Star Trek: TheNext Generation

How to outthink and outgrowreligion, Star Trek style…

TNG vs Classic Trekthemes

• Little mention ofcomputer as Godtheme - by 1980's, the`silicone era,’ less fearof computers -

• One holdover might beepisode “Justice”(1987), where “Edo”controlled bycomputerized spaceship as god

TNG vs Classic TrekThemes, con’t.

• Little concern withindividual freedoms -1980’s era of corporateidentity rather than hippieindividualism - instead,religion - threat to reason.

• Religion and science inopposition

• Religion = superstition,fear, war, oppression

• Science = progress,reason, contentment

Reason vs Superstition CaseStudy: “Who Watches the

Watchers (1989)• Religion = war,

chaos, oppression• “Natural” cultural

evolution is tooutgrow religion

• Self-sacrifice, deathpreferable tofostering religiousbelief

Reason vs Superstition CaseStudy II: “Devil’s Due (1991)

• Belief in supernaturalbeings = irrational

• False God theme - alienfraud

• Religion = con game• Logic, reason, will

reveal that humanprogress independent ofdivine plan, intervention,etc.

TNG’s “EvolutionaryEschatology”

• Science instead ofreligion

• Evolution insteadof God’s Plan

• Evolution =– teleology (purpose)– destiny– Progress– biology/culture

evolve together

TNG’s “EvolutionaryEschatology” Case Study:

“Journey’s End” (1994)• Humans can/will evolve

physically, emotionally,intellectually, morally,culturally…

• Religion (and otherfactors) stumbling blocksto human evolution

• Introduction of idea thatNative Spirituality mightbe okay - human “other”theme picked up in StarTrek: Voyager

Religion of the “Other”• TNG allows for

religion if:– It is practiced by aliens

(Klingons, Vulcans, etc.)– The aliens are as advanced,

or more advanced, than thehumans of the Federation

– It is a non-supernatural formof religion

– It doesn’t interfere withsecular worldview

Vulcan Mysticism• Reason, logic

elevated toMystical path

• Meditation,ritual, reveredfounder(Sarek)

Klingon Religion• Way of the warrior

(samurai,medievalknights)

• Meditation• Martial Arts• Mythic stories• Mythic figures -

Kahless, Kortar• Gods?

Klingon Religion• Episode “Rightful Heir” (1993)• Search for the historical

Kahless = search for historicalJesus?

• Non-supernaturalist form ofreligion

• Religion in secular frame =moral guidance only?

• No ontological claims?• Science “proves”

supernaturalist claims false