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  • Subject: Halo as a Christian Allegory
Subject: Halo as a Christian Allegory

Tag = SnaKKer
AIM = rekkans

As a Christian and Halo fan I really enjoyed this. Well-written and something I've thought about over the years, but never put into words. The life of Christ and Biblical truths are echoed through a lot of entertainment mediums, shouldn't be surprised to find it in gaming as well.

  • 11.03.2010 6:54 PM PDT


Posted by: LuK the Soviet

Posted by: Slapducky

Three pages of The God Delusion make more sense than the entire Bible combined.[/quote][/quote]You, my good sir, have been terribly miss-informed about Christians. If you ever met a Christian, and told them exactly what you wrote, I'm sure they would have no problem sitting down and discussing it with you. Not forcing the Bible up your nose. TALKING about it. Christian's who behave the way you described do, in fact, exist. But they don't represent our faith. The vast majority of Christians are used to people challenging their faith with accusation. And they (myself included) will gladly explain to you what they can.


If only more people were like you. Unfortunately, a good portion of people I have talked to in real life do not bode well when I challenge their beliefs, but I will steadfastly take challenges towards mine, and then proceed to enforce what I believe on every front necessary. Religion is not a right or a wrong issue with me, it's a at least believe in something because there is enough proof that it's plausible issue. If you see someone spouting off some nonsense about Scientology to kids wouldn't you at least wonder why the hell anyone could believe that kind of stuff? I'm the same way with a Judeo-Christian God.


The reason Christianity hasn't changed at its core for thousands of years is because it works. If it ain't broke don't fix it. If you were going to but software for your computer would you buy the software that works and requires no maintenance or would you rather have the one with tons of bugs that needs constant updates to fix them?

There is an absolute ton of evidence to prove Jesus Christ existed and done all that the New Testament (Historical, accurate, eye witness documentation, this is also proven, message me for it)has recorded. Theres even secular documents from the same time and region that record Jesus' existence.

Why did tens of thousands of Palestinians convert to Christianity in the first century? Why is there over 5000 manuscript copies of the New Testament documents from around the same time shortly after Jesus death from all across the region and even Greece? People had to believe in him for a reason,they weren't stupid back then, they didn't believe things without evidence just like us. What did Jesus do to make them believe in him? What did the apostles do after his death? They couldn't have tricked that many people. Even if they somehow did what would be the point? They had nothing to gain by doing this and had everything to lose just so they could tell people to love each other and love God.

I could go on about how they can prove the great flood with sea creature fossils being found in the top of the Himilayas and the middle of Australia where there is no body of water. "Snapshot fossilization", accelerated rock formations, continental drift by streams under the earth's surface.

But I get the feeling no matter how much evidence I throw at you, you're just going to think the worst of me still. So I'll make you a deal. I'm going to go pray for us, that what I believe to be God's will happens and we'll see what happens when we die.

Hey if you're right I still lived a good life and died believing I was going to Heaven and you maybe the same without the last part. But If I'm right then I'm afraid the outcome will not be in your favor.

Hence why I'm going to go pray in all sincerity that you wake up and see the real evidence that Athiesm is a destructive fad that people are being lied to with. And that its "elite" are sad people who hate others for having some kind of hope justified or not. And I'm also going to pray that God reveals himself to you in your life so that you can know him.

You tell us to make up our own minds and think for ourselves. Why don't you do the same?

  • 11.03.2010 10:51 PM PDT

Don't worry, you're still your mom's favorite Bnet member.


Posted by: SnaKKer
As a Christian and Halo fan I really enjoyed this. Well-written and something I've thought about over the years, but never put into words. The life of Christ and Biblical truths are echoed through a lot of entertainment mediums, shouldn't be surprised to find it in gaming as well.
Master Chief=second coming of Jesus

Jesus 117!!! lol

  • 11.04.2010 1:27 AM PDT

bow chicka bow wow

First off I just want to say this is one of the most interesting and well thought out threads I've ever had the pleasure to visit and I feel like I have to contribute something to it. I'm not sure if someone's said this yet or not but it has to do with the whole Forerunner = God idea. When Guilty Spark betrays you toward the end of Halo 3 he says something like "You are Forerunner, inheritor of all they left behind". Seems kind of to suggest John 117 as a Christ figure. Even more convincing is one of the lines Gravemind says which goes something like "Child of my enemy, why have you come? I offer no forgiveness; a father's sins pass to his son". That quote might be one of the most obvious Biblical allusions if you view the Forerunners as God and John 117 as a Christ figure. I'm sure I could think of more if I tried but it's late and I'm tired :)

  • 11.04.2010 8:19 PM PDT

Hey i'm Jake, I love Halo and video games. Im a West Virginia boy, i love Huntin and Fishing. Add me on XBL.

ok u know how in revaltions in says that Jesus will be back earth. Mabey the chief floating into space and them looking for him represents the rapture

  • 11.04.2010 8:26 PM PDT

Hey i'm Jake, I love Halo and video games. Im a West Virginia boy, i love Huntin and Fishing. Add me on XBL.


Posted by: bluecaboose82
First off I just want to say this is one of the most interesting and well thought out threads I've ever had the pleasure to visit and I feel like I have to contribute something to it. I'm not sure if someone's said this yet or not but it has to do with the whole Forerunner = God idea. When Guilty Spark betrays you toward the end of Halo 3 he says something like "You are Forerunner, inheritor of all they left behind". Seems kind of to suggest John 117 as a Christ figure. Even more convincing is one of the lines Gravemind says which goes something like "Child of my enemy, why have you come? I offer no forgiveness; a father's sins pass to his son". That quote might be one of the most obvious Biblical allusions if you view the Forerunners as God and John 117 as a Christ figure. I'm sure I could think of more if I tried but it's late and I'm tired :)

mabey thee gracemind represents the devil

[Edited on 11.04.2010 8:27 PM PDT]

  • 11.04.2010 8:27 PM PDT

Wake me,....When you need me....


Posted by: MLG Cheehwawa
In terms of when the Religions showed up and also the way that the factions act within Halo... I always paralleled

God = Precursors
Jews; Jesus, Noah, etc. = Forerunners
Christians = The Covenant
Muslims = Humanity

The Covenant-Human war parallels the Crusades, with the Covenant (Christians) trying to re-take Forerunner relics from the humans.
umm ok but muslims are the ones who attack christians(covenant attacks humanity) and the covenant kills anybody that doesnt agree with their religion like muslims

[Edited on 11.04.2010 11:05 PM PDT]

  • 11.04.2010 11:02 PM PDT

If you have over 500 target locator kills and 90% of your firefight matchmaking games are Gruntpocalypse, you are a -blam!- loser.

Posted by: Lion of Alba

The reason Christianity hasn't changed at its core for thousands of years is because it works. If it ain't broke don't fix it. If you were going to but software for your computer would you buy the software that works and requires no maintenance or would you rather have the one with tons of bugs that needs constant updates to fix them?

Does it work because the stories keep changing to make it seems as though it's fluid? I hope you have enough common sense to know that the Bible written thousands of years ago is not the same Bible as today. Who's to say Jesus did exist, but was simply a person who had mystical visions, and over time his story evolved into him being a legendary person with super powers and all that jazz? Simply put that book is inconsistent at best and due to the fact there exist multiple interpretations over thousands of years should maybe give you the hint nothing in it is completely accurate. But hey, maybe I'm just the person who thinks a book like that holds no credibility whatsoever?

There is an absolute ton of evidence to prove Jesus Christ existed and done all that the New Testament (Historical, accurate, eye witness documentation, this is also proven, message me for it)has recorded. Theres even secular documents from the same time and region that record Jesus' existence.

He could have very well existed. But do you honestly believe he did all the things the Bible claimed he did? He could very will have been an average person and his story passed down until he did all of these mythical things no person has ever done before and modern physics would scoff at.

Why did tens of thousands of Palestinians convert to Christianity in the first century? Why is there over 5000 manuscript copies of the New Testament documents from around the same time shortly after Jesus death from all across the region and even Greece? People had to believe in him for a reason,they weren't stupid back then, they didn't believe things without evidence just like us. What did Jesus do to make them believe in him? What did the apostles do after his death? They couldn't have tricked that many people. Even if they somehow did what would be the point? They had nothing to gain by doing this and had everything to lose just so they could tell people to love each other and love God.

Why are there so many different versions of the Bible out today, some even rewriting key events? Why can't people of the same faith agree on some of the most fundamental of principles and teachings? I mean, people wouldn't just believe something is true because a books says it is, right? Why don't people question this obvious fallacy? Certainly people wouldn't fear that which they know nothing of. Even if they didn't fall victim why not believe? I mean, religion's only cost billions of lives and given people false hope, there's nothing to lose by believing in Jesus Christ!

More importantly, you realize that the New Testament was written by people who did not live during the same period as Jesus? If any part of the Bible is true, it's the Old Testament. Not such a loving God now, is he?

If you already haven't done so, I suggest taking a look at Russel's Teapot and noticing how similar those claims are to those made by Theists. God's existence in and of itself is a fallacy.

I could go on about how they can prove the great flood with sea creature fossils being found in the top of the Himilayas and the middle of Australia where there is no body of water. "Snapshot fossilization", accelerated rock formations, continental drift by streams under the earth's surface.

Then please show me something that proves this and that wasn't written by some tin-foil hat wearing religious wingnut.

But I get the feeling no matter how much evidence I throw at you, you're just going to think the worst of me still. So I'll make you a deal. I'm going to go pray for us, that what I believe to be God's will happens and we'll see what happens when we die.

You can't prove anything other than what the Bible has written down. And we've already discussed that it has been doctored by man over thousands of years and therefore nothing in that book is accurate. Just because the Bible said God invented the telephone doesn't mean it's true. You're welcome to do whatever you want I've already renounced the existence of the Holy Spirit so I'm Hell bound either way.

Hey if you're right I still lived a good life and died believing I was going to Heaven and you maybe the same without the last part. But If I'm right then I'm afraid the outcome will not be in your favor.

If I'm wrong I will at least lived a happy life devoted do doing what I think is good and right and not serving someone else's demand.

Hence why I'm going to go pray in all sincerity that you wake up and see the real evidence that Athiesm is a destructive fad that people are being lied to with. And that its "elite" are sad people who hate others for having some kind of hope justified or not. And I'm also going to pray that God reveals himself to you in your life so that you can know him.

I honestly don't know what to say. That's such obvious flamebait that I can smell it from a mile away. Nice try, but I assume Buddhists, Hinduists, Judaism, and Islam also fall under this same "destructive fad." How close minded are you? What type of bull-blam!- have you been listening to? If there's anyone promoting hate it's you for being so bigoted and intolerant.

You tell us to make up our own minds and think for ourselves. Why don't you do the same?

How -blam!- stupid is your question? Very. There's a reason I don't follow something that does not exist and you do. Because I use common sense and hold the Bible to the same critical standards as the National Enquirer.


I was going to simply state that I didn't want to get into a debate about religion, but I simply couldn't help myself after reading your last two paragraphs.

  • 11.04.2010 11:21 PM PDT

I am a practicing traditional Catholic.


Posted by: SergeantxDeath

Posted by: MLG Cheehwawa
In terms of when the Religions showed up and also the way that the factions act within Halo... I always paralleled

God = Precursors
Jews; Jesus, Noah, etc. = Forerunners
Christians = The Covenant
Muslims = Humanity

The Covenant-Human war parallels the Crusades, with the Covenant (Christians) trying to re-take Forerunner relics from the humans.
umm ok but muslims are the ones who attack christians(covenant attacks humanity) and the covenant kills anybody that doesnt agree with their religion like muslims


Very true.

  • 11.05.2010 2:44 AM PDT
  • gamertag: Gio43
  • user homepage:

Focus dot com log on....Put on the full armor

I strongly believe

that all Bungie is trying to do is help us "remember" the VALUES that drive this story and it's characters.But they do it in a awsomely fun and

cleVer way. I beleive that they are trying to "re awaken" that child like sense of wonder that we once had when we were children playing

outside and making all kinds of new discoveries. (I'm 29 by the way) We all have the natural gift of discernment but we lack knowledge when it

comes to understanding differnt points of view. Halo games have a lot of words that do have legit dictionary meanings if we go back and

actually look up the meanings of these words you will SEE the connections. I'll give you an example... The word ZEALOT has a meaning in the

dictionary...go look it up and you will see what I mean. If you don't know what a word means....LOOK IT UP MAN!! IT'S FUN!!

LIFE is a MYSTERY.....Explore it!!



  • 11.05.2010 8:26 AM PDT
  • gamertag: Gio43
  • user homepage:

Focus dot com log on....Put on the full armor

(Author: DJMcG9)
The Halo trilogy has an amazing story about war, friendship, heroism, the goods and evils of religion, and the fight for truth. There are so

many parallels I have been able to draw.

One parallel I see is between the Covenant's genocide on the Humans and the Christians (Roman Catholic Church's) war on the Muslims

(aka. the Crusades). The Covenant are very similar to the Christians. The Covenant wanted to 'reclaim" the Forerunner technology (the

Halos and Earth) that the Humans possessed. Why? Because their leaders knew that the humans were the true "reclaimers" and wanted the

power of the Forerunners for themselves (no, I'm not ignoring their belief in the "Great Journey"). This is similar, but not exactly like, the way

the Christians wanted to retake Jerusalem because of its connection to heaven. The Covenant are ruled by corrupt leaders; much the same

way that the popes were corrupt in the Crusades during the Middle Ages. The Covenant send out their followers into a war that they do not

understand; just like the way the Christians sent out their followers into the Crusades. Their followers who had no education and had always

been told what to think by the Church. The Covenant have no religious tolerance, they force groups to join their group and make them

believe what they believe; the exact same thing that the Roman Catholic Church did. The similarities go on.

The Arbiter then turns on all of his religious beliefs because he is finally given the knowledge, the knowledge of what the Halos are, by the

Forerunner, who equate to the Bible and the Bible's origins, to make his own decision and follow his own beliefs. This is very similar to the

way that the peasants of the Middle Age were unable to read the Bible themselves and finally could once they could read, which was done by

getting away from the Church because the Church wanted to hold on to its power which relied heavily on an uneducated populous.

The Arbiters story teaches us that we must make our own decisions on faith and that blind faith is evil. We learn that to make the right

decisions we must have knowledge and not faith alone because if faith is all you have then how do you know you are making the right

choices. (Halo 2's story is deeper than just the Arbiter. I just don't feel like writing more than I need to get my point across.)

Halo has that and much more that I could go into, but I feel that Halo 2 did the best job with its story for achieving such a great depth. Halo CE

and Halo 3 had exceptional stories as well, but I feel that their stories were not as elaborated on as Halo 2's, and therefore, were not quite as

able to be so compellingly deep. Halo 3, especially, seems somewhat unwilling to go too deeply into its plot. I guess Bungie decided to focus

more on the game aspect of Halo 3 (I find Halo 3's gameplay to be very solid and enjoy its multiplayer more than any other game [for the most

part].)

Note
DO NOT misinterpret any of this. I am not anti-Christian. I realize that it may seem that way, with me pointing the darker side of their past, but I

actually find much about Christians very noble, such as their wish to save others from hell and most of their morals. I also believe Halo

speaks more for religion than is does against (with so many Bible references). I just feel that part of Halo is saying that blind faith has the

potential to become evil.

(Most acurate observation in my opinion)

  • 11.05.2010 8:31 AM PDT

Hey everybody, as usual I want to thank all of you (supporters and non-supporters alike) for contributing to what is becoming quite a well-thought out and extensive topic! I also want to point out that the point of this article was not to prove that Christianity was the SOLE allusion made in the Halo franchise, merely that is contains a great deal from Christianity and the story wouldn't be the same without those aspects. I appreciate hearing from those of you who see it a different way or even completely disagree, as that is the purpose of constructive threads. I've been pleased to see that the thread has not devolved from intelligent discussion (based on facts and educated opinions) to mere arguing for argument's sake!

Some of you have asked me to give my two cents on Christian allusions in the newest game, Reach. Since the game has very little focus on the general conflict at hand, I've had a hard time making too many connections. One connection that I think is interesting (but take this with a grain of salt, of course) is the idea of Noble Six being John the Baptist. As you may know, John the Baptist (not to be confused with John the Disciple) was the forerunner that God sent to prepare the way for Christ and he was the initiator of Christ's receiving of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove at the beginning of His earthly ministry (check out Matthew 3:13-17 for the full story). So if you follow the "Cortana as the Holy Spirit" belief, then Noble Six's delivery of her to Master Chief (Christ) at the end of Reach would fit in quite nicely with the allegory as a whole. Now I'm not saying this was necessarily intended, but it does make an interesting observation nonetheless.

Let us know what you think about Biblical allegory aspects in Reach, or things that we haven't discussed yet about the other games! Thanks again for your thoughtful contributions, Halo-verse!

  • 11.05.2010 12:55 PM PDT

"Let the big man do his work"
"Look, Reach has been good to me, time has come to return the favor. Don't deny me this. Tell 'em to make it count." - Jorge 052
Terminus Est- Forward unto the end

As a Christian, I am outright ashamed of some of the posts in this thread. Point #1, If you are an atheist or hold contempt for religion, why post in this thread unless you are a troll? Point #2, This IS a theological discussion but we should try to contain the hostility, especially the thing about muslims terrorizing christians or christians terrorizing muslims. The Christian doctrine of tolerance states that we should not criticize other peoples' beliefs whether we believe them to be correct or not. As such, I believe that it is grevious sin to tell anyone that they are wrong in their beliefs, let god decide. All of these theologies are different roads to the same path, Salvation. Lastly, kudos to all of you who have posted relevant comments to add to the discussion, you are the truly mature ones in this thread. If you came here to hate....Get the -blam!- out!

[Edited on 11.06.2010 11:55 AM PDT]

  • 11.05.2010 5:58 PM PDT

I am a practicing traditional Catholic.


Posted by: ARBITER PANTHEO
As a Christian, I am outright ashamed of some of the posts in this thread. Point #1, If you are an atheist or hold contempt for religion, why post in this thread unless you are a troll? Point #2, This IS a theological discussion but we should try to contain the hostility, especially the thing about muslims terrorizing christians or christians terrorizing muslims. The Christian doctrine of tolerance states that we should not criticize other peoples' beliefs whether we believe them to be correct or not. As such, I believe that it is grevious sin to tell anyone that they are wrong in their beliefs, let god decide. All of these theologies are different roads to the same path, Salvation. Lastly, kudos to all of you who have posted relevant comments to add to the discussion, you are the truly mature ones in this thread. If you came here to hate....Get the -blam!- out!


Abbreviation for swearing? I think you may have just defeated your own point. Still it is a valid one. I guess it would be a good idea for us all just to get back on topic. The real point of this thread is to talk about religious allegories present in the Halo series whether we think they should be there or not. Apologies for any deviations on my part.

[Edited on 11.11.2010 4:00 AM PST]

  • 11.06.2010 1:54 AM PDT

I am a practicing traditional Catholic.

Nice to see you back Adam 360 ;)

[Edited on 11.06.2010 1:55 AM PDT]

  • 11.06.2010 1:55 AM PDT


Posted by: MLG Cheehwawa
In terms of when the Religions showed up and also the way that the factions act within Halo... I always paralleled

God = Precursors
Jews; Jesus, Noah, etc. = Forerunners
Christians = The Covenant
Muslims = Humanity

The Covenant-Human war parallels the Crusades, with the Covenant (Christians) trying to re-take Forerunner relics from the humans.


no dude humanity are the christians
muslims are the covenant(the prophet of truth= mohammed and the arbiter' s first thought of name was an insulting muslim name)

  • 11.09.2010 6:30 AM PDT

I am a practicing traditional Catholic.

Posted by accident. Please ignore.


[Edited on 11.11.2010 3:57 AM PST]

  • 11.11.2010 3:40 AM PDT


Posted by: Adam 36O
Hey everybody, as usual I want to thank all of you (supporters and non-supporters alike) for contributing to what is becoming quite a well-thought out and extensive topic! I also want to point out that the point of this article was not to prove that Christianity was the SOLE allusion made in the Halo franchise, merely that is contains a great deal from Christianity and the story wouldn't be the same without those aspects. I appreciate hearing from those of you who see it a different way or even completely disagree, as that is the purpose of constructive threads. I've been pleased to see that the thread has not devolved from intelligent discussion (based on facts and educated opinions) to mere arguing for argument's sake!

Some of you have asked me to give my two cents on Christian allusions in the newest game, Reach. Since the game has very little focus on the general conflict at hand, I've had a hard time making too many connections. One connection that I think is interesting (but take this with a grain of salt, of course) is the idea of Noble Six being John the Baptist. As you may know, John the Baptist (not to be confused with John the Disciple) was the forerunner that God sent to prepare the way for Christ and he was the initiator of Christ's receiving of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove at the beginning of His earthly ministry (check out Matthew 3:13-17 for the full story). So if you follow the "Cortana as the Holy Spirit" belief, then Noble Six's delivery of her to Master Chief (Christ) at the end of Reach would fit in quite nicely with the allegory as a whole. Now I'm not saying this was necessarily intended, but it does make an interesting observation nonetheless.

Let us know what you think about Biblical allegory aspects in Reach, or things that we haven't discussed yet about the other games! Thanks again for your thoughtful contributions, Halo-verse!


Interesting thought, you can definitely draw that connection, though I agree, I don't think it was a totally intentional one. The whole of Reach kinda was a "setting of the stage" for CE, so yeah...I like hearing all these theories, most of them are well thought out and quite interesting to read.

  • 11.11.2010 8:52 AM PDT

"And Shepherds we shall be
For thee, my Lord, for thee.
Power hath descended forth from Thy hand
Our feet may swiftly carry out Thy commands.
So we shall flow a river forth to Thee
And teeming with souls shall it ever be.
In Nomeni Patri Et Fili Spiritus Sancti."

I like the symbolism about Chief floating through the void. It's not hard to imagine Jesus in some sort of limbo, awaiting mankind's call once more. Fantastically interesting!

  • 11.11.2010 12:53 PM PDT

; >

Beautiful. My take, even in writing might incite federal intervention which I do not want.

Your veiw was a rememberd read.

  • 11.11.2010 2:32 PM PDT

the part about jesus made me lol.

  • 11.14.2010 2:03 PM PDT

Watch me handle my business.

this thread is full of some of the biggest morons in history.

  • 11.14.2010 5:31 PM PDT

humianity=christians
covenant= radical jihad suicidal muslims. The covenent want to activate the rings for their religion but that will kill many things. jihad muslims want to kill themselves and many people for the sake of their religion Does anyone else think that bungie wanted the covenent to represent radical muslims in halo 3?

  • 11.15.2010 11:21 PM PDT

I am a practicing traditional Catholic.


Posted by: dc kelo
humianity=christians
covenant= radical jihad suicidal muslims. The covenent want to activate the rings for their religion but that will kill many things. jihad muslims want to kill themselves and many people for the sake of their religion Does anyone else think that bungie wanted the covenent to represent radical muslims in halo 3?


Quite possibly although I think allegorically the prophets represent The Pharisees as detailed in the main article on this thread. Perhaps the Covenant are Jewish in metaphor but Muslim in presentation...?

[Edited on 11.16.2010 12:06 AM PST]

  • 11.16.2010 12:06 AM PDT