I just watched "Distant Origin" for the first time. I found this episode to be extremely offensive. It goes way too far, and is nothing but one hour of being a soapbox for pro-evolution, anti-Christianity, anti-any dissenting point of view about the theory of evolution, propaganda.
I know I'm gonna get hammered by other posters for posting a thread that runs contrary to evolution on a Trek board since Trek fans who believe in evolution greatly out-number Trek fans who do not, and speaking against evolution on a Trek site is usually frowned up by the posters who believe in evolution. However, I believe this thread is justified based on the content of the episode being discussed, therefore I'm making it nonetheless, despite all that. I personally do not believe in evolution to the extent that one species can evolve into another, different, totally unique species (macroevolution), which is indeed part of why I find this episode offensive. However, this episode goes way too far regardless of that. I'd like to think that even if I was an evolutionist, I'd still have the good graces to be offended by this episode's disgusting inferences. I suspect that many fans will be happy at an episode like Distant Origin where the sole purpose seems to be to try to "stick it" as hard as possible to those who do not believe in evolution and/or anyone who is religious. I'm here in this thread to say, that being happy about things like this should not be so. On moral grounds in respect of everyone's beliefs. Also because the theory of evolution, despite what this episode propagates, does not hold any sort of unquestionable monopoly over the truth - to think it does is no different than any so-called "religious dogma". And also because Trek has tried so hard in other episodes, and in general, to not promote hivemind, collective thinking mentality Yet - shockingly - hivemind, collective thinking mentality in regards to the theory of evolution is exactly what this episode promotes.
I feel this episode does a great dis-service to Trek. It may receive popular support due to evolution being more popular than alternative theories like creation. But that doesn't mean much; this episode preaches to the choir, and slaps everyone who is not a member of the choir in the face. That kind of heavy-handed, mean-spirited preaching is never going to convert a single skeptic/dissident to the side of evolution. And because of the pompous, insulting, divisive context , this episode, aside from preaching to the choir, accomplishes nothing. Other than to sow further seeds of strife and resentment between the two sides. If the intention of the episode was simply to rally the audience into a "RAH RAH for evolution" cheerleading squad around the idea of evolution being infallible truth, while also hostilely mocking those who disagree with that idea, then that is very very poor taste on the part of the writers and producers of this episode.
It's bad enough that most Trek shows are always constantly making passing references to claim the theory of evolution is perfect, indisputable, unquestionable fact even though in actuality it is not; in all kinds of episodes that have absolutely nothing to do with that whatsoever. Yet the seeds of promoting evolution constantly just to make sure [/i]everyone[/i] in the audience (or so they wish) is still onboard in believing in evolution, always must be planted according to the general consensus of Trek show makers. But Distant Origin crosses a line that those episodes even with constant passing, ill-placed promotions of evolution, do not.
Here are some specific problems where this Distant Origin episode crosses the line.
- The Evolutionist Saurian won't acknowledge the possibility that his interpretation of his data may possibly wrong. Implying here that the core idea of the theory of evolution has some sort of divine invulnerablity as being perfect, unquestionable indisputable fact. In reality, it is anything but. But - even if it weren't - that would still be a very arrogant, destructive, pompous way of thinking, and indicates that really the pro-evolutionist is just as bad or even worse than the "evil religious caricature" on the show. The Evolutionist Saurian is behaving in exactly the same evil way as she was, only from the opposite side of the fence. Yet he is supposed to be painted by this episode as having some sort of "moral highground" by virtue that the theory of evolution being inherently correct and promoting that upon pain of death is fine and dandy. I'm saying that moral highground alleged to the Evolutionist Saurian by the writers, "mood music" makers, and director, is BS. He has no moral highground at all. The Evolutionist Saurian and the "evil religious caricature" are morally one and the same, just on different sides of the fence.
- Chakotay saying Earth has "the complete fossil record", which of course is not the case in reality on Earth now. The fossil record contains major holes that cast a serious shadow of doubt over any claims made regarding the fossil record proving anything about the theory of evolution being correct.. This statement was a shady way of implying that the theory of evolution is proven to be indisputably correct in the future. Wishful thinking by the writers to dubiously attempt to erase the faith factor that is required for the belief in evolution now in present time. Due to the gaping holes in the fossil record requiring clear leaps of faith to validate any assertions about the theory of evolution based on the fossil record.
- Chakotay's speech which basically implies that not believing in the theory of evolution has halted progress on Earth and progress on their own planet can only be made if the Saurians believe in the theory of evolution too. Chakotay words also imply the Bible is a myth, which too is deeply offensive. This is a fine example of hardline evolutionist religious dogma. That's right, the evolutionists are promoting their very own religious dogma by way of insisting that anyone who does not believe in their religion of evolution, will halt the progress of society, and the only way to prevent that is to impose collective hivemind adherence to their religion of evolution upon every person in society. Evolution isn't necessarily a religion in and of itself, but when it is adhered to so zealously and seen as essential to be imposed upon everyone else, as seen here, in that case it certainly has become one.
- The religious person in this episode is portrayed as ignorant, evil, and harmful to society which is clearly a not-very-subtle metaphor that religious persons on Earth now are ignorant, evil, and harmful to society. Generally speaking, they are none of the above. They just reject viewpoints that are contrary to theirs, for good reasons.
- Line at the end, one day everyone Saurian will believe they came from Earth. Supposed to imply that one day every human will believe in the theory of evolution. Followed by the cutesy "happy music" just before the end credits which imply human societies are terrible now because they do not universally accept evolution, yet will be great in the future when the time comes that every human being accepts the theory of evolution. And the episode is strongly implying that if you don't do that, something is wrong with you. You are then the same as the "evil religious caricature" on the show; you are evil, ignorant and harmful to society for not accepting the theory of evolution. This again is deeply offensive, and it is also incorrect. The theory of evolution will never be accepted by every human. There is nothing wrong with that. There is also nothing wrong with those who choose not to accept it. Not believing in evolution doesn't make someone evil, ignorant, or harmful to society. There is something wrong with zealously trying to shove the belief in evolution down everyone's throats, though, as the "message" of this episode intends to do. That is immoral, and bad for society.
The funny thing is that DS9 also handled the issue of evolutionism vs. creationism in the episode "In the Hands of the Prophets". But DS9 did it in a classy way that respected both sides of the issue. Jake Sisko was telling his dad that the evolutionist position was the correct one, and mocking the other side. Then his dad told him that they can't afford to think in a mocking, condenscending way like that. Because thinking like that is being the exactly the same as the "evil religious side", only from the other side of the fence. The Sisko had it right with those comments and that very brilliant scene. Yet Voyager has come along with this terrible "Distant Origin" soapbox propaganda episode, and attempted to undo that good work that the Sisko's message about the same issue had intended to convey. On this issue DS9 has it right, Voyager has it terribly wrong.
I know I'm gonna get hammered by other posters for posting a thread that runs contrary to evolution on a Trek board since Trek fans who believe in evolution greatly out-number Trek fans who do not, and speaking against evolution on a Trek site is usually frowned up by the posters who believe in evolution. However, I believe this thread is justified based on the content of the episode being discussed, therefore I'm making it nonetheless, despite all that. I personally do not believe in evolution to the extent that one species can evolve into another, different, totally unique species (macroevolution), which is indeed part of why I find this episode offensive. However, this episode goes way too far regardless of that. I'd like to think that even if I was an evolutionist, I'd still have the good graces to be offended by this episode's disgusting inferences. I suspect that many fans will be happy at an episode like Distant Origin where the sole purpose seems to be to try to "stick it" as hard as possible to those who do not believe in evolution and/or anyone who is religious. I'm here in this thread to say, that being happy about things like this should not be so. On moral grounds in respect of everyone's beliefs. Also because the theory of evolution, despite what this episode propagates, does not hold any sort of unquestionable monopoly over the truth - to think it does is no different than any so-called "religious dogma". And also because Trek has tried so hard in other episodes, and in general, to not promote hivemind, collective thinking mentality Yet - shockingly - hivemind, collective thinking mentality in regards to the theory of evolution is exactly what this episode promotes.
I feel this episode does a great dis-service to Trek. It may receive popular support due to evolution being more popular than alternative theories like creation. But that doesn't mean much; this episode preaches to the choir, and slaps everyone who is not a member of the choir in the face. That kind of heavy-handed, mean-spirited preaching is never going to convert a single skeptic/dissident to the side of evolution. And because of the pompous, insulting, divisive context , this episode, aside from preaching to the choir, accomplishes nothing. Other than to sow further seeds of strife and resentment between the two sides. If the intention of the episode was simply to rally the audience into a "RAH RAH for evolution" cheerleading squad around the idea of evolution being infallible truth, while also hostilely mocking those who disagree with that idea, then that is very very poor taste on the part of the writers and producers of this episode.
It's bad enough that most Trek shows are always constantly making passing references to claim the theory of evolution is perfect, indisputable, unquestionable fact even though in actuality it is not; in all kinds of episodes that have absolutely nothing to do with that whatsoever. Yet the seeds of promoting evolution constantly just to make sure [/i]everyone[/i] in the audience (or so they wish) is still onboard in believing in evolution, always must be planted according to the general consensus of Trek show makers. But Distant Origin crosses a line that those episodes even with constant passing, ill-placed promotions of evolution, do not.
Here are some specific problems where this Distant Origin episode crosses the line.
- The Evolutionist Saurian won't acknowledge the possibility that his interpretation of his data may possibly wrong. Implying here that the core idea of the theory of evolution has some sort of divine invulnerablity as being perfect, unquestionable indisputable fact. In reality, it is anything but. But - even if it weren't - that would still be a very arrogant, destructive, pompous way of thinking, and indicates that really the pro-evolutionist is just as bad or even worse than the "evil religious caricature" on the show. The Evolutionist Saurian is behaving in exactly the same evil way as she was, only from the opposite side of the fence. Yet he is supposed to be painted by this episode as having some sort of "moral highground" by virtue that the theory of evolution being inherently correct and promoting that upon pain of death is fine and dandy. I'm saying that moral highground alleged to the Evolutionist Saurian by the writers, "mood music" makers, and director, is BS. He has no moral highground at all. The Evolutionist Saurian and the "evil religious caricature" are morally one and the same, just on different sides of the fence.
- Chakotay saying Earth has "the complete fossil record", which of course is not the case in reality on Earth now. The fossil record contains major holes that cast a serious shadow of doubt over any claims made regarding the fossil record proving anything about the theory of evolution being correct.. This statement was a shady way of implying that the theory of evolution is proven to be indisputably correct in the future. Wishful thinking by the writers to dubiously attempt to erase the faith factor that is required for the belief in evolution now in present time. Due to the gaping holes in the fossil record requiring clear leaps of faith to validate any assertions about the theory of evolution based on the fossil record.
- Chakotay's speech which basically implies that not believing in the theory of evolution has halted progress on Earth and progress on their own planet can only be made if the Saurians believe in the theory of evolution too. Chakotay words also imply the Bible is a myth, which too is deeply offensive. This is a fine example of hardline evolutionist religious dogma. That's right, the evolutionists are promoting their very own religious dogma by way of insisting that anyone who does not believe in their religion of evolution, will halt the progress of society, and the only way to prevent that is to impose collective hivemind adherence to their religion of evolution upon every person in society. Evolution isn't necessarily a religion in and of itself, but when it is adhered to so zealously and seen as essential to be imposed upon everyone else, as seen here, in that case it certainly has become one.
- The religious person in this episode is portrayed as ignorant, evil, and harmful to society which is clearly a not-very-subtle metaphor that religious persons on Earth now are ignorant, evil, and harmful to society. Generally speaking, they are none of the above. They just reject viewpoints that are contrary to theirs, for good reasons.
- Line at the end, one day everyone Saurian will believe they came from Earth. Supposed to imply that one day every human will believe in the theory of evolution. Followed by the cutesy "happy music" just before the end credits which imply human societies are terrible now because they do not universally accept evolution, yet will be great in the future when the time comes that every human being accepts the theory of evolution. And the episode is strongly implying that if you don't do that, something is wrong with you. You are then the same as the "evil religious caricature" on the show; you are evil, ignorant and harmful to society for not accepting the theory of evolution. This again is deeply offensive, and it is also incorrect. The theory of evolution will never be accepted by every human. There is nothing wrong with that. There is also nothing wrong with those who choose not to accept it. Not believing in evolution doesn't make someone evil, ignorant, or harmful to society. There is something wrong with zealously trying to shove the belief in evolution down everyone's throats, though, as the "message" of this episode intends to do. That is immoral, and bad for society.
The funny thing is that DS9 also handled the issue of evolutionism vs. creationism in the episode "In the Hands of the Prophets". But DS9 did it in a classy way that respected both sides of the issue. Jake Sisko was telling his dad that the evolutionist position was the correct one, and mocking the other side. Then his dad told him that they can't afford to think in a mocking, condenscending way like that. Because thinking like that is being the exactly the same as the "evil religious side", only from the other side of the fence. The Sisko had it right with those comments and that very brilliant scene. Yet Voyager has come along with this terrible "Distant Origin" soapbox propaganda episode, and attempted to undo that good work that the Sisko's message about the same issue had intended to convey. On this issue DS9 has it right, Voyager has it terribly wrong.
) and to me, personally, that comes first.
Biblical "creation" is not an alternative theory to evolution.
It doesn't even have to be interpreted as creation vs. evolution, it can also been seen asa debate of the recent discovery/claim that all human life in the world originated in Africa.
