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Leaps of Faith / Miracles vs. Science
A more general discussion for non-doctrined & non-denominational "faith" (such as that of Locke), rather than specific organized religion. See also Christianity & Eastern Faiths for more specific references.
A central theme on the show is that of the division of ideas of faith and science. Locke represents someone who depends on faith, while Jack looks to science to provide answers, meaning and guidance. Part of the show explores the conflict between these two characters, and how the other survivors' perspective align with Jack and Locke.
From "Tabula Rasa":
Walt: "Mr. Locke said a miracle happened to him."
Michael: "Yeah, well, a miracle happened to all of us, Walt."
From "House of the Rising Sun":
Locke: "Because I have faith, Charlie." (refering to his belief that the guitar will work)
From "The Moth":
Jack to Kate: "Well, I wish I shared your faith." (refering to Kate's belief Sayid's plan to find the signal source will work)
From "Confidence Man":
Boone: "It's a miracle." (refering to Sun's use of eucalyptus to ease Shannon's asthma)
From "Whatever the Case May Be":
Rose to Charlie: "I just do. It's a fine line between denial and faith. It's much better on my side." (refering to her knowing that Bernard is still alive)
From "Hearts and Minds":
Charlie to Jack: "No offense, mate, but if there's one person on this island I would put my absolute faith in to save us all it would be John Locke."
From "Deus ex Machina":
Locke: "Boone, you've got to have some faith... All that's happening now is our faith is being tested - our commitment. But we will open it. The island will show us how." (refering to the hatch)
From "Exodus":
Locke: "Me, well, I'm a man of faith... We were brought here for a purpose, for a reason, all of us."
From "Man of Science, Man of Faith":
Jack: "Because with her situation that would be a miracle, brother." (refering to Sarah's surgery)
Desmond: "Oh, and you don't believe in miracles?"
From "Orientation":
Helen: "That's why it's called a leap of faith, John." (refering to him trusting her)
Locke to Jack: "Why do you find it so hard to believe?" (refering to pushing the button)
Jack: "Why do you find it so easy?"
Locke: "It's never been easy!... I can't do this alone, Jack. I don't want to. It's a leap of faith, Jack."
From "The Hunting Party":
Christian: "Because what your father is looking for is not a surgical procedure. What he is looking for is a miracle." (refering to the Bertoni situation; Gabriela later refers to Sarah's surgery as a miracle)
Gabriela: "I have a confession to make. I don't believe in miracles." (now in private to Jack)
Jack: "Yeah, I guess I'm not too sure about them, either."
Sarah: "Hey, that's the price of being a miracle-worker." (at home to Jack)
From "The Whole Truth":
Jin: "Then it's a miracle." (refering to Sun's pregnancy, now that he knows he was the infertile one)
In "S.O.S.", Rose is brought to a faith healer, Isaac, who is known for "miracles." He cannot cure her, but says that she may be seeking a different magnetic energy, which she now believes she has found on the island.
In "?", the central premise of the flashback is that Eko is working for the Church to investigate a supposed miracle. Joyce Malkin, mother of a daughter who "came back to life" certainly thinks it is one, and wants to spread the word: "Don't you understand? It's a miracle -- a confirmation of faith. Everyone needs to know about it." Richard Malkin, the father, thinks differently: "Everyday I meet people looking for a miracle, desperate to find one. But there are none to be had. Not in this world, anyway." Charlotte later tells Eko that Yemi appeared in her dream and "He said that even though you don't have faith in yourself, that he has faith in you." In addition, finding The Pearl has crushed Locke's faith in the act of pushing the button, but strangely revived Eko's faith in the task.
Unexplained or Small Probability "Miracles" of LOST:
This many survivors with minimal injuries of a serious plane "crash"
Numerous past connections between characters that should otherwise be strangers
Appearance of the Numbers everywhere
Christian Shepherd's image leads Jack to water source
Locke can walk
Sarah's surgery a success, and she can walk because of Jack
Hurley wins millions playing numbers he heard from Leonard
Same numbers on hatch, and need to be entered, or appearing elsewhere
Claire gives birth to a healthy boy on an isolated island the same day Boone dies
Jack got all of Angelo's tumor (though he died of a heart attack)
Bernard and Rose reuinited
Parts of the same orientation film found and rejoined from different sides of the island
Sun is pregnant (assuming she is not lying and has been faithful to Jin, and that he is infertile)
Rose feels her disease is cured
Richard Malkin's daughter "drowned" and "came back to life"
Survival of Desmond, Locke, Eko and Charlie after a huge EMP blast
Item Last Updated: April 22, 2006, 12:47:02 PM by Pandora
