Religions of Star Trek

by Ross Shepard Kraemer, Susan Shwartz, William Cassidy

Is there a God? What evil lurks beyond the stars? Can science save one’s soul? Profound questions like these have consumed human thought over the ages; they also inspired the original creators of the Star Trek canon of TV series and films. Religions of Star Trek tackles these challenging questions head-on and examines in detail the humanistic vision of creator Gene Roddenberry. It is a remarkable look at one of sci-fi’s great success stories.Analyzing more than three decades of screen adventure, the authors depict a Star Trek transformed, corresponding to the resurgence of religion in American public discourse. The authors analyze Star Trek’s many religious characters, tracing the roots of scientific humanism to more contemporary aspects of religion and spirituality. Through it all, the creators’ visionary outlook remains constant: a humanistic faith in free will and the salvific nature of dispassionate scientific inquiry.This book was not prepared, licensed, approved, or endorsed by any entity involved in creating or producing the “Star Trek” television series or films.

Genres: Star Trek, Science Fiction, Religion

246 pages, Hardcover

First published August 13, 2001

About the author

Ross Shepard Kraemer is a professor of Religious Studies at Brown University, specializing in early Christianity and other religions of the Greco-Roman Mediterranean.

Reviews

[Stephie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book looks at the religions that were depict in Star Trek. They look at episodes from all the series and movies. They did not seem to take notice of the plethora of books out there. So the authors took turns writing the chapters. Two of the authors approached the religions in an objective way making no judgment on the validity of religions. The other one left room for the possibility for the reality of the spiritual. The authors used the shows and movies to investigate some religious questions, dividing them up into chapters. The first chapter discusses if god exists. Chapter two examines evil. Chapter three goes into religious leadership. Chapter four looks into myth. Chapter five is about afterlife experiences. And finally, chapter six investigates salvation.

The following are some comments elicited by pieces of text in the book. Page numbers are in brackets [] with pagination coming from the Kindle edition.

[3] "The profit-obsessed Ferengi believe that after their bodies have been cremated and sold to the highest bidders their souls go to a Divine Treasury where they will be held accountable for their practice of the 285 Rules of Acquisition." I found this very funny when I read it.

[124] "In our desperate moments scientists and believers alike gaze skyward, in the hope of aid, solace, or understanding." I serious doubt this. It is sure to happen some times, but I hardly see it as the general trend among scientists. It is the same as the false truism that there are no atheist in fox holes.

[141] "It is significant that this episode opens with the android Data, an artificial life-form devoid of emotion but burdened by a longing to be human." But, longing is already a human emotion when he is not suppose to have any. And I find Spock's supposed lack of emotions unconvincing. He clearly expresses emotions in his body language belying his claim to have none. He even looks puzzled when confronted about having no emotions.

[152] "But as the recent and hugely popular film The Matrix suggests, it is just possible that one is 'living in a dream world.'” This is a totally ridiculous. Even if you were dreaming you would still assert the same amount of control as you do now. Or at least feel that way, so it would not change one iota how you would live your life. But it is utter bullshit in my opinion.

[156] "The inner experience is as powerful as any from the real world. This should, at least, raise questions regarding our understanding of experience, our interpretation of its meaning, and the nature of identity." First it's a story and so can not say anything about reality. Second, inner experience might be powerful, but it can also be wrong. Inner experience is real, but holds not enough weight by itself to say that that experience is reaching reality.

[216] "The unknown possibilities of existence represent mystery in the Star Trek universe, just as improving the quality of life is the point of existence." Who dictated that point. The point of existence as far as human beings are concerned is for each individual to decide. You could also say biologically that the point of existence is to die. Everyone after all dies at the end of their lives.

So my overall judgment of the book is that it was quite interesting; however, I did not like the one author’s, Susan L. Schwartz, seemingly position that some sort of supernatural does exist, and that the Star Trek universe explores this.

So if you are interest in what Star Trek's views of religion and how it might spread light on the various religious issues discussed in the book, you may indeed be interested in reading the book. If your not a fan of Star Trek, I can’t imagine that you would be interest in the book.

[R J Royer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains some very interesting views on the world of Star Trek and the religious beliefs and influences that the authors have seen in the shows and movies. I will say that while I agree with most of their ideas some I am hard pressed to see but they are interesting none the less.

[Leila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of science fiction and loved watching most of the Star Trek series but struggled a bit with this book.

[Marcello Tarot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interessante...

Niente di speciale, ma si legge abbastanza bene, e avrebbe potuto anche essere un po’ più corto alla fin fine perché – stringi stringi – i concetti da esporre non è che siano poi così tanti.
Recensione originariamente pubblicata su http://www.libreriauniversitaria.it/ nell’estate del 2010.

[Blake Kanewischer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was OK; it was structured as a series of essays, but it felt like "proof-texting" rather than a more in-depth study of the facets of religion. Perhaps I should have read this with a religious studies text as an adjunct to it rather than as a standalone book.

[Abraham Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok for a read, but it's just not for me, that's all.

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting analysis.

[Briana Grenert]

Gift of Shirah!!!
:)