Cylon Religion: Difference between revisions
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The majority of the so-called [[Singificant Seven]] [[Cylons]] follow a '''monotheistic religion''' handed down to them from the [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005| | The majority of the so-called [[Singificant Seven]] [[Cylons]] follow a '''monotheistic religion''' handed down to them from the [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Centurions]], with modifications by [[Ellen Tigh]]. This is distinct from the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies|polytheistic religion]] followed by most of the Colonial Humans and the Terrestrial Cylons known as the [[Thirteenth Tribe]] (from which come the [[Final Five]], including Ellen Tigh). | ||
Unless otherwise indicated, the term "Cylon" as used herein refers collectively to | Unless otherwise indicated, the term "Cylon" as used herein refers collectively to Centurion Model 0005, and humanoid Models [[Number Two|Two]] (Leoben), [[Number Three|Three]] (D'Anna), [[Number Four|Four]] (Simon), [[Number Five|Five]] (Aaron), [[Number Six|Six]] (various names), [[Number Eight|Eight]] (Sharon), and presumably [[Number Seven|Seven]] (Daniel); and to their beliefs. As previously indicated, these beliefs differ from those of the Thirteenth Tribe which shared a polytheistic tradition with the twelve Human tribes. The [[Number One]] model line (John Cavil) are atheists. It is unclear whether the semi-sentient [[Raider (RDM)|Raiders]] and [[Cylon Centurion|modern Centurions]] have even the capacity to process religion. Cylon religion supposes that the [[Hybrid]]s can communicate with God, but what if any beliefs the Hybrids themselves hold is unclear. What religion(s) the Agathons are imparting to [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] is unknown. | ||
Prior to the [[First Cylon War]], a small sect of humans illegally practiced a | Prior to the [[First Cylon War]], a small sect of humans illegally practiced a monotheistic religion. This movement has been reborn under [[Gaius Baltar]] who preaches Cylon dogma taught to him by [[Virtual-Six]]. Terrestrial Cylons [[Tory Foster]] and [[Galen Tyrol]] appear to have converted to monotheism as well under Baltar's ministry, whereas [[Saul Tigh]] has not despite [[Caprica-Six]]'s influence.<ref>He continues to speak of the plural "gods" vice the singular, and refers to Baltar's followers as kooks ("[[The Oath]]").</ref> | ||
==The Cylon God== | ==The Cylon God== | ||
The Cylons believe that [[God (RDM)|God]] created mankind. Humanity, to the Cylons, is a flawed creation, one that is sinful and has essentially thrown away the gift of the soul and of God's love. The Cylons believe that God directed humanity to create the Cylons as a more perfect entity. From there, the Cylons believe they were to take the place of the flawed humans in the cosmos and become, essentially, the next generation of humankind. | The Cylons believe that [[God (RDM)|God]] created mankind. Humanity, to the Cylons, is a flawed creation, one that is sinful and has essentially thrown away the gift of the soul and of God's love. The Cylons believe that God directed humanity to create the Cylons as a more perfect entity. From there, the Cylons believe they were to take the place of the flawed humans in the cosmos and become, essentially, the next generation of humankind. | ||
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==Attitude toward Colonial Religion== | ==Attitude toward Colonial Religion== | ||
The Cylons believe in a singular deity and reject the worship of multiple deities <ref>This is similar, but not necessarily identical, to the beliefs of the [[w:Abrahamic religion|Abrahamic religions]], such as [[w:Judaism|Judaism]], [[w:Christianity|Christianity]] and [[w:Islam|Islam]].</ref>. It has been frequently exposed that God is the one true God of all, human and Cylon. As such they view the Colonial worship of the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|Lords of Kobol]] as blasphemous ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). The Cylons claim that they know the [[Sacred Scrolls|scriptures of the human religion]] better than humanity does, but do not believe the Sacred Scrolls to be literally true ([[Home, Part I]]). They acknowledge the historicity of the Lords of Kobol without accepting their divinity. | The Cylons believe in a singular deity and reject the worship of multiple deities <ref>This is similar, but not necessarily identical, to the beliefs of the [[w:Abrahamic religion|Abrahamic religions]], such as [[w:Judaism|Judaism]], [[w:Christianity|Christianity]] and [[w:Islam|Islam]].</ref>. It has been frequently exposed that God is the one true God of all, human and Cylon. As such they view the Colonial worship of the [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|Lords of Kobol]] as blasphemous ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). The Cylons claim that they know the [[Sacred Scrolls|scriptures of the human religion]] better than humanity does, but do not believe the Sacred Scrolls to be literally true ([[Home, Part I]]). They acknowledge the historicity of the Lords of Kobol without accepting their divinity. | ||
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==Beliefs== | ==Beliefs== | ||
The Cylons apparently worship a metaphysical being, a being that wishes for all to believe in it and love it, human and Cylon alike. The Cylon religion includes concepts of "sin". For example, the [[Virtual beings|virtual Number Six]] warns [[Gaius Baltar]] that suicide was a mortal sin when he jokingly suggests killing himself ([[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]). A tortured Number Six copy named [[Gina]] does not [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|initially]] kill herself to escape horrific torture because she believes that suicide is a sin ([[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]). | |||
The Cylons maintain that one of God's commandments is to procreate ("be fruitful"), but the humanoid Cylons are incapable of procreating with each other. The Cylons apparently strictly define "procreation" as biological reproduction, and not creation of copies of existing Cylon models using asexual, industrial or laboratory techniques. As a result, the Cylons began attempts to create a Cylon-human hybrid (deemed more feasible than their previous attempts at procreation amongst their own kind). To this end they developed "[[farms]]" on the occupied Twelve Colonies to create a hybrid, but these attempts continued without success.<ref>This Cylon-human hybrid child should not be confused with the living humanoid central computer of a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]], also known to the Cylons as a "[[Hybrid]]".</ref> | |||
The Cylons maintain that one of God's commandments is to procreate ("be fruitful"), but the humanoid Cylons are incapable of procreating with each other. | |||
[[Cavil|Most]] Cylons espouse monotheistic views, but often with subtle differences in interpretation. For instance, [[Leoben Conoy]] believes that "We are all God". | [[Cavil|Most]] Cylons espouse monotheistic views, but often with subtle differences in interpretation. For instance, [[Leoben Conoy]] believes that "We are all God". | ||
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==Analysis== | ==Analysis== | ||
The concept that the religious beliefs of the Cylons are similar to the real-life Abrahamic religions of planet Earth is a plot twist which executive producer [[Ron Moore]] developed and considers to be an intriguing switch: normally, the "Good Guys" in a TV show are monotheists, and the "bad guys" are polytheists. However, in the Re-imagined Series, the "good" humans follow a polytheistic religion that worships a parallel of the Greek gods, while the "bad" Cylons worship a monotheistic God, similar to real-life Abrahamic religions. | The concept that the religious beliefs of the Cylons are similar to the real-life Abrahamic religions of planet Earth is a plot twist which executive producer [[Ron Moore]] developed and considers to be an intriguing switch: normally, the "Good Guys" in a TV show are monotheists, and the "bad guys" are polytheists. However, in the Re-imagined Series, the "good" humans follow a polytheistic religion that worships a parallel of the Greek gods, while the "bad" Cylons worship a monotheistic God, similar to real-life Abrahamic religions. | ||
Revision as of 20:59, 6 March 2009
- This article discusses the religion of the Cylons of the Re-imagined Series.
- In the Original Series, the Cylons have no documented religion.
- For summary information on the Colonial faiths as seen in the Original Series, see Religion in the Twelve Colonies (TOS).
| Part of the series on |
The majority of the so-called Singificant Seven Cylons follow a monotheistic religion handed down to them from the Centurions, with modifications by Ellen Tigh. This is distinct from the polytheistic religion followed by most of the Colonial Humans and the Terrestrial Cylons known as the Thirteenth Tribe (from which come the Final Five, including Ellen Tigh).
Unless otherwise indicated, the term "Cylon" as used herein refers collectively to Centurion Model 0005, and humanoid Models Two (Leoben), Three (D'Anna), Four (Simon), Five (Aaron), Six (various names), Eight (Sharon), and presumably Seven (Daniel); and to their beliefs. As previously indicated, these beliefs differ from those of the Thirteenth Tribe which shared a polytheistic tradition with the twelve Human tribes. The Number One model line (John Cavil) are atheists. It is unclear whether the semi-sentient Raiders and modern Centurions have even the capacity to process religion. Cylon religion supposes that the Hybrids can communicate with God, but what if any beliefs the Hybrids themselves hold is unclear. What religion(s) the Agathons are imparting to Hera is unknown.
Prior to the First Cylon War, a small sect of humans illegally practiced a monotheistic religion. This movement has been reborn under Gaius Baltar who preaches Cylon dogma taught to him by Virtual-Six. Terrestrial Cylons Tory Foster and Galen Tyrol appear to have converted to monotheism as well under Baltar's ministry, whereas Saul Tigh has not despite Caprica-Six's influence.[1]
The Cylon God
The Cylons believe that God created mankind. Humanity, to the Cylons, is a flawed creation, one that is sinful and has essentially thrown away the gift of the soul and of God's love. The Cylons believe that God directed humanity to create the Cylons as a more perfect entity. From there, the Cylons believe they were to take the place of the flawed humans in the cosmos and become, essentially, the next generation of humankind.
The Cylons, seeing themselves as mankind's children, believe they cannot not truly come into their own until the human race is gone. The logical conclusion they reach is that they must commit genocidal "parenticide" in order to evolve and mature ("Torn" Podcast, Act 2).
Attitude toward Colonial Religion
The Cylons believe in a singular deity and reject the worship of multiple deities [2]. It has been frequently exposed that God is the one true God of all, human and Cylon. As such they view the Colonial worship of the Lords of Kobol as blasphemous (Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I). The Cylons claim that they know the scriptures of the human religion better than humanity does, but do not believe the Sacred Scrolls to be literally true (Home, Part I). They acknowledge the historicity of the Lords of Kobol without accepting their divinity.
That said, the Cylons tolerate Colonial religion on New Caprica, and direct evangelism has been mainly limited to Leoben's workings on Kara Thrace.
Beliefs
The Cylons apparently worship a metaphysical being, a being that wishes for all to believe in it and love it, human and Cylon alike. The Cylon religion includes concepts of "sin". For example, the virtual Number Six warns Gaius Baltar that suicide was a mortal sin when he jokingly suggests killing himself (Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down). A tortured Number Six copy named Gina does not initially kill herself to escape horrific torture because she believes that suicide is a sin (Resurrection Ship, Part II).
The Cylons maintain that one of God's commandments is to procreate ("be fruitful"), but the humanoid Cylons are incapable of procreating with each other. The Cylons apparently strictly define "procreation" as biological reproduction, and not creation of copies of existing Cylon models using asexual, industrial or laboratory techniques. As a result, the Cylons began attempts to create a Cylon-human hybrid (deemed more feasible than their previous attempts at procreation amongst their own kind). To this end they developed "farms" on the occupied Twelve Colonies to create a hybrid, but these attempts continued without success.[3]
Most Cylons espouse monotheistic views, but often with subtle differences in interpretation. For instance, Leoben Conoy believes that "We are all God".
The first successful Cylon-human Hybrid, Hera Agathon, the daughter of Sharon and Karl Agathon, is literally considered to be a "miracle from God" by the Cylons (Final Cut).
Possible origin
| Spoiler follows, highlight to read. |
|---|
| A small minority of monotheistic humans existed on the Twelve Colonies before the Fall. Two of them were Zoe Graystone, a closeted monotheist and her boyfriend, Ben Stark, who was more fanatical of the two. Graystone and Stark died in a suicide bombing caused by the latter, but before they died, they managed to upload their memories into online avatars. Zoe Graystone's avatar, Zoe-A, was later uploaded into the first Cylon, created by her father, Daniel Graystone. The fact that the first Cylon had the memories of a human monotheist might have been the cause of the Cylons' belief in one God[4]. |
Analysis
The concept that the religious beliefs of the Cylons are similar to the real-life Abrahamic religions of planet Earth is a plot twist which executive producer Ron Moore developed and considers to be an intriguing switch: normally, the "Good Guys" in a TV show are monotheists, and the "bad guys" are polytheists. However, in the Re-imagined Series, the "good" humans follow a polytheistic religion that worships a parallel of the Greek gods, while the "bad" Cylons worship a monotheistic God, similar to real-life Abrahamic religions.
The Cylon God and the Lords of Kobol have an "overlapping" existence that is confusing to both Colonial and Cylon sides. Both sides appear to be guided to conflict (and, in rare instances, cooperation) through events that appear pre-destined. The story arc of finding the Arrow of Apollo involves the hunt for the Tomb of Athena by the Colonials. According to the Sacred Scrolls, the humans will be aided by a "minor demon." The cooperative Sharon Valerii copy assists the group in finding the tomb.
In another instance, the oracle Dodona Selloi tells Number Three that the Lords of Kobol, specifically Zeus, are sad for her. The oracle then relays a message from the Cylon God to Three of the existence of Hera Agathon and the imminent failure of the occupation of New Caprica (Exodus, Part I).
The convergence of the Cylon and Colonial religion occurs yet again at the algae planet, where possession of the Eye of Jupiter is fought over by the two sides. While the Colonials believe the Temple of Five on the planet was built by the Thirteenth Tribe to represent five priests who worshiped "the one whose name cannot be spoken", one Cylon (Number Three) and Gaius Baltar believe that the significance of the Temple has something to do with the five missing humanoid Cylons. Lieutenant Felix Gaeta discovers that the algae planet's sun will soon go nova; both he and Admiral Adama do not believe that the curious coincidences of Colonial and Cylon involvement with the Eye, at that particular place and time, as merely coincidental (The Eye of Jupiter).
Cylon attitude towards their own religion varies between the models, and it is this variation that is one of the major causes of the Cylon Civil War. The Fours and Fives follow the lead of the atheist Ones with the more reverent Twos, Sixes, and Eights in opposition.
Sayings and Prayers
- Leoben Conoy: (at a dinner table with Kara Thrace) "Heavenly father, we thank you for the bounty of this table…" (Occupation)
- Number Three: "[There is] no other god but God." (Exodus, Part II) [5]
- Sharon Agathon: "When God's anger awakens, even the mighty shall fall…" (Torn)
- A group of sickened Cylons performing the Prayer to the Cloud of Unknowing: "Heavenly father [. . .] grant us the strength...the wisdom [. . .] and above all...a measure of acceptance..." (A Measure of Salvation)
References
- ↑ He continues to speak of the plural "gods" vice the singular, and refers to Baltar's followers as kooks ("The Oath").
- ↑ This is similar, but not necessarily identical, to the beliefs of the Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
- ↑ This Cylon-human hybrid child should not be confused with the living humanoid central computer of a basestar, also known to the Cylons as a "Hybrid".
- ↑ Caprica casting info (backup available on Archive.org) (in English). (Apr 3, 2008). Note: This information is based on early reports and casting sheets, and thus subject to change.
- ↑ This resembles the islamic Shahada: "I bear witness that there is no god except for God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God."