by Sarah
I am working on a longer post about Bible reading. In the meantime, here’s a shorter post about what the American evangelical church can learn from Star Trek.
The Addictive Nature of Power
Star Trek, Deep Space Nine, Season Nine, Episode 19, “Strange Bedfellows“
Background – Kai Winn is the preeminent religious leader of the planet Bajor. The religion follows the teachings of the Prophets, god-like beings. The Kai (her title) has abused her power and lost the trust of many. Here, she has initiated a conversation with Kira, a faithful adherent to the religion who is well respected by many.
Kai Winn – You believe I put my own political interests ahead of the spiritual well-being of our people. I wish that I could disagree with that assessment. I have strayed from the path the Prophets have laid down for me.
Kira – Eminence…
Kai Winn – You don’t know. You DON’T know.
Kira – Eminence. When you told me that the Prophets had spoken to you, I prayed that they would open your heart, that they would change you.
Kai Winn – Oh, I want to change. I would… I’d do anything to earn their forgiveness but I’m afraid it’s too late.
Kira – It’s never too late. The WORST of us can be redeemed.
Kai – How?
Kira – Well, I’m not a vadek [pastor/priest], but it seems to me that you have to set aside the things that led you astray – ambition, jealousy…
Kai – Oh, yes. I have given in to the temptations of power.
Kira – Turn away from temptation.
Kai – Yes.
Kira – Give yourself over to the Prophets.
Kai – I’ll do whatever it takes to make myself worthy in their eyes.
Kira – [smiling] Everything will change once you step down as Kai. You’ll see.
Kai Winn – [confused] Step down? I don’t understand. Why would I do that? Bajor needs me.
Kira – Eminence, being in power is what led you on the wrong path.
Kai Winn – But I’ve resolved to change. Don’t you see? Once I have regained the Prophets’ trust, I’ll be better able to serve them if I remain Kai. If the Prophets wanted me to step down, surely they would have told me so.
Kira – They don’t always use words to make their wishes known. Sometimes they speak to us by touching our hearts but… only you would know that.
Kai Winn – But Bajor needs me.
Kira – [turning away in disgust] Goodnight, Eminence.
“Being in power is what led you on the wrong path,” Kira tells the Kai. But the Kai refuses to give it up.
By the end of the series, she has become romantically entangled with an enemy secret agent, become versed in books forbidden to their religion (for good reason, as we’ll see), murdered one of her most faithful followers out of fear that he’ll expose her, and released an ancient demonic force upon the planet.
Her refusal to give up power when she proves unable to wield it wisely leads to her downfall.
“[Jesus] being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:6-7).