This week, we’re talking about a different kind of “canon” as Dr. James McGrath joins the show to talk about religion in Star Trek! Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future had no room for faith or superstition, but is a galaxy without God and spirituality desirable or even plausible? Trek’s opinion on religion and belief has vacillated over the course of its five decades of storytelling, but faith in a higher power may be the one thing humanity will always possess, whatever planet we live on. During the show, we talk about Trek’s attitude towards religion over the years, its exploration of theology among the stars, the Great Commission vs. the Prime Directive, the “divinity” of godlike aliens, the dearth of religious texts in Trek, the “prosperity gospel” of the Ferengi, making religious storytelling attractive to viewers, being tested by “God”, and Kirk duking it out with the King of Kings!
Watch out for Future Methodist spoilers!
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Listen to “Season 4, Episode 15.5 Religion in Trek with Dr. James McGrath” on Spreaker.