faith vs. science theme
The central question in the battle between the secular (science) and the ecclesiastical (religion): Is there a valid source of knowledge, i.e., revelation, that is not derived from reason and not subject to scientific experimentation?
28 total · 6 choice · 14 major · 8 minor
| Story | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| ds91x20 | choice | Keiko advancing a rational explanation for the wormhole which the Bajoran religious leaders thought blasphemous was a central conflict in the story. |
| movie: The Magician (1958) | choice | Dr. Vergerus and Concul Egerman discussed whether there could be anything that is beyond science, and came to wager on Albert's abilities being genuine or not. The rest of the story tied into this wager and its object. |
| tng3x04 | choice | The Mintakans were divided over what to do about the strangers because some interpreted the enigmatic happenings from a materialist perspective, and others through the lens of mythology and religion. |
| tng4x13 | choice | Ardra easily duped the religiously-minded Ventaxians into taking seriously that she might be the “Devil” of their mythology. This was pointedly contrasted with Captain Picard’s scoffing skepticism of her claim. |
| voy3x07 | choice | The story leaves open whether Kes’ recovery was explainable by science, or could only be attributed to the acts of supernatural spirit beings. |
| voy3x23 | choice | The reptilian Galileo Forra Gegen was persecuted by religious authorities for his heretical scientific theories. |
| ds91x01/02 | major | The wormhole, a phenomena that while exotic was readily explicable by Federation science, held a deep religious significance to the Bajoran people who regarded it as supernatural. This led to conflict between the scientifically minded Federation crew and the religious Bajorans. |
| ds93x15 | major | Kira viewed the arrival of the Cardassian scientists and comet as the fulfillment of prophesy, but Benjamin took a more mundane interpretation of the events. |
| ds95x10 | major | After much consideration, Benjamin decided to trust his visions, against Admiral Whatley's better judgement, and advise the Bajorans to delay accepting membership in the Federation. Benjamin’s unlikely discovery of the ancient ruins was interpreted as a miracle by the Bajorans, even the most skeptical among them. |
| movie: Assassin 33 AD (2020) | major | There was an ongoing debate between the skeptic Ram and his Christian girlfriend, Amy, over the truth/falsity of the Christian religion. |