Religion And Religious Claims In The Star Trek Universe.

In the fictional Star Trek universe they leave the question open in the series whether there is a God, or afterlife for that matter. (Picard does sound kind of spiritual sometimes, or at least philosophical.)

In the Corbomite Maneuver (Season 1 Episode 10) Balok announces that he will destroy the Enterprise for trespassing into his territory. And then he gives the crew ten minutes to pray to their deity or "deities" (which was obviously meant to sound silly). Same in Manhunt (Season 2, Episode 19) when Lwaxana Troi says "Deanna, darling, thank the Four Deities you're here!" But it's not clear how the writers of the show or even the characters from the distant future view religious claims.

Also, speaking of Lwaxana Troi and her daughter Deanna. They come from a race that proves telepathic abilities are real and of value to science. Which I always thought was silly.