Religion
From Star Trek: Gamma One
Religion among humans is nearly dead in the 24th century. Among many of the other core worlds it is also dead. Most characters will have no belief in gods or religion, and would be more likely to study it as a facet of history.
That said, the Federation is a very diverse and tolerant, and would be respectful of the religions of other cultures. Officers would be expected not to insult the religious beliefs of others.
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Human
Religion among humans is mostly a thing of the past in the 24th century, but some religions have survived in small form.
Hinduism
A religious and cultural tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent on Earth, Hinduism is sometimes called Sanātana Dharma ("the eternal law") by its adherents. Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, has become of secular interest since the waning of religion among humans. Cdt. Parvati Vazai is an atypically religious human raised in a traditional Hindu family.
Vulcan
Modern Vulcan philosophy is predicated upon the notion of logical discourse being more sound than decisions based upon emotion. However, within that foundation, there exist numerous permutations. At a glance, the most noteworthy of these are as follows.
Tu-Surak
As the preiminent student of T'Plana-Hath, the recognized initiator of the Vulcan logical movement, the path of Surak (Tu-Surak) calls upon six virtues which are to be the focus of a Vulcan's life. These virtues are Courage, Temperance, Charity, Truthfulness, Justice, and Shame. It is the notion of shame which sets Tu-Surak apart from other philosophies. Those who fail upon the path should feel ashamed of their weakness. These virtues formulate a guideline of life which is combined with a denial of self or ego (known as pach-te). This denial includes the an uncompromising repression of emotion as ones pach-te is seen as the root of emotion and selfishness. Followers of the path of Surak represent the largest percentage of Vulcan's on the planet. It is this 'face' that is presented to the Federation at large.
Tu-Jarok
One of Surak's chief rivals, Jarok agreed with Surak's teachings but not his methods. The virtues taught by Jarok number only three. Compassion, defined as the ability to see suffering selflessly, differs from Surak's denial of the self. It teaches that in understanding that suffering is not unique to any one individual one realizes the unimportance of the self. The second virtue, Temperance, is one wherein Jarok and Surak agreed though not in practice. While Surak taught temperance through denial, Jarok sought it through understanding. In knowing the root cause of emotion, one can remove its influence from the decision making process. The last virtue, that of Justice, was held in common by the pair. It states that a Vulcan is merely one part of the larger whole of Vulcan society and it is ones duty to serve and protect that body.
Tu-Nirak
More obscure even than Tu-Jarok, this school is founded by one of Surak's first pupils. Nirak sought to unify the two schools of Jarok and Surak into a seamless whole. He taught a middle ground between what he saw as Jarok's reveling in emotion and Surak's unforgiving denial. He agreed that violent emotions should be suppressed completely yet found virtue in less destructive emotions such as curiosity and joy. He still believed, however, that emotion should be dictated by temperance such that all emotion had its time and should be displayed with appropriate moderation.
Tu-T'mor
Also known as the 'One Mind' school, this path was initiated by another disciple of Surak, T'mor. It is founded upon the notion of predestination and the belief that emotion is a cloud which blinds the logical mind from seeing the universe as it truly is. It remains a mere fringe teaching among Vulcan society.
Tu-Kolinahr
Surak's path distilled to its logical end, this means of removing emotion from the Vulcan mind was founded by the warrior and mindlord Sanshiin. His teachings are similar to T'mor in that he viewed the removal of emotion as the means to see the world with clarity, albeit without the notion of predestination. The pinacle of study within Kolinahr is derived in the total expulsion of emotion from the Vulcan psyche.
