Mal is a Maltheist by Fireflew

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Mal is a Maltheist

POSTED BY: FIREFLEW
UPDATED: Wednesday, October 13, 2004 09:25
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Sunday, October 10, 2004 9:52 AM

Hey everyone. What with the recent spat of, "define your Browncoats and their beliefs" posts, I'd thought I'd contribute one which fits Mal's profile perfectly.

Mal, is a maltheist, namely, someone who believes in God, but also believes them to be cruel, arrogant, abusive, and untruthful being who is not worthy of worship.

I think this fits in well with his personality; in Serenity for example, he says to Shepherd Bush (EDIT: Whoops, this should have been Book. I'll leave it in so subsequent posts still retain some semblance of sense.), "You're welcome on my ship - God ain't." He acknowledges God's presence, but doesn't see him as someone worthy of being worshipped.

If you'd like to know more, visit my good friend Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltheism

___________________________________
Jayne: "Know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I beat you with till you understand who's in command."

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Sunday, October 10, 2004 10:29 AM

CREVANREAVER

Quote:
Originally posted by Fireflew:
Mal, is a maltheist, namely, someone who believes in God, but also believes them to be cruel, arrogant, abusive, and untruthful being who is not worthy of worship.

After reading that description on Wikipedia, I'd say that Mal would definately fit the profile of a Maltheist.

Hey with a name like Malcolm/Mal maybe Joss actually intended him to be some sort of symbol for that ideology.

Or maybe I'm just pulling at straws.

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Sunday, October 10, 2004 10:56 AM

ZOID

Fireflew wrote:

Quote:
...he says to Shepherd Bush,...

Who the hell is "Shepherd Bush"?! Either you've got politics or sex on the brain.

Quizzically,

zoid

P.S.
Look up 'apostate'...

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Sunday, October 10, 2004 11:27 AM

FORRESTWOLF

What a fascinating idea! After Joss's lengthy discourse on existentialism in the OiS commentary, I'd not be surprised at all to learn that he was specifically referring to maltheism with Mal - with River's "Mal - bad - in the latin" comment and all.

Reading up on Maltheism, I'd argue that there's plenty of precedent (sp?) for it in the Torah; the patriarchs argued with God on numerous occasions, often blaming Him for any number of things before almost reluctantly signing on, as it were. It'll be interesting how the Book - Mal relationship progresses - so here's a related question:

Can Mal be converted BACK, as it were? Will he learn about a different way of religion, after finding his crew, Serenity, and Book? Will he at least learn to forgive the Alliance someday, even if not 'god'?

As for Shepherd BUSH, I think THAT's a slip that we should save for Real-World discussion :)

- FW

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Monday, October 11, 2004 11:45 AM

FIREFLEW

Quote:
Originally posted by zoid:
Fireflew wrote:
Quote:
...he says to Shepherd Bush,...

Who the hell is "Shepherd Bush"?! Either you've got politics or sex on the brain.

Quizzically,

zoid

P.S.
Look up 'apostate'...

Whoops

. I thought there was something a bit odd about the post. It was 2am however, so I'm not surprised I didn't post on it.

P.S. You took the words right out of my mouth, although besides Shepherd Book, who else would really look upon him in a dim view because of his fall from Christianity? Religion doesn't seem that much of a mentioned topic on board - or indeed, planetside.

___________________________________
Jayne: "Know what the chain of command is? It's the chain I beat you with till you understand who's in command."

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Monday, October 11, 2004 1:54 PM

AMNESIACK

"God probably exists but I want nothing to do with Him" is a pretty common reaction by formerly religious people when they encounter a traumatic event that they feels falls outside of what God should allow to happen. And I'd say this fits him pretty well, considering that in the opening moments of "Serenity" he was kissing a cross he wore around his neck.

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Tuesday, October 12, 2004 5:10 AM

WYDRAZ

Quote:
Originally posted by Forrestwolf:

...Can Mal be converted BACK, as it were? Will he learn about a different way of religion, after finding his crew, Serenity, and Book? Will he at least learn to forgive the Alliance someday, even if not 'god'?

I think Mal will have issues with God for as long as Joss has issues with existence. Besides, if he did "see the light" again, he just wouldn't be... Mal.

Oh, and play Strange Adventures in Infinite Space. http://digital-eel.com/sais

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Tuesday, October 12, 2004 10:14 AM

GWENHARKER

Anyone see 'Signs' with Mel Gibson? If you haven't, beware of spoilers.

Now, Mel's character was a priest, but gave up on faith and God after his wife was killed. Only when his son was possibly dying, did he start to acknowldge god. 'Please lord let him live' etc and so forth.

Looking at Mal, I have to say, it would be very hard to find the time when he would turn to God once more, either to curse him, or ask for help. Mal is put, along wiht his crew, into life-or-death/dangerous situations constantly, so it would have to be very bad. Reavers maybe?

wydraz, I think you're right. Mal WILL continue to have issues with God as long as Joss does. Those who have 'lost their faith' always make for the most interesting stories, I always think.

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Wednesday, October 13, 2004 9:25 AM

DELIA

An interesting theory to which I will have to devote some thought -- after the semester ends and I have time to think again.

BUT

I have to say that when I saw your title, I thought you were punning on words and saying that Mal believed he himself was God (ie, monotheism is a believe in one God, polytheism a belief in many gods, Maltheism is a belief that Mal is god). Which is also an interesting theory, though one for which there's not actually any basis.

___________________________________________
Angel: People who don't care about anything will never understand the people who do.
Hamilton: Yeah, but we won't care.

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