trivard676Fans of Dead Space have no doubt drawn conclusions about what Unitology is. On first glance, even second and third glance and careful inspection, the entire concept of Unitology seems like one hell of a play on Scientology.
However it appears that much of this was unintended. We’re not here to point fingers or make fun, but when you consider that your fanatical video-game universe religion is remarkably similar to an existing religion, there’s something a little off…with one of them.
Wright Bagwell, creative director of Dead Space 2 had a few comments to share on the similarities between Scientology and Unitology.
“We never really approach that discussion with the intention of poking fun at a particular religion, or sort of making a social statement about something that’s going on right now. For us, Unitology’s purpose in the story represents people’s illogical thinking about things they don’t understand. It was never really intended to be a jab at any particular religion. I know people have said ‘Oh yeah, it’s a jab at Scientology,’ it was never really intended. I think people get that a lot because the name is very similar.”
We hate to point it out, but anyone who’s actually played the game would really have no choice but to draw conclusions like that. The religion has a following of powerful CEOs and popular celebrities, both religions’ roots are heavily based in science (we wouldn’t say science fiction, because…well, people actually believe it isn’t fiction). One of the most telling similarities would have to be that there are ‘ranks’ within the church, accessible only to those who have contributed wealth to the church.
Bagwell went on to state…
“The commentary we’re making with Unitology [is] in this complex, futuristic world, people are looking for ways to simplify their lives and put their faith in something that they don’t have to think too much about.
Way to alienate a religious fanbase, dude. There are people that dedicate their entire lives to religion, obviously they think about it a lot – anyone who is even remotely devout invests a lot of time and thought into the religion of their upbringing. But really, who are we to judge?
The book Dead Space: Martyr delves into the history of the Church of Unitology. It’s been described as a massive religion based on the belief that the Marker will bring about eternal life, and that the Marker is proof that life originated outside Earth.
Unitology spread at a time where people had lost faith (pun intended) in conventional religions. It held onto the concept of eternal life, which attracted many followers who soon turned devout. The religion is relatively new, first cropping up into existence about 200 years before the events of the first game. We’re thinking that’s where the similarities with Unitology end. Actually, we’re hoping so. If the devs really thought that they could have that many more similarities with an existing religion and pull the wool over our eyes and claim that it’s just the suffix that’s giving us the deja-vu feeling, we’d be a touch offended.
Of course Dead Space fans know that the entire concept of Unitology is a farce, created by the upper members for their own benefit. Speculation exists that top-ranking members and founders of the church were actually a rogue group from Earth Government, despite their constant feud with the church. They believed that the Marker would hail in the next stage of human evolution.
Unitologists’ sole belief is keeping the body intact for/after death so that they may be reborn along with other members’ bodies. The truth behind the matter is that when they are actually reborn, they are not reborn into a higher-level better-off community, they’re reborn as Necromorphs. The founders of the religion knew this, and accepted it with open arms.
Of course this knowledge was twisted into lies. How exactly do you get people to join your religion if your sole tenant states that “you’ll be turned into a horrifying monster after death. Sign up today!”
–jeeves86
With files from Dead Space Wikia and MTV
