Roddenberry, and therefore Star Trek was ultimately inspired by a humanist spirituality.

1921 – 1991)

Roddenberry, and therefore Star Trek was ultimately inspired by a humanist spirituality.

The rational spirituality that is humanism is one of the great spiritual impulses, worthily expressed in this seminal television and later movie franchise. 1921 – 1991)

Roddenberry, and therefore Star Trek was ultimately inspired by a humanist spirituality.

The rational spirituality that is humanism is one of the great spiritual impulses, worthily expressed in this seminal television and later movie franchise.

And for that small bit of spiritual humanist evangelism, I'm grateful. The world has to be

better for it...

1921 – 1991)

Religion is largely absent from the futuristic and secular world of the Federation and in particular from human society.

Religion is largely absent from the futuristic and secular world of the Federation and in particular from human society.

Star Trek's takes on religious topics are often critical, and they almost routinely close with a victory of science over faith.

Religion is largely absent from the futuristic and secular world of the Federation and in particular from human society.

Star Trek's takes on religious topics are often critical, and they almost routinely close with a victory of science over faith.

This is anything but a surprise, knowing that Gene Roddenberry was an active atheist who struggled against any form of religion:

Star Trek Beams Down HumanismSource: John McManus, The New American 39 (June 18, 1991).Gene Roddenberry, creator of the long-running sci-fi television series Star Trek and its successor, Star Trek: The Next Generation, recently discussed his long-time love affair with humanism.

Star Trek Beams Down HumanismSource: John McManus, The New American 39 (June 18, 1991).Gene Roddenberry, creator of the long-running sci-fi television series Star Trek and its successor, Star Trek: The Next Generation, recently discussed his long-time love affair with humanism.

Roddenberry, a member of the American Humanist Association (AHA) since 1986, was the recipient of the Humanist Arts Award for "distinguished contributions to humanism and humanist thought" at the AHA's 50th annual conference in Chicago on May 10th.

Star Trek Beams Down HumanismSource: John McManus, The New American 39 (June 18, 1991).Gene Roddenberry, creator of the long-running sci-fi television series Star Trek and its successor, Star Trek: The Next Generation, recently discussed his long-time love affair with humanism.

Roddenberry, a member of the American Humanist Association (AHA) since 1986, was the recipient of the Humanist Arts Award for "distinguished contributions to humanism and humanist thought" at the AHA's 50th annual conference in Chicago on May 10th.

In an interview in the April/May 1991 issue of The Humanist magazine, Roddenberry admits that his affinity for humanism long predates his formal affiliation with the organization. He "would have come out sooner" he states, but "learned fairly early in life that great honesty about things could give you trouble, cause you problems."

The Next Generation brings a re-evaluation of Star Trek, we see an appreciation for all things mystical from dreams to visions

The Next Generation brings a re-evaluation of Star Trek, we see an appreciation for all things mystical from dreams to visions

Although there is from time to time a harkening back to skepticism…

there is on the whole an appreciation of religious experience, if not for religious systems.

In 1987, the arrival of Star Trek: The Next Generation brings a reevaluation of Star Trek, and in many ways moves the viewer from a thoroughly modernist narrative in the Kirk era to a much more post modern perspective with Picard.

Overtime, as the series matures, we see an appreciation for all things mystical from dreams to visions, from the experience of the beast within to the experience of the transcendence of becoming a god like being.

Although there is from time to time a harkening back to skepticism, for example the Klingon warrior/prophet Kahless who magically appears is discovered to be a clone, there is on the whole an appreciation of religious experience, if not for religious systems.