146: What Does God Need with a Geo-Political Governmental Body?

Religion in TNG. The classic topics that are considered impolite to discuss with company are money, religion, and politics. Since Earl Grey already did an episode about money ("EG 58: Scarcity, Scarcity, Scarcity"), it is now time for them to discuss religion. Most fans know that Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was an atheist who believed that humans would "outgrow" religion by the 23rd and 24th centuries. The Next Generation features a diverse crew who do not seem to display any beliefs that one would characterize as "religious." Phillip, Daniel, and Darren nevertheless examine Lieutenant Worf's Klingon culturalism and his battles with faith ("Rightful Heir"), Lt. Cmdr Data's search for self-actualization with his "creator" ("Brothers"), and Capt. Picard's role as a leader of a crew with various religious/non-religion beliefs. The trio also examines the "guest star" aliens' religious beliefs, from Ensign Ro's "cultural Bajora-ism," the conflict in "Who Watches the Watchers?", to the enduring Native American spiritualism in "Journey's End,"; from Ardra's role as the Devil ("Devil's Due"), to the role of "doctrine" in "The Outcast." Join Earl Grey for a discussion about the nature of religion and personal beliefs in The Next Generation. CHAPTERS Intro (00:02:05) Enterprise Crew religions/beliefsWorf (00:03:42) Data (00:14:26) Ro (00:20:18) Picard (00:27:53) Riker/La Forge/Troi/Crusher - ??? Alien religion/beliefs Ardra (00:35:27) Journey's End (00:40:31) The Outcast (00:44:21) Closing (00:48:40) HOSTS Daniel Proulx, Phillip Gilfus, & Darren Moser PRODUCTION Darren Moser (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Executive Producer) Michael E Hueter  (Associate Producer) Stephen Boyd (Associate Producer) Ron Saarna (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Will Nguyen (Content Manager)   Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website at http://trek.fm/ Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm Support the Network!Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep our shows coming to you every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm