components of religion.

I think the runners behind the show(s) knew that much of their audience are religious so there’s a need to tread carefully and not offend. But at the heart, there’s a sense in Star Trek that religion-obsession is something the human race needs to get over and put behind us if we have any hope of achieving a civilization as depicted in the 23rd/24th century of the Federation.
And I share that thinking.

#10

You’re on the Whiskey media sites badger? Or just happened to find this?

#11

Actually, it was in the sidebar of a link you tweeted yesterday.

#12

I’ve never, been the biggest fan of trek but i have.never thought it against religon, it has always seemed agnostic from my perspective.

#13

It pretty much depends upon the writer.

#14

I never viewed Star Trek as anti-religious, but I was drawn to it (growing up with TNG) for being open-minded and not trying (a least to me) to force certain beliefs down the viewers throat. I’ve never been asked, " Is Star Trek Anti-Religion Or Merely Ambiguous About It?" Now that I have, I have to fall on the ambiguous side mostly due to DS9.

I thought of Trek as a utopia, but never thought of it as communist or socialist. I have admit I thought it ambiguous (but not really anti) about capitalism because of the Ferengi and the 1st season finale of TNG, “The Neutral Zone”. In “The Neutral Zone”, they find and revive cryonically frozen humans. One of them had no idea what to do with his life without money, and Picard told him “to improve yourself. To enrich yourself. Enjoy it.”

So, I was more interested in its capitalism stance than religion because I wonder how our society might be without currency. I think we’d be fine without religions.

#15

Oh. LOL. Well glad to spread some WM love. I’m constantly on those sites

#16

“It has always been easier to destroy that to create” – Spock

"Not anymore! Now we can do both at the same time. According to myth, the Earth was created in six days. Now watch out! Here comes Genesis, we'll do it for ya in six minutes." -- McCoy, in Kirk's ready room, after viewing the Project Genesis film (Star Trek II)
#17

Star Trek has often portrayed religion as oppressive, but it’s not “anti-religious”. It always makes us think, and that’s a good thing.

I love that “Cheese Knight” posted this in the comments section:

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#18

Funny thing, even given all my atheism, one of my favorite Star Trek movie moments was in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.

When the Enterprise arrives at the “God” planet the sense of anticipation they portrayed was really captivating. I remember feeling, “Wow, are they about to see God? What are they going to see?”. For just a moment it made me question my non-belief. And that’s a good thing, – it’s good to question ones non-belief just as it is to question one’s beleif.

For me, the that moment of wonder when they’re on the bridge and then going down to the planet before they see anything, was the speical part.

Now, all that said, I am SO glad that the studios did NOT let Shatner make the movie the way he wanted. He wanted the plot to involve (I think) really meeting God and a demon/devil etc. and that would have been embarrasing and lame.

But the actual movie as it came out, though flawed, was full of great moments. And it’s a credit to Star Trek whenever they present a “What if?”

And Kirk having the line “What does God need with a Starship?” perfectly captures the spirit of Question Authority, Question Superstition. And that’s good Star Trek.

#19

I did a search because I always thought Bones said a lot of “Oh my God” but I can’t remember any off the top of my head. in searching I found this site which I found some interesting information.

http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/inconsistencies/religion.htm

This one makes me think that religion is part of Picard, just not the focus of his being, which I am fine with.

“Captain Picard celebrates Christmas with his family in the Nexus in a very traditional fashion, even by 21st century standards. This is astounding not only considering that the holiday has largely lost its religious significance already in our time but also because it takes place in the dream world of a man who otherwise deprecates religion (“Star Trek Generations”).”

As a Christian, I am fine with Trek not focusing on religion. I think its nice to know that we are all different and we have many views on the whole religion topic. It actually helps with my own questions of faith. So I want to thank everyone that is posting on this subject.

#20

I love that it’s a running gag the author of the article tends to do on like videos and podcasts and stuff. Not even gonna lie I love that song