Religious Messages?

[ImPaul]

Today I was dwelling on the use of the religious (specifically Christian) names used in We're Alive. What do they mean? What is the significants?
Then I thought: perhaps the names and characters point to a broader religious message in the story. Something along the lines of: Apart from the restraining order of Government, man's true corruption is revealed. We're Alive contains no shortage of morally wayward people. Yet, who are the people in the story who are the most self-less and uncorrupted by power? Is it not Sgt. Cross, Saul, and Angel?

[Osiris]

I might need popcorn for this thread...

What exactly are you saying?

[reaper239]

fyi, saul was a persecutor of the early church. he was both present for and approved of the stoning of steven soon after the crucifixion, and he was a high holy terror to the followers of the way throughout judea. it wasn't until his encounter with Jesus on the road to damascus that he became a follower of the way as well and he changed his name to paul.

angel isn't really a Christian name since just about every religion has some form of angelic being that acts as a messenger for a higher power. in english we know these beings as angels. here's the thing about angels from a Christian perspective, they aren't saviors, they aren't messiahs, they are messengers. nothing powerful about an errand boy. God made man in His image, but the angels were not, that gives man more power through God than the angels. God gave man free will but when the angels rejected Him, they were cast into the lake of fire, beyond redemption. so let's focus on the messenger aspect: what message is angel delivering, and on who's behalf?

if KC were ignorant of religion and didn't do his due diligence (which doesn't seem like KC) and set out to attack Christianity, or any religion for that matter, then i guess i could maybe see your point, but KC doesn't really half-ass his writing, nor does it seem that he seeks out to attack a specific topic, focus on a specific hot button item. to it just seems like he has set out to write a great piece of fiction and maybe there was some symbolism in the names he chose, but i think that was more for the archetypal imagery they evoked.

note: at the time the term christian had not been coined, so they were called followers of the way since Jesus said that he was the way the truth and the light. the early church at this time still considered themselves jewish.

[Eviebae]

Today I was dwelling on the use of the religious (specifically Christian) names used in We're Alive.

I and others brought that up as well and Kc said "Religion won't be a pillar in the story. It's mentioned and is a part of a few of the characters and their namesakes, but that's about it. Although I do chuckle when I hear the phase "Fallen Angel"."

[edited to add] You know, it's perfectly possible to draw parallells like this even if Kc says no. Tolkein swore up and down that The Fellowship of the Rings was in no way affected by his WWI & II experiences...You know, the story about a horrible genocidal war and giant rescuing eagles.

[reaper239]

I and others brought that up as well and Kc said "Religion won't be a pillar in the story. It's mentioned and is a part of a few of the characters and their namesakes, but that's about it. Although I do chuckle when I hear the phase "Fallen Angel"."

[edited to add] You know, it's perfectly possible to draw parallells like this even if Kc says no. Tolkein swore up and down that The Fellowship of the Rings was in no way affected by his WWI & II experiences...You know, the story about a horrible genocidal war and giant rescuing eagles.

lord of the rings was religiously inspired though. specifically, christian end times. it draws a lot of parallels to the final battle in revelations.

[Osiris]

I and others brought that up as well and Kc said "Religion won't be a pillar in the story. It's mentioned and is a part of a few of the characters and their namesakes, but that's about it. Although I do chuckle when I hear the phase "Fallen Angel"."

[edited to add] You know, it's perfectly possible to draw parallells like this even if Kc says no. Tolkein swore up and down that The Fellowship of the Rings was in no way affected by his WWI & II experiences...You know, the story about a horrible genocidal war and giant rescuing eagles.

:Dgiant rescuing eagles!

[Osiris]

lord of the rings was religiously inspired though. specifically, christian end times. it draws a lot of parallels to the final battle in revelations.

To quote the wiki:


Tolkien once described The Lord of the Rings to his friend, the English Jesuit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Jesus) Father Robert Murray, as "a fundamentally religious and Catholic work, unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision."[20] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien%27s_influences#cite_note-letters-19) There are many theological themes underlying the narrative including the battle of good versus evil, the triumph of humility over pride, and the activity of grace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_grace). In addition the epic includes themes which incorporate death and immortality, mercy and pity, resurrection, salvation, repentance, self-sacrifice, free will, justice, fellowship, authority and healing. In addition the Lord's Prayer, especially the line "And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil", was reportedly present in Tolkien's mind as he described Frodo's struggles against the power of the One Ring.[20] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien%27s_influences#cite_note-letters-19) A specifically Christian influence is the notion of the Fall of man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_man), which influenced the Ainulindalë (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainulindal%C3%AB), the Kinslaying at Alqualondë (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinslaying_at_Alqualond%C3%AB#The_Kinslayings), and the fall of Númenor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%BAmenor).[21] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien%27s_influences#cite_note-20)

Considering Tolkien was a devout Roman Catholic...

[reaper239]

so... are you saying i'm wrong or right or...?

[StickUpKid]

I also michaels name as a religious bit. Michael is the patron saint of soldiers. And he guards them. Michael in our story protects the tower and the people in it. Just thought this was interesting

[Osiris]

so... are you saying i'm wrong or right or...?

I was supporting part of your statement, so...

[reaper239]

I was supporting part of your statement, so...

ok, just never sure with you :tinfoil:

[Eviebae]

lord of the rings was religiously inspired though. specifically, christian end times. it draws a lot of parallels to the final battle in revelations.

All true, but my point is even though an artist thinks they understands their influences and inspiration; there's always room for the unconscious to sneak in and leave a smoking (freudian) cigar in the ashtray.

[reaper239]

All true, but my point is even though an artist thinks they understands their influences and inspiration; there's always room for the unconscious to sneak in and leave a smoking (freudian) cigar in the ashtray.

well of course any time you create something all of your experiences will come to bare in the creative process, there is no way to filter out one section of your life, but your unconious inspirations will be passed through your direct inspiration and show themselves in that way.

[Nitara]

Aside from some of the characters' names, there doesn't seem to be any religious overtones. All of humanity has a common threat, and if they want to survive they need to work together; regardless of race, religion, etc etc. To me, that's more of a spiritual message, rather than a religious one.