Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series)

In the Hands of the Prophets (1993)

Cirroc Lofton: Jake Sisko

Quotes 

• [Jake is questioning the 'stupidity' of the Bajoran beliefs, comparing it with the inquisition during the Middle Ages] 

  Commander Sisko : You've got to realize something, Jake: for over fifty years, the one thing that allowed the Bajorans to survive the Cardassian occupation was their faith. The prophets were their only source of hope and courage.

  Jake Sisko : But there were no prophets; they were just aliens that you found in the wormhole.

  Commander Sisko : To those aliens, the future is no more difficult to see than the past. Why shouldn't they be considered prophets?

  Jake Sisko : Are you serious?

  Commander Sisko : My point is, it's a matter of interpretation. It may not be what you believe, but that doesn't make it wrong. If you start to think that way, you'll be acting just like Vedek Winn, only from the other side. We can't afford to think that way, Jake. We'd lose everything we've worked for here.