The Religions of Star Trek

By William Cassidy, Ross Shepard Kraemer, Susan Shwartz

Book Overview

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 in 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 identify the many religious characters in Star Trek , 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0813341159
• ISBN13: 9780813341156
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

they beamed it up brill:)

Star Trek book came quick- greatly packed and much appreciated:) chryss xx

Fascinating...

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!

An interesting background book for "Star Trek" fans

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.