Religions of Star Trek [Hardcover]

Ross Kraemer (Author), William Cassidy (Author), Susan L Schwartz (Author), Susan Schwartz (Author)

Book Description

Series: Star Trek | Publication Date: December 24, 2001

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A trio of religion scholars presents a learned but readable review of religious themes in Star Trek that should interest fans and provide grist for students and teachers of religion. The book focuses not so much on the beliefs and rituals found in the Star Trek universe itself as on the metaphysical issues Star Trek explores as a present-day text. Although they describe the common religious vision that characterizes Star Trek (a profound optimism, broadly secular though not necessarily anti-religious), the authors note the wide variety (and sometimes inconsistency) among episodes spanning 34 years, four TV series, nine movies and dozens of writers. In particular, they illustrate the gradual development of religious perspective from the strongly humanistic atmosphere of the original series (reflecting the convictions of creator Gene Roddenberry) to the ambiguous affirmation of spirituality in Voyager and Deep Space Nine. But the authors' first love is clearly Star Trek: The Next Generation, as they cite 35 episodes more than the other three series combined and pay special attention to characters such as Picard, Data, Guinan, Wesley and the enigmatic Q. Material is divided into thematic chapters on God, evil, religious figures, myth and ritual, death and afterlife, and salvation the latter often promoted through scientific rather than religious means. The authors write accessibly, illustrating points with particular episodes, and only occasionally lapsing into academic syntax. Not every fan will pick up this book, but those whose love of Star Trek is combined with cultural curiosity will be slow to put it down.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Trekkies and religious studies people will enjoy discussing the concepts raised." -- Choice --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (December 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813367085
• ISBN-13: 978-0813367088
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,060,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating..., October 22, 2002

By 

Dr. Michael Blume (Filderstadt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Religions of Star Trek (Hardcover)

As a student of religious sciences (in Germany) and a fan of Star Trek I just couldn't pass this book and wasn't disappointed.

It's surprising, how many religious topics are covered in Star Trek movies (albeit often in rather clouded forms), and how the series developped from a simple agnostic, positivist form into inquiries into spirituality and questions of life...

You will be surprised and entertained at the same time - but I missed pictures and their analysis in the book, because I think that especially in movies, messages are sent by these, not just by themes, dialogues and characters. That's the only objection I have for an otherwise fascinating book!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An interesting background book for "Star Trek" fans, June 12, 2002

By 

Cas (the Idaho mountains) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Religions of Star Trek (Hardcover)

This is not an exploration of individual religions in the "Star Trek" mythos, but an examination of the Big Questions about religion as they are answered by Star Trek. I found the writing interesting, with lots of examples to back up the theories within.

Religion has changed a lot in "Star Trek" since Kirk's day. This book traces that change through chapters regarding the existence of God and evil. How the different races in Star Trek view these questions is also presented and contrasted with humanity. Since "Next Generation" is the longest-running series, naturally it is represented more than TOS, DS9 and Voyager. This was printed before "Enterprise", but I hope it will be updated a few years from now to include "Enterprise"'s viewpoints. Frankly, it's fascinating to see religious-theory experts take on a project of this nature. I'd love to see more.

I think most "Star Trek" fans would be very interested in this work, as would students of religion in culture.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars overrated, January 24, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Religions of Star Trek (Hardcover)

Basically, I was recommended this book since I am a big Star Trek fan and someone interested in religious theory. The title is catchy, but the book has several shortcomings.
First, the arguments posed and the analysis conducted are the kind that any true Star Trek fan could conjure up just by watching the episodes. For examples used, the authors pick the most blatantly obvious episodes with which to work with (i.e. TNG's "Who Watches the Watchers")and throw loose theories together which are made quite apparent by simply watching the episode itself! In fact, throughout the book, no truly original theory is argued fully - here and there we catch bits and pieces from characters such as the Prophets, or Q, and how they are "godlike" - a point which the script writers obviously include.
In addition to this, there are also several errors which any true fan would never fail to notice!
Overall, save your money, and watch the shows and movies and judge for yourself.