What just happened? What is the meaning of all this? One interfaith perspective on L O S T:
It's about letting go for one thing. If you watched the season finale of LOST on May 23, 2010, you may have noticed the multi-faith symbols embedded in the stained glass windows of the church, or sanctuary if you prefer, shown in plain view near the end of the program. I saw all the characters on Lost as the human race, people from different parts of the world, people with different views of the world, fighting with each other; but discovering they shared something deeper than what apparently divides them (borders and religion to name just two). Overcome at times by their hatred (the smoke monster represents hatred - which we sometimes manifest literally as destructive bombs, the results of our ego-emotions), they agreed to create this meeting place - this interfaith/multi-faith church/sanctuary - they knew they were different, but they also knew they were one - so they could remember the love and caring they shared, and then move on - into the white light where Jack's father went.
The interfaith symbols in the final LOST episode were put there to show us that God is not a Christian. God is God. God loves and accepts people of all faiths. The show tried to portray, I think, that all we need is a little faith. A little faith in God, and a little faith in each other. While it's not real, there are many stories and metaphors, much like the Bible and other sacred scriptures, that were used to try to explain the human condition.
Ben, the one who chose not to enter the sanctuary was probably planning to go back to the island to be in charge, something I think he'd been coveting for quite some time. His faith wasn't quite there yet. There's always one hold-out, isn't there? True in television - have to leave room for another series or movie; and true in life - some people want to hold on to their way of viewing the world - black & white - good & evil - right & wrong - love & war. This sort of ruins it for everyone else, doesn't it? Ah, but we are everyone else - we haven't moved on, have we?
This perspective will obviously fall short in covering all the bases, and it's just one perspective, but it's what I see. As founder of Interfaith Spirit Quest, I am totally thrilled with the ending, for I believe there are genuine, pursuit worthy core values in the great religions of the world, and that if we can incorporate these values into our collective way of thinking, we will make a difference - and we will begin to see less of differences in each other.
What do you think? Some questions to think about:
- What was the purpose of the interfaith symbols?
- Why was it held in a church-like building?
- What was keeping people on the island all the years?
- By investing our time in L O S T for all these seasons, did we learn anything?
- Who can make a difference?
