Religious mistakes in Lost (*US SPOILERS*)

NewOxfordReview

I'm not too confident that there's a coherent Christian background to Lost, as some people have suggested: the purgatory theory, for example. I've noticed a few religious mistakes which the writers, if they really knew anything about Christian doctrine, wouldn't have made:

Locke was said to be "immaculately conceived" in one episode. The Immaculate Conception refers to the sinlessness of the Blessed Virgin Mary, NOT being born without a (human) father. They meant to allude to the Virgin Birth.

In the episode where Claire's baby is baptised, Eko says that Jesus was cleansed of sin when the dove came down at his baptism. However, Christians believe that Jesus had no sin, including Original Sin, to be cleansed of. It's true that Christian baptism is said to cleanse one of sin, but Jesus' was the baptism of John (the Baptist), not Christian baptism.

Eko says he's a priest. This may yet happen in a flashback, but he doesn't seem to have ever been ordained. Masquerading as a priest in lieu of his brother doesn't make him a priest.

It was implied that a priest is needed to perform a baptism; while this is desirable, it's not necessary. So Claire's child's baptism is valid, even if Eko was never ordained.

There are probably other mistakes that I didn't pick up on or don't remember.

I know, it's only a TV show!

OSiriS

Locke was said to be "immaculately conceived" in one episode. The Immaculate Conception refers to the sinlessness of the Blessed Virgin Mary, NOT being born without a (human) father. They meant to allude to the Virgin Birth.

There is a big difference between what writers believe and what they portray their characters to believe. His mother didn't want him to know about his father. She didn't come across as being particularly well educated, so it is very plausible that she was ignorant about the true meaning of Immaculate Conception.

As for Eko, it is very possible that he may have followed in his brothers footsteps after he was shot and dragged into the plane. He carries around alot of guilt for his past, and it may have been a part of a self inflicted pennance for his crimes. The plane was there a while so he would have had time. He does, however, seem to be very violent when he needs to be. I would have thought he would have denounced violence if he did join the priesthood, so perhaps he chose to take on the role his brother left off after finding the body ... or he may have other motives. I'm sure we'll find out in time.

godtabh

NewOxfordReview wrote:

Eko says he's a priest. This may yet happen in a flashback, but he doesn't seem to have ever been ordained. Masquerading as a priest in lieu of his brother doesn't make him a priest.

Didnt Eko's brother give him the power to be a priest. He signed some document saying he was a preist. I know he wasnt ordained but in Eko's eyes he was a a priest.

Talisman

NewOxfordReview wrote:

It was implied that a priest is needed to perform a baptism; while this is desirable, it's not necessary. So Claire's child's baptism is valid, even if Eko was never ordained.

It was Charlie who said that Eko was a priest and could baptise Aaron, it wasn't suggested that a priest was required just that being a priest he would know what was involved.

I think you're reading too much in to the show. Locke's mother was a bit soft in the head and Charlie is a recovering heroin addict, in reality neither would be considered an authority on the Christian religion.