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  • Subject: Halo as a Christian Allegory
Subject: Halo as a Christian Allegory
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nice read OP, well thought out and nicely articulated.

  • 08.10.2011 11:04 AM PDT
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I count on packet loss to keep my gun fully loaded.

The knowledge of Christian mythology has long been known in Halo. Many of the prophets (reference)lines are either taken straight from the Bible or are simply more modern phrases with the same meaning. John-117 is a Revelations reference. It is riddled with them. I doubt, however, that Bungie sat down and said, "How can make a Christian game that does not appear to be Christian?" Plenty of other games, movies, books have Bible references. In fact, I'd like to find a person who speaks English as their first language and writes books (for adults) that doesn't have a Bible reference in it. Intended or not.

[Edited on 08.10.2011 11:10 AM PDT]

  • 08.10.2011 11:10 AM PDT
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You'll never find... blom blom blom blom... a hairline like mine...

That was a good read! I'm going to recommend this to my friend that he read what you have proposed. He studies Hebrew Bible and the New Testament at university and I'm sure he will find this interesting.

  • 08.10.2011 2:56 PM PDT

...u know i thought about that in halo 2, but kinda forgot about it...your toatally right though

  • 08.10.2011 7:26 PM PDT


Posted by: jack0fhearts
The only thing this shows is how the religious can see their faith in almost anything. Me personally? I saw the "Biblical" references as "debunking" Biblical accounts, and disproving much of the beliefs based on the book.

I also get a strongly "anti" religious theme, as the Covenant are crazy zealous about their religion, and it's shown to be a fool's errand.


Biblical illustions are often found in many movies, books and video games....to say the Covanant is specfically christianity is a bit of a stretch....

Christ

master cheif(The reason he fits the describtion of Christ is becouse he sacraficed himself to save humanity, such as God saved us, and is the main focus of the unsc)

Truth (truth, even though being the main focus of the covanant isnt like christ at all, he has massive amounts of wealth and power and sends others to die in his place instead of dying for them)

  • 08.10.2011 7:38 PM PDT

♪♫((( d(^_^)b )))♪♫


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.
Great way of putting it but how would the Forerunners be Jews?

  • 08.10.2011 9:35 PM PDT

Why are you here?

It's official: Master Chief IS Jesus.

  • 08.10.2011 9:36 PM PDT

halo 4 is fun why u playing number 3

The forerunners are actually the -blam!-s. They want to exterminate all life and keep it for themselves. They are the Ayrian race of halo requiring just electricity to power themselves as they float around. They also have -blam!- symbols if u check on specific parts of them. In single player when you look on the back of guilty spark which is hard to do you can see a swastica-not joking do it and then see whose like bs hes lieing.

  • 08.10.2011 10:13 PM PDT

this is what happens when people look way too far into a game.

  • 08.11.2011 9:30 AM PDT

Even though I knew that Halo wraps itself around the beliefs of the Bible and other religions, I never quite thought about the "It's finished" part at the end of Halo 3. Great read man!

[Edited on 08.11.2011 1:07 PM PDT]

  • 08.11.2011 1:06 PM PDT

WALL OF TEXT

  • 08.12.2011 5:34 PM PDT

only the best game ever.
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I saw this, but NEVER read it?...

  • 08.12.2011 8:46 PM PDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXeC0V8y3DI
my screenshot/vid montage

My response. Though I don't think the entire thing is a Christian alegory. Certain parts may be, such as the John 1:17 verse but i do not think the entire thing is. I could be wrong

  • 08.12.2011 9:54 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: timo4545
this is what happens when people look way too far into a game.


And the post quoted above me is what happens when people lack any real intelligence.

  • 08.12.2011 9:57 PM PDT

"Where ere thou hast been, here or in yon world manifest? Canst thou tell what is, or what was, or what is to come? No thing shall last. Yet there are some things that will never change. History is written in blood, yet are battles really lost on the battlefield? Canst thou tell me where thou comest, and where thou goest, and what is, or what was, or what will be? For everything remains, AS IT NEVER WAS."

I would like to begin by saying that this is by no means a statement on an individual's religious preference or what is "right," only on the religious ambiguity of the Halo series.

Posted by: Degrees Kelvin22
Biblical illustions are often found in many movies, books and video games....to say the Covanant is specfically christianity is a bit of a stretch....

Not in the slightest. It's a well known historical fact that the Christian Church went on massive rampages through Germanic Europe and pretty much did what the Covenant did to gain converts. Then you have implications of keeping the masses "dumbed down," (the Dark Ages, anyone?) Lying to the believers to gain war-time goals (The Crusades,) and various other similar tactics that The High Prophets share in common with the darker side to that history.

Posted by: Degrees Kelvin22
Christ

master cheif(The reason he fits the describtion of Christ is becouse he sacraficed himself to save humanity, such as God saved us, and is the main focus of the unsc)

So? Odin sacrificed himself unto himself as well. With the overwhelming Nordic references in the game (MJOLNIR, HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL, GUNGNIR, etc) as well as Greek references (Spartans, Medusa (the missiles of the Sabers,) various AI depicting Greek Gods,) who's to say the Spartans weren't a reference and embodiment of Pagan lore?

Oh, and also, John didn't die. You kind of have to die to sacrifice yourself.

Posted by: Degrees Kelvin22
Truth (truth, even though being the main focus of the covanant isnt like christ at all, he has massive amounts of wealth and power and sends others to die in his place instead of dying for them)

Much like the Popes and Bishops did during the Crusades? I hate to point a finger of blame here, but during the Crusades soldiers were promised a seat in Heaven, forgiveness of any sins (either past or committed during war,) and other such empty bribes. Doesn't that sound strikingly similar to The Great Journey? "Do whatever we say without question and you will join us on the path to Godhood"?

Your move.

Posted by: guitarowna
In single player when you look on the back of guilty spark which is hard to do you can see a swastica-not joking do it and then see whose like bs hes lieing.

I would like to point out that before the German National Socialist Movement got their claws into it, the "swastica" was a Nordic rune representing the lightning of Mjölnir, Thor's hammer.

So actually, if that does exist on Spark, that's another Nordic reference. Ironic, since he also uses "lightning" as a weapon.

[Edited on 08.16.2011 1:25 AM PDT]

  • 08.16.2011 1:19 AM PDT


Posted by: jack0fhearts
I would like to begin by saying that this is by no means a statement on an individual's religious preference or what is "right," only on the religious ambiguity of the Halo series.

Posted by: Degrees Kelvin22
Biblical illustions are often found in many movies, books and video games....to say the Covanant is specfically christianity is a bit of a stretch....

Not in the slightest. It's a well known historical fact that the Christian Church went on massive rampages through Germanic Europe and pretty much did what the Covenant did to gain converts. Then you have implications of keeping the masses "dumbed down," (the Dark Ages, anyone?) Lying to the believers to gain war-time goals (The Crusades,) and various other similar tactics that The High Prophets share in common with the darker side to that history.

Posted by: Degrees Kelvin22
Christ

master cheif(The reason he fits the describtion of Christ is becouse he sacraficed himself to save humanity, such as God saved us, and is the main focus of the unsc)

So? Odin sacrificed himself unto himself as well. With the overwhelming Nordic references in the game (MJOLNIR, HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL, GUNGNIR, etc) as well as Greek references (Spartans, Medusa (the missiles of the Sabers,) various AI depicting Greek Gods,) who's to say the Spartans weren't a reference and embodiment of Pagan lore?

Oh, and also, John didn't die. You kind of have to die to sacrifice yourself.

Posted by: Degrees Kelvin22
Truth (truth, even though being the main focus of the covanant isnt like christ at all, he has massive amounts of wealth and power and sends others to die in his place instead of dying for them)

Much like the Popes and Bishops did during the Crusades? I hate to point a finger of blame here, but during the Crusades soldiers were promised a seat in Heaven, forgiveness of any sins (either past or committed during war,) and other such empty bribes. Doesn't that sound strikingly similar to The Great Journey? "Do whatever we say without question and you will join us on the path to Godhood"?

Your move.

Posted by: guitarowna
In single player when you look on the back of guilty spark which is hard to do you can see a swastica-not joking do it and then see whose like bs hes lieing.

I would like to point out that before the German National Socialist Movement got their claws into it, the "swastica" was a Nordic rune representing the lightning of Mjölnir, Thor's hammer.

So actually, if that does exist on Spark, that's another Nordic reference. Ironic, since he also uses "lightning" as a weapon.

This guy... you deserve a cookie. This is easier to believe than the OP's wall of text.
btw I think that Norse legends are much more interesting than christian ones.
Jesus ain't got nothing on Thor

  • 08.18.2011 1:34 AM PDT

"Where ere thou hast been, here or in yon world manifest? Canst thou tell what is, or what was, or what is to come? No thing shall last. Yet there are some things that will never change. History is written in blood, yet are battles really lost on the battlefield? Canst thou tell me where thou comest, and where thou goest, and what is, or what was, or what will be? For everything remains, AS IT NEVER WAS."

Really what Halo does is take many World Religions and myths/legends, and incorporates them in such a manner that all walks of faith can play comfortably. There is no real religious message with Halo - as there is with Assassin's Creed - but there are references.

So for instance the Christians may see the Christian references more strongly and significantly than others. They see a direct reference to the Bible with the Flood and the Ark, where as someone like me would see a scenario of "You've heard the Christian side to history, now here's what really is up."

Can Halo be a Christian allegory? Yes, practically anything can. Is it undoubtedly focused on Christianity in such a matter that it is - without a doubt - a Christian Allegory? No, not really.

  • 08.18.2011 9:59 AM PDT

Christian themes and names have certainly been part of the inspiration that created Halo. This has been known for years, first with the name "Halo" being associated with Christian figureheads, and again particularly after we finished the Halo 2 campaign and learned of The Ark.

There are two Arks in the Bible - The Ark that saved Noa, his family, and animal couples from the Great Flood and the Ark of the Covenant, which was the chest that contained the two stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed.

The Flood threatened to wipe out all of humanity, so the Ark was built to remotely detonate the Halo Arrays and kill them and their food, consequently saving life in all galaxies. DNA samples of each race were spared to repopulate their respective worlds. A literal "flood" plagued the world as written in the Bible, killing all beings and sparing the worthy in an effort to cleanse the world and begin anew.

The Covenant, religious in their cause, seek to make their way to the Ark in order to cleanse themselves and make their way into the divine beyond. The Ten Commandments were thought to be the lessons by which man should live so as to make their way to Heaven upon death - to a divine world beyond the current life.

That said, I don't believe that Mater Chief is a Christ figure. Yes, he seeks to save all of mankind, but has, in no instance, sacrificed himself through great suffering to do so. He is, instead, known as the "Demon," fighting the Covenant, symbols of the keepers of the path to the divine beyond, in an effort to discredit their beliefs as bogus and save the galaxy from their genecidal justification, including the firing of the Halo arrays and the Ark, in the name of their religion.

As such, I see the Master Chief as a representation of knowledge in the face of religious extremism, such as the Covenant faith, and yes, even the notion of a genecidal flood, called upon by the will of an all-knowing and timeless figure, such as the Gravemind.

In reality, though, I see these themes as nothing more than inspiration to create a grand universe and compelling story. Many games these days do the very same, from Assassin's Creed to The Legend of Zelda, so I try not to look much farther into it than that.



Edit: As a technicality, I'd also like to point out that such themes existed in the Old Testament, or Torah, and are, therefore, considered Jewish themes.

Many themes from a number of religions are present in the Halo Universe and, as such, has been heavily debated upon and documented in places like this. Go there for further reading.

[Edited on 08.18.2011 12:34 PM PDT]

  • 08.18.2011 12:24 PM PDT

"Where ere thou hast been, here or in yon world manifest? Canst thou tell what is, or what was, or what is to come? No thing shall last. Yet there are some things that will never change. History is written in blood, yet are battles really lost on the battlefield? Canst thou tell me where thou comest, and where thou goest, and what is, or what was, or what will be? For everything remains, AS IT NEVER WAS."


Posted by: XpinktaintX
Christian themes and names have certainly been part of the inspiration that created Halo. This has been known for years, first with the name "Halo" being associated with Christian figureheads,

I don't mean to sound snide, but Christians didn't invent or conceptualize Halos. Even in Greek mythology, Heroes and Gods are depicted with rays of light (the origins of a halo) coming from their head. Ancient Sumerians also had "angels," who are generically seen with halos. Just because the games and the Halo Array are named "Halo" does not exclusively put a Christian element to the game. While many Christians may be able to find "parallels," they are not explicitly laid out in a "This is a Christian game." Halo is about as much a Christian allegory as Mass Effect, which goes in pretty deep to Ashley William's faith in what is assumed is the Christian God.

Again, with what you outlined (the Ark and the Flood,) it seems to be more a prod at the theme and a "Here is the reality behind those stories." Keep in mind that Noah and his flood aren't the only "world flood" stories; everyone from that region (and even more,) have world flood stories; the Greeks, the Mesopotamians, the Native Americans, etc.

  • 08.18.2011 12:58 PM PDT


Posted by: jack0fhearts

Posted by: XpinktaintX
Christian themes and names have certainly been part of the inspiration that created Halo. This has been known for years, first with the name "Halo" being associated with Christian figureheads,

I don't mean to sound snide, but Christians didn't invent or conceptualize Halos. Even in Greek mythology, Heroes and Gods are depicted with rays of light (the origins of a halo) coming from their head. Ancient Sumerians also had "angels," who are generically seen with halos. Just because the games and the Halo Array are named "Halo" does not exclusively put a Christian element to the game. While many Christians may be able to find "parallels," they are not explicitly laid out in a "This is a Christian game." Halo is about as much a Christian allegory as Mass Effect, which goes in pretty deep to Ashley William's faith in what is assumed is the Christian God.

Again, with what you outlined (the Ark and the Flood,) it seems to be more a prod at the theme and a "Here is the reality behind those stories." Keep in mind that Noah and his flood aren't the only "world flood" stories; everyone from that region (and even more,) have world flood stories; the Greeks, the Mesopotamians, the Native Americans, etc.

Indeed. As I said, games take inspiration from religion, history, lore, and anything else to highten the interest and depth in the Universes created. If you read the rest of my post, you'd also realize that I don't believe Halo to take its religious allegory from Christianity, alone. There's evidence of inspirations from Norse and Greek/Roman mythology, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

As such, interpretations are many.

For example:
I can argue that the Gravemind is a symbol of God - a timeless, all-knowing being, and the master of the the Flood, who, through the actions of the Flood, forced the Forerunners, who represent Noah, to create the Ark and the Halo Rings, with which to use in order to overcome the Flood and begin life anew through assembled DNA.

Many years later, the Covenant, symbols of the Christian faith, terrorize the galaxy in an effort to launch the ancient Halo Rings and begin their Great Journey. Given the information I have amassed above, and the realization that the Covenant faith is built on false promises, our hero, the Master Chief, known as the "Demon" to the Covenant steps forward, as a symbol of knowledge in the face of their rightious genocide, in order to stop their efforts and save mankind from their extremist actions in the name of faith, and from the notion that humanity can only be saved by removing humanity.

A lonshot, indeed, but one someone could interpret as anti-religion symbolism. See, religious allegory is like a holy book - they're both written from a number of perspectives, taking different inspirations. As a result, both are open to interpretation, as we practice the ability to simply take what we want from them. In truth, well, there is no truth - only perspective.

[Edited on 08.18.2011 1:29 PM PDT]

  • 08.18.2011 1:27 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


Posted by: XpinktaintX

Posted by: jack0fhearts

Posted by: XpinktaintX
Christian themes and names have certainly been part of the inspiration that created Halo. This has been known for years, first with the name "Halo" being associated with Christian figureheads,

I don't mean to sound snide, but Christians didn't invent or conceptualize Halos. Even in Greek mythology, Heroes and Gods are depicted with rays of light (the origins of a halo) coming from their head. Ancient Sumerians also had "angels," who are generically seen with halos. Just because the games and the Halo Array are named "Halo" does not exclusively put a Christian element to the game. While many Christians may be able to find "parallels," they are not explicitly laid out in a "This is a Christian game." Halo is about as much a Christian allegory as Mass Effect, which goes in pretty deep to Ashley William's faith in what is assumed is the Christian God.

Again, with what you outlined (the Ark and the Flood,) it seems to be more a prod at the theme and a "Here is the reality behind those stories." Keep in mind that Noah and his flood aren't the only "world flood" stories; everyone from that region (and even more,) have world flood stories; the Greeks, the Mesopotamians, the Native Americans, etc.

Indeed. As I said, games take inspiration from religion, history, lore, and anything else to highten the interest and depth in the Universes created. If you read the rest of my post, you'd also realize that I don't believe Halo to take its religious allegory from Christianity, alone. There's evidence of inspirations from Norse and Greek/Roman mythology, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

As such, interpretations are many.

For example:
I can argue that the Gravemind is a symbol of God - a timeless, all-knowing being, and the master of the the Flood, who, through the actions of the Flood, forced the Forerunners, who represent Noah, to create the Ark and the Halo Rings, with which to use in order to overcome the Flood and begin life anew through assembled DNA.

Many years later, the Covenant, symbols of the Christian faith, terrorize the galaxy in an effort to launch the ancient Halo Rings and begin their Great Journey. Given the information I have amassed above, and the realization that the Covenant faith is built on false promises, our hero, the Master Chief, known as the "Demon" to the Covenant steps forward, as a symbol of knowledge in the face of their rightious genocide, in order to stop their efforts and save mankind from their extremist actions in the name of faith, and from the notion that humanity can only be saved by removing humanity.

A lonshot, indeed, but one someone could interpret as anti-religion symbolism. See, religious allegory is like a holy book - they're both written from a number of perspectives, taking different inspirations. As a result, both are open to interpretation, as we practice the ability to simply take what we want from them. In truth, well, there is no truth - only perspective.


*Thumbs up* very insightful

  • 08.18.2011 4:28 PM PDT

Covenant = A technology worshipping religion that has more in common with secular transhumanism than Christianity. Sure the Covenant mask themselves in religious terms and symbolism in order keep multiple alien species united as one, but it's obvious they are a false religion in which the very existence of humanity disproves their beliefs. Humanity as it exists must be destroyed in order for the Covenant to progress which is very similar to how transhumanist believe that through technology and the eventual creation of the 'singularity' (the ultimate A.I) we will be able to transcend our biological limitations and live forever.

If you're not familar with transhumanism do a search on it.
You can start @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism

But don't stop there.

[Edited on 08.21.2011 3:20 PM PDT]

  • 08.21.2011 3:05 PM PDT

How is this NOT a religious discussion thread?

  • 08.21.2011 3:42 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: X El BaZzA X
How is this NOT a religious discussion thread?


Because this isn't a completely religious discussion, it's a discussion of possible Christian allegories in the Halo story. Besides, why do you care?

  • 08.21.2011 3:57 PM PDT

"Where ere thou hast been, here or in yon world manifest? Canst thou tell what is, or what was, or what is to come? No thing shall last. Yet there are some things that will never change. History is written in blood, yet are battles really lost on the battlefield? Canst thou tell me where thou comest, and where thou goest, and what is, or what was, or what will be? For everything remains, AS IT NEVER WAS."

Posted by: johnsocal
Covenant = A technology worshipping religion that has more in common with secular transhumanism than Christianity. Sure the Covenant mask themselves in religious terms and symbolism in order keep multiple alien species united as one, but it's obvious they are a false religion...

I'm sorry, but the way I see it if we're to keep this a debate on allegories of Christianity within the game existing or not existing and in whatever manner they appear (supportive or disproving,) then we need to treat all religions as "vulnerable." It can't really be said "Well, the Covenant can't represent Christianity; the Covenant is obviously a false religion!" To many of us, Christianity is a "false" religion.

It is best to view it impartially and detached from all religious notions.

  • 08.22.2011 10:23 PM PDT