Michael Jindra, of the University of Wisconsin- Madison, argues the Star Trek fan base is in another form of religion in his article “Star Trek Fandom as a Religious Phenomenon.” While many academics have formulated their own reasoning for the show’s popularity, Jindra aims “to go boldly where no man has gone before” (Star Trek quote?) to prove that the Trekkie fandom can be considered a religion. In his article, Jindra delves into a brief history of Star Trek, the other academics viewpoints of the show, the definition of religion, and then continues into his argument of Star Trek as a religion.
The Star Trek series follows the adventures of Captain Kirk and his crew on the spaceship, Enterprise. The first season of Star Trek aired in 1966 and ran for three seasons on NBC. It wasn’t until after the show was cancelled on NBC that the fandom started to grow. In 1972, the first Star Trek convention occurred in New York followed by the publishing of magazines, books, and manuals. In 1987, the Next Generation series aired and then ran for seven seasons with the highest ratings and was the top hourlong show among males 18-49. Jindra writes, “No other popular culture phenomenon has shown the depth and the breadth of “creations” or “productions” (in the broad sense of “cultural productions”) that Star Trek has, both officially and unofficially” (Jindra, 41). The Star Trek novels continue to be on the bestseller list with over four million copies sold. When Jindra wrote this article in 1994, he states, “over $500 million in merchandise sold over the last 25 years”! In the 21 years following Jindra’s article, this dollar amount could have doubled! The question remains, how did Star Trek become so popular?
Many academic scholars from different disciplinarians have studied the Star Trek fandom phenomenon. Jindra writes,
Anthropologist Peter Claus (1976), utilizing Levi-Straussian structuralism, examined the mediation of the nature/culture oppositions in the plot. Karen Blair (1977), using Carl Jung’s more psychological approach to oppositions, sees the mediation of internal oppositions such as masculine/feminine, as in Spock’s conflict between mind and emotion. Ina Hark (1979) regards each story as a moral message, a lesson on relations with “outsiders” or on the dangers of succumbing to computerization (Jindra, 41).
Some argue that the fans have formed a connection to the seven original characters and how the relationships develop, and others theorize that “active fans use the show for their own purposes” in order to allow them to deal with social issues (Jindra, 41). On the other hand, Jindra decided to study the culture of Star Trek Fandom, rather than the individual fans themselves. He writes in his article about going to the public library and finding an entire section devoted to Star Trek, he visits conventions and talks to fans, he went to meetings for the local science fiction club, and he visits the online networks for fans.
In order for Jindra to determine whether the Star Trek fandom is a religious phenomenon, he finds it important to define what a religion is. He states, “The “folk” definition of religion, that is, how most Americans think of religion, is that of a system of private, conscious and articulated beliefs off from the other “spheres” of life such as work, politics or leisure” (Jindra, 43). Because of so many religions, ideas of religion, and religious change throughout history, it is hard to construct guidelines for what actually constitutes a religion. Jindra decides to stick with the “folk” definition to show how Star Trek fans have created a “symbolic community” (Jindra, 45).
Star Trek fans place their faith in science and the human mind, while pointing them to another world. They believe in creating a utopian society free of inequality and promoting hope and prosperity. One observer at the World Science Fiction convention wrote, “We noticed people of various races, genders and planetary origins working together. Here was a future it did not hurt to imagine. Here was a constructive tomorrow for mankind, emphasizing exploration and expansion” (Jindra, 46). Their positive views on the future offer hope and peace, while other religions often contain pessimistic tones. Star Trek fans even have an organizational structure within their community, including clubs all around the world. Each chapter is given a name after Star Trek vessels and those that have been established are considered starships. Leadership positions within each club have a hierarchical structure as well, with titles such as Captain and Admiral given to active, outstanding members.
The smaller communities have an opportunity to meet others when attending conventions, tourist sights, and pilgrimages. Jindra writes, “Conventions are an opportunity to immerse oneself further in the ST “experience” much as one immerses oneself in ritual” (Jindra, 52) and argues that these conventions are “a direct expression of the fervency of fandom” (Jindra, 52). Traveling to tourist sights is a way to experience different aspect of Star Trek. Jindra mentions the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry which features a 6,000 square foot Star Trek exhibit and Universal Studios in California which gives guest an opportunity to dress up and act out Star Trek scenes. On fan described the experience in California as her “Mecca” (Jindra, 53). These activities allow the fans to escape their everyday lives and live within the experiences of Star Trek.
As with religion, Star Trek is so much more than going to meetings, conventions, and taking pilgrimages to tourist to experience a “fantastical universe” (Jindra, 54). It is relatable to everyday lives, inspiring fans to become scientist and doctors and giving hope; “ST has given hope for the future, inspiring them to take control of their lives in the same way many self- help and quasi- religions do” (Jindra, 54). Star Trek is also just as tangible a universe as a traditional religion. There are encyclopedia, “crew books,” language books, and the entire history, philosophy, and geography of the Star Trek planet Vulcan. All of the literature creates a “complete” and “authentic” alternate universe (Jindra, 57), drawing fans to escape to it.
In conclusion, Jindra argues “ST fandom does not seem to fit the more restrictive, substantive definition of religion that posits beliefs in a deity or in the supernatural” (Jindra, 61), but rather, in the words of Robert Bellah, is a “civil religion” (Jindra, 62). Civil religion is “a “generalizing” of religious beliefs necessary to have an integrated society, as a counter to “pluralizing” trends that divide society” (Jindra, 62). Star Trek fandom shares many of the same elements as other “quasi-religions” that have a broader meaning of religion. Star Trek offers something for every person, regardless of race, gender, or age, bringing communities together to continue to inspire and expand knowledge.
What I really enjoyed about this article is the fact that, as you mentioned, Jindra gives more than one definition of religion. This is important to have because of the way that much of society thinks of religion. We all generally have one idea of what it is and many of us do not go beyond that definition. In provided more than one definition of religion, Jindra shows that there is more to religion in that that there are different forms, aspects, and approaches. I also liked the point in the article where Jindra states, "Religion often points us to another world; ST does the same."(46) What makes this statement great is that it puts ST up there with other religions in a logical sense. It allows ST to be seen as a religion in that it does the same for its "followers" as other religions do: it creates other worlds and answers questions that humanity has.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete