XVI : The Tower
Cult
A
long-standing religious tradition native to the region is twisted by history
The town
of Silent Hill is where Claudia and Dahlia took steps to bring about the
revival of God, and where in the second game James attempted to resurrect
his deceased wife. It is a town that has an indigenous belief system that
has been passed down over the years. With the appearance of nothing but
unearthly rituals and fanatical priests over the course of the series,
players have never clearly seen the true essence of the town's religion.
Exactly what is the nature of the faith that originates from the town's
former inhabitants?
Concerning the history of this area which was revered as sacred
ground and the doctrine which became the foundation for this faith, let us
arrange a delineation of the relevant documents and dialogue from the
series.
History
Before
settlers first came to Silent Hill, the future site of the town had
come to be valued as a holy place. The ceremonies that were
conducted on this land became a model for the present-day cult
faith. It is important to note, however, that the native religion is
not the same thing as the cult. Think of them as being like Japan's
Shinto shrines and Jizo statues. |
The altar under the antique shop from the first game. Doesn't it
seem to bear a striking resemblance to a household Shinto shrine
in Japan? |
It seems that when the town's former inhabitants still lived
here, strange rituals were conducted on this holy ground. |
Dogma
The basis for what the cult believes is derived from a myth
that has been passed down over the years. In summary, "Once, God set
out to create paradise and Her power ran out, but someday God would
be resurrected once again. The doors to paradise would be opened,
and everyone would be saved." One detail unique to this religion is
the idea that during the dawn of humanity, there was only suffering
and hatred. It would seem that this has become a foundation for this
unique belief system. |
The voice of a believer that suggests self-sacrifice. One
imagines that there were many such fanatical devotees. |
The six paintings displayed in the chapel are a depiction of the
myth that is the basis of the cult's doctrine. |
System
The popular beliefs native to the region began to take shape as
a religion several decades ago. A rapid expansion took place over the course
of a few years that was the result of Vincent's achievements. It can be
surmised that Alessa, who was born around thirty years ago, was established
as a saint in the cult and thus the structure of the organization was only
recently put in order.
It seems that shaping the indigenous faith into a religion was the
work of Vincent. |
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The three saints were probably established fairly recently,
sometime after the Civil War. |
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This structure in which many lesser gods appear under the chief
deity differs greatly from Christianity. |
The otherworld's
church sheds light on the history and true image of the religious
organization
Although the church that
appeared in the first game was Christian, the design of the church in the
third game is unique to the cult. It can be surmised that the cult's
influence grew over a period of seventeen years before the church was
constructed. Furthermore, it is established that the underground area of the
otherworld's church is in fact a ruin where the town's former residents once
conducted rituals. If one examines the walls in detail, it becomes apparent
that there are new discoveries to be made.
What appear to be murals on the walls in the church's otherworld
indicate that this place is a ruin. |
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Unlike an ordinary church, the followers' seats are constructed
to face each other. |
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It appears that the underground chapel is a ruin that was sealed
up until now. |
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