Godless heathens...

[butterfly]

Many people have pointed out the religious aspects to last week's episodes. Myself included. It's fascinating that we have two main characters from Firefly and both of them are playing different types of the religion card (Specifically, the Christian religion card). Jasmine being all commune, hippie, lovey-dovey, while Caleb's more the old-fashioned preacher type.

Both of them are evil. Does that mean that Joss is saying that religion is evil?

I'd argue a fairly strong no. Caleb, for certain, does not believe that he's doing God's will. Jasmine is a Power of some kind, but she herself is way creepy. If either is a slam against religion itself, as opposed to fanatics of any stripe, I'd say that it's Jasmine, but I think that we've seen enough proof to show that she's intentionally set herself up as a savior figure. Last week, there was a possibility that she was good, but her influence was not. Now, though, we've had proof, as much proof as is possible, that she is evil. And more importantly, that she's faking.

And now, Connor may be an unzapped disciple. Like Caleb is to the First. Aware that he's following something willing to kill and something that is... beyond good or evil. As Caleb puts it and Connor parrots from Cordy.

Now, this may be a stab at certain religious types, but it isn't a stab against religion. Because religion is all about free will. It's about there being an absolute good. But most of all, it's about choice. There is a huge difference between religion and fanatism, and insulting the latter doesn't insult the former.

Both Caleb and Jasmine wear the clothes of religion, but that's all they're doing.

Comments

[jic]

Religion, per se, is not evil. But it is powerful, and any power can be corrupted and misused.

While our religion may be all about free will, not necessarily all religions are.

My question for Connor and Caleb - not that I'd ever be close enough to ask - is, "How can something be beyond good and evil?"

Re:

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

While our religion may be all about free will, not necessarily all religions are.
True enough. Still, most of the others that I've come across, at least the active ones, also seem to be though. Or rather, while the whole point may not be free will, they do see its importance. Still, it might be a good idea to edit my post to reflect that, rather than be lazy and not.

And yeah, I'd like to hear them explain that. If only to see Connor try to search for an explanation that he heard somewhere. Because you know he hasn't thought it through.