A Tale of Two Captains
Something happened; something changed. There were no fanfares or public service announcements, it just happened. It's easy to see if you know what to look for - or rather what not to look for. It was cut from the script, left laying on the cutting room floor. The hole that was left was plastered over with as much devotion as had been previously given to what had been not-so-surgically removed.
What's missing? God. There was a time when the existence of God was assumed, even if not outwardly heralded. He was present in the morality of the characters, in the themes chosen and the dialogue written. Scripture was quoted and the themes of good vs. evil and metaphorically heaven vs. hell underpinned the plot. Then suddenly it was gone, replaced by a pasty political correctness and vanilla aphorisms. No longer was God needed, but if we all ban together, work hard together we can become like gods.
The difference is well illustrated in the Star Trek universe. In TOS, man scales the stars but is unable to leave his own human nature behind him. He is in need of a loving God to help him or her become the best they can be - or better still what God intended them to be. That's why we have laws. It is not enough just to appeal to man's better nature. That is chancey at best. Now I am not suggesting that mankind is totally evil or as bad as it can be, but rather as bad off as it can be. If we took a glass of pure water and added a tablespoon of poison to it, it would still be mostly water - but there would still be enough poison to do the job. That is the human spirit.
Conversely, in TNG, the need for a God and his moral code are tossed aside on the ash heap of history; a relic of a time when our ancestors huddled in caves in fear from the dark. God is replaced by Homo Galacticus, who strides among the stars with god-like technology in one hand and secular humanism in the other. If someone fails, it is not through their own shortcomings or poor choices. These things can be fixed if only we can find the right socio-economic environment for all to flourish.
I'm not recommending Kirk for sainthood or the Jewish equivalent. Piccard is far more likely to be elected Pope - with his well spoken grace and continental charm. He is polished and refined as a Starfleet officer should be - not like that other guy - the one who is messy, breaks rules, takes chances, but is passionate and loving and even at times humble. It's not hard for me to chose the one I identify with best.
Science fiction does not come with a list of ingredients. But there is a good chance that what ever you're consuming has a high calorie content of secular humanism. Watch your intake. To bend an old saying, "You are what you read/watch." You will become like what you consume as entertainment. Even if the work is not openly anti-god, it can be so just by leaving him out of the equation. The characters are practical atheist, living their lives without thought for eternity. Nourish your soul and spirit by consuming entertainment that acknowledges God, or better still where characters interact with their Creator in thought, word or deed.
That is why I created the Star Seeker Universe.
The Star Trek universe gives us a ringside seat in comparing TOS and TNG. No where