Zombie Theologia

Life is strange. I always seem to meet the coolest people when I'm in a tizzy about something stupid. A couple weeks ago I saw a segment on Talking Dead that drove me nuts, and I immediately found the web page for Talking Dead and Zombie Research Society and had my tizzy there.

The admin of the page gave me the email address of the premiere zombie authority, Matt Mogk. I emailed my little missive to him and much to my surprise, HE RESPONDED!

From his response and my rebuttal (respectful on all sides, always), somehow we got onto the topic of "zombie theology". He was interested, asked me to contact him the following week. I gave him the time, last weekend sent a note asking if he was still interested about the conversation. He was, and asked me for some background. I sent my reply, didn't hear anything and I admit I wondered if he thought I was just another nutjob. Over the weekend I was at my brother's house (the guy responsible for my zombie obsession), and told him all the history. I also said that if Mr. Mogk didn't get back to me I'd drop it as I had no intention of being a "celebrity stalker". If my idea wasn't interesting to him, it wasn't a huge deal.

But here's the thing with zombie aficionados...we tend to love discussing zombies and zombie culture. And when meeting another like ourselves, we bond in weird ways.

Today I received another email from Mr. Mogk who is interested in what I had to say, and sent me the link to the blog of another religiously-oriented aficionado, offering to connect us. He also plans to respond himself to what I'd sent.

I've decided my new dream job would pair zombies and theology. Although I won't complain if this remains pure hobby status.

So..anyone else curious about the "Zombie Theologia"?  I have an (incomplete) Question here:

Q:  On whether Zombies, Walkers, or Biters are Human

Objection 1:  It would seem that zombies must be human for they are of human form and move in accordance with human movement. The deceased do not move and remain at rest after cessation of heart and brain activity.

Objection 2:  It would seem that zombies are human for there are three powers of the soul:  memory, intellect, and will. Based upon The Walking Dead, walkers (aka zombies) may have some kind of memory. In Season 1 episode 1, the zombified wife of Morgan returned to the place of her death, night after night, and in season 3 we saw a final return. Whatever animation, whatever power of the soul that made her "she" in her real life seemed also to be present in her Walker form.

Objection 3: The condition of the Walkers is quite possibly a medical condition allowing for treatment should the proper remedy be found. In "I Am Legend" the study lent itself to a potential cure, and Herschel in Walking Dead was convinced that those in his barn were sick, not infected. Herschel was a Scientist (Veterinarian) as well as a man of faith and had reason to rely on science to find a cure.

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Well, friends, that's an introduction. It's late and I haven't more time to write this evening, nor to finish even the "objections". This Question is not yet complete, but be assured: I will "answer that..." and will "reply to objection x" very soon! Maybe even tomorrow. But for now, I need to tune into my favorite show and study the genre ever more deeply in order to produce for you, my readers, the greatest possible coherent product in melding theology and zombiology.

Overheard in Hallowed Halls - "I'm an absolute menace" Edition

I have a little bit of hearing loss in a certain register, and today it got me in trouble, although truth be told, it could have been a LOT worse.

 I had stopped in the kitchen to ask the staff a question about the convection oven which will be used on Saturday.

While in there, an elderly lady stopped in. She's known to us, is a bit uh...confused and seems to live in a state of perpetual wonder. She was asking all sorts of questions about the food being prepared for school lunch today. Then she turned to me and inquired as to who I was. I explained I worked in the religious education office. Oh, she said.

 Then she told me she was at the church today because her son was being "married". (There's a reason this is in quotes, pay attention to this next part...)

I said to her, "Well congratulations!"

 She was turning to go, stopped turned back to me and got real close and said, "Barry".

 "Barry? That's his name? That's great!" At this point I was still happy for her. I was also wondering why she wasn't telling me the name of whoever he was marrying, thought maybe that was forthcoming.

 In the meantime, my co-worker in the kitchen was looking at me very strangely. I was confused. You'd think this lady would be gushing about her son Barry getting married. She was in the hallway by then when I realized what she'd said (with a sotto voce whisper of assistance from my co-worker).

Uh oh. Buried. 

 His name wasn't Barry and he wasn't getting Married. I heard the lady finally say the word one last time, "Buried."

 Oh. My. Dear. God. I am so sorry! Never before have I ever gone from being so happy for someone to so utterly shocked and horrified. I promised sincerely to pray for her son.

 The lady left and I stood there in the kitchen, horribly embarrassed but also, I admit it, starting to giggle. My coworker cracked, "Oh congratulations on the death of your son!" She also thought my huge awful gaff was actually....kinda funny....

 Had it been anyone else that would not have gone well. As it is, by the time the dear lady got half way down the hall she probably forgot all about it. I hope. Oy vey.

 I decided at that point to go hide under my desk for the remainder of the day, just so I wouldn't congratulate anyone else on the death of their loved one.

Liberty Dies

Four years ago, when Obama formally accepted his nomination at the Democratic National Convention, the applause was deafening. I knew then that he would win the election. He was not vetted, the reaction to him was akin to that of hormonal teens in the presence of Elvis at his peak, and in debates all he had to say with regard to questions he didn't care to answer was, "Let's move on." and his Word was done.

I knew then, at that moment, that liberty died in America.

How true it was. Obama has done nothing but undermine the American way of life. He has disrespected the military, previous Presidents (especially if they were Republican), and has wasted MILLIONS of American dollars on personal vacations.

Oh, and he's been the most pro-abortion president in history, voting for live-birth ABORTIONS! REALLY!

This year, he has been re-elected and mark my words; this Socialist masquerading as a liberal is here to do nothing more than to destroy America. He's half-done, and now he has 4 years to finish the job and twist the knife in our collective back...and with our complete cooperation.

Liberty died four years ago. Now, it's either Civil War or America dies forever.

At least, the America we've always known and loved. I will defend my country. Will you?

Overheard in Hallowed Halls - Halloween Edition

This afternoon we as staff went out to eat with Father. Father, who is also a fellow zombie-enthusiast, posed a few questions for discussion. Here's one of them:

Father:  Does a zombie say a prayer before he eats?

Me:  No, because he has to bite fast or get brained by whoever he's trying to eat. So he says a prayer after his meal.

Father:   *laughing*

And everyone wonders what Catholics talk about at work in a parish.

Character Development and Morality in the Zombie Apocalypse

When my brother first introduced me to The Walking Dead, it was in the beginning of the second season. He gave me a brief synopsis of the season premier so that I would know what was going on, and went on to say, "You see, life is so precious now that they'll do everything they can to save that life."

Indeed, in the series, there is a distinct absence of animals as the insatiable zombies aren't just cannibals, but free-range carnivores.

Now that I've finally seen the first two seasons, in order and in proper context, the character development taking place has caught my interest. Commentary on the show (Talking Dead) speaks of characters "devolving" or some other sometimes incoherent descriptions, underscored with their own take on morality. They call some characters "good" when said character has actually, through my Catholic eyes, done some pretty atrocious things.

It's a very intelligently-written show, as the actions being taken by the various characters, the questions being asked...I could see all of those things taking place. One thing they haven't discussed on the show, Talking Dead, is an observation I make based on personal experience:

The situation intensifies and illuminates personal flaws and strengths.

Think about it. A bunch of people who wouldn't necessarily get along in "real life" if that still existed, are somehow thrown together and immediately must depend on each other for survival. People who held prejudices will overcome them to save a life, because that becomes the right thing to do, unless they hadn't the strength of character to begin with to overcome a petty hatred.

In college, like many, I studied abroad. One of the things the previous year's group told ours was that it didn't matter if we "get along" or not stateside. Because, "over there" we were going to be all we had; we would "get along" out of necessity.

As it turned out, in all of that getting or not-getting along, our own personal failings were definitely brought to light, and new strengths revealed. If we had disagreements, we were forced to work through them instead of walking away. Decisions were made for the good of the group when it was necessary to do so. Why? Because we couldn't afford to be divided; we needed each other.

In Religious Life, (Brother, Sister, Monk, Nun) one of the things I learned (not as a religious, but what Religious men and women have told me), the same kind of situation exists. A Sister may enter a convent and whether she and the other Sisters like each other or not, they must get along. In that case, it's part of growing in holiness, but of course, some may be shocked that sin is not left outside the door. No one is immune from sin and imperfection. So it is that since they spend so much time in such close quarters, praying, working, living together, any personal flaws are quickly revealed. Those discerning that community may be able to work with that, or they won't or can't.

It's just a fact of human nature; and it's a fact revealed in "The Walking Dead" as well.  In going back to re-watch the beginning of the series, I saw immediately some of the character flaws which seemed very small at the beginning, but quickly got out of hand as the crisis of trying to survive under constant stress continued.

Who could fight zombies day and and day out and not be affected?

This is why it would be important to prepare one's soul in the event such a catastrophe occurred. This may sound surprising, but a "Zombie Apocalypse" is actually quite possible. Perhaps not exactly in the way portrayed, but biological warfare is a reality and it has been said that with the right combination, a virus could be created that would turn people in to raving murderers.

In that event, of course survivors would band together, and in all likelihood, those survivors wouldn't be automatic Saints. In fact, those who think they are "the most moral" of character may find out they have a great great weakness that could either corrupt them entirely or damage others in some way, whether spiritually or physically (as in the event of a zombie attack). Something for any self-identifying Christian to consider. Who are you really? Know your flaws and your strengths, and look at them honestly.

All of life is about growing in holiness, and hopefully we won't need a crisis situation creating small cobbled-together groups of survivors in order for that to happen.

But in case it does....be ready. One never knows when the zombies will come...

For more information on Zombie Science check out:

Zombie Research Society

Zombie Hub


Topics up next:  Examining the Zombie Apocalypse with St. Thomas Aquinas and other great non-infected minds.  Morality in the time of Zombies.

Zombies and Walkers

I have a confession to make. Like so many others, I, too, have been caught up in zombie-madness. No, no, I don't mean I'm going to lurch around moaning and trying to eat people. Yuck. (I'd be more than up for that as an extra in a movie or show, though!).

I'm talking about the AMC series, "The Walking Dead."  And the movie "Zombieland", and the old Romero horrors and some that are comedic like "Return of the Night of the Living Dead".

I used to hate the zombie horror genre. But now, I find it fascinating, and in fact, pardon the near-pun, but also as food for thought.

Like it or not, we are living in a toxic times. Death is everywhere and it's not just physical (as in the multi-billion dollar abortion industry), but is also spiritual. Sin abounds, and yet our culture is increasingly anti-Christian, anti-the idea of sin, increasingly hedonistic and increasingly hostile. Perhaps this hostility against Christianity is spread more quickly by the internet and the ability to spew anonymous flaming trails of verbal diarrhea, but I do believe it's something more.

When I was younger, I think maybe the zombie genre was just a simple horror idea for entertainment purposes, if a bit awful. But now, I find it amazing that it's mainstream, and the popularity is, in a very weird way, almost unifying. No matter where we lie on the political or religious spectrum, it has transcended among the fans. I have found myself becoming friends with people I may not otherwise simply in our shared enthusiasm for all things "zombie".

Maybe I'm speaking too soon, but I have to wonder if perhaps this is  something that's actually going to characterize our generation in its popularity. And, because of the movies that are being produced and are actually popular among so many types of people, questions of morality that are being suppressed in our real lives are now taking place in relation to a fictional world that perhaps really isn't so different than our own.

As I've been watching "The Walking Dead" (don't give any spoilers away, I haven't finished season 2 yet!), I've been paying close attention to the character development on screen and as discussed in the related talk show, "Talking Dead". As a theologian, I can't help but make some observations about what I know to be true of humanity and how it is portrayed in the script.

Death is Violent

To wax a bit theological, I have to make this point:  death is violent. It has always been violent, and it was brought into the world through sin. God did not intend our bodies to be separated from our souls, and yet, this was what man chose. Death, even if "peaceful", remains the violent ripping of soul from body, and the resultant decomposition of the flesh. Even as the soul goes on in accordance with God's grace, the body remains below to return to dust.

This is not a denial of our belief in the Resurrection of the Dead; in this context I am only pairing the  theological truth as to who we are and the scientific reality of how we are, at the molecular level, affected by sin. We die, we decompose. It's not pretty, nor should it be. Consequences of sin are never pretty.

Take then a look at the zombie world:  the decomposing dead are walking around attacking the living and tearing them apart. The living are doing their best to survive in small bands with little support.

That's kind of how I'm starting to feel as a Catholic these days. We're watching our world, our culture, disintegrate. While I won't go so far as to directly compare a nasty zombie with someone who opposes my beliefs (for that simply wouldn't be true), the toxicity of the culture of death and those who have given themselves to it isn't so far off in comparison.  I honestly believe we are witnessing the death of our country and our civilization; not just here, but throughout the world.

We are now suffering very real spiritual violence, and it is my belief that some of the reason for the overwhelming popularity of zombies is a very human reaction to what is happening, spiritually, all around us.

Resurrection of the Dead

Jesus is not a zombie. Nor was Lazarus. Let's be clear on that point.

We as Christians believe in the Resurrection of the Dead; that is, at some point our souls in heaven will again have bodies, but glorified bodies. It does not contradict the fact that some people are consumed by fire or have already fully returned to dust.

Zombies are soul-less beings who no longer are who they were when living flesh, animated by the soul. These are terrible, terrible creatures lusting to eat living flesh; not to actually truly live themselves. They don't go after each other, but notice; they destroy what is good and beautiful and...living. They seek, mindlessly, to turn what is living to mindless, conscienceless devouring monsters like themselves.

The Resurrection of the Dead restores body and soul for eternity, fully living, fully beautiful (we'll leave those in Hell out of this conversation for now - maybe a topic to be visited later with St. Thomas Aquinas), fully resting in God's glory. Jesus is not a zombie as he did not come back to create an army of the undead, but to restore humanity to dignity and open the gates of Heaven to be eternally unified with God.

That's a huge difference.

Zombie Apocalypse

When I watch the current Zombie/Walker faire, even recognizing it fully as fiction, it is clearly an allegory for our times, and one to be pondered. For now, I'll bring this post to a close as there is one huge observation that must be made that transcends every zombie movie or show I've seen thus far:

The Zombie Apocalypse is a world devoid of God. 

Discuss. 


Up next in the Zombie series:  Character and Moral development in the Walking Dead and the morality of zombie killing.  

Overheard in Hallowed Halls

I am blessed to work for a Pastor with a great sense of humor, so I love being able to freely joke around with him and other co-workers.

Today he happened to be in our office speaking with my supervisor (not about me!) when I reviewed and printed out documents from an email from the Archdiocesan Office of Worship. This is the office that expresses the legitimate preferences of our Archbishop on all things liturgical and all things canonical in relation to our worship.

Because I coordinate the Confirmation program for my parish, the email was sent to me as a request for help. Apparently in September the person who runs that office sent out a mailing to all parishes, directed to the Pastor, asking them to designate someone from their parish to serve as contact for all things (excluding Confirmation) relating to the Liturgy. Not all parishes responded and ours apparently was one of them.

I dutifully printed the forms and brought them to my Pastor, explaining that I was "asked to give this to you" and that I was being "obedient."

My Pastor reviewed the letters and forms immediately and, glancing from me (pointedly) to my boss, and back to me again (pointedly), asked which of us wanted to be that contact. Neither of us volunteered.

I said that I believe it was directed at the parish Liturgist, but we didn't have one. Father (rightly!) pointed out that HE himself was the Liturgist.  Right he was!

So my superior suggested perhaps HE should be the contact.

He laughed, and once again, looked pointedly at me.

"I'm not a liturgist."  I said, squirming a little, seeing where this was going.

"But you know liturgy."

"Yes I do! I love liturgy!"

He didn't even have to say anything. He just kept looking at me sideways. A lot like my dog does, and when she does, that it means we completely understand each other and know the game afoot.  (Not that I'm calling my Pastor a dog).

Father, pointedly, "So will you be the contact?"

Me:  *sigh*  "OK"  pause  "Does this mean I get a raise?"

Father:  "Your reward will be great in Heaven."

*pause*  (I'm never good with on the spot stuff which is why I don't do apologetics).

Me:  "I could REALLY use a reward NOW, because I need new brakes for my car..."

Father:  *laughing*

Yeah, so I'm the contact for my parish for the Office of Worship. I've been had...or have I?

*chuckle*  

Something to ponder...