Let us contrast another sci-fi show, Babylon 5. One of the principal races, the Minbari, was divided into three castes, one of which was Religious -- the principal Minbari characters, vitally important characters were of the Religious Caste ("We are Grey. We stand between the Darkness and the Light."). And religious themes and issues repeatedly appeared in that show. And these alien religions, and hu-man religions as well, were treated with respect and were not (always) explained away as they had been in Star Trek. In fact, many religious organizations praised the creator of Babylon 5 for his treatment of religion.
It should also be noted that Faith was presented as a Good Thing, and this was a core theme. And respecting beliefs was hammered home all the time. Remember the episode: Believers, where there was a religion vs surgical procedure issue and Sinclair concludes:
quote:
What makes a religion false? If any religion is right, then maybe they all have to be right. Maybe God doesn't care how you say your prayers, just as long as you say them ... What we hold sacred gives our lives meaning. What are we taking away from this child? ... I have to refuse to sign the order. I can't allow you to perform the operation
OF course the doctor goes ahead anyway, saves the kids life and the parent's treat the kid like a demon possessed thingy and so they murder him (I mean they euthanize him).
When Franklin comments that religion is to blame and that we'd be better off without, Sinclair reminds him that belief defines us so actually we probably wouldn't.
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