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Various religions have existed before and after the Great War.

Background[]

In the centuries following the Great War, some major pre-War religions and belief systems split into new delineations, while others continue to march along as they had for centuries prior. This is the case with Christianity, as various Christian settlements and denominations exist, such as Catholicism and Mormonism. Christian organizations such as the Abbey of the Road send missionaries to preach the faith while scavenging holy sites for religious relics for restoration. The Catholics of Saint Monica's Church espouse a post-War version of the real-world story of Saint Monica, in which Monica is a ghoul. The followers of Dharma were originally from Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh backgrounds, and include the founders of Shady Sands. Pre-War religious cults survived, and even thrived, in the absence of any kind of pushback from law enforcement or competing cultural institutions. These include the Hubologists, the Cult of the Mothman, and those who attempt to commune with Ug-Qualtoth.

However, in the wake of nuclear devastation, many new cults were established with a variety of belief systems. Some were developed over time from mythologized retellings of real events, such as the "Father in the Caves," the Sorrows deity inspired by Randall Clark's interactions with the fledgling tribe upon their arrival in Zion Canyon. Many small cults revere the spirits of plants and animals,[1][2] such as the Vipers,[3] or the tribe at Brahmin Wood. The Treeminders worship a captive "god," Harold the tree-mutant, despite his protests. Not all cults were created altruistically, such as the Renewal Cult, which was created wholly by a megalomaniacal mutant rat to take over the world.

The Children of the Cathedral are another doomsday cult,[Non-game 1] who serve the Master as a façade for his plan to use the FEV to unite humanity as supposedly perfect mutants.[Non-game 2] They originally served some kind of Dark God under the guidance of Morpheus, until the Master found them. He demanded their allegiance as spies, and their leader accepted.[Non-game 1] The Children set up small hospitals at settlements across New California to proselytize and spy. The Cathedral and its "god" were destroyed in a massive nuclear detonation in 2162.[Non-game 3] Some mutants still serve the lost cause of Unity.[4] Others have found new spiritual callings, such as the wandering nightkin tribe who worship a brahmin skull they call Antler.

Ghouls have been known to form their own cults, especially those cast out from other societies. The Bright Brotherhood sought transcendence by escaping Earth on rocket ships. In the ruins of Kansas City, the ghoulified followers of Plutonius worship a nuclear warhead.

Similarly, the Church of the Children of Atom worship a deity they call Atom, and directly worship nuclear warheads. They essentially believe that each atom contains within it an entire universe, and their beliefs involve releasing those universes.[5][6] They see the Great War as a creative event, rather than a destructive one, and hold those who were called to Atom at that time to be fortunate.[7] They generally seek their own "Divison," and the "Division" of the world around them, achieved by absorbing and spreading radiation, or causing nuclear detonations. They hold nuclear weapons to be holy instruments. A large and eclectic faith, they are spread out across the wasteland, and their leaders often differ slightly in their interpretation of the Church cosmology. Some groups, such as the followers of Confessor Cromwell at Megaton, are ostensibly peaceful. They have existed there uneventfully alongside the community for generations,[8] and the sheriff assesses them as "mostly harmless."[8] They even claim to practice charity. However, the assessment of "usually pretty harmless" was incorrectly applied to the followers of Confessor Alvarado,[9] who ghoulified innocents, and threatened to detonate a nuclear bomb. Still other practitioners have been known to kidnap, forcibly baptize, brainwash,[10] or even sacrifice passing outsiders.[11][12][13] They’ve also been known to poison towns' water supplies with radiation.[14] It's claimed they pass down the locations of missile sites over generations[15] and guard them in preparation for a Great Divide.[16] In 2286, they attacked several settlements across the Commonwealth in service of a prophet calling himself the Last Son of Atom.[Non-game 4] By late 2287, they were almost entirely driven out of the region.

The concept of heresy also survives in the wasteland. The Apostles of the Eternal Light are a group in the Capital Wasteland who split from the Church of the Children of Atom because they do not believe in the "Great Division."[17] They seek "Enlightenment" through ghoulification or through death by radiation poisoning. Their leader, Mother Curie III, considers herself opposed to the doctrine of "Division" described above, emphasizing the transformative power of radiation over time. She also disagrees with Cromwell over whether the detonation of the bomb at Megaton would serve Atom's will.[7][17] Her most outspoken acolyte Gerard blasphemes against her in turn: although he shares her enthusiasm for ghouls, Brother Gerard is enchanted at the prospect of detonating the "Great Symbol of Atom"[17] and resolves to pray for this outcome.[18]

On the Island, a Child named Sister Gwyneth rebelled against the Atomites by devoting herself to "Nothing,"[19][20] essentially espousing nihilism as a religion, complete with a sacred place where she sermonizes.[19] This was born from a crisis of faith which occurred when she discovered the definition of an atom from a pre-War textbook,[21] and came to view Atom as an insignificant speck in an unbearable void[19] and a false god.[20] She hopes to spread the word of Nothing to those she once lived alongside.[22][23][20]

Introduced[]

Name Game
Fallout
Fallout 2
Fallout Tactics
Fallout BoS
Fallout 3
New Vegas
Fallout 4
Fallout 76

Notes[]

  • Megaton settlers may quote from the Bhagavad Gita, the Torah, and the Koran, foundational texts related to Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam respectively, when reacting to news of a character's death in dynamic conversations.[24]
  • One of the political parties within Vault 11 was called the Divine Will Bloc.
  • One of the brains within the calculator was called the Evangelist brain.
  • In addition to Fallout 3's Treeminders, Harold was also worshipped by the Church of Harold in the canceled Project V13.
  • The All Faiths Chapel in Diamond City is a space open to prayer of any denomination or creed. It was briefly occupied by the Children of Atom in 2286.[Non-game 5]
  • If Gwyneth is convinced to fear the wrath of the Church of Atom during her quest, The Heretic, she will flee the Island to evangelize for her new faith.[20]
  • Altars to "NOTHING" can be found at a pylon near Hornwright Estate and in a room at Fort Defiance. Each site centers around graffiti reading "NOTHING is real" and features a single prominently displayed human skeleton, indicating some kind of organized worship of "NOTHING" in Appalachia.
    • This graffiti is identical to graffiti left on the Island by Gwyneth. In both games, the texture is titled DLC03DecalAtom01.

References[]

  1. The Courier: "Tell me about yourself."
    Antony: "I've been around dogs all my life. They're my life, always were - all the way back when I was a tribal, one of the Hangdogs, outside Denver. Dogs roamed that city. Our tribe made peace with them. Thought they were our spirit animals - helped us hunt, provided for us in some lean times. Then the Legion came. Good thing, too. Stronger now, don't need those beliefs anymore."
    (Antony's dialogue)
  2. The Lone Wanderer: "I'm not so sure about this. Tell me more."
    Jimson: "Your caution is a credit to your wisdom - only a fool eats before he knows the meal. You are worthy to attempt the Ritual of the Mother Seed! Venture west to the great bog, and within you shall find the mother of all Punga Fruit. She stands taller than a man, and her vines guide our future. Collect her seeds, and kneel before her wisdom. Only then will you be ready to enter these sacred halls."
    (Jimson's dialogue)
  3. The Vault Dweller: "{1007}{}{Vipers}"
    Killian Darkwater: "{1107}{Kill72}{The Vipers are a crazy bunch from up north. They worship snakes, or something.}"
    (Killian Darkwater's dialogue)
  4. Gammorin's Army and Attis Army
  5. The Sole Survivor: "What's Division?"
    Brian Richter: "Release. Release of your potential. Of all the worlds locked away inside you. Broken apart and reborn a thousand times over through the Glow. Island's the perfect place for it, thanks to the Fog, the Nucleus. Glow everywhere. With patience, we'll all find Division in this place."
    (Brian Richter's dialogue)
  6. The Sole Survivor: "[clarification needed]"
    Isolde: "Atom gave birth to this world, and all worlds. And within this world he gave us the promise of infinite rebirth. We are, all of us, universes without count, waiting for the Division to bring them all into being. We spread Atom's word, and his gifts, to those throughout the Commonwealth. They will see the truth of Atom's glow."
    (Isolde's dialogue)
  7. 7.0 7.1 The Lone Wanderer: "Why do you worship the bomb?"
    Cromwell: "Those who were called to Atom during the Great Division were very fortunate. They were permitted to aid in the process of Atom's creation. We seek the same, both in symbol and in fact and the 'bomb', as you call it, represents Atom's capacity for creation. We kneel before it and ask that Atom call us to aid him. We pray that out of our meager bodies, he will create new life."
    (Cromwell's dialogue)
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Started out as a small settlement of people trying to get into Vault 101. When they were denied, they stuck around here."
    "Some of 'em started worshipping the thing like a god. Now we've got a whole goddamn Church. They're nuts, no doubt, but mostly harmless."
    (Lucas Simms' dialogue)
  9. "They called themselves the 'Children of Atom.' Worship radiation, or something like that."
    "Yeah. They're usually pretty harmless. Don't know what's gotten into them."
    (The Rite of Spr(ay)ing)
  10. The background of Hannah in Far Harbor.
  11. Jalbert Brothers Disposal terminal entries
  12. Kingsport Lighthouse terminal entries
  13. Small skirmishes between the Church of the Children of Atom on the Island and the Harbormen described throughout the Fallout 4 add-on Far Harbor.
  14. Piper Wright: "You really do have a talent for finding trouble, don't you?"
    The Sole Survivor: "I suppose so."
    Piper Wright: "Hey, I'm not one to judge. Honestly, it's just nice to not be doing it alone for a change. In my line of work, things tend to get pretty hairy. I've been shot at, poisoned, nearly executed. Heck, until recently, they called the lock-up in Diamond City the 'Piper Suite.' Anything for a story, I suppose."
    The Sole Survivor: "Seems that execution didn't quite take, huh?"
    Piper Wright: "Thank god. I'd been working on this story about irradiated drinking water in Bunker Hill. I traced the water back to its source, through these old sewer tunnels, and what do I find? The Children of Atom, setting up like they own the place. Unfortunately, they found me just as quick. Turns out they were not fond of reporters. So to atone for my trespassing, they decided to make a sacrifice to Atom - me. I'm kneeling there, about to get the boot into this huge sewer pipe... ...when I suddenly blurt out: 'Atom! He reveals himself!' And they buy it. They pulled me back from the ledge... and then gave me their induction ceremony. You are looking at an official acolyte of Atom. Took me a couple more days before I managed to sneak away, get Bunker Hill security to finally clean the place up."
    (Piper Wright's dialogue)
  15. The Sole Survivor: "How did you discover this place?"
    Henri: "Knowledge of this site has been passed down through generations of the Children of Atom. Its location was revealed to us long ago by Atom himself. He wanted us to find it, to keep it safe."
    (Brother Henri's dialogue)
  16. Henri: "State your purpose, stranger. You walk on Atom's hallowed ground."
    The Sole Survivor: "I'm looking for some bombs... nuclear bombs."
    Henri: "You trivialize that which resides here. This place is holy. The Children of Atom have sworn to guard this place until the time of the Great Divide. None shall enter."
    (Brother Henri's dialogue)
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 The Lone Wanderer: "You'll see the true power of Atom when I detonate that bomb in Megaton."
    Curie III: "No! No you mustn't! We left Cromwell's church precisely because we DON'T believe in the Great Division. Atom calls us to reach Enlightenment through becoming one with his Glow. We believe in transformation - not destruction. Please, leave the Great Symbol of Atom alone. Let the Confessor preach his misguided message to the heathens. Join us here. Gain enlightenment."
    (Curie III's dialogue) Note: This line can be spoken if the player has yet to complete the quest The Power of the Atom.
  18. The Lone Wanderer: "You'll see the true power of Atom when I detonate that bomb in Megaton."
    Gerard: "Oh... Is that truly possible? Yes, that would purge all of Megaton in Atom's Holy Fire. I shall pray for your success!"
    (Gerard's dialogue)
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 Gwyneth: "Stop! This is a sacred place. Why have you come here? Are you seeking the truth of Nothing?"
    The Sole Survivor: "The truth of Nothing? What does that mean?"
    Gwyneth: "If you are truly prepared to hear it, then I will tell you. The Children of Atom have been deceived by Martin, by Tektus... it's a false gospel, all of it. What they don't want you to know is that Atom is but a tiny mote in the vastness of Nothing. Nothing is the true nature of existence. I have seen it with my own eyes... a void so vast and empty, like a night sky without stars. I know it is difficult to accept, but you must, and so must the others. They deserve to know the truth."
    (Gwyneth's dialogue)
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 Gwyneth: "I will spread the truth of Nothing to the whole world!"
    "The Children of Atom are lost beyond hope. I can do nothing more for them."
    "I tried to show the Children of Atom the truth, but they would not see it. Now I must show that truth to others."
    "Soon... I will begin my journey soon."
    "You have shown me a new path. Soon the whole world will know the truth of Nothing!"
    "I will spread the holy word to the masses! Nothing is real!"
    (Gwyneth's dialogue) Note: These lines are spoken after convincing Gwyneth to abandon the Children of Atom and flee the Island to spread her beliefs elsewhere.
  21. The Sole Survivor: "You saw something you didn't understand and it scared you. Now you've turned your back on Atom and your family."
    Gwyneth: "I... I know what I saw! Yes, I was afraid, but not for myself. I was afraid that my brothers and sisters were living a lie, and that's why I left."
    (Gwyneth's dialogue)
  22. The Sole Survivor: "The Children of Atom want you dead. You need to stop defiling their holy sites."
    Gwyneth: "I can't. I have a duty that is greater than myself, one that is worth any sacrifice. The Children of Atom have allowed themselves to be deceived, and I must show them the truth! There is no Atom! There is Nothing! Nothing is endless, Nothing is deathless, and Nothing is without fear or remorse. Who better to understand this than you? You, who have become part of Nothing for eternity, as we must all someday. You have come to know the one real truth of this world. Nothing is the only thing that truly matters. Soon, soon more will come. My messages will reach them. It must! The word will spread and the Children of Atom will come. They will embrace Nothing, as I have, and then, at last, they will understand."
    (Gwyneth's dialogue)
  23. The Sole Survivor: "If you stay here, you're as good as dead. You need to leave this island and never come back."
    Gwyneth: "Hm... there's wisdom in your words. If I cannot save the Children of Atom from their blindness, perhaps I can spread the word elsewhere. Yes... Nothing's will becomes more clear to me now. I must spread the message to all who will hear, no matter how far the journey. You should tell Richter and the others that I'm dead. I can't risk them following me. Thank you for opening my eyes to that which I could not see."
    (Gwyneth's dialogue)
  24. Megaton settler: "'Death is as sure for that which is born, as birth is for that which is dead. Therefore grieve not for what is inevitable.'"
    "'God full of mercy who dwells on high, grant rest for this soul on the wings of your divine presence...'"
    "'We have come from God and unto him we shall return...'"
    (Megaton conversations; Megaton settlers' dialogue)
    Note: These are three alternate lines used in the MegatonTalkDeathReaction branch of randomized dynamic conversations between generic Megaton settlers. For full context, see here.

Non-game

  1. 1.0 1.1 Fallout Bible 0: "2152 As their influence slowly spreads throughout the wastes, the Master finds humans, doomsday cultists, and rather than dip them in the vats, he demands their obedience as spies - their leader is a man named Morpheus, and he pledges his followers to the Master. Morpheus and his cultists form the future core of the Children of the Cathedral. "
  2. Fallout Bible 0 Timeline repair: Second strike:
    "2156 The Master sees advantages in establishing a benevolent "religion," the Children of the Cathedral, and using them as spies in settlements throughout the wastes. Missionaries from the Children of the Cathedral spread slowly across the wasteland, acting as eyes and ears for Morpheus and the Master."
  3. Fallout Bible 0: "2162 March 3 Vault Dweller kicks the Master's ass."
  4. The main plot of Winter of Atom.
  5. Winter of Atom p.102: "The Children of Atom are taking over the All Faiths Chapel, citing that they need a place from which they can help the locals. Pastor Clements strongly opposes their occupation of the chapel. Most Lower Field residents trust the Children of Atom and support their speaking out about the resource hoarding of the Upper Stand residents. Lower Stands locals frequently agree with the Church’s critical view of the Minutemen—who they claim are nothing more than a self-serving militia looking for a foothold in the city."
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