Lost and Religion

Handsome Bob

For those of you who are fans, I'm sure you are aware that the TV show Lost has always had religious themes in it. These themes were moreso present in Season 1-3 but were cooled on during Season 4 and 5. However, it has come back to the fore in Lost's final season.

For those of you who haven't seen it, there was a scene in this week's episode of Lost entitled Ab Aeterno where the characters Jacob and Richard have a discussion. The conversation reminded me a lot about how religious people argue their point these days, such as why God doesn't intervene in life or what is in it for the individual in devoting his life to God. Anyway, I just thought I'd share the scene with you and get your opinions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICnj4Bibhrc

Fanny Cradock

I gave up on Lost after I realised it was rubbish.

Generally when I see Christianity represented on the TV series like this (Battlestar Galactica would be another example) it has been fairly beaten up and mangled. It might echos of what I believe, but perhaps nothing more.

zimovain

Liking the theory that Jacob and 'Man In Black' are fallen angels.We shall see I guess.

Ghost Buster

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

I gave up on Lost after I realised it was rubbish.

Generally when I see Christianity represented on the TV series like this (Battlestar Galactica would be another example) it has been fairly beaten up and mangled. It might echos of what I believe, but perhaps nothing more.

I gave up on Lost and religion for exactly the same reason!:D

jill_valentine

[Nerdy tangent]

I don''t think Battlestar Galactica was trying to directly represent Christianity - or any other religion in particular - as such, any more than it was trying to directly represent Iraq. It just incorporated ideas and themes from both.

[/Nerdy tangent]

Fanny Cradock

jill_valentine wrote: »

[Nerdy tangent]

I don''t think Battlestar Galactica was trying to directly represent Christianity - or any other religion in particular - as such, any more than it was trying to directly represent Iraq. It just incorporated ideas and themes from both.

[/Nerdy tangent]

Just a clarification. I didn't say that BSG directly represented Christianity. I said that Christianity (or echos of it) was represented on the show. A small but fairly significant distinction.

dr.bollocko

It kinda irked me that they brought in this overtly christian theme to the show. Smacks of lazy writing for some reason. Just wasn't impressed.

jill_valentine

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

Just a clarification. I didn't say that BSG directly represented Christianity. I said that Christianity (or echos of it) was represented on the show. A small but fairly significant distinction.

It is indeed, my bad.

wolfsbane

LZ5by5 wrote: »

For those of you who are fans, I'm sure you are aware that the TV show Lost has always had religious themes in it. These themes were moreso present in Season 1-3 but were cooled on during Season 4 and 5. However, it has come back to the fore in Lost's final season.

For those of you who haven't seen it, there was a scene in this week's episode of Lost entitled Ab Aeterno where the characters Jacob and Richard have a discussion. The conversation reminded me a lot about how religious people argue their point these days, such as why God doesn't intervene in life or what is in it for the individual in devoting his life to God. Anyway, I just thought I'd share the scene with you and get your opinions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICnj4Bibhrc

I'm a fan, but only as a detective novel experience. I haven't seen anything remotely Christian yet.

prinz

dr.bollocko wrote: »

It kinda irked me that they brought in this overtly christian theme to the show. Smacks of lazy writing for some reason. Just wasn't impressed.

Christianity doesn't have a monopoly on good vs evil, right vs. wrong, two opposing forces etc. Nothing particularly Christian about it so far. IMO it is far more of an 'overtly Chinese philosophical theme', yin-yang for example, two interdependent polar opposite forces, neither is wholly good nor wholly bad so far.

That said Lost is the only tv programme I watch religiously*. Have done from the very first episode. But it has definitely gone down hill, and if it wasn't for the earlier seasons I would never have gotten into the show. At this stage I watch it out of habit as much as anything - I just have to see how it ends. I'm glad it's nearly over.

Zombrex

yeah what he said ^^

Lost has always been far more influenced by Eastern concepts of balance between good and evil, light and dark, than Christianity which sees evil in a much lesser sense than good/God

Fanny Cradock

I'll have to take your word on that - both of you. I plan to watch the last episode in hopes that everything is wrapped up in a neat little package.

Manach

Personally I gave up on Lost midway through season 2 ( Kate notwithstanding). I do plan to get the box set when the series is finally complete. Re: BSG, a single monotheistic God with control issues - that’s why I cheered on the Cylons, so very close to Catholicism

pts

AFAICR BSG is supposed to have Mormon influences.

EDIT: Fun reading on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_and_mythological_references_in_Battlestar_Galactica

Armas22

Someone knows the ending to Lost - a Garda in Charlestown Co Mayo.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1256480/Why-Tony-Blair-donate-5m-windfall-Help-For-Heroes.html

Only watching it to see what the hell it's all about. Feel like it's been a total waste of time.