There's also Fr Gabe in Union's Hope Cathedral. He is a ghoul fighting off feral ghouls, which seems a little odd. He could have made for a ghoul sidequest.

I'm an atheist too. But I don't police my language as far as exclamations go. They're so deeply ingrained in our society that everybody uses them. So why not post apocalyptic America? Also, there's that chapel of all denominations at DD. Which, basically, means all.

Well, I tend to think that portraying religious elements in an RPG can be very off-putting for some - particularly if it can be construed as "blasphemous"; a word which can mean anything one wants it to, depending on whose definition one happens to use.

At the other end of the scale, subjective thought (superstition) is very much a part of the world we live in because there are always people who want to assert a supernatural (i.e. unverifiable) explanation as a basis for action. I think that this is portrayed to perfection by the Atomists in Fallout 4 (not to mention the flexibility of interpretation possessed by the Atomists which is true to form, in my opinion). However, superstition, hinging on supernaturalism, need not be confined to religion and, indeed, superstition is exemplified in the sciences with such secular supernatural entities as phlogiston, luminiferous aether, and a one or two modern examples which won't be named here because they are the subject of an ongoing debate which is ultimately faith-based in nature (i.e. religious) and, thus, would violate the rules of this forum. An in-game example of secular superstition in a scientific setting revolves around TinkerTom's argument for drinking battery acid spiked with some biological nasties just in case there might be Institute tracking/listening devices in the blood (precautionary fallacy).

The thing I really like about Fallout's portrayal of religion is that it does not lose itself in the many superstitious interpretations of any given religion, sect or cult and portrays only the social grouping and behaviour. There is also a certain much-needed realism in the portrayal of embryonic religions and cults being catapulted from obscurity into expansionism by the Great War's impact on existing religious infrastructure. Well established religions, reliant on established and well-optimized administrative infrastructure for influence and logistics, are not equipped to compete with emerging embryonic religions once that often specialized administrative infrastructure is torn apart by a major calamity and changes for which the form of infrastructure is not optimized. This does not necessarily mean that the older religions die out (although, with the help of a feudal system, they can be driven to extinction if the new religion is particularly vicious and widespread). So, in the Fallout world we see remnants of the old order rebuilding while the Atomists and one or two others are expanding at quite a clip.

I feel smarter for having read that.

Ah, but then the real question is, do you feel more curious?

I don't either. It's just an expression. There are some who disagree, but there are some atheists that I fundamentally disagree with on most issues. Generally the Atheists (who capitalize the word) as opposed to atheists (who do not). But...I think I'm meandering too far off topic here.

Regardless, Christianity and religion in general aren't gone in the Fallout world. There are instances in Fallout 4 where you can hear people saying phrases like "God help us", and you can even have a random encounter with some settlers who are holding a seemingly Christian funeral service for one of their friends. Others have pointed out other instances of Christianity within the Fallout world as well.

I keep hoping I can figure out a way to shoehorn in a mod based on "A canticle for Liebowitz".

If you've read it, you'll know why it's relevant to the Fallout universe.

If you haven't, please rectify your appalling oversight.

Edit: Actually, now that I think of it I wouldn't be surprised if "The Abbey" in Fallout 2 was inspired by A Canticle...

FYI - The Abbey was cut content, but you can access it with the Fallout 2 Restoration Project.

But unless you're going all out fantasy, you can't shoehorn religion into any kind of game as a developer. The outrage would come as an all out assault from all sides of the spectrum. So I'm pretty content with how the handle it. Just as with children, there would be something missing if there weren't some hints at people still being religious.

F2 had a richard nixon six doll, I don't think offending particular groups is off the menu

This.

And I'll be amazed if this thread stays calm (though I hope it's possible)

but honestly, inb4 the lock...

Why hasn't this been locked yet?


Edit: My bad, the guy above mentioned this already. But honestly, I don't feel like this is the place to discuss religion... just my opinion, though.

Ran into a really cool event where...

That's not true, phrases and idioms perish daily, as will those of a theistic suasion.There's a book dedicated to these moribund idioms: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9970761-endangered-phrases

It's probably quite petty, but I make an effort to not exclaim 'My God' or 'Jesus Christ'.

I wonder if people in the Fallout universe still recognize B.C in the Julian and Gregorian calendars, if so they must at least have a cognizance of Christianity?

I kind of like the Church in Diamond City. Basically it's: Doesn't matter what or how you follow your beliefs. This is a safe place for you.

That's nice.

Pretty much. Fallout 2's New Reno had a drunken priest who'd become exhausted trying to bring god to that town. Fallout 1 had the Children of the Apocalypse who had pretty much taken over as the dominate religion in that part of California. Fallout New Vegas had all sorts of references including the New Canaanites.

But yeah, the setting is mostly lacking religion. It's a bit of a trope in post-apoc settings/fiction. You generally go 1 of 2 ways.

1. Almost all people have given up of religion after the fall. They see it as useless given how it failed to save the old world. You get a few new cults/religions worshiping either the power that destroyed the world (atomic bombs and whatnot) or whatever saved them (all hail the precious bomb shelter). While here and there you have a few faithful left used to represent old world values and kindness in a barbaric world. That whole "candle in the darkness" concept.

2. Religion's still around and it's fallen back to it's dark age roots as a depository of civilization. The book A Canticle for Leibowitz is a great example of this. The whole idea being that while the world goes to hell, groups of the "faithful" come together and restart the whole monk-monastery system. And in doing so they preserve ancient books, computers, movies, etc from the past until mankind is peaceful enough again to take advantage of it. Really the Brotherhood filled this role in Fallout 1. They were a monastic order of warriors dedicated to finding and preserving ancient technology for the day when mankind needed it again. They've just replaced technology with religion. Look at how the Brotherhood banners and symbols were displayed in Fallout 1 & 2.

I like that prayer is half as useful as taking a nap.

On the other hand, since your eyes are closed anyhow, it's a good chance to TAKE a nap. At least in my experience.

My other 1/2 always says "Wishin' and Hopin' and Prayin" is an awfully redundant and counterproductive statement.

I wouldn't worry in that regard. He's some sort of non-denominational vagueness.

Personally, since my Fallout 3 character was appointed Vault Chaplain by his GOAT, I played it as that. Kind of annoyed I couldn't minister the wedding in Rivet City though. I was totally qualified.

I also enjoyed discussing scripture with Graham in FNV, and the Mormon undertone to some of the events. Not something you see much of in videogames, and it was interesting even if I don't personally have any investment in the groups that are depicted in the game.

I see some people can't get by without throwing a jab in every so often.

Did nobody read Pluto's post, about keeping discussion to the games?

Its not though. Honest Hearts features Mormonism quite prominently, and Fallout 3 is rife with all manner of religious references. Including the entire 'hook,' as someone else, mentioned that is Revelation 21:6. Not to mention a fully 'working' church which has a quest attached to it.

In Fallout 4? Sure, its downplayed more. But in the series in general, its not lacking at all.

Well, honest hearts for new vegas made it perfectly clear the religeon was still alive - just not well known. (The courier doesnt recognise it when whats-his-name hands him a bible)


The children of the atom believe in something entirely different, almost supernatural (this all stems from the creepy places in fallout 3 and 4 - look for yourself)


As for the jesus bit? Probably passed down through generations of the survivors, simply - you learned the values of swearing through your parents who in turn learned them from their parents, blahblahblah

Wait, we're talking about the game correct?


FYI I'm playing an evil character... and what's more evil than taking out a priest for preaching the word of "jebus" to my character?


And "jebus" is a swear word passed down by my parents? ROFL!


I believe you're a little off topic, bud.


This is why this topic shouldn't be in the forums.

I remember thinking the religious references in f3 being a bit out of place. F2 just had a drunk priest. Mormons still existing makes more sense as they are an insular community that is well located for survival. I wish they'd make the coa more like the bomb worshipping mutants in fallout tactics. Anyways my point was these are what 25th generation raiders? Did they all have sunday school?

I have a question regarding that church in downtown Boston with the Ghoul Priest and all the ferals. Was there some sort of quest attached to it? I just happened to wander in after dealing with the graveyard and killed everything there. Hey! They attacked first.

Nope.

Graci!