Is "Lost" spiritual?

The folks at Beliefnet have created a gallery to Lost's twelve most "spiritual" moments. But does the show have an identifiable spiritual stance, or do its writers, in true post-modern fashion, use whatever motifs are out there to keep their narrative humming along? The character John Locke, for instance, is frequently described as a man of faith. But what exactly is it that he believes in?

It is possible to be a fan of the show without buying into its New Age-y spiritual vibe.

Meanwhile, for those who haven't followed the show in the past, but are roaming the television wasteland during the writers' strike, Entertainment Weekly proves quick summaries of previous episodes.

Posted by Jim Naughton on February 2, 2008 12:44 PM | |
Comments (4)

Thanks for drawing attention to the question of spiritual themes in LOST. I've been reflecting on a number of aspects of this on my blog, including a possible interpretation of the show that relates to the multiverse cosmology, and some of the moral and religious issues it might be exploring in that context. Let me know what you think!

- James F. McGrath

Posted by ReligionProf [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 2, 2008 2:16 PM

Is it just me, or do I see some hypocrisy in judgments on evangelicals when they rediscover and embrace traditions that have lived on in mainstream denominations, but when post-moderns borrow motifs they're called, well, post-moderns.

Posted by John B. Chilton [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 2, 2008 2:49 PM

Professor Dude,

Endowing Locke with some spiritual mantle as the story's man o' faith has always seemed vapid. Man o' metaphysics, maybe.

But the whole multiverse idea is very interesting (and for a Pullman fan is obligatory). When LOST unveiled its new logo (a cityscape reflected in the water beneath the island scene)and with all the "in a glass darkly" references, I started thinking more and more about the notion of parallel universes. I googled "parallel universes lost" and up popped your blog. Now here you are posting on the Cafe.

As my son would say, "Co-inki-dink? I think not."

Posted by Heidi Shott [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 2, 2008 5:13 PM

"Oceanic 815" .... and...
"815" ?

I have not embarked on the quest to see how "spiritual" LOST is. However, it is quite a coincidence that the flight number for the airplane that went down was "Oceanic 815" and "815" is what insiders in The Episcopal Church call the church's headquarters in NYC...

...probably just a coincidence, (and a sign that I've been watching too much LOST!)

Posted by Peter Carey [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 15, 2008 9:21 PM

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