Do you think there is a correlation between growing up with Sesame Street and Star Trek and being an Atheist?

Question

If so, could we name this the Roddenberry effect?

I've just noticed that whenever someone asks a question about Star Trek or Sesame Street it's mostly atheists that respond (not entirely but largely) and get the reference.

Is it coincidence?

Solly: I'm not suggesting that before Star Trek and Sesame Street there was no atheism. I'm asking if those shows can help bring about atheism in a person. I think you kind of missed my point entirely. Especially since this was meant mostly as a fun question based off an observation I had soley on this board.

Sisterzeal: I don't see how watching sesame street and star trek equates believing in a higher power or emotional appeal. I'm suggesting that if you grow up learning from those shows you might be more inclined to think rationally.

John B: Yes science will do it sir. It just so happens that both of these shows contain a heck of a lot of science. Hypnopope is probably right though. It's probably not statistically relevant but it's still an interesting observation.

Answer 1

I believe you have found a logical conclusion. Both series taught us to be rational, and that has to lead away from superstitions.

Answer 2

Well, you bring up an interesting point. I am a huge science fiction fan, and I'm also a nonbeliever. Roddenberry himself was an atheist. That is why his shows depict a secular, Utopian society. The Final Frontier promoted skepticism and doubt over unquestioning faith, too. I'm not sure where Sesame Street fits in. Just remember, though, that correlation does not always mean causation.

Answer 3

Yes and no. I'd like to think those shows help to guide young minds toward rational thinking. But I'm sure alot of it has to do with the individual and what they take away from the show for themselves. Both shows also had some religious material in some of the episodes and movies too. But because you, I and the other scientifically inclined watchers were gleaning good moral messages about diversity and technology, the rest of the world was preoccupied with playdough and singing the pretty songs and love stories. It's all subjective.

Answer 4

I grew up with Sesame Street and The Electric Company. I also grew up watching Charlie's Angels, The Bionic Woman, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Remington Steele, The Greatest American Hero, The Rockford Files, Baretta, The A-Team and MacGyver.
Do we call this the action-adventure effect?

Answer 5

Could be, but it could be that atheists still enjoy fantasy stories but are more likely to get them from Star Trek.


However, Trek was always a bit of a morality play, so it makes sense that those who watched it would have an easy time imagining a completely secular world that functions nicely. They also give us good perspective. If Kirk and Picard and all those lesser captains could explore where no one had gone before, farther away than most people can even imagine, then that makes our extremely anthropocentric religions look like tiny ants, or like Chicagoan pedestrians when viewed from atop the Sears Tower.

Answer 6

I enjoyed the original cheesy Star Trek. The books and the later movies and series were just bad. But James T Kirk and company had a cheesiness that was special. Plus Uhura was hot.

Answer 7

Well I grew up watching star trek and other sci-fi shows and reading a lot of science fiction novels, I do believe that might could have had an impact.

Answer 8

I am a born-again Christian trekkie.

I became a trekkie at two years old watching TOS first-run at my daddy's knee. In fact I used to brag that I knew the mythology of Star Trek better than I knew the narrative of the bible.

I became a Christian 3 years ago.

That said, I do believe that Trek teaches humanism to a certain degree. It's kind of dumb to base your entire life's philosophy on a fictional TV show, however.

God, on the other hand, is *not* fictional.

Answer 9

Apparantly not. Never watched star trek and was too old for sesame street. Must be something else huh? Science ya think?

Answer 10

I don't think so. I grew up on Star Trek and Sesame Street and I believe in God.

Answer 11

Never watched sesame street.Star trek,and star trek TNG kicked butt.I also watch Joel Olsteen because although he uses god,he really speaks about what you can do to make the world better.I also watch Jimmy Swaggart for comedy.That help your stats any?