http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jansenism

No dude- its definately the "Book of Laws"

Now if I could only understand all the ramifications.

1. Why doesn't Jacob show his face to Locke.
2. Why does Locke HAVE to ask "how do I save the island".
3. Free will? Jack had to want to operate on Ben.

I’m not sure I believe the island is Eden, but I can definitely see Abaddon and Alpert as the humanoid offspring of fallen angels. And your theory ties nicely into the redemption and free will themes of Lost.

I read a little about The Book of Laws elsewhere, but nothing as interesting as your connections between Hugo Grotius, Arminianism, and John Locke (the philosopher).

Although, I disagree about Island John Locke not imposing his will on others. In my opinion, he is all about “might makes right.” I think his apologies afterwards are too little, too late. His regret is more about his own ego, than about any harm he may cause. And it never stops him from making the same mistake over again. That, to me, is what makes him a tragic figure.

BTW, if anyone is interested in some great sci-fi/fantasy about angels, I highly recommend Sharon Shinn’s Samaria series. Colonists, who arrived on another planet in a spaceship named Jehovah, create a genetically modified race of archangels to keep the peace.

Hmmm... if this is Eden, does that make Smokey the serpent? Methinks Ben is the one who speaketh with forked tongue :)

I found it interesting that Keamy referred to Smokey as "a black pillar of smoke," which has numerous Biblical references, notably (from KJV):

Exodus 13:21 - And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, To lead them the way.

(Note other translations refer to "a pillar of smoke" rather than "cloud").

Also note Rousseau's reference to Smokey in "Exodus, Part I" (S1, ep 23) ... from Lostpedia:

"A week after her baby daughter was born, she was taken by 'The Others' with the heralding of a Smoke Pillar that appeared 16 years ago."

I know this is not a new observation, but thought it pertinent to bring back up in this discussion ...

I said tempt - if Claires' vision of CHRISTIAN Shepherd was really Smokey in disguise, perhaps she was lured or tempted by an evil entity... she did abandon her first born in the process.

This is highly unlikely.

First of all, in the time period of Locke's childhood there was no Kitab-i-Aqdas in print. The first authorized edition was published in English in 1992 and even earlier manuscripts and non-autorized translations were very small booklets--the document isn't nearly as long as the book of laws on Lost appears to be.

Second, I am very familiar with the Kitab-i-Aqdas and its contents have no relationship to the mythical stories one normally can interpret from most holy books, such as Eden, etc. It is really a book of laws: prayer, fasting, inheritance, global governance, moral laws and matters of spiritual belief that are almost completely absent of ritual. I don't even think there is a single reference to Eden in the book.

Oh, and "Kitab-i-Aqdas" means Most Holy Book in English. Its title does not include the words "book of laws."

"Too little, too late?" Absolutely! But aren't "real" apologies always "too late" by definition? It seems pointless to apologize for having done the right thing. Or, you could be like Michael and apologize before you pull the trigger, but that seems less sincere.

We've seen that Locke is often wrong, that he has at times clearly misinterpreted things, and has himself, been manipulated into taking the wrong actions. This is human fallibility - a major consequence of free will is that it often leads to making the wrong choices.

That Locke shows repentance after the fact is clearly a characteristic of Locke that is not evident in Ben.
But I think what truly sets Locke apart from Ben in this theory is that by literally "forcing" the actions of others - he takes the decision and "free will" out of their hands..

If Eko had been able to act upon his free will (and he tried) - he would've continued to push the button. Same goes for Desmond after realizing that his failure to push the button resulted in the crash of 815 - and once again, Locke took away his "choice" by smashing the computer.

Contrast this to Ben Linus - who will say or do anything - using lies and psychological mind games - in order to manipulate others.

When all is said and done, they both exert their will on others. Locke by force, and Ben in such a way that the person still has a choice in their actions - but they end up choosing to take the action he always intended for them.

Equating this all to Eden, Ben's way is akin to the serpent convincing Eve to eat from the tree - whereas Locke would've simply tied Eve up and forced the grenade... er... apple.. into her mouth.

In Ben's way, Eve can be held accountable for her actions - in Locke's way the accountability for Eve's actions falls squarely on his shoulders (I suppose you could equate this to adultery vs rape).

Regardless of whether the Eden premise of this theory holds, I believe that the contrast between Locke and Ben speaks volumes about the theme of "free will" as it applies to LOST.

You took the words right out of mouth!

There is no Bahai Holy Book titled "Book of Laws". The book which is a book of laws is titled "Kitab-i-Aqdas" and translated from its orginal Arabic it would be "The Most Holy Book'.

I have never heard it referred to as The Book of Laws. And The Bahai Faith is very particular about translations of the written word being accurate.

So let's stop referring to the Bahai Book of Laws because it doesn't exist.

CathyH: with the exception of that one point, your research is impressive!

He told Locke, "The Book of Laws...You may know it as The Old Testament."

I actually researched many of the points CathyH put into her theory before I posted it, and I also took note that "Kitab-i-Aqdas" actually translates to "The Most Holy Book'.

However, both the Bahai Academic Resources Library Encyclopedia and Wikipedia entries for "Kitab-i-Aqdas" state : It is sometimes also referred to as "the Aqdas", "the Most Holy Book", "the Book of Laws" and occasionally "the Book of Aqdas".

Also, when searching Google on the phrase "Book of Laws", the entries from both of these sites about "Kitab-i-Aqdas" appear within the first ten results.

Based on those factors, I really thought that referencing it as a potential candidate in a theory - (a theory which only briefly considered the possibility then rejected it) - was fairly reasonable.

Admittedly, I'm in no position to say whether those actual sources are correct or not, but I do believe that CathyH was diligent enough in her research - definitely meeting the standards for research that goes into theorizing about what's happening on a television show.

Bus Said.

A Coast Guard type boat approaches the Freighter. Desmond embraces Penny as she arrives on a small boat and they have their memorable kiss. Desmond and Michael leave the Freighter. A small crew with guards stay to make repairs. Desmond knows the way---- compass heading 305.

Sun, Jin, Claire, Hurley, Aaron, Jack, Locke, Kate, and Sayid are on the Beach a half mile from camp. Many have been killed, but is seems the Losties united to defeat some of the mercenaries--- there are some still left. Locke says something is going to happen soon to the Island. ------He and Jack are having a verbal showdown when they see the Coast Guard boat --- (too big of boat to land on the beach) in the distance with a smaller one coming at them—this time with a large British Merchant flag— “Now we’re rescued,” is what Jack says, but Locke says that many do not want to go. “They can’t find out about the Island,” says Locke. “They already have,” says Jack. “We all need to leave as more killers may be coming soon.”

Desmond is with Penny and confirms that these are the good guys. Penny’s men says they will ferry those who want off the island in a larger red raft that is just now inflated for them. “Don’t go,” John pleads. Jack commands, “We need to get as many off as soon as we can---NOW!” “You’ll be back, Jack,” Locke says. “I’ll head up the beach and get the others,” Jack says. But still weak, infection in his wounds, Jin says he will get the others. Jin commands Sun to go on the raft—they have a long kiss. Jin says, “I will join you soon,” and rushes off.

They wade out a bit in order to get to the raft --- the O6 in front, Claire not far behind but she is disoriented, blood coming from her nose. Desmond has her in his arms wading to the raft--- There are the O6 in the raft with Desmond lifting Claire in---being slowly pulled by the motor boat---- Desmond turns around to walk back to penny ----and then the island disappears--- moved by Ben, Desmond descends as the beach below him is gone. Claire also has disappeared--. Hurley says, "Dude, did you just see that!" So it’s the O6 and Desmond rescued— in shock, they come up with a plan to lie as Whitmore cannot find out about this. Later, they don’t want everyone to think they are crazy--- all are sworn to secrecy. Michael and Desmond are to pretend they are dead.

Michael is in the coffin visited by Jack —Desmond shows up to pay respects. “We have to go back.” Desmond agrees, “Bro-tha.”

I Googled The Book of Laws and there is a link to The Great Book of Laws.

This is an OZ reference. It seems a Baum book titled Sky Island (Of all things!) was written about a journey in which a

"mixup in names causes the Magic Umbrella to carry them far above the clouds to an entirely different kind of island, an island in the sky. There they run afoul of the Boolooroo, the cruel and arrogant ruler of the Blue Country."

Magic Umbrella=Magic Box?

I'll write more when I have time.
I have some stuff to say. =]

Remember when you used to tell your wife you only bought Playboy for the articles and never looked at the pictures? . . .

I just looked at the pictures and forgot to read the article . . .

I'm such a doofus.

(Just got off the plane - just really tired . . I'll just leave now and not bother anyone again . . . )

>. . . And where does Cecil fit in all this? . . .

I still say that picture of Jacob from last season looks like Michaeal Gross, to me.

As to Eden, I think not [*poof*].

Way to go...fabulous!

There are so many people out there with theories based on so much science and such, with detailed information about physics, and nanotechnology, and space-time stuff, that I just don't think the writers would have put that much energy into a plot from the very beginning.

I don't doubt that the writers are highly intelligent and have varying degrees of knowledge in many fields; I just don't see them making it that complicated.

This theory is simple, yet unique enough and told in such a way that, as viewers, we have no idea what is happening, theoretically. For that, if this is indeed a correct theory (and even if it's not), the writers deserve a prize!

>After watching last night's episode and reading these theories...what if...the Orchid (the greenhouse) protects the "Tree of Life?"

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER, BUT NOT MUCH ***

But the "greenhouse" is just a cover for something entirely different. The Orchid orientation video, screened at last year's San Diego Comicon, but not [yet] on the show has "Dr. Edgar Halliwax" explaining that the Orchid was ostensibly a botanical research station (cover story), but is actually for another purpose altogether - which he never gets around to fully stating because the video is interrupted by upsetting events with bunny #15.

Yet ANOTHER good religiously-based theory, with lots of supporting circumstantial evidence ... seems compelling on first glance ...

Until you realize the writers are apparently pursuing some relatively Unitarian/PC-safe approach here ... is there ANY religion and/or philosophy they have not yet made subtle/explicit reference to? There ARE some fundamental concepts the show keeps going back to, yet I find these mostly at the intersection point on a Venn diagram of historical thought comprising all reconized religions/philosophies. Throw in a little physics (also all over the map), and voila ... we have a product everyone can relate to, right? At some level, I like this approach, yet fundamentally find it intellectually lazy ...

I assume that the writers' assume (probably correctly) that there are so many literary/theological/philosophical/other references in the show, that the average viewer will "connect" with those familiar to them, and the rest will be ignored. This will leave "average" viewers with the feeling that the show has been "tailored" to them, when in fact it's more of an exercise in throwing crap at the wall and seeing what sticks (from each audience member's perspective).

I have been hoping they would refine their "view" at some point, to allow more in-depth discussion of the issues at hand, but am now convinced more than ever that will never happen. Why delve into the intricacies of Hindu thought with regard to the show, when there are supplementary/conflicting references to Protestant, Islamic, Catholic, Pagan, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Egyptian, Confucian, Mesoamerican, Buddhist, and dare I say, "Jedi" thought intermingled? The theological aspects are bad enough ... don't even get me started on the conflicting philosophies presented!

In short, I feel they have been playing too many cards for too long, and am getting sick of being dragged around the cultural playground. At least David Lynch had the balls to go with rather unconventional thought in "Twin Peaks" and stick to it, whether the audience "got it" or not ... J.J. is now striking me as merely a pied-piper of popular thought, rather than someone with something to say, and it saddens me.

I keep finding myself drawn to the show, for now ...

That could also change very quickly if I feel like I'm being used, and I'm damn close to that point right now ...

It also fits that Jacob, the son of Isaac in the Bible, has a vision of a ladder that reaches into heaven with angles climbing up and down it. Could this not only be the Garden of Eden but a gate/passage to heaven?

Nice Theory. Not sure whether you were aware or not but your theory recently got highlighted by this article online! It's on page 2. Well done.

http://tinyurl.com/6lpg8o