Is religion not important in We're Alive?

**YetAnotherBloodyCheek** · Oct 19th, 2012, 01:44 PM

Good evening again,

the world as we know it is about to end. People die or are devoured by zombies. But why is religion hardly a part of the show? I just curious, the zombie apocalypse is taken place in "God's own country." As an agnostic, I was always bewildered by the historically strongly rooted religious belief deep within the American society. Is it because none of the characters has a religious background / belief? Or is it rather hard to stick to religious beliefs/dogmas if they do not seem to be able to explain anymore what is going on in the world? For example, how can a Christian, Buddhist and so on cope with the situation without questioning his own faith?

**Witch_Doctor** · Oct 19th, 2012, 02:23 PM

The only times, that I remember, that things of a religious nature are mentioned are Datu leading a group in prayer during the war, Burt telling Saul to say his prayers (with emphasis on the 'if I should die..' part.) and Datu telling Hope to pray hat she not be left on the side of the road.

**LiamKerrington** · Oct 19th, 2012, 02:26 PM

Plenty of cursing ...

**Adventureless_Hero** · Oct 19th, 2012, 03:04 PM

I like this question. I agree that there would more likely be plenty of folks who should be looking to their religion in these darkest of times, but you also have to consider the large number of people who are dead. With so many people letting religion cloud their judgement (and forgive me if that sentence offends, don't mean for it to offend) I imagine they may have fallen victim to the zombies. I say it may cloud judgement in that some folks tend to look to religion for answers. They might hope that their loved one can be saved through the mercy of their God, or perhaps that they cling to the notion that murder is a deadly sin, or that what is happening is the will of God and should therefore be allowed to happen. I don't know.

Perhaps many people perished while seeking refuge in churches, temples, and other religious holy places of worship where one would expect to find safety. When this all began I imagine these places became crowded and essentially became a zombie buffet.

It could also be that many of the survivors are religious but just aren't heavily practicing or feel too busy? Maybe we are just hearing from folks (via journal entries) who aren't very religious.

Still, I see your point though. I am always reminded of the religious nut in The Mist and wonder why religion hasn't played a big factor in the series. Perhaps it is the writers intention to dance around that arena as it may distract from his focus on the story, or could become a very complicated plot tangent.

**Blues_127** · Oct 22nd, 2012, 04:01 PM

Hmmm... Looking to history; Religion should, at some point, become a major factor. Thinking of the collapse of Rome in particular. Let's come across a theocratic group that says convert or die. That could be fun.

**Luna Guardian** · Oct 22nd, 2012, 10:10 PM

I think the reason it hasn't come up is twofold: 1) the main characters (other than Datu, as mentioned before) haven't shown a religious side to them and 2) real world limitations of time for the podcast. I'll elaborate llater, but now I have to rush to school

**LiamKerrington** · Oct 22nd, 2012, 10:31 PM

People!

THE Main character is named "Michael Cross". This is nearly uber-religious.
Saint Michael the Archangel ... Name itself originaly meant something along "he who resembles God"; the biblical Michael is the one leading God's army against Satan and his minions; finally Saint Michael is the patron of soldiers ...
And then there is the "Cross" ... How more religious can it be. Michael in WA seems to cary the burden, or at least plenty of it. Not only sacrificing himself a lot for the gain of others, his last-name could be a foreshadowing of him dying in his efforts to take down the evil things on earth.

I agree: Religion as a wordly matter is not covered at all in the show. But taking a closer look at it, I think there are some references by using symbols or metaphors ... Michael Cross is a striking one. I haven't thought more about it yet, but how about taking a closer look, shall we?

All the best!
Liam

**Luna Guardian** · Oct 22nd, 2012, 11:31 PM

I think you're misinterpreting the meaning of "cross". In this case it's not meant as a noun but as an adjective, as in "Michael is cross because of the zombie apocalypse"

**LiamKerrington** · Oct 22nd, 2012, 11:36 PM

The name of the character is "Michael Cross". He may be cross because of the zeehpocalypse, but that does not change his name ... Check the wiki on him.