Judeo-Christian Symbolism in Destiny

[Westaway]

Been noticing a multitude of Judeo-Christian symbols appearing in various previews for Bungie's upcoming Desinty. Thought I'd start up a thread to discuss the various parallels and see what you guys think may be the point. It's interesting how Halo had more or less anti-religious themes, perhaps Bungie is providing their antithesis, considering the ties between their various franchises.

The Traveler
Clearly Destiny's God. Watchful, saved humanity from damnation, protector. Its inactivity can be interpreted in various ways. Could be metaphorical for Jesus' arrival on Earth to save humanity, then his departure.

The City
Jerusalem. God's chosen city which must be protected from foreign forces, most likely Islam.

The Guardians
Again, many interpretations. The crusader/medieval aesthetics being shown in the Guardian concept art suggests that the Guardians are paladins or crusaders, defenders of faith. They're bestowed with magic from the Traveler, which would be the Holy Spirit. Could also be seen as priests.

Anyways, I'd like to hear your interpretations.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

It's almost like Bungie has set a precedent for this sort of thing, wouldn't you say? Or did the Ark of the Covenant not tip you off in Halo?

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

It's almost like Bungie has set a precedent for this sort of thing, wouldn't you say? Or did the Ark of the Covenant not tip you off in Halo?

Or how about Master Chief's name, John-117?

Looking at the Bible, I find John 1:17, which says "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Yup, subtle.

 

[J Tyran]

It's almost like Bungie has set a precedent for this sort of thing, wouldn't you say? Or did the Ark of the Covenant not tip you off in Halo?

This, Halo was pretty much all Biblical allegory. There are loads of good articles about it, this is probably one of the best http://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post?id=1714836

 

[piinyouri]

I'll probably be laughed at, but this thread just blew my mind in regards to Halo.
That's pretty damn neat to be honest.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Judeo-Christian mythology is actually older than Judaism itself. Just because our civilization recognizes it as Judeo-Christian doesn't mean that it is. The origins of that story are thousands of years old.

 

[Dinosorcerer]

could be more like Norse Mythology. the City could be interpreted as Valhalla. especially considering that Valhalla was a place where the dead went but was also where they prepared themselves to face Ragnarok, the end of days.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

It's almost like Bungie has set a precedent for this sort of thing, wouldn't you say? Or did the Ark of the Covenant not tip you off in Halo?

And then there's "the Flood", the "Great Journey", the "Prophets", the position of 'Arbiter' who redeems himself in his death and of course the religious ceremony of sticking plasma grenades to someone's back and teabagging their corpse.

 

[Westaway]

It's almost like Bungie has set a precedent for this sort of thing, wouldn't you say? Or did the Ark of the Covenant not tip you off in Halo?

And then there's "the Flood", the "Great Journey", the "Prophets", the position of 'Arbiter' who redeems himself in his death and of course the religious ceremony of sticking plasma grenades to someone's back and teabagging their corpse.

As I said in the OP, I'm aware that Halo was also referencing the Bible in many fashions, with the difference being that the main force of evil it was religious zealots. Halo was clearly anti-religion. Now with Destiny the protagonists are clearly representative of Christians. The point of the thread was to discuss what Bungie may be trying to say with these allusions.

if you are going to steal...steal from the best...

and tbh you should realise OP that you are also seeing it through the prism of your own societal pov...as its well possible the developers did too...BUT...many of the themes and narratives present in Christianity are by no means entirely unique to it...Christians may not want to hear it but the truth is there are a hell of a lot broadly similar ancient myths, legends and narrative themes floating around...

The Mediterranean Mystery religion was not accurate enough to describe the allusions in Destiny. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the importance of Jerusalem came from Judaism.

 

[kingthrall]

Here is my prediction ages ago, It explains the leveler and pretty much the reason why humans survived under that giant globe/traveler.

In essence its the unofficial myth 4, but cause they lost the copyrights for myth from take 2 Bungie can not call it Myth.

Myth/Destiny have kind of the same sound don't they also?

 

[Shock and Awe]

As I said in the OP, I'm aware that Halo was also referencing the Bible in many fashions, with the difference being that the main force of evil it was religious zealots. Halo was clearly anti-religion. Now with Destiny the protagonists are clearly representative of Christians. The point of the thread was to discuss what Bungie may be trying to say with these allusions.

I wouldn't quite say that, a lot of people interpret Master Chief as a messianic figure, from things like his name, to his actions, and even to some of his quotes. Heres a list if you're interested. [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_references_to_religion_in_Halo#Master_Chief]

 

[ThreeName]

The City
Jerusalem. God's chosen city which must be protected from foreign forces, most likely Islam.

Er, what? Jerusalem was under threat from far more than Islam throughout it's history. That's a horrifically modern perspective you're taking there.

And besides, it's not like Judaism is the only religion with a Holy Land/City; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_city#List

All this "clearly representative" stuff is only from your perspective as someone who is, I assume, more acquainted with Judeo-Christian tradition. Also being anti-zealot isn't the same as being anti-religion.

 

[Westaway]

As I said in the OP, I'm aware that Halo was also referencing the Bible in many fashions, with the difference being that the main force of evil it was religious zealots. Halo was clearly anti-religion. Now with Destiny the protagonists are clearly representative of Christians. The point of the thread was to discuss what Bungie may be trying to say with these allusions.

I wouldn't quite say that, a lot of people interpret Master Chief as a messianic figure, from things like his name, to his actions, and even to some of his quotes. Heres a list if you're interested. [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_references_to_religion_in_Halo#Master_Chief]

Fair enough.

The City
Jerusalem. God's chosen city which must be protected from foreign forces, most likely Islam.

Er, what? Jerusalem was under threat from far more than Islam throughout it's history. That's a horrifically modern perspective you're taking there.

And besides, it's not like Judaism is the only religion with a Holy Land/City; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_city#List

All this "clearly representative" stuff is only from your perspective as someone who is, I assume, more acquainted with Judeo-Christian tradition. Also being anti-zealot isn't the same as being anti-religion.

"Horrifically modern"
I'd say we live in a horrifically modern world. I said Islam because I see the various different alien species as different Islamist nations hostile towards Israel.
If you're suggesting that the holy city connection is not valid because other religions have holy cities I'm not sure how to reply. I should think that these references should be obvious, especially when taken in context. Just because holy cities exist doesn't mean The City isn't Jerusalem.

 

[Tanis]

Good on them, but they not nothing on the MegaTen games.

 

[ThreeName]

"Horrifically modern"
I'd say we live in a horrifically modern world. I said Islam because I see the various different alien species as different Islamist nations hostile towards Israel.
If you're suggesting that the holy city connection is not valid because other religions have holy cities I'm not sure how to reply. I should think that these references should be obvious, especially when taken in context. Just because holy cities exist doesn't mean The City isn't Jerusalem.

I'm not criticising your view as invalid, I'm criticising it as close-minded.

I'll be honest, it actually scares me that people can read such things into games. Islam as hostile alien nations? What? Not to bring too much politics into this, but you do know Jerusalem is a Holy City is Islam as well and it was forcefully taken from them by the West? The inherent "Islam is evil" coming through here is just... awful.

It doesn't mean it's not Jerusalem, no, but none of the symbols you've brought up are in any way exclusive to Christianity or Judaism, or even monotheism. Yes you can read that into them, but they're really incredibly universal. A saviour who died protecting people? A sacred city? Please. You could say that this is "religiously inspired" at best, you couldn't even lock it down to a theology.

 

[Objectable]

And then Shinji shows up and shouts LOOK AT ME! WHAT DOES IT MEAN! WHAT DOES IT MEAN!
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And he masterbates over a dead soldiers corpse.