Transcript Star Trek: The Next Generation

Roddenberry, and therefore
Star Trek was ultimately
inspired by a humanist
spirituality.
1921 – 1991)
Roddenberry, and therefore
Star Trek was ultimately
inspired by a humanist
spirituality.
The rational spirituality that is
humanism is one of the
great
spiritual
impulses,
worthily expressed in this
seminal television and later
movie franchise.
1921 – 1991)
Roddenberry, and therefore
Star Trek was ultimately
inspired by a humanist
spirituality.
The rational spirituality that is
humanism is one of the
great
spiritual
impulses,
worthily expressed in this
seminal television and later
movie franchise.
1921 – 1991)
And for that small bit of spiritual humanist
evangelism, I'm grateful. The world has to be
better for it...
Religion is largely absent from the futuristic and secular
world of the Federation and in particular from human
society.
Religion is largely absent from the futuristic and secular
world of the Federation and in particular from human
society.
Star Trek's takes on religious topics are often critical, and
they almost routinely close with a victory of science over
faith.
Religion is largely absent from the futuristic and secular
world of the Federation and in particular from human
society.
Star Trek's takes on religious topics are often critical, and
they almost routinely close with a victory of science over
faith.
This is anything but a surprise, knowing that Gene
Roddenberry was an active atheist who struggled against
any form of religion:
Star Trek Beams Down Humanism
Source: John McManus, The New American 39 (June 18,
1991).
Gene Roddenberry, creator of the long-running sci-fi
television series Star Trek and its successor, Star Trek: The
Next Generation, recently discussed his long-time love
affair with humanism.
Star Trek Beams Down Humanism
Source: John McManus, The New American 39 (June 18,
1991).
Gene Roddenberry, creator of the long-running sci-fi
television series Star Trek and its successor, Star Trek: The
Next Generation, recently discussed his long-time love
affair with humanism.
Roddenberry, a member of the American Humanist
Association (AHA) since 1986, was the recipient of the
Humanist Arts Award for "distinguished contributions to
humanism and humanist thought" at the AHA's 50th
annual conference in Chicago on May 10th.
Star Trek Beams Down Humanism
Source: John McManus, The New American 39 (June 18,
1991).
Gene Roddenberry, creator of the long-running sci-fi
television series Star Trek and its successor, Star Trek: The
Next Generation, recently discussed his long-time love
affair with humanism.
Roddenberry, a member of the American Humanist
Association (AHA) since 1986, was the recipient of the
Humanist Arts Award for "distinguished contributions to
humanism and humanist thought" at the AHA's 50th
annual conference in Chicago on May 10th.
In an interview in the April/May 1991 issue of The Humanist
magazine, Roddenberry admits that his affinity for
humanism long predates his formal affiliation with the
organization. He "would have come out sooner" he states,
but "learned fairly early in life that great honesty about
things could give you trouble, cause you problems."
The Next Generation brings a re-evaluation of
Star Trek, we see an appreciation for all things
mystical from dreams to visions
The Next Generation brings a re-evaluation of
Star Trek, we see an appreciation for all things
mystical from dreams to visions
Although there is from time to time a harkening
back to skepticism…
there is on the whole an appreciation of
religious experience, if not for religious systems.
In 1987, the arrival of Star Trek: The Next Generation brings
a reevaluation of Star Trek, and in many ways moves the
viewer from a thoroughly modernist narrative in the Kirk
era to a much more post modern perspective with Picard.
Overtime, as the series matures, we see an appreciation
for all things mystical from dreams to visions, from the
experience of the beast within to the experience of the
transcendence of becoming a god like being.
Although there is from time to time a harkening back to
skepticism, for example the Klingon warrior/prophet
Kahless who magically appears is discovered to be a
clone, there is on the whole an appreciation of religious
experience, if not for religious systems.