The religions of Spectrum personnel

[Parker Gabriel]

The question: Name the religions practiced by Spectrum personnel.

Headstarts based on current knowledge:
Captain Scarlet is Anglican, but not devout.
Captain Blue is Lutheran and an active practitioner.
Captain Magenta is presumably a lapsed Catholic who was most likely excommunicated for his illegal pre-Spectrum activities.

The Mysterons are probably godless, and so may Captain Black be as their agent.

That's what I know or have had reason to presume. The rest I don't know and/or am not bothering to speculate what they may be, and I am waiting for answers to my question.

[Marion]

There is no canon evidence that any of the main characters have any religious affiliation.
Destiny is described as being 'covent educated' but that doesn't mean she has to be a Catholic - at least not in the UK.
Several authors have posited that the characters do have/don't have certain beliefs, but that has no authority beyond the author's imagination.

I personally feel that it is a topic best kept well away from.

[Intensity Angel]

That saying Marion, to what extent religion affects the characters can be expressed via fan fiction. We all have different opinions, and gives the characters our own finishing touches. It's a different outlet of ideas and perceptions.

[Marion]

Yes, Intensity Angel, that's what I said. I only meant that it was a topic best avoided on the forum, where it might, possibly, cause offence. In fan fiction you can do as you please; I rather like to imagine that Ochre - if asked - would give his religious affiliation as 'Jedi'. However, as a motive for certain events, locations or actions, religious belief is a valid one.

BTW - I don't think the Catholic Church excommunicate people for being involved in crime - especially when that person has never been convicted of being involved in anything illegal, Parker Gabriel. However, I'm not a Catholic, so I can't say for certain.

[Parker Gabriel]

Roman Catholicism often refuses its Sacraments to those who have committed serious crimes, especially when those crimes, like murder or theft, are also considered mortal sins. Since Patrick Donaghue was very much a thief when he ran the cybermob he headed up, he would almost certainly be denied permission to receive the Sacraments of Roman Catholicism till after he had repented, confessed to one of its priests and received penance and possible absolution.

[hazel]

Patrick Donaghue was never convicted, merely suspected. That's not even grounds for taking away his passport, let alone a major step like excommunication.

[Intensity Angel]

I can see where you're coming from now Marion, you're right about being sensible (my word of choice) about the matter on the forum.

[chrisbishop]

It is indeed a sensitive subject, and I personnally question the exact pertinence of a question such as to know what religion each character might practice. If it isn't relevant to a story - or at least doesn't give any additional interest to the story, or the portion of the text the author wrote, I don't really see the point for this author to chose any faith, whatever it could be for these characters.

We don't know what religion these characters practice - or even IF they do practice or EVEN believe in anything. About all information we can find on the website on this subject seems to be strictly fan-based, and as such, it was left to the author's choice or decision. Most of these choices I've seen seem based on observation and logical extrapolation, and were only made in passing to, for example, define a character a little more, and does not make a big deal of it.

About the only character we can be nearly certain there is some official information about her religious background, is Destiny, as she had been educated in a convent, so she seems to have been at least educated into the Catholic faith. That doesn't impart that she practices in any religious act in any way, or go to Chruch even on every other Sunday only, or once a month, or that she is a believer at all. Although The official Credo is "Once a Catholic, always a Catholic" - you do not quit Catholicism like you would an ordinary club. So she might be stuck with that... whatever she might think of it

Oh and by the way, the above Credo also means that excommunication ISN'T a way for a Catholic to become a non-Catholic. This is only a penalty to push you aside - and that penalty can be temporary, as it can be lifted if you are properly penitent!

Would you believe there's a page on this subject on the www.dummies.com website? Check it out if you're curious.

The least we can say is, if some of this website's topics are not always relevant to our chosen subject, they can at least be informative. Not always useful, but interesting:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/c ... lties.html

[Intensity Angel]

Thank you Chris, the material is interesting to read.

[Skybase Girl]

From a fan point of view, it may be interesting to imagine the characters backgrounds and how big a part religion might play in that.
You can dream up anything you like, basically, providing you keep anything too controversial to yourself.

From a fan fiction point of view, it is down to the individual writer as to how they think religion may play a part in the lives of the canon characters. There is certaibnly nothing wrong in describing how a religious background might have helped shape a view point on the world.

However, it is important to remember that our canon characters have a duty, first and foremost, to the organisation in which they serve. Perhaps there may, occasionally, be times when this calls for a crisis of confidence in their religious beliefs. I don't believe there is any harm in exploring that, providing it is done sensitively, within character and does not overburden the story as a whole. And, of course, does not cause offence to the people who may want to read the story!

[Intensity Angel]

In other words: no Frankenstein stories!!!

[Skybase Girl]

Intensity - sorry, am I missing something?

Frankenstein stories?

I'm not sure what what this has to do with religion. Maybe my last post was confusing and if so. I apologise.

[Parker Gabriel]

"Sorry, am I missing something? Frankenstein stories? I'm not sure what what this has to do with religion."

Intensity Angel was referring to stories where the protagonist might have committed some sort of blasphemy against what Mary Shelley called "the Creator of the World." Victor "Fronkonsteen's" blasphemy was in creating a humanlike creature, a noble enough quest, then abandoning him like so much garbage.

[Marion]

Although Mary Shelley's novel is not overtly religious, the key theme is Dr. Frankenstein's transgression of boundaries and "playing God." Mary Shelley herself, in her introduction, describes her protagonist as a "pale student of unhallowed arts," and describes his actions as "mock[ing] the stupendous mechanism of the Creator of the world."

by Dena S. Davis in 'A Tale of Two Creatures: Jewish and Christian Attitudes Toward Cloning'.

BTW - 'Fronkensteen' comes from Mel Brooks' movie 'Young Frankenstein' and is the original Doctor's grandson's attempt to distance himself from his notorious progenitor by insisting his name be pronounced like that...

All of which has nothing to do with 'Captain Scarlet'.

[Skybase Girl]

And the religious persuasions of Spectrum's personnel, I think.