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Haven't played it but I have played it's sequel Tales of the Abyss.

The religious themes can be attributed to the exoticiness of Abrahamic religions to the East. Much like how over in the States, Buddhism and Hinduism are treated as exotic, Christianity and Western culture is treated as very exotic over in the East. Hell I mean the gothic lolita was heavily inspired off the Victorian period. The mysterious Wolfwood in Trigun is a traveling preacher. Evangelion anyone?

So my theory is that the overt religious themes is probably from an artistic and an "oh look something new I've never seen before" view more than anything.

... Think about Japanese history for a moment and the connections of the West to Christianity and the West's relations with Japan. I will also mention that there are purification rituals that are done in Shinto temples specifically because a Westerner set foot inside.

Another more positive-minded theory is that they are picking up on the subtle Gnostic themes preserved in Christianity razz

Probably so. I mean what did the Europeans do when they first came to Japan and what religion did they claim to be?

Also I would think our little atomic bombings would still be a sore subject.

Christianity and Western Culture have very close ties and for outsiders it can be very hard to distinguish the two.

Oh lol sorry I didn't realize that.

Anyway, I didn't get to play too far into it because my fiancee has issues with me beating games she wants to play before she does so at what point I left off at I'd say Tear is my favorite. Luke is too whiny and spoiled for my liking.

Oooh! I love Tales of Symphonia! biggrin

I see the religious themes from a different perspective. In Japan, I think there is a bit of a conflict between the overwhelming cultural pressure to fit in and be the same as everyone else... but at the same time, I think a lot of people (especially young people) want to rebel against the status quo, but are afraid to. I think part of the reason for the God/Angels being painted as the villains has to do with fighting against the establishment and showing that the establishment isn't always right.

sweatdrop I actually love Collette. I think it's because I really love sweet girls that are just trying to do right by everyone else. But I also loved Zelos because his narcissism cracked me up ("Not in the face!! Watch the hair!") I always felt bad for Presea.

I found Sheena a bit annoying. She was so hard to please. stressed

I absolutly love ToS! I actually find the religious perceptives in the game to be intertaining and perhaps slightly true. Who knows if the catholic faith is entirely corrupt (cardnials and such...)? It was untill lately.

My favorite character is (of course) Lloyd Irving/ Sheena Fujibayashi (is the last name spelt right?)

My most hated character/s are Presia/ Regal.

(No bashing on my views on the Catholic church; I'm catholic heart )

I think the saying "Things arn't always what they seem" will be best applied here. If we place Collete as Jesus I believe the writers are implying that prehaps Jesus wasn't intirely for his goal, saving us from our sins and opening the way to heaven. Prehaps they're saying that we are fooling ourselfs into believeing in something that could be fake...