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Christianity was one of the major religions of Earth.
The Doctor met some early Christians while visiting Byzantium in 64. (PDA: Byzantium!)
When Christian missionaries tried and failed to exorcise Saul, they built a church on the site, then declared him an angel. (NA: Timewyrm: Revelation)
Christianity was a body of religions on Earth that were based on the teachings of the first century Human Jesus Christ. Over the centuries since the initial founding of Christianity in the first century, it had become one of the dominant religious forces on Earth.
A parallel to Earth Christianity developed on planet 892-IV (Magna Roma). The adherents of this religion referred to themselves as "Children of the Son". (TOS episode: "Bread and Circuses")
Many Christian traditions and celebrations were observed well into the 24th century. Christmas was one of the most observed festivals aboard Federation starships including the USS Enterprise and USS Enterprise-D. (TOS episode: "Dagger of the Mind"; TNG comic: "Spirit in the Sky!")
Federation starships and facilities were also equipped with a non-denominational chapel which could be used by crew members and visitors to worship, as well as a place where marriages and funeral services could be conducted. (TOS novel: Constitution; TOS episode: "Balance of Terror") As of 2265, there was a non-demoninational Christian chapel on Starbase 47, ministered to by Father McKee. (VGD novel: Harbinger)
Throughout the show, Christianity is referred to the most among other religions and ideologies. Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he came to Earth, died on the cross, and rose from the dead in order to save humanity from their sins. Christians believe that sincere repentance of sins, and faith in Jesus Christ is the path to salvation. Some explicit references are made through the characters own practices, and other implicit references are found in the storyline, mostly to reflect the general concept of "Faith" more than the specific religion.
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Several characters in LOST are Christians. The characters have varying levels of piety (or devotion to Christ).
Other general references to Judaism and Christianity are also made, predominantly through the names of the characters:
The Last Supper occurred the night before Jesus was crucified at Golgotha. Present at the Last Supper were Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles: Simon (Peter), Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Jude (Thaddaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas Iscariot. Before the premiere of Season 6, a promotional poster was released that features the main cast of LOST at the last supper replicating Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper painting. This promotional poster, known as the "LOST Supper," includes Locke in the place of Jesus, Jack in the place of Thomas, and Sayid in place of Judas.
There are many Biblical similarities between Jacob and Esau from the Bible and the battle between Jacob and The Man in Black on the Island. In the Room 23 video and the [[Orchid, the phrase "God loves you as He loved Jacob" is seen. ("Not in Portland") (Orchid Orientation outtakes) The Bible says that Esau was a hunter and loved to be outdoors,
Jacob, son of Isaac, was the twin brother of Esau, who was born just minutes before him. As the oldest son, Esau was given a certain birthright that Jacob didn't get. When they were 15 years old, Jacob tricked Esau out of his birthright. Jacob demanded, “Swear to me right now that you will give me your inheritance.” So Esau gave an oath, trading away his inheritance and his rights as the firstborn son. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and stew. Esau ate and drank and went on his way – not realizing that he had just given up his inheritance. Esau vowed to kill Jacob as a result. However, their father Isaac made Esau promise to never kill Jacob from his death bed. As time went on, Esau found a loophole to the promise he made to his father. He attempted to trick Jacob’s own children into wanting to kill their father. Jacob had 12 children, the youngest of which was named Benjamin. Benjamin’s mother died at childbirth.
Much like on the Island, the Man in Black can't kill Jacob directly. He tries to find a loophole, and uses Ben to kill Jacob. ("The Variable")
Hell is the place of judgment in the Christian religion where one goes if they have not accepted Christ as their savior and atonement for their sins. Hell and Heaven are generally associated as opposites.
The word Hell comes from the Norse Hel, which was the name both of the Norse goddess of the underworld, and the Norse underworld itself. This Norse concept of the underworld is related to the Greek Hades or the Hebrew Sheol, but it is different from Hell in Christianity. The Bible also uses the word Gehenna, from the valley of Ge-Hinnom, a valley near Jerusalem used as a garbage dump – where refuse was burned. Many Christians understand Heaven to be a final reunion with God, and Hell to be eternal separation from God. Hell is described in the Bible to be a lake of burning sulfur, and an eternal place of suffering for those who have not accepted Christ. Matthew 25:46, Luke 16:24, James 3:6, and Revelation 14:11 are some verses that talk about Hell.
Catholicism is brought into the storyline by three prominent characters: Charlie; Mr. Eko; and Desmond; in addition to other occasional references.
As revealed in his flashbacks, Charlie Pace is raised a devout Catholic, and was an altar boy. Charlie detaches from his religious roots for a while, when introduced to the world of drugs and fame in his music career. However, in the events of Claire's kidnap and influenced by Rose's strong faith, the traumatized Charlie finds remedy in turning to his faith and asking God for help, although he regresses again shortly when he comes to the heroin-filled Virgin Mary statues, at the Nigerian Beechcraft. Temporarily, the statues are interpreted by Claire as a sign of Charlie's religious tendencies, before the truth unfolds. After his arrival at the survivors' camp, Eko also played a critical role in influencing Charlie's faith attachment. Charlie soon approaches and befriends Eko, and helps him in building the first known church on the Island, out of wood that Eko marked as "good". Later, Charlie is visited by vivid dreams of a constantly endangered Aaron, with his mother and Claire appearing as angels and Hurley as John the Baptist in variations on Verrocchio's Baptism of Christ, asking him to save Aaron. When Charlie confides in Eko, he guides him to the possible relation of saving Aaron and baptism. Influenced by Charlie's urges, Claire approaches Eko who baptizes her and Aaron upon her request, making them both, accordingly, Catholic. As a final testament to his faith, Charlie does the sign of the Cross right before he dies.
Catholicism is further referenced through Eko's own Flashbacks, which introduces his Catholic priest brother, Yemi. Both Eko and Yemi were raised in a devout catholic faith, before Eko strays to the life of crime to save his brother. After Yemi is later kidnapped by Eko's accomplices in the Beechcraft, Eko takes his place in church posing as a Catholic priest, before truthfully embracing his new role through an overseas internship that Yemi was signed for. Later, the reluctant Eko is sent to Australia by the Monsignor to investigate the claim of Joyce Malkin, a devout Catholic, that her daughter, Charlotte, miraculously rose from the dead. In spite of his disbelief, Eko is stopped by Charlotte at the airport, to deliver him a message from the dead Yemi, asking him to strengthen his faith. Honoring Yemi was the motivation for Eko's attempt in building the Church, which also served as his means of Redemption, before Yemi visits him in a dream, after which he embraces the pushing of the button as his new redeeming task. In his final moments, Eko is confronted by several images of characters (presumably generated by the Monster) from his past, including Yemi, who repeatedly ask him to "Confess" the traditional Catholic step toward Redemption. When Eko refuses, he is soon attacked by the Monster which ends his life.
Desmond Hume was a Novice in a monastery in Eddington, Scotland and is under Brother Campbell. The monastery's source of income is producing wine under the Moriah Vineyard label. He was once engaged to Ruth whom he left when he felt a higher calling after meeting Brother Campbell. Ruth wears a Rosary and has a prominent Crucifix on her wall. ("Catch-22")
Desmond is also seen crossing himself a number times before turning the Fail safe key. ("Live Together, Die Alone")
Other Island survivors with a Catholic background include Hurley, who is raised by a devout Catholic mother for whom he buys a large gold Jesus statue, and who strongly denounces the idea of curses before a series of unfortunate events strikes her whole world after her son wins the lottery. Hurley also prays when trying to fix the DHARMA Van showing that at least some of his mother's belief has rubbed off on him.
Catholicism is mentioned very briefly in one of Kate's flashbacks as well. As revealed by Marshal Edward Mars in their short call, it was the Catholic Feast of the Assumption (Celebrated on August 15th (8/15)). He then goes on to say, "How many holy days have come and gone since you last called?" She also mentions that she went to Sunday School as a girl and that her alias, "Lucy" was inspired by St. Lucy. A greater significance to Kate's choice is indicated because the feast Sawyer throws for the castaways occurs on Dec. 19, the Feast of St. Lucy. ("Left Behind")
Among the significant references, there is the notation, "Sursum corda", found on the blast door map, meaning "Lift up your hearts", which holds a notable explicit reference, since it is the phrase often used in addressing the Catholic mass in the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Locke's anger management meeting was in the meeting room of a Christian church, as stained glass is visible. This church may be Catholic, as identified by the church exterior which includes a white statue of the Virgin Mary.
The memorial service for Christian Shepherd was held in a Catholic church.
Ms. Hawking and Ben Linus meet in what appears, from the candles and statues, to be a Catholic church or chapel. ("The Lie"). Later after appearing to pray and lighting a votive candle Benn tells Jack the story of St. Thomas.
Several references to The Seven Deadly Sins have been theorized.
Pride (Jack), Envy (Jin), Wrath (Locke), Sloth (Shannon), Greed (Sawyer), Gluttony (Hugo), Lust (Boone). As well several of the symbolic animal equivalents have been seen: Pride - Horse (Kate's Horse); Envy - Dog (Vincent); Wrath - Bear (Polar Bears); Sloth - Goat (Nigerian goats); Greed - Frog (Sawyer's Tree Frog); Gluttony - Pig (Wild boars); and Lust - Cow (Mikhail Bakunin's cows at The Flame).
Several references to The Seven Holy Virtues, have also been theorized.
Chasity (Juliet), Temperance (John Locke), Charity (Charlie), Diligence (Ben), Patience (Rose), Kindness (Claire), Humility (Richard).
Several episode titles in Lost explicitly reference Christianity:
There are numerous verses written on Eko's stick:
Christianity was an Earth religion founded in the first century AD following the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Its adherents, usually called Christians, believe that Jesus is the Son of the one God who created the universe and that he was sent to redeem the people from their sins. Christianity was a religion with multiple sects--usually called denominations, that largely fall under three major groups: Catholicism, Protestantism, and Orthodoxy.
Earth's early history, literature, and arts were strongly influenced by this monotheistic religion, though some sources suggest that in the post-First Contact era, its influence waned considerably, making its believers a minority group among humans.
Non-humans and those with partial non-human ancestry have also been known to practice the religion. (Star Trek: Sigils and Unions Catacombs of Oralius--"Captives' Ransom", Star Trek: Pendragon)
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