On Colonial One, the Cylons argue over their purpose with the humans, while Baltar sits at his desk, thumbing over some papers, trying to pretend he’s not in the room. Along with Baltar, we get to evesdrop and hear some of the behind the scenes of the Cylons—what they are thinking, planning, and, most importantly, the fact that they are not all on the same page about how to handle the humans. This conversation is short, but its theological depth gives insight to the Cylons’ leadership structure, that there appear to be factions within the ranks that disagree with each other and they can openly argue their points and they can openly threaten each other. The reasons each gives for their take on what to do with the human population all go back to each model’s interpretation of their scriptures and what God would want them to do.
The conversation is mainly between various models of Cavil, Eight, Six, and Five:
We’ve heard Cavil models declare their atheism to humans (Chief Tyrol and Admiral Adama during the last two episodes of Season Two); so, the sarcastic tone in Cavil’s voice is even more pronounced during this bickering. Cavil’s character seems to be based on fear theology—let’s scare God into these sinners. Afterall, in his mind they’ve tried everything else to introduce humanity to God; so, they need to try anything to get the humans to worship God. This theology sounds familiar to the historic church, in its dealings with perceived heretics, wayward Christians, and savages of new worlds who didn’t want to give up their religions. The Number Eight and Number Six models want to demonstrate God’s love and compassion for all, the opposite of Cavil’s position. Their view of evangelism is one that is more inline with mainstream Christianity, where you don’t ram God down people’s throats, force feeding God to the nonbelievers.
The conversation is mainly between various models of Cavil, Eight, Six, and Five:
Number Eight: We’re here to find a new way to live in peace, as God wants
us to live!
Cavil: And it’s been a fun ride, so far. But I want
to clarify our objectives. If we’re bringing the world of “God,” then it
follows we should employ any means necessary to do so, any means.
Another
Cavil: Yes. Fear is a key article of faith, as I understand
it. So, perhaps it’s time to instill a little more fear into the people’s
hearts and minds….
We’ve heard Cavil models declare their atheism to humans (Chief Tyrol and Admiral Adama during the last two episodes of Season Two); so, the sarcastic tone in Cavil’s voice is even more pronounced during this bickering. Cavil’s character seems to be based on fear theology—let’s scare God into these sinners. Afterall, in his mind they’ve tried everything else to introduce humanity to God; so, they need to try anything to get the humans to worship God. This theology sounds familiar to the historic church, in its dealings with perceived heretics, wayward Christians, and savages of new worlds who didn’t want to give up their religions. The Number Eight and Number Six models want to demonstrate God’s love and compassion for all, the opposite of Cavil’s position. Their view of evangelism is one that is more inline with mainstream Christianity, where you don’t ram God down people’s throats, force feeding God to the nonbelievers.
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