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SF Religion in TOS?

Posted: 2003-05-31 02:21am
by Kurgan
I was curious (it's been awhile since I watched all of TOS), but people have made references to the "chapel" on the Enterprise (NCC-1701).

Can anyone tell me which episodes show or mention it?

Thanks.

Posted: 2003-05-31 03:07am
by Kurgan
I think I may have the answer... "Balance of Terror" is supposed to depict it at the beginning of the episode.

Any others?

Posted: 2003-05-31 03:31am
by Peregrin Toker
Yes, it's "Balance Of Terror"...

Posted: 2003-05-31 09:15am
by Kurgan
Interesting episode, definately.

Posted: 2003-06-01 10:12pm
by Embracer Of Darkness
Also, if I recall correctly, there was a developing planet or something in one episode. At the end of the episode the crew of the Enterprise (Kirk & Co.) were dissapointed that the natives worshipped the sun, then Kirk did a cheesy smile when Uhura suggested that it might mean "The Son of God".

Posted: 2003-06-02 01:28am
by Admiral Johnason
There a reference by Kirk to the god Apollo in one episode:

Apollo: You need your god

Kirk: No thanks, the one God we have already in enough for all of us.

Posted: 2003-06-02 04:40am
by Patrick Degan
The ship's chapel was also featured in the episode "The Tholian Web", in the scene when Spock declared that Captain Kirk was dead.

According to the novelisation of TMP, the ship's chapel aboard the Enterprise is of generic design, denoting no affiliation to any particular religion and is identified at the entrance with the glyph of the Infinity symbol.

All we see of religion in TOS is the evident fact that monotheism was still adhered to by humans. The only other religions seen in the series are the parallel-Christian Children of the Son cult in "Breead And Circuses", the Cult of Landrieu in "Return Of The Archons", the Worship of the Creators of Yonada in "For The World Is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky", and the Cult of the Wise Ones (and the short-lived cult of the Great God Kirok) in "The Paradise Syndrome". The ancient worship of the Olympians in Hellenic Greece is of course featured in "Who Mourns For Adonais".

Posted: 2003-06-02 07:26pm
by Jason von Evil
They could've been talking about Nurse Chapal. She was a fox back then.

Posted: 2003-06-06 05:00pm
by Kurgan
Thanks for the replies!

Posted: 2003-06-06 08:49pm
by Frank Hipper
I could swear I remember a referance to the bible as "20th century mythology" in an episode.
Patrick Degan wrote:According to the novelisation of TMP, the ship's chapel aboard the Enterprise is of generic design, denoting no affiliation to any particular religion and is identified at the entrance with the glyph of the Infinity symbol.
*gasps* They worship Ixians? :D

Posted: 2003-06-06 10:20pm
by TheDarkling
Frank Hipper wrote:I could swear I remember a referance to the bible as "20th century mythology" in an episode.
Well TWOK calls Genesis a myth but since modern Catholicism has the same opinion it is hardly a bit indicator of how prevalent religious belief is within the Federation.

Posted: 2003-06-07 02:13am
by Peregrin Toker
Frank Hipper wrote:I could swear I remember a referance to the bible as "20th century mythology" in an episode.
Patrick Degan wrote:According to the novelisation of TMP, the ship's chapel aboard the Enterprise is of generic design, denoting no affiliation to any particular religion and is identified at the entrance with the glyph of the Infinity symbol.
*gasps* They worship Ixians? :D
Who are Ixians? :?

Posted: 2003-06-07 08:04am
by Frank Hipper
Simon H.Johansen wrote:
Frank Hipper wrote:I could swear I remember a referance to the bible as "20th century mythology" in an episode.
Patrick Degan wrote:According to the novelisation of TMP, the ship's chapel aboard the Enterprise is of generic design, denoting no affiliation to any particular religion and is identified at the entrance with the glyph of the Infinity symbol.
*gasps* They worship Ixians? :D
Who are Ixians? :?
The Ixian Confederacy in Dune, they produce most of the Empire's technology, and the infinity symbol is their coat of arms.

Posted: 2003-06-07 11:43am
by Peregrin Toker
Frank Hipper wrote:
Simon H.Johansen wrote:
Frank Hipper wrote:I could swear I remember a referance to the bible as "20th century mythology" in an episode.
*gasps* They worship Ixians? :D
Who are Ixians? :?
The Ixian Confederacy in Dune, they produce most of the Empire's technology, and the infinity symbol is their coat of arms.
I see. But are you sure that the Infinity symbol isn't a "homage" to Dune? (Read: Easter egg)

Posted: 2003-06-13 03:00pm
by Kurgan
Could be, but the Infinity symbol hardly originated there...

Dune was written one year before TOS aired, maybe Roddenberry was a fan? Who knows...

Posted: 2003-06-13 11:24pm
by CDiehl
On the topic of religion, Vulcan beliefs seem to resemble Eastern religions. Their reverence for logic is very much like Buddhism, with Kohlinar taking the place of Nirvana. IDIC reminds me of Taoism, with its respect for all life.

Posted: 2003-06-14 12:56am
by Peregrin Toker
CDiehl wrote:On the topic of religion, Vulcan beliefs seem to resemble Eastern religions. Their reverence for logic is very much like Buddhism, with Kohlinar taking the place of Nirvana. IDIC reminds me of Taoism, with its respect for all life.
Now, what religions are the other fictional religions of ST based upon?? Klingon religion is clearly inspired by Nordic mythology, but what about the Bajoran religion?? And those Bronze Age people who worshipped the Ferengi as gods?

Posted: 2003-06-14 04:09am
by CDiehl
I noticed a similarity, it fit the topic, and I posted it. Sorry I offended you by making a simple observation.

Posted: 2003-06-14 03:44pm
by Frank Hipper
CDiehl wrote:I noticed a similarity, it fit the topic, and I posted it. Sorry I offended you by making a simple observation.
I don't think he was offended, just making conversation.

Posted: 2003-06-14 04:44pm
by Patrick Ogaard
Simon H.Johansen wrote:
CDiehl wrote:On the topic of religion, Vulcan beliefs seem to resemble Eastern religions. Their reverence for logic is very much like Buddhism, with Kohlinar taking the place of Nirvana. IDIC reminds me of Taoism, with its respect for all life.
Now, what religions are the other fictional religions of ST based upon?? Klingon religion is clearly inspired by Nordic mythology, but what about the Bajoran religion?? And those Bronze Age people who worshipped the Ferengi as gods?
The Bajoran religion seems half Buddhist, half Hindu. The tendency toward monks and monasteries and rather orange-looking robes is undeniable, and the Kai is treated much like a Lama. On second thought, nine-tenths Tibetan Buddhism, one-tenth Hindu (and that just for the occasional odd sect and the fact that the Bajorans only recently got out of a strict caste system).

Now the Delta Quadrant folks worshipping the Ferengi, I don't remember the particulars well enough, but I'm thinking that it would have eventually developed into a cargo cult.

Posted: 2003-06-14 05:14pm
by Jeremy
My GOD!!!!!!

Now I know where the Elves went after they left from Middle Earth... they went to Vulcan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: 2003-06-14 09:06pm
by CDiehl
You may be right about that, Mr. Hipper. I am sorry, but it looked like Mr. Johansen was suggesting what I said was so obvious I was stupid to mention it.

Posted: 2003-06-16 09:38am
by Peregrin Toker
CDiehl wrote:You may be right about that, Mr. Hipper. I am sorry, but it looked like Mr. Johansen was suggesting what I said was so obvious I was stupid to mention it.
I didn't even intend to imply that.

Posted: 2003-06-16 01:58pm
by CDiehl
I understand. I am sorry.

Posted: 2003-06-17 02:46am
by FaxModem1
Romulans are a little like the world war II germans in believing their race is superior, would that be considered their religon?