Authors: Jennifer E. Porter, Darcee L. McLaren
ISBN-13: 9780791443330, ISBN-10: 0791443337
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Date Published: November 1999
Edition: (Non-applicable)
Drawing on a number of methodologies and disciplinary perspectives, this book boldly goes where none has gone before by focusing on the interplay between Star Trek, religion, and American culture as revealed in the four different Trek television series, and the major motion pictures as well. Explored from a Trek perspective are the portrayal and treatment of religion; the religious and mythic elements; the ritual aspects of the fan following; and the relationship between religion and other issues of contemporary concern.
In the 13 essays in this book, religious studies professors in Canada, Britain and the United States discuss the role of religion in Star Trek. The first section of the book examines each of the successive television series, the second treats large themes (such as biblical imagery and death) and the third looks at the attitudes of fans. As the essays show, Star Trek has been torn between rejecting religion and affirming a quasi-religious faith in discovery and tolerance. This religiosity was present from the beginning--as in Spock's Vulcan creed of "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations"--but the later Star Trek series have more freely explored religious themes. The editors congratulate Star Trek: Voyager, the latest series, for "recovering sacred ground" through New Age spirituality. Unfortunately, while providing a nuanced reading of Star Trek's evolution, the authors pay too little attention to its larger context. The final section on "Trekkies" is valuable, but most of the essays concentrate on the motivations and behavior of the show's characters, ignoring the corporate television producers and the viewers who together brought--and continue to bring--these characters to life. The book seems written more for Star Trek fans than for students of religion or American culture. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Acknowledgments | xi | |
1. | Introduction: Star Trek, Religion, and American Culture | 1 |
Part I | Religion in Star Trek | |
2. | From Thwarted Gods to Reclaimed Mystery? An Overview of the Depiction of Religion in Star Trek | 13 |
3. | Classic Star Trek and the Death of God: A Case Study of "Who Mourns for Adonais?" | 33 |
4. | Religion and Science in Star Trek: The Next Generation: God, Q, and Evolutionary Eschatology on the Final Frontier | 61 |
5. | Deeds of Power: Respect for Religion in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | 77 |
6. | (Re) Covering Sacred Ground: New Age Spirituality in Star Trek: Voyager | 101 |
Part II | Religious and Mythic Themes | |
7. | Intimations of Immortality: Death/Life Mediations in Star Trek | 119 |
8. | Suffering, Sacrifice and Redemption: Biblical Imagery in Star Trek | 139 |
9. | The Outward Voyage and the Inward Search: Star Trek Motion Pictures and the Spiritual Quest | 165 |
10. | Biblical Interpretation in the Star Trek Universe: Going Where Some Have Gone Before | 193 |
Part III | Religion and Ritual in Fandom | |
11. | "Star Trek to Me Is a Way of Life": Fan Expressions of Star Trek Philosophy | 217 |
12. | On the Edge of Forever: Understanding the Star Trek Phenomenon as Myth | 231 |
13. | To Boldly Go: Star Trek Convention Attendance as Pilgrimage | 245 |
TV Episodes and Movies Cited | 271 | |
Bibliography | 279 | |
List of Contributors | 297 | |
Index | 299 |