Religious idioms

A list of metaphors relating to religion.

Altar

Sacrifice on the altar of

To sacrifice oneself on the altar of something was to die in pursuit of a cause.

In 2370, Gideon Seyetik wanted his obituary to say that he sacrificed himself on the altar of science. (DS9: "Second Sight")

Bible

• See: Biblical references

Church

Poor as a church mouse

Devil

Poor devil

A poor devil was someone worthy of pity.

Mendez referred to Pike as a poor devil due to the latter being unable to move or communicate anything besides "yes" or "no". (TOS: "The Menagerie, Part 1")

When McCoy recorded the pain level caused by the cells on Deneva, he noted that "no wonder the poor devils go mad" when referring to their victims. (TOS: "Operation -- Annihilate!")

God

God forbid

God forbid meant that the speaker did not want something to happen.

McCoy once said, "God forbid I should agree with Mr. Spock." (TOS: "The Enemy Within")

Godspeed

Play God

To play God was to behave as if all-powerful.

Archer noted that he had to remind himself that he and his crew did not enter space to play God. (ENT: "Dear Doctor")

McCoy asked Kirk what he intended to do if he determined that Karidian was indeed Kodos, rhetorically asking if Kirk intended to "play God, carry his head through the corridors in triumph?" He noted this would not bring back those that Kodos had killed, but Kirk replied, "No, but they may rest easier." (TOS: "The Conscience of the King")

Tin god

A tin god was an arrogant person.

When McCoy was angry at Elias due to having been artificially made angry to counteract the psychotropic spores, he said, "You'd better make me a mechanic; then I can treat little tin gods like you." (TOS: "This Side of Paradise")

Prayer

Answer to a prayer

Not have a prayer

Nothing but hope and a prayer

Religion

Do something religiously

To do something religiously meant to do something regularly and devotedly.

Bareil Antos stated that he watched the springball championships religiously, adding, "Pardon the expression" as he was a vedek. (DS9: "Shadowplay")

Bashir asked Miles O'Brien to take his medication religiously after the latter was traumatised from a simulated prison sentence. (DS9: "Hard Time")

Worship

Hero worship