Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

[H2SO4]

I just completed Episode 1 (yay!) and will be gettign Episode 2 soon. But what I've noticed (and I'm sure everyone else who has played this before noticed this), is that there are a lot of christian/jewish connections. I guess the most obvious connection is how all 12 of the Zohar emulaters are named after Jesus's 12 disciples, and that the original is named "Marienkind" which means "child of mary" (although this may just be refering to Grimm's story). Also, when the group gets pulled into the Encephalon, and they see Joachim Mizrahi, whose name "Joachim" is a bible name and "mizrahi" refers to a african jew, is babbling about revalations (a book of the bible). And as for KOS-MOS continually saying "Surrender your pain unto me" or whatever she says, is very similar to what Jesus said (I think).

Personally, I just think Monolith did a whole bunch of name borrowing, because nothing in the story plot seems to have any implications that it relates to Christianity. Then again, I haven't played past episode 1, so I don't even know half of the story yet, so maybe I'm wrong. Anyway, discuss what you guys think it all means.

Oh, and no flaming saying Xenosaga is all bad and whatnot, or blame me for making fun of the christian religion, because I most certainly am not. I just thought this was interesting and thought I'd share my thoughts with the pav.

[John Mora]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

This entire topic is so silly I now have the giggles.

[H2SO4]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

haha, I knew I was going to be shot down for making this topic, oh well, it's just my thoughts on the game, please respect them.

[John Mora]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

It’s just that it is like walking outside and remarking at how blue the sky is.

[H2SO4]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

Well, yes, I'm not asking if they are references, because they clearly are, I'm just wodnering if their more then references, and how people feel about that.

[John Mora]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

Well, yes, I’m not asking if they are references, because they clearly are, I’m just wodnering if their more then references, and how people feel about that.

No, they aren’t anything more than references. They’re just there to be mysterious and pretentious, like, 99% of the stuff in Xenosaga. It’s a trait it borrows from Xenogears. And Evangelion. And most anime.

The very issue you’re talking about is why most people think the Xeno-series insults their sensibilities.

[H2SO4]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

The very issue you’re talking about is why most people think the Xeno-series insults their sensibilities.

I agree, I could totally see how someone could pick this game up and be totally offended by it and call it the worst game they ever played.

And btw, this is becoming more of a two person conversation then a forum topic.

[Kefka Jr.]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

I never finished Xenosaga, but that part where they named all of the Zohar modifiers after the twelve disciples infuriated me. It was such a long scene, and Shion prattled on like it was something important, but it WASN'T.

If you're making a narrative-heavy game, you shouldn't waste time like that.

[H2SO4]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

I never finished Xenosaga, but that part where they named all of the Zohar modifiers after the twelve disciples infuriated me. It was such a long scene, and Shion prattled on like it was something important, but it WASN'T.

If you're making a narrative-heavy game, you shouldn't waste time like that.

I don't remember it being that long of a scene, but I think all of the scenes are at least 15 minutes long.

[Loki]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

I never even got that far.

I have beaten Xenogears though, and the impression I got from the avalanch of biblical references in that game was that the writers were trying to be clever and add depth, but all they did was create an air of pretention and confussion.

If you're going to reference religion like that make sure you're doing it for a reason and not just throwing up giant pink bunnies onto crosses.

Also: Why the heck did that game turn into Soilent Green for twenty minutes? Talk about another reference that went nowhere.

[IRC]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

I can't take Sophie(H2SOFour) seriously. It just has to be an act.

Dude the game is made by Japanese. A culture that 99% Buddist/Shinto. They get off on Judeo-Christian themes and symbols more than they get off on androgenous adolescent males making out with tentecled little japanese ghost catgirls who wear those skimpy PE shorts. Is this your first videogame and/or anime?

[Magus]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

Yeah, it's a culture that finds Christian symbology cool and mysterious so they have to fill each of their narratives up with stupid references to the Bible. Kinda like how gangstas and the non-religious wear crucifixes even though they only know of the Hail Mary as a football maneuver. The only anime I've seen recently to actually use it to some kind of effect that makes sense was Patlabor. But Mamoru Oshii's one of the few who does his homework.

I too was infuriated by the apostle ******** in Xenosaga. Once they got to MARIENKIND I ****in' threw my controller at the TV.

Also: Why the heck did that game turn into Soilent Green for twenty minutes? Talk about another reference that went nowhere.

Oh YEAH. Even more fluff that should've been axed from "How Many Sci-Fi Plots Can We Possibly Fit Into" Xenogears.

[Pandable]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

The fact that it has something in it called the Zohar, named after the Judaic-Mystic (Kabbalic) source text... is enough to just feel like *wankwankwank* to me.

[IRC]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

In Japan I saw a crucifix that had a bloody Jesus on it.

[Loki]

Re: Christian theme in Xenosaga? (spoilers)

Every town in Xenogears is named after a jewish month.

BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN!?