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  • Subject: Halo as a Christian Allegory
Subject: Halo as a Christian Allegory
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I also have to agree with two arguments:

the Human-Covenant War is a dual analogy to the Nine Crusades and WWII, especially since the Covenant military structure is similarly to feudal European military structure and the system of castes in general:

San 'Shyuum-Popes/bishops/religious leaders
Mgalekgolo-Knights
Sangheili/Jiralhanae-Nobles
Kig-yar/Skirmishers-Mercenary soldiers
Yanme'e/Unggoy/Huragok-Slave/peasant/impressed soldiers & slaves/peasants

As well, the Human-Covenant War, as the other said, was an artifact grab seeing as, to the Covenant populace, the only reason they were destroying humanity was because their heretical ways were "contaminating" their holy relics.

However, as the other person who I draw inspiration from, it as well reflects both world wars, seeing as humanity turned the tide of the war during the final year and that the Covenant fought because of propaganda and high-honors to their God. They as well during this time supported total xenophobia against any non-Covenant race.

  • 01.19.2010 5:22 PM PDT
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DeathIsTheEnd, I thank you for enlightening me about the number of halos. I had managed to forget about that. Also, fascinating about Guilty Spark being 7 cubed. Certainly something to ponder over.

  • 01.19.2010 6:44 PM PDT
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Once again, I whole heartedly agree that the Covenant is a reference to Christendom during the Crusades.

As for the reference to World War Two, the -blam!-s were, largely, deeply involved in the occult. Far from pro-religious crusaders. Granted Hitler talked quite often in his early speeches about seeking the blessing of the Almighty; he had a misguided understanding of God. Hitler's understanding of God was only that of an omnipotent spiritual being and nothing more. Hitler was a power-monger, period. He had no religious agenda. Moreover, the "Confessing Church" in Germany was viciously persecuted under Hitler. This was the same church that was praying for the Kingdom of God to come to fruition; this requiring the created order to be burned over with fire so that it can be created anew.

[Edited on 01.21.2010 10:22 AM PST]

  • 01.19.2010 7:08 PM PDT
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Posted by: Night Watchman
Once again, I whole heartedly agree that the Covenant is a reference to Christendom during the Crusades.

As for the reference to World War Two, the -blam!-s were, largely, deeply involved in the occult. Far from pro-religious crusaders. Granted Hitler talked quite often in his early speeches about seeking the blessing of the Almighty; he had a misguided understanding of God. Hitler's understanding of God was only that of an omnipotent spiritual being and nothing more. Hitler was a power-monger, period. He had no religious agenda. Moreover, the "Confessing Church" in Germany was viciously persecuted under Hitler. This was the same church that was praying for the Kingdom of God to come to fruition; this requiring the created order to be burned over with fire so that it can be created anew.

But the soldiers themselves, not the politicians, fought for the Christian God (one notable exception is Field Marshall Erwin Rommel's units who truly just fought for the Fatherland) or their God in general. Heck, Truth was like Hitler:

he didn't believe in the dogma and just used it to further his political agenda.

However, they are also similar as their leaders used this precious nationalist uprising to suppress any resistance toward their government and to make them the almighty rulers of the galaxy.

[Edited on 01.20.2010 8:59 AM PST]

  • 01.20.2010 8:55 AM PDT
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Field Marshall Erwin Rommel was also implicated in an assassination attempt against Hitler. When Rommel was found out, he was given two options: watch all of his family be executed before his eyes, or commit suicide himself. He wasn't even offered execution himself.

I agree with you that Hitler, "didn't believe in the dogma and just used it to further his political agenda." I said as much myself in my last posting.

I grant that many in the Wehrmacht were simply fighting to defend the Fatherland, but they still had to swear allegiance to Hitler! Not just Germany, but Hitler. "The embodiment of the Fatherland!!!"

  • 01.21.2010 10:22 AM PDT

very well put together and a very interesting read

  • 01.22.2010 1:50 PM PDT
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Don't know why it calls me rubuilt gymnast 7, it's really UNSC595 in case you were wondering and I have played all of those games online

I guess, or maybe its all coincidence. I don't know

  • 01.25.2010 8:17 PM PDT
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Posted by: Night Watchman
Field Marshall Erwin Rommel was also implicated in an assassination attempt against Hitler. When Rommel was found out, he was given two options: watch all of his family be executed before his eyes, or commit suicide himself. He wasn't even offered execution himself.

I agree with you that Hitler, "didn't believe in the dogma and just used it to further his political agenda." I said as much myself in my last posting.

I grant that many in the Wehrmacht were simply fighting to defend the Fatherland, but they still had to swear allegiance to Hitler! Not just Germany, but Hitler. "The embodiment of the Fatherland!!!"

Which is as well what the Covenant basically did. But if you really want to see who the Covenant is based on, watch any Star Wars with Palpatine in it.

  • 01.30.2010 5:29 AM PDT

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Posted by: Night Watchman
Once again, I whole heartedly agree that the Covenant is a reference to Christendom during the Crusades.

As for the reference to World War Two, the -blam!-s were, largely, deeply involved in the occult. Far from pro-religious crusaders. Granted Hitler talked quite often in his early speeches about seeking the blessing of the Almighty; he had a misguided understanding of God. Hitler's understanding of God was only that of an omnipotent spiritual being and nothing more. Hitler was a power-monger, period. He had no religious agenda. Moreover, the "Confessing Church" in Germany was viciously persecuted under Hitler. This was the same church that was praying for the Kingdom of God to come to fruition; this requiring the created order to be burned over with fire so that it can be created anew.


Or any of the other fanatical, violent religious movements. Legalistic zealots have been present throughout history in many different religions, most of them much worse than the crusades.

Very good read. Even if I don't agree with every point it was well thought out. Nice work my friend.

  • 01.30.2010 8:18 AM PDT
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DorkLord54, I seek your pardon. I am not familiar with the Palpatine. Might I trouble you to enlighten me?

  • 02.01.2010 8:09 AM PDT
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It ought to be noted that most of the early church fathers were pacifists, and that the just war theory took hold because of St. Augustine's articulation of the idea within a Christian worldview as the Roman Empire was on its death bed. (Pacifism ought to be practiced on the individual level.) The reason for this turn to "just war" was largely because of the Roman Empire choosing Christianity as its new state religion. Furthermore, pacifism, the renunciation of war, on the state level does not work, and God himself understands this. God himself ordered wars to be waged against the people of Canaan; not because the Israelites were any better, but rather, because the inhabitants of the land were so much worse! They were burning their own babies as sacrifices so that their gods would pour out fertility on the land! Also, the Canaanites would go up on hills to temples and shrines, and they would have sex with young boy and girl temple prostitutes to get the gods to have sex so that fertility would be poured out on the earth.

Now, the problem arises when corrupt kings or false prophets try to say that Christianity needs to be advanced by the sword. Christianity had been spreading like wild fire without it for centuries. Moreover, Muslim jihadists have killed far more people in an attempt to spread their religion of submission to Allah than professing Christians ever have. In closing, I am still persuaded that Halo is a smear against Christianity's unfortunate Charlemagnian Crusader past.

  • 02.01.2010 8:32 AM PDT

The funniest thing about this particular signature is that by the time you realise it doesn't say anything it's to late to stop reading it.

It amazing to see how a story can seem so average on the surface but actually be a very deep meaning to it.

  • 02.01.2010 7:21 PM PDT

Spartans never die... they just revert to last checkpoint.

Posted by: FleetAdmiralBob
Nah.

Biblical alegories are pretty much inevitable. Even atheists have to try pretty hard to avoid them.


Dude, that is really true as I am atheist, but I really do see that this connects in almost every possible way to prophecy, religion, and belief. (P.S.--I don't care about what you believe, or what you think about me/what I believe, but if it is ill, then I also don't care about you, and if you put your ill opinion into actions, THEN it's my problem)

  • 02.18.2010 9:12 PM PDT

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I always knew that the bible and Halo where incredibly interveining to the point where Halo was ripping off it. Seriously, an Ark to escape the Flood? It's nice that it can be finally put into some sort of context.

  • 02.19.2010 9:58 AM PDT
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yah me to I agree that the Covenant's war on humanity is an allegory for the crusades, but I don't agree that the humanity represents the Muslims.

[Edited on 02.21.2010 6:41 AM PST]

  • 02.21.2010 6:38 AM PDT
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100% logical

  • 02.21.2010 9:39 AM PDT

I disagree. The Covenant is a religious society and their ideologies are the only path to salvation. The Arbiter was symbolically put on the crucifix in front of a massive crowd and stabbed . He did not die but he did come back to save his brethren after being taken to a cave. He was tried for his sins against the power to be and given a choice to redeem the sins. The Arbiter was to save his fellow species and bring glory back to them. Jesus and the Arbiter were freedom fighters for that of their fellow man.
The Covenant were a mix of many "tribes" and incorporated traditions of the species for them. For example, Christmas and Easter were not initially Christian based holidays, but Pagan days with Christian ideologies combined so that Constantine could more easily rule the masses. The Prophets are like that of Rome, always, trying to take over all. In the end the Covenant fell from their lies and corruption. The Arbiter having saved his people from death.
In response to a few of your points. Jesus did not directly influence the New Testament in fact it was written long after his death, but his life was the inspiration for the writings. The Council of Nicaea around 325 A.D. decided on the writings that would be placed in the bible and they also established Jesus' divinity. Out of 30+ gospels, only 4 were chosen for "personal" reasons. He did not truly die on the cross as stated in the Gospel of Judas, who did not betray him, but did as Jesus commanded of him. The "Believe" advertisement was based on the concept that there was the ability to end the war, and possibly survive. Not in a religious sense. The Covenant promoted their own ideologies and hierarchy; which promoted the oppression of other ideologies.
The Flood was also a threat to the Covenant as well. The Arbiter himself went into "hell" as you refer. The Gravemind is somewhat of a correlation to Lucifer. He is not as evil. He may be deceptive, and did want to kill the religious beliefs of the Covenant. Which also includes the rapture references. I agree with you the Covenant are religious zealots looking for their path to salvation. The Ark almost reminds me of not just Noah's Ark, but that of all creation. As stated in Halo Legends. It is the hub of all that is happening "above" all else. As you stated, "In other words, the Covenant and their crusade are a false and empty one." Fits well with that of the crusades.
The Covenant represent the lies that are that of Christianity and its eventual fall. The Arbiter knows the truth that only few know and has been "killed". He then saves his fellow Elites and that of others from the rule of the Covenant and the sin they "produced" by letting the Flood out.

  • 02.21.2010 5:42 PM PDT
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I'm impressed that you are familiar with the Gnostic gospels. However, I am compelled by the Holy Spirit to inform you that those writings were penned long after the apostles had fallen asleep and entered into the eternal bliss of God the Father. The reason that only the four canonical gospels are such is because they met the criteria of having been used from earlier on in ecumenical church worship. Also, the true gospels had been validated as having been influenced by apostolic teaching (some composed by apostles themselves), and the reason that the gospels of Thomas, Peter, etc. were not canonized was because of their lofty claims to having been written by apostles, which tended to raise red flags, as well as the fact that they did not agree with the testimonies of Paul and others which had been accepted by the ecumenical church before 90 AD. The Gnostic gospels were not composed until after approximately 200 AD!!!

Now, about the council of Nicaea, the only reason it met in the first place was to cement unity of doctrine within the orthodox church for combating Arianism and Gnosticism. The Arians said that Jesus was just a man, and the Gnostics said that Jesus was only God. Neither of these solves the problem of sin!!!!!!!!! The gap is simply not bridge by either of these between a lost humanity, and the loving God who wishes to be reconciled with them. If Jesus be only a man, then he could not truly reconcile us to God who is transcendent and holy because Jesus would have been tainted by sin if he were only a man (the Old Testament sacrificial system had not been sufficient to wash sin away, it only covered it until the work of Christ). If Jesus be only God, then he would not have been imminently human!!! The Old Testament prophecies of God's ultimate prophet/Messiah coming and suffering among us would never have come to fruition in the realm of human history!

You are gravely mistaken!!!

  • 02.23.2010 9:12 AM PDT

Jesus did not directly influence the New Testament, WT NITE? Without Jesus Christ, the New Testament would be empty and meaningless. He IS the embodiment of every teaching in the New Testament. Aside from this, I do agree that the Arbiter has many Christ-like traits, but I think that the game creators make it clear that the Chief is the real focal point of the series (the name is especially indicative of this). The Covenant are clearly shown in a very negative light because of their hostile actions, and their reliance and trust in the "Law" (a.k.a. Forerunner technology) is a suicide mission that can't provide true salvation. They are misled, whereas the Chief is the only way to true salvation apart from the law. I stand by my Convenant= Old Testament Jewish Law and Chief= Faith-based salvation.

  • 02.24.2010 12:41 PM PDT
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Some can come away from reading "War and Peace" thinking it a simple adventure story, while others can read the ingredients on a gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.

I bilieve that you are going just a tad far with the whole thing.


In my opinion (and considering the growing evidence) 343 will play it off like this:


Precursor/Forerunners influenced Human evolution and Civilization . That includes the Bible, with the Great Flood and all that. Which explains the biblical reference in G617.

  • 02.24.2010 1:25 PM PDT

EAT PIE OR ELSE!!!!!

Posted by: dr spartan32
I agree that the Covenant's war on humanity is an allegory for the crusades, but I don't agree that the humanity represents the Muslims.

only in the crusades comparison, the humans and covenant could represent more than one thing.

  • 02.24.2010 6:32 PM PDT

Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien.
Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar.
tenn' Ambar-metta!


It would be stupid to say Halo is only a Christian Allegory, it's clearly that Halo is not only based on a Christian thing, is also, Pagan and Catholic.

For those who think "paganism" is satanic stuff, you can learn here today: Paganism was the first believing system, before the church transformed by force the ancient Europe and America into a Church believers.

Example? the Greek Gods (Zeus, Athena, Poseidon) , Nordic Gods (Odin, Thor) Aztec Gods (Tlaloc, Tenochtitlan).

So it would be absurd Halo is only based on a Christian Allegory.

  • 02.25.2010 11:55 AM PDT

Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien.
Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar.
tenn' Ambar-metta!

Posted by: Bob Shmob117
Posted by: dr spartan32
I agree that the Covenant's war on humanity is an allegory for the crusades, but I don't agree that the humanity represents the Muslims.

only in the crusades comparison, the humans and covenant could represent more than one thing.


The Covenant Vs Humans represents what The Church have done lying to keep believers from the people who tend to take the Cientific side. People who stopped believing in lies of a church and trusting the facts of science.

  • 02.25.2010 11:57 AM PDT

Extremely interesting. I never thought of it that way but it does have similarities.

  • 02.25.2010 11:59 AM PDT