Star Trek: Discovery Won’t Feature Any References To God Or Religion

“Star Trek: Discovery” apparently don’t like the mention of “God” or any other thing related to religion while on board the Federation starship. One of its stars, Jason Isaacs (Captain Lorca) was chastised for doing an ad-lib that directly invoked a deity on set. The producers envision an adaptation that’s faithful to Gene Roddenberry’s vision for a utopian future.

“Star Trek: Discovery” finally debuts in September after a couple of premiere date changes. Details are slowly emerging regarding the new “Star Trek” TV show which also seen as the most ambitious and big-budgeted TV show entry into the franchise. Set ten years before Captain James T. Kirk, the series follows the adventures of Commander Michael Burnham (The Walking Dead’s Sonequa Martin-Green), who also happens to be Spock’s half-sister. “Discovery” will also chronicle key events in Starfleet’s history and will heavily feature the Klingons.

Sonequa Martin-Green in Star Trek: Discovery (2017). Photo by Jan Thijs/CBS Interactive

Star Trek: Discovery To Focus On Secular Future, No Traces of Old World Religion

The show has made some very unexpected decision ever since the premiere was announced. Traditional elements of the “Star Trek” franchise have been actively embraced and some discarded. A new report from Entertainment Weekly narrates one of the show’s unexpected (and probably controversial) choices yet, as Isaacs was told that his character couldn’t ad-lib any line which includes the word “god.” Here’s what went down on set:

The director halts the action and Lorca, played by British actor Jason Isaacs of Harry Potter fame, steps off the stage. The episode’s writer, Kirsten Beyer, approaches to give a correction on his “for God’s sakes” ad lib.

“Wait, I can’t say ‘God’?” Isaacs asks, amused. “I thought I could say ‘God’ or ‘damn’ but not ‘goddamn.’ ”

Beyer explains that Star Trek is creator Gene Roddenberry’s vision of a science-driven 23rd-century future where religion basically no longer exists.

“How about ‘for f—’s sake’?” he shoots back. “Can I say that?”

“You can say that before you can say ‘God,’ ” she dryly replies.

The Klingons. Photo by Jan Thijs/CBS Interactive.

This situation will most likely raise some eyebrows. Beyer isn’t wrong, however, as she is merely echoing Roddenberry’s version of the 23rd century Earth as a largely secular planet, with religion being declared obsolete. However, while Earth was an entirely secular planet, many races and cultures in the “Star Trek” universe relied on religion. Not to mention one of the famous quotes from 1989’s “Star Trek: The Final Frontier” which goes, “What does God need with a starship?”

While this sort of decision could be controversial on its own merit, many other themes revealed for “Discovery” may prove more problematic for hardcore Trekkies: the revelation of Spock’s half sister (which has never been mentioned), the significant overhaul of the Klingons and many other aesthetics that has never been seen in any “Star Trek” show or movie.

“Star Trek: Discovery” premieres Sunday, September 24th on CBS.