Knife of Holy Warfare Dune Part 2 & The Dangers of Religious Weaponization
In trying times, faith can be a powerful thing to hold onto. But it can also be a dangerous double-edged sword. On one hand, it can get you through tribulations that push you to the brink. Contrastingly, it can also make you vulnerable to methods of manipulation by those looking to use your faith to fuel their desires or conquest. Faith is powerful, but how one allows it to influence what one does can be the difference between salvation and destruction. In Dune Part 2, released last week, religious conditioning and manipulation of the masses is a central topic within the narrative as it relates to Paul Atredies’ rise to being the supposed messiah of Arakkis. In this Porter Report, I want to dive deeper into the motivations and tactics of the people around Paul and how they use his potential legend to fuel the fires of liberation and potential galactic disarray.
Spoilers for the film will follow. You have been warned.
Ever since arriving in Arakkis, Paul Atredies feels his presence has created a shift in the foundation of the planet. The indigenous population of the Fremen sees his presence as the long-awaited arrival of the Lisan al Giab, the prophesied messiah predestined to lead them to the promised land. Though it is merely brushed off as simple religious-based pomp and circumstance, Paul doesn't see how substantial his presence is until he travels with the Fremen to Sietch Tabr. While a good majority see him as nothing more than a spy sent to bring chaos to their home, a substantial amount of of Fremen see him as the Lisan al Giab finally coming to lead them to the promised land. Chief among them is Stilgar. As one of the oldest members of the Fedaykin, Stilgar is heavily convinced that Paul is the messiah that the Fremen have been waiting for. Even going as far as to pass off Paul saying he isn't the Lisan al Giab as mere humbleness and humility in addition to sending him out into the desert for several days alone. While Stilgar and the older members of the Fremen hold strong to this belief, the same cannot be said for the younger generation.
For Chani and the younger members of the Fremen, they are not as eager to buy into the prophecy as their older counterparts. In fact, they outright reject the idea of a messiah or a prophecy seeing it as a method to maintain psychological control over their people. Chani's concerns lie in making sure that Paul is properly taught the ways of their people so he can survive among them. Paul, who has dismissed the claims of him being who the Fremen think he is, simply wants to fight alongside the Fremen and earn their respect the right way. Over time, he does gain the admiration of his newfound family and is instrumental in them really turning the tide in the fight against House Harkonnen. He further cements his status as a true Fremen when he successfully calls a sandworm and rides one. This event does hold significance for both parties of Fremen. The younger generation is thrilled to have a new brother in arms to go to battle with. But for the older generation, it is further cementing Paul as the Lisan al Giab given that the sandworm he called and tamed was a grandfather worm, one of the largest on the planet. It's evident that the religious divide amongst the Fremen is more than just a generational thing. It is centuries of old traditions being challenged by those who believe that their people have been subjected to a form of conditioning and submission meant to keep the Fremen in their place. To better understand this, we have to point the finger at the culprits of this. The Bene Gesserit.
Tasked with "spreading the gospel" across the galaxy, the Bene Gesserit can be seen as the primary source of many of the Fremen's foundational religious practices. The Bene Gesserit are all about control and make it their mission to have a hand in everything. This is one of the reasons they are antagonistic towards Lady Jessica and Paul. Lady Jessica teaching Paul the voice, a power only the Bene Gesserit believe they should possess, was seen as a major betrayal amongst the organization. Paul possessing this power makes him less likely to be controlled thus making him a potential threat to any plans they have laid out. But Paul's ascendency to god status seems to be all part of the plans of one Lady Jessica.
After taking ownership of the title of Reverend Mother, Lady Jessica has made it her mission to keep Paul safe. At least that is what it looks like on the surface. Drinking the water of life gave Jessica (and her unborn daughter Alia) the ability to foresee the future and secure one where they could prosper. But as the old saying goes, old habits die hard. Sticking to her Bene Gesserit programming, she makes it her mission to convince the Fremen that Paul is the Lisan al Giab allowing them to follow him into the fire no matter the cost. Unfortunately, Paul sees this as merely a method of religious conditioning as opposed to her claim of "giving people hope." Paul has addressed in the past that where sees a future where he leads the Fremen (and more specifically Chani) to destruction. It's the very reason he is hesitant to go south for that may be the starting point of this chain reaction of death he fears will transpire. Jessica still plays on the notion that Paul must follow her example and drink the water of life so he can "see" what she sees. After conditioning the younger and easily swayed Fremen of the north, she heads south and fully indoctrinates the entire southern Fremen population into buying into Paul's status as the Messiah. After Paul drinks the water of life and declares himself Lisan al Giab, the pieces are in place for him to truly become the most powerful being in the galaxy.
Unfortunately, one person who isn't thrilled with the chain of events is Chani who chastises Lady Jessica for further condemning her people to a life of religious servitude under the pretense of a bogus prophecy. Her duty is to the Fremen, not to a messiah born from fabricated stories from power-hungry witches. Chani's overall outlook on the prophecy of the Lisan al Giab can be interpreted in real-life context to actual religions. Whether it's Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism, religion is a powerful thing for people to hold on to for hope and guidance. It can also be used as a method of psychological control and manipulation if in the hands of those with ulterior motives. This goes back to our earliest history as a species. For some people, their beliefs were never our default beliefs. Some were forced upon them against their will by those who wielded great power over them, physically or intellectually, to keep them "chained" and obediently submissive. Chani says it as much at the southern sietch: "This prophecy is how they enslave us!!!"
She can see through the deception and blatant manipulation of those around her and begs her people to think for themselves. While she follows the rest of the Fremen into battle against the Emperor, it is clear that Paul has completely bought into being the messiah figure that has been propagandized among the Fremen and will do whatever is necessary to maintain stability within the imperium. Even going as far as to take Princess Irulan as his "wife". Chani stands firm in her belief that the Fremen are better when fighting for the good of their own as opposed to fighting for a figurehead. Her dedication to her people is evident and she chooses to not be a pawn in the game of those who see her people as manipulable pieces on a board. She leaves behind the Fremen who choose to align with Paul in his campaign against the other houses rejecting the notion she is just another piece in someone else's game.
Regardless of the intent of Lady Jessica, Paul has become the lightning rod of an inevitable holy war that will pit him and his followers against the other houses across the cosmos. It's a powerplay that puts Jessica above the other members of the Bene Gesserit and makes Paul the catalyst for a new era. Ironically, Paul's vision of a war in his name has inadvertently come true. The only difference is his hubris has him convinced he has control of the outcome in the end. Only time will tell if the rise of the Lisan al Giab signals the beginning of greener pastures or the start of a bloody galactic culling. A holy reckoning is coming. Who survives judgment will be a journey in itself.
In trying times, faith can be a powerful thing to hold onto. But it can also be a dangerous double-edged sword. On one hand, it can get you through tribulations that push you to the brink. Contrastingly, it can also make you vulnerable to methods of manipulation by those looking to use your faith to fuel their desires or conquest. Faith is powerful, but how one allows it to influence what one does can be the difference between salvation and destruction. In Dune Part 2, released last week, religious conditioning and manipulation of the masses is a central topic within the narrative as it relates to Paul Atredies’ rise to being the supposed messiah of Arakkis. In this Porter Report, I want to dive deeper into the motivations and tactics of the people around Paul and how they use his potential legend to fuel the fires of liberation and potential galactic disarray.
Spoilers for the film will follow. You have been warned.
Ever since arriving in Arakkis, Paul Atredies feels his presence has created a shift in the foundation of the planet. The indigenous population of the Fremen sees his presence as the long-awaited arrival of the Lisan al Giab, the prophesied messiah predestined to lead them to the promised land. Though it is merely brushed off as simple religious-based pomp and circumstance, Paul doesn't see how substantial his presence is until he travels with the Fremen to Sietch Tabr. While a good majority see him as nothing more than a spy sent to bring chaos to their home, a substantial amount of of Fremen see him as the Lisan al Giab finally coming to lead them to the promised land. Chief among them is Stilgar. As one of the oldest members of the Fedaykin, Stilgar is heavily convinced that Paul is the messiah that the Fremen have been waiting for. Even going as far as to pass off Paul saying he isn't the Lisan al Giab as mere humbleness and humility in addition to sending him out into the desert for several days alone. While Stilgar and the older members of the Fremen hold strong to this belief, the same cannot be said for the younger generation.
Tasked with "spreading the gospel" across the galaxy, the Bene Gesserit can be seen as the primary source of many of the Fremen's foundational religious practices. The Bene Gesserit are all about control and make it their mission to have a hand in everything. This is one of the reasons they are antagonistic towards Lady Jessica and Paul. Lady Jessica teaching Paul the voice, a power only the Bene Gesserit believe they should possess, was seen as a major betrayal amongst the organization. Paul possessing this power makes him less likely to be controlled thus making him a potential threat to any plans they have laid out. But Paul's ascendency to god status seems to be all part of the plans of one Lady Jessica.
She can see through the deception and blatant manipulation of those around her and begs her people to think for themselves. While she follows the rest of the Fremen into battle against the Emperor, it is clear that Paul has completely bought into being the messiah figure that has been propagandized among the Fremen and will do whatever is necessary to maintain stability within the imperium. Even going as far as to take Princess Irulan as his "wife". Chani stands firm in her belief that the Fremen are better when fighting for the good of their own as opposed to fighting for a figurehead. Her dedication to her people is evident and she chooses to not be a pawn in the game of those who see her people as manipulable pieces on a board. She leaves behind the Fremen who choose to align with Paul in his campaign against the other houses rejecting the notion she is just another piece in someone else's game.
Regardless of the intent of Lady Jessica, Paul has become the lightning rod of an inevitable holy war that will pit him and his followers against the other houses across the cosmos. It's a powerplay that puts Jessica above the other members of the Bene Gesserit and makes Paul the catalyst for a new era. Ironically, Paul's vision of a war in his name has inadvertently come true. The only difference is his hubris has him convinced he has control of the outcome in the end. Only time will tell if the rise of the Lisan al Giab signals the beginning of greener pastures or the start of a bloody galactic culling. A holy reckoning is coming. Who survives judgment will be a journey in itself.
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