‘Star Trek' franchise an homage to humanist philosophy

Worcester (MA) Telegram ^ | 06/29/2010 | Bronislaus B. Kush

[SuziQ]

Just because one is a 'fan' of a genre, doesn't mean one subscribes to either the author's personal philosophy, or the philosophy of the genre in general.

I'd never heard about Gene Roddenberry's beliefs, but I was clear about those of Joseph Campbell, from whom George Lucas borrowed philosophical ideas when he was writing his Star Wars movies. Just because I thought the shows were entertaining doesn't mean I subscribe to the beliefs of their creators.

[Charles Martel]

I remember an episode from the Original Series in which a people worshiped “The Sun”; but it was revealed at episode’s end to be “The Son” (of God). Also, the characters constantly make references to God “My God, Man!”, “Oh, my God”, etc.

There was in "interfaith" chapel aboard the original NCC-1701 (seen briefly at the beginning of Balance of Terror). All the original series' subtle religious references (ex.: "A Pearl of Great Price", etc.) are fairly well cataloged in an out-of-print book titled "Star Trek: The Good News In Modern Images". Online reviews refer to the author's approach as "Christianity Lite, blended with Jungian Pop Psychology". From what I recall, that's a pretty fair summation.

The things you find in a university library when you're supposed to be studying for a calculus exam...

[GeronL]

Of course. I had forgotten about that one.

[longtermmemmory]

Voyager was uber poop. The only thing that could have truly saved that series (and its credibility) was janeway’s quick and irrelivant death in a permanent and can never come back fashion.

[longtermmemmory]

she conveniently forgets “Bread and Circuses” and those pesky son worshipers...

[Sgt_Schultze]

[The Pack Knight]

The fact that she got involved with Roddenberry in the 70s made me think. It was obvious that something drove him over the edge between the end of the original series and when he wrote The Motion Picture, but I always figured it was Vietnam.

[longtermmemmory]

the motion picture was the last major effort roddenbury devoted to trek. people see what they want to see.

less PC= better ratings.

shepard smith even reported that some fan were making “alternative lifestyle” versions of treak in fan productions on the internet. (btw some of them are not terrible)

[wally_bert]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJGvn5iOERM