Treknobabble is a continuing series of columns written by uber-Trekkie Reed Farrington in anticipation of the upcoming J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie.

He is omnipresent for his presence is felt everywhere and his works are innumerable.

He cares for us. He has done PSAs for The Cancer Society and AIDS. Spread the word about the affliction known as tinnitus from which he suffers. Hosted a television show called, “Rescue 911.” Starred in a ten-hour ecological television special, “Voice of the Planet,” to champion the environment. He annually hosts a Hollywood Charitable Horse Show that benefits children’s charities. He started a foundation for women with addictions after the death of his third wife. And, of course, he promotes bran for our health.

He has been worshipped (and widely imitated). On the Web, visit The First Church of Shatnerology and The Temple of Shatner. He’s had an art gallery present “The Shatner Show” that contained illustrations inspired by his life and career. Check out the movie “Free Enterprise” as an example of the effect he has had on people.

He has been denounced and made the subject of ridicule. We all know how Sulu, Scotty, Uhura, and Chekov couldn’t stand him. David Denby, a film reviewer for New York magazine, refused to call him an actor and instead referred to him as “that swinging California dentist.” I think this is in reference to the sterile, dentist-like costuming he wore in the first movie. Since Shatner has an Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for his acting, God as usual has the last laugh.

He is quick to anger. Just mention his toupee or his man-girdle.

But he is also forgiving, and not afraid to look foolish. Shatner allowed himself to be roasted where everyone basically insulted him. He pokes fun at himself in commercial appearances.

He has been immortalized in song, most notably in “The Chanukah Song” by Adam Sandler. The British pop group, The Wedding Present, even had a song entitled, “Shatner.”

His image has graced books, magazines, mugs, commemorative plates, figurines, statues, T-shirts, Halloween masks, action figures, cereal boxes, and bobble-heads.

He spreads his message through every conceivable communication medium: stage, television, movies, books, comic books, spoken word recordings, music (oh, wait, I already mentioned spoken word recordings), and the Internet. His words have even been immortalized on ketchup bottles. And his words are repeated by many. (Such as, “Beam me up, Scotty,” although he never said those words in that exact order. At least not on film.)

He is influential. Shatner has advertised margarine, grocery store chains, computers, alarm systems, automobiles, airlines, sporting events, salad dressing, cereal, communication empires, lotteries, shopping web-sites, video games…

He has had buildings named after him. Well, at least one that I’m aware of, namely, The William Shatner University Centre which is the student union building at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

He is mysterious. In attempting to explain his mystique, Shatner has said, “Possibly there are aspects to me which people see that I’m not aware of…”

He is immortal. An unauthorized biographer has stated, “Many of his fellow actors have marveled at his physical stamina and ability to ignore pain.” In May, the fifth (or maybe sixth) volume of his ongoing authorized autobiography will be published as “Up Till Now.” (His first authorized biography published in 1979 and entitled “Shatner: Where No Man…” contains the following words of wisdom spoken by the man himself: “Anything done supremely well is an act of sex.”)

Despite thinking that Star Trek is just a television show and admonishing me to “Get a Life!”, Shatner is God. For God is neither infallible nor beyond rebuking his followers. And he never answers my prayers.