The Great Bird and God

Photo credit: Wasfi Akab on VisualHunt.com

In 1921 a boy was born in El Paso, Texas. Two years later the family moved to Los Angeles. This young man grew up in southern California and in 1941 enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC.) The young man became a pilot and served in the USAAC until 1945 when he was hired by Pan Am as a pilot.

His piloting career in the USAAC and for Pan Am earned him awards but also included a few crashes that no doubt created some mental anguish for him.

In 1948 he resigned from Pan Am to chase his dream of becoming a professional writer with a focus in the growing medium of television.

Since dreams do not pay the bills, he applied for a position with the Los Angeles Police Department and served the city as a law enforcement officer eventually moving into a role as the primary speech writer for the Chief of Police. Eventually, he became the LAPD’s liaison to a television show depicting police work that was growing in popularity. The show was Dragnet. This would be his first step into his dream of writing for television. Opportunities came and eventually this former pilot and police officer was now a writer for television and creator of new shows. He found some success along the way, but his idealism was driving him to write a television show unlike any other. The show would speak on the very prevalent issues of the day such as the Vietnam War, racism, sexism, and even religion. However, no television studio would produce such a show at the time. This was the mid-1960s and television was simple, predictable, and safe. However, westerns were still very popular and household names such as Matt Dillon, Bret Maverick, and Little Joe were known by all.

Yet, this writer was determined to create a television show that would address the real issues of life, but in such a way that the producers would green light it. That is how Star Trek was born and was sold as the “Wagon Train to the stars.”

Gene Roddenberry finally was able to get his show aired and while it only was televised for three years (with the third year only happening following an incredible letter-writing campaign by fans) the cultural mark that even he could not imagine had been made. Very few people today are unfamiliar with Star Trek. Whether it be the original series featuring Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, the animated series (yes, that’s canon,) the films, The Next Generation (“Make it so, Number One!”) Deep Space Nine, Voyager, or the newer reimagined series and sequels that continue to be produced, clearly Star Trek has made an impact in pop culture.

But what about Gene Roddenberry? He has been loved by many who are self-described Trekkers (the preferred title to Trekkies) for creating the imaginary, idealistic universe of Star Trek. He has also been derided for his poor writing, overbearing personality, and apparent control issues from the original series launch until his involvement with The Next Generation prior to his death in 1991.

There are numerous books, articles, and even documentaries available that share much of the details.

Gene Roddenberry also gained a nickname among Trekkers. Gene was known as “The Great Bird of the Galaxy.” It was associate producer Robert H. Justman who gave Gene the name. The phrase was uttered by Ensign Sulu in the original series episode titled “The Man Trap” as Yeoman Rand placed a plate of food before him, Sulu said, “May the great bird of the galaxy bless your planet.” It’s a throwaway line, but humorous for those who enjoy Trek trivia.

Photo credit: Wasfi Akab on Visualhunt

The Great Bird of the Galaxy (Gene Roddenberry) had interesting and confusing views about life, eternity, and especially God. In biographies, behind-the-scenes production notes for series and movies, and in the numerous instances where Roddenberry’s ideas for episodes and movies were turned down by producers, there always seemed to be one story that continued to rise to the top. Roddenberry wanted his created heroes (the Enterprise crew) to encounter God. His original script for Star Trek: The Motion Picture was titled “The God Thing” and focused on the crew encountering an alien lifeform that has destroyed a spacecraft after declaring itself to be God. The alien sends a humanoid probe to the Enterprise that takes a variety of forms—including Jesus. Utimately, the crew discovers this alien is from another dimension and is responsible for the creation of religions on various planets in the universe (including Christianity on Earth.) So, if you have seen the original motion picture and thought “That V’ger story is not very good,” rest assured it is better than what Roddenberry proposed. In this case studio heads were right to nix the original script.[1] As with this effort, Roddenberry’s effort to do a “god story” was a trope designed to prove that the God of the Bible was little more than a man-made creation. Roddenberry was Southern Baptist as a child but rejected religion as an adult and declared himself to be a secular humanist.[2] Thus, his concept of God became far removed from that revealed in Scripture.

While some may have seen this as an antagonist’s attempt to disprove God (and likely that was Roddenberry’s desire) I have always thought that his focus on this was less about his dislike, but more about his disillusionment. Roddenberry’s quest was not unlike many others who through life experiences and difficult circumstances have grown beyond what they view as a simple-minded, ancient, patriarchy-driven religion known as Christianity. Roddenberry may have even been ahead of the curve for what many now declare as Christian deconstructionism. He was an intelligent man with a creative gift, but from my perspective seemed to be searching, always searching for a version of God who fit into his understanding.

Roddenberry died decades ago, but his influence remains. Even those who have never watched Star Trek or care about science fiction often struggle with the questions about God, his existence, his nature, and truth. The good news is that God is not threatened by such questions. The bad news is that many Christians cower when faced with those who have such doubt. The Christian may be questioned by doubters and in this era of “fighting the good fight” and “winning the culture wars” (which are valid) many may actually seek to engage in battle when a gentle answer is best.

I never met Gene Roddenberry, but I have always enjoyed the fictional universe of Star Trek he created and even as a teenager, I could see his idealism and belief structures shine through. Eventually, Star Trek did a version of Roddenberry’s “God story.” Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is the film that focuses on that, and other than Star Trek: Nemesis, it most often recognized as the worst film in the franchise. Every story is built on a worldview. So, learn to enjoy good stories but be wise enough to discern the worldview at the base.

Ultimately, when confronted with the questioners and even those seeking to deconstruct, be ready. You’ll need to say more than “Live long and prosper.”

“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV) [3]

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[1] “The God Thing.” Memory Alpha, Fandom, Inc., memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_God_Thing. Accessed 1 May 2025.

[2] Van Hise, James. The Man Who Created Star Trek: Gene Roddenberry (New York: Pioneer Books, 1992,) 7.

[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 3:15.