I understood but I do not look at them in that manner. The religious symbolism is apparent but for the past month or so I have been contemplating and discussing with a non Lost Fan about Existentialism.
Exitentialism......... deal with the conditions of existence of the individual person and their emotions, actions, responsibilities, and thoughts........maintained that the individual is solely responsible for giving their own life meaning and living that life passionately and sincerely.........in spite of many existential obstacles and distractions including despair, angst, absurdity, alienation, and boredom.
Subsequent existential philosophers retain the emphasis on the individual, but differ, in varying degrees, on how one achieves and what constitutes a fulfilling life, what obstacles must be overcome, and what external and internal factors are involved, including the potential consequences of the existence or non-existence of God.
and so this may not fit with the thread of what this thread topic, but I think TPTB/Writers are providing conditions to which these folks respond and for some there is faith based in their life as with others there is no faith. For example Jack and the original Locke.
I could ramble on about all of this but as I have been just scratching the surface this is so close to the life circumstances of the characters, well. I am hoping that in the end the religious symbolism was just that symbolic in story telling. That MIB and Jacob are two ancient folks caught up in an existensial dialogue. AND the Island is just there for added fun and needs to be protected from mankind.
