Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)

2006-10-04T01:12:13Z

Bravelittletoaster: /* The Lords of Kobol */

:''This article discusses the religion of the Colonies as seen in the [[Re-imagined Series]]. For summary information on the Kobollian religion from the [[Original Series]], see [[Kobollian Faith]].''

{{Twelve Colonies Series}}
The religion of the Twelve Colonies, which the various characters of Battlestar Galactica practice to greater or lesser extent, is a polytheistic faith shared with real-life [[Wikipedia:Greek mythology|Greek mythology]], with a strong emphasis on the philosophy of [[Wikipedia:Eternal return|eternal return]].

==Origin==
There is substantial circumstantial evidence that people of Kobol originated from the planet [[Earth]], and it is also known that one of the thirteen tribes later returned there. The similarity in beliefs of the Colonials and the ancient Greeks is probably not coincidental, although it is not yet clear which gave rise to the other. See [[History of the Twelve Colonies]] and [[Sacred Scrolls]] for a more detailed analysis.

In the burial scene of the [[Miniseries]], Adama states "Life here began out there," reminding the assembly that this was the first line of the sacred scrolls, told to them by the Lords Of Kobol uncounted centuries ago.

==Belief==

===The Lords of Kobol===

Colonial religion is centered on the Lords of Kobol, analogous to the [[Greek Gods]]. So far within the series, a total of six Lords of Kobol have been explicitly identified:

* [[Zeus]] - He was the father of the gods. [[Tom Zarek]] has twice referred to [[William Adama|Commander Adama]] as "Zeus" ([[Bastille Day]], [[The Farm]]).
* [[Apollo, Lord of Kobol|Apollo]] - He was Zeus' son, said to be the god of the hunt and of healing ([[Bastille Day]]).
* [[Artemis]] - Twin sister of Apollo, goddess of the hunt, prayed to particularly by Starbuck([[Flesh and Bone]])
* [[Aphrodite]] - Goddess of love, sexuality, lust etc. Prayed to particularly by Starbuck([[Flesh and Bone]])
* [[Athena, Lord of Kobol|Athena]] - She committed suicide "out of despair over the Exodus of the thirteen tribes" ([[Home, Part II]]). Her [[Tomb of Athena|tomb]] holds a map to [[Earth]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).
* [[Hera, Lord of Kobol|Hera]] - ([[Home, Part II]])

According to the [[Sacred Scrolls]], the gods once shared a paradise-like existence with the people of [[Kobol]]. Later circumstances forced the exodus of the human population of Kobol to [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|the Twelve Colonies]] and [[Earth]], and lead to Athena's suicide. See [[History of the Twelve Colonies]] for more.

The existence of the Lords of Kobol is attested to by the survival of numerous artifacts, including the [[Arrow of Apollo]], the [[Tomb of Athena]] and the [[Gates of Hera]]. However, although she accepts their historicity, [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Sharon Valerii]], a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]], has called their divinity into question.

There is a notion in fan circles that there are twelve lords of Kobol, by analogy to the twelve Cylon models and twelve Colonies, and perhaps the [[Wikipedia:Twelve Olympians|Twelve Olympians]] of Greek mythology. A post in RDM's blog loosely addresses this.

:Q: "Twelve cylon models and twelve Olympian gods seems too much of coincidence to me. Is there any connection? "
:RDM: And Twelve Colonies. Coincidence....?" ([http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/03/index.html#a000023 RDM, March 12, 2005])

===The Jealous God===

In a [http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season01/112/mov/bsg_del_112_regret.mov scene] cut from the episode "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]", [[Elosha]] states that the exodus from Kobol was precipitated when "one jealous god began to desire that he be elevated above all the other gods, and the war on Kobol began."

===The Path of Olympus===

[[Tom Zarek]] conveys to [[Laura Roslin]] and members of her command staff of [[Laura Roslin faction|factioners]] the news that Commander [[William Adama]] had resumed command of ''[[Galactica]]'' after the attempt on his life by saying: "Zeus has returned to '''Olympus''' " ([[The Farm]]).

In Greek mythology, the home of the gods on Earth resided high atop Greece's highest mountain, Mount Olympus, at a time where access to the mountain summit would be almost impossible with the inhabitants' technology of that age. By Zarek's comment we can infer that Colonial religion appears to acknowledge the existence of a place called Olympus. It cannot yet be determined, however, if Olympus was thought of as the residence of the gods at a specific physical or ''metaphysical'' location of Kobol, as there has been no mention of Olympus elsewhere in the series. If Olympus is a metaphysical locale, this may contradict [[Elosha]]'s comment that the gods and man lived on Kobol together in harmony.

===Other Mythological Names in Colonial Culture===

Various items have been identified which are apparently named after other gods and legendary figures, although these have not been explicitly identified as Lords of Kobol.

* [[Triton]] - ([[Miniseries]]) - The namesake of a battlestar lost in the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]].
* [[Atlantia]] - ([[Miniseries]]) - The name of a [[Wikipedia:Hamadryad|hamadryad]], a form of nymph. Namesake of another battlestar lost in the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]]. Could also be a reference to the lengend of Atlantis, written by Plato.
* [[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]] - A legendary horse and namesake of Admiral [[Helena Cain]]'s [[Mercury class battlestar]].
* [[Zephyr]] - ([[Fragged]]) - A ship in [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] is named after this god.
* [[Mercury]] - The lead ship of the [[Mercury class battlestar|Mercury class]], apparently named for the Roman version of the Greek god Hermes.
* Pluto - Namesake of the element [[Wikipedia:Plutonium|Plutonium]] mentioned in the episode "[[Bastille Day]]", and Roman version of the Greek god Hades.
* Pythia - An oracle who's prophetic writings relate to the events of Battlestar. The Pythia was the name for the oracle at Delphi in Greece.
* The "Veil of Tears" - A religious euphenism for death, used by [[Crashdown]] during the funeral scene in "[[Fragged]]."

===The Cycle of Time===

''"All this has happened before, and all this will happen again."''

According to [[Gaius Baltar]], this line from the Pythian Prophecy is very well known ([[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]). [[Laura Roslin]] later expands on it, reminding [[Kara Thrace]],

:"If you believe in the gods, then you believe in the cycle of time that we are all playing our parts in a story that is told again, and again, and again throughout eternity" ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]).

The notion of a circular progression of time (also known as [[Wikipedia:eternal return|eternal return]] or eternal recurrence) is a common theme in other faiths, particularly [[Wikipedia:Maya#Religion|Mayan]] mythology and is a cornerstone of the Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Moreover, [[Wikipedia:Stoic|Stoic]] philosophy did believe in the concept of ekpyrosis, the fire which consumes the old world and signals the birth of a new world, identical to the old, for a recurring cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Various events throughout the series have led some characters to believe that they are playing out another turn of this cycle. See [[Sacred Scrolls]] for more detailed analysis.

===Sanctity of Life===

According to the Sacred Scrolls, abortion is "an abomination in the eyes of the Gods". The more fundamentalist [[Gemenon]]s strictly adhere to this commandment, however the more secular Colonies such as Caprica apparently do not follow this as strictly: officially, Colonies-wide Federal law guaranteed a woman the right to an abortion, at least at the time of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

==Individual Practice==

The Colonials display a wide spectrum of religious practice, ranging from [[Billy Keikeya]]'s atheism ([[Home, Part II]], [http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/episodes/season02/207/deleted4.html cut scene]) to Corporal [[Venner]]'s literalistic readings of the Sacred Scrolls.

===[[Temple]]===
While not seen in season 1, the worship sites known as temples have appeared on [[New Caprica]]. Temples may have been more elaborate places on the Twelve Colonies, but the spaceborne remnants of humanity presumably use any space they can find on their ships to form a basic temple. As seen on [[New Caprica]], a basic temple may consist of a simple altar with candles, idols of the Lords of Kobol, and what meager offerings the Colonials can give as a tithe ([[Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance]]).
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===Dress===
As seen by the various [[Laura Roslin faction|separatists]] orbiting [[Kobol]] in "[[Home, Part I]]," it appears that many Colonials have clothing that suggests a religious deference. In the scene, one older, white-bearded gentleman is dressed in simple colored robes and a round, flat head covering that may remind viewers of the tradition dress of Hasidic Jews, Islamic clerics, or Eastern Orthodox practicianers of the real-world Earth. Other distinctive dress styles of other characters in the scene increase the sense of the dedication of religion in the Gemenese people (which appeared to conprise the majority of Roslin's separatatists).
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===Idols===
<div style="float:left; margin-right:1em;">[[Image:Idols.jpg|100px]]</div>
At the end of the episode "[[Flesh and Bone]]", Kara Thrace, a devotee of Artemis and Aphrodite (as stated by [[Leoben Conoy]] in the same episode), prays to them on Conoy's behalf using figurines that bear a similarity to classic representations of Artemis and Athena. Artemis is depicted with her bow and arrow, and Athena with her helmet of war.
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===Rosaries===
<div style="float:left; margin-right:1em;">[[Image:Rosary.jpg|100px]]</div>
When Roslin begins to suffer from Chamalla withdrawal in "[[Fragged]]", Corporal [[Venner]], a fundamentalist from [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Gemenon|Gemenon]], anxiously clutches a set of white prayer beads.
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===Group prayer===
<div style="float:left; margin-right:1em;">[[Image:The_Farm-Group_Worship.jpg|100px]]</div>
Some prisoners on the ''[[Astral Queen]]'' seeking rehabilitation have turned to group prayer. In the episode "[[The Farm]]", they greet Laura Roslin as a prophet and she provides them with a blessing.

Priestess [[Elosha]] sings a group prayer in the service for the dead at the conclusion of the [[Miniseries]]. Curiously, the language she sings is Sanskrit, a classical language of real-world Earth's Hindu/Indian peoples. More about the verses that she sings and their meaning can be found in the [[Language in the Twelve Colonies#Liturgy|Language in the Twelve Colonies]] article.''<br clear="both">

===Artifacts===
<div style="float:left; margin-right:1em;">[[Image:Bsg-arrow-apollo.jpg|75px]]</div>
Despite Gemenon's fundamentalist climate, the city of [[Delphi]] on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] was apparently of a mind to store an important religious artifact, the [[Arrow of Apollo]], in a [[Delphi Museum of the Colonies|museum]], rather than a devotional institution.
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==The Clergy==

The separation of church and state is less rigorous in the Colonies than in the contemporary United States. Laura Roslin [[Case Orange|is sworn into the presidency]] by a priest, [[Elosha]], who continues on in an advisory capacity within Roslin's administration. Priests also preside over military funerals, without regard for the beliefs of the deceased. That this is a matter of course is perhaps indicative of the religious homogeneity of the Colonies (unlike the religious heterogeneity of real-life Earth and the presence of representatives and followers of different religions in the armed forces of various nations on Earth).

Priests in the Twelve Colonies are apparently not required to practice celibacy, as in some Christian denominations. In the episode "[[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]," Chief [[Galen Tyrol]] states that his father was a priest and his mother an oracle.

According to Billy Keikeya, some priests use the [[Chamalla]] plant for its hallucinogenic properties. The prescient dreams it imparted to Laura Roslin may imply the use of something similar by [[Pythia]], an ancient prophet.

The term "Brother" is used as a title for members of the clergy, although it is not fully apparent whether this is used in the real-world Earth's common usage as the title of a [[Wikipedia:Monk|monk]]. As with priests, a brother offers consultation and leads prayer. The only instance of this clergy is Brother [[Cavil]], who offers guidance to Chief Tyrol, but Cavil is revealed as a [[Cylon agent]] some time later. Because of Cavil's nature, there may be doubt as to whether Cavil is a useful example of the work of a brother in Colonial religion.

Other than the works of Pythia and the mention of Chief Tyrol's mother, there is no information aired as of the end of season 2 as to the functions of an oracle. Oracles, as defined in real-world Earth mythologies, are spiritual advisors with prophetic opinions, giving insight of or from the dieties they align with.

== Cylon Interpretations ==

Many Cylon agents show a strict, firm belief in a monotheistic God. When agents such as Leoben Conoy, the brothers Cavil, and Caprica Boomer begin talking of Cylon beliefs, they are ridiculed (and when Roslin is present, get thrown out the airlock). They refer to the Lords of Kobol as "false idols". They also claim to have more insight into Colonial religion than the Colonials themselves, as shown by [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)]] in "[[Home, Part II]]".

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2006-10-03T22:52:03Z

Bravelittletoaster: /* Note */

{{Character Data
|photo= Cysim.jpg
|age=
|colony=
|birthname=
|callsign=
|seen= The Farm
|death=
|parents=
|siblings=
|children=
|marital status=
|role= Cylon Surgeon
|rank=
|actor= [[Rick Worthy]]
|cylon= y
|name=
}}

'''Simon''' is a [[Cylon agent]] who poses as a doctor caring for [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]] after her capture in "[[The Farm]]."

Simon tries to casually persuade her into bearing children but is unsuccessful. When his diplomatic efforts fail, he surgically explores her ovaries without Thrace's permission, either partially removing an ovary or its eggs. On orders from a copy of [[Number Six]], Simon arranges a time to surgically remove Thrace's ovaries.

Before Simon could sedate her again and remove her ovaries, Thrace's suspicion that he is a Cylon is confirmed. In conversation he uses her call sign, which she never mentioned in his presence. Thrace kills him and escapes from the [[Farms|Farm]].

Another copy of Simon is seen just as Thrace exits the building, a more well-kept copy in a dark business suit who greets Thrace just as she reaches the outside of the compound. Before he can speak further, members of the [[Caprica Resistance]] immediately kill him as they storm the Farm to liberate Thrace.

At least one other copy is seen on Cylon-occupied Caprica. ([[Downloaded]])

''Simon was the first new Cylon agent model revealed since the [[Miniseries]], and brought the total number of known models to 5. The later revelations of [[D'anna Biers]] and [[Cavil]] as Cylons brought the total to 7.''

==Note==
*Whether Simon has completely or partially removed one or both ovaries or just their eggs from Kara Thrace is unclear. The sentence that Kara overhears Simon saying to Number Six is, ''"Pending lab test results on the sample ovaries, complete removal will proceed tomorrow. If lab tests are positive, then subject will be moved to processing facility for final disposition."'' However, humans only have two ovaries, so it seems implausible that he would take a "sample" one, so perhaps the line truly meant "ova" (egg cells). It is clear that he didn't completely remove all of Starbuck's reproductive cells, as Starbuck escaped before "complete removal" took place.
*It is possible that this particular model, like the Valerii model, is prone to sympathizing with humans. He expresses regret, which another Six model notices, when discussing the possibility of removing her ovaries. Based on the lone scar that Thrace acquired, at most a single ovary was removed, if at all.
*Actor Rick Worthy doesn't actually appear in "Downloaded" and is uncredited: briefly during the cafe scene, we see another bald black man ''from behind''. It is clearly implied to be Simon, however he is not credited and RDM stated in [[Podcast:Downloaded#Act 1|the podcast]] that it was just an extra standing in for him.

{{spoiltext|The sample ovaries obtained by Simon were likely used in a cylon breeding experiment, as in a season 3 preview commercial [[Leoben]] is shown holding a baby in a tent on New Caprica saying "Say hello to your mother [[Kara]]".}}

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Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)

Number Four