Please don't flame me for blasphemy... by IndigoStarblaster

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Please don't flame me for blasphemy...

POSTED BY: INDIGOSTARBLASTER
UPDATED: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 08:32
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VIEWED: 2449
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Thursday, April 13, 2006 5:49 AM

...but something popped into my head about Firefly this past Sunday and I couldn't think who else I could talk about it with but you all.

I was listening to the Palm Sunday sermon and thinking about how the Christ story has great literary resonance -- in particular, how the archetypal storyline -- of "special" child growing up, gathering followers, entering the city like a hero and expected by all to overthrow the Roman oppressors through military force -- is unexpectedly subverted by a "twist". His triumph isn't a military one, it's a spiritual one, with no earthly payoff, a wholly different triumph from the one expected.

And that got me thinking about how there could be no finer portrayal of that kind of story -- the failure of military effort, leavened by a spiritual redemption -- than by the Serenity crew.

And then I thought, What if Shepherd Book convinced the crew to do a Passion Play? Mal would play Jesus, of course, Inara would be Mary Magdalene, Jayne would be Judas. And River would be the Mother Mary, just so we could get the scene of River weeping at the foot of the cross and Mal commending her into Simon's care ("Mother, behold your son; son, behold your mother").

By the way, I know that Joss is an atheist (so am I, for that matter), and that he didn't intend for Firefly to be a religious allegory. I just think it's neat how it fits.

Indigo S.

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 8:10 AM

MILFORD

That's some deep thinkin. May I throw a wrench into it?

I understand that Mal seems the obvious choice for the Christ portrayal, but I think River is a better choice. She's the one with the gift to share, that is the only true "innocent" of the group. Mal would be the apostle Peter, denying Christ when the rooster crows and then rediscovering his faith after the resurrection.

Interesting thought though. Only Book would be able to talk them into it.

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Customizeable handmade baby gifts personalized by my wife! Check them out at www.baby-bobo.com. All proceeds go towards international adoption.

Leaning into the wind that used to carry me-Stavesacre
That's why I don't kiss'em on the mouth- Jayne Cobb

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 9:52 AM

JPSTARGAZER

Interesting post indigostarblaster. Just one question, if you're an atheist, why were you in a church listening to a sermon? I'm not saying one can't be in a church because one is an atheist, far from it, but I am just curious.

I think the Operative would make a good Pilate, by the way. I can just hear him say "I have written what I have written."

Obviously, Judas would be played by Mr. Universe...I mean he DID sell out Mal and Co. for 30 credits. Joss uses some great stuff from the Bible, even if he is an atheist.

"All I got is a red guitar, three chords, and the truth...the rest is up to you"
--Bono

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 10:30 AM

INDIGOSTARBLASTER

Ooh, I like the Operative as Pilate -- good one.

I'm an atheist, but I sing in a church choir, so I've gotten to hear lots and lots of sermons.

Indigo S.

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 11:03 AM

ODDNESS2HER

I've always thought of 'Firefly' as a religious allegory. Specifically, it was going to be Mal's journey back to his faith. The elements of which are/were:

A character named Simon
A character with the initials J.C.
A shepherd and a "whore".
Characters named River (something people get baptized in) and Wash (as in your sins away).
The ship they travel in resembles a cross when viewed from above.

There may be more less obvious ones, but that's what I got out of it.

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Thursday, April 13, 2006 2:52 PM

CYBERSNARK

Quote:
Originally posted by jpstargazer:
Joss uses some great stuff from the Bible, even if he is an atheist.

Whether you believe in it or not, the Bible's a great work of art. Don't think I've ever heard anyone argue otherwise.

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We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Friday, April 14, 2006 5:18 AM

MILFORD

True, whether you believe in it or not it is one of the greatest works of literature in the ancient world, surpassing the Illiad and the Epic of Gilgamesh in impact by a country mile. I suppose considering its foundational status in western literature, you could find elements of the Bible in every story. It's where we get our most basic storylines. That being true, I think it's perfectly reasonable that an atheist would incorporate Biblical imagery and plotlines into her or his narrative. Remember, knowledge of something, even admiration, doesn't indicate belief or faith of any sort.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Customizeable handmade baby gifts personalized by my wife! Check them out at www.baby-bobo.com. All proceeds go towards international adoption.

Leaning into the wind that used to carry me-Stavesacre
That's why I don't kiss'em on the mouth- Jayne Cobb

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006 5:34 PM

JPSTARGAZER

That's true, I guess I'm just not used to viewing it as a piece of literature. I just find it odd that one could delve so deeply into a topic like faith and not have a particular religous belief, although I guess you can believe in just about anything (as pointed out by Book in the BDM).

"All I got is a red guitar, three chords, and the truth...the rest is up to you"
--Bono

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Wednesday, April 19, 2006 7:31 AM

BOOKSWORD

No need to fear, some pretty open minded people on his site.

Dont see the connection myself but that doesnt mean there isnt one.

Then again Im the kind of guy who cant find Waldo to save myself.

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Wednesday, April 19, 2006 8:27 AM

GUYWHOWANTSAFIREFLYOFHISOWN

Quote:
Originally posted by Booksword:

Then again Im the kind of guy who cant find Waldo to save myself.

Me either

it's my insanity that keeps me sane hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

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Wednesday, April 19, 2006 8:32 AM

FUTUREMRSFILLION

I think that you will find that many aetheists and agnostics know more about religion than many believers. My mother is agnostic - and she has done extensive study in all the major religions. To be a true non-believer you have to have knowledge.

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