Meanwhile… 013
Religion's a funny thing, innit? Personally, I'm what I'd refer to as a spiritual Agnostic. I do believe there's a driving force behind everything, but I also believe that force is as much to do with science as it is faith - my own faith, that is. I have faith in the science, and any spiritual benefits are found when one finds their own harmony (synchronicity, if you will) with their fellow peers and their world at large - that's where the spirit comes into play.
Whether we become lofty entities adorned in bed-sheets (I mean ghosts by this, not ancient Romans in togas - although ghosts of ancient Romans may double up on bedsheets, who knows?) or revert to star-matter, compost or confetti - ignoring science in the name of religion helps no one. And science without compassion helps no one, either.
Compassion is spirit. Spirit is compassion. If your spirituality would have you held above someone simply for differing beliefs, then it's nothing of spirituality. It's an elite.
As far as the interpretations go within this episode, the idea of a snail making more of a gnome’s hat and envisioning a Great Snail beyond it’s own stature and standing is an example of how humanity at one time had to fill in the gaps between what they did or did not understand. Some labelled it as knowledge, some labelled it as faith. Some used it for good and selfless ambitions, some for ambitions that have proven self-serving and purely evil.
It’s no coincidence either that each time we see one snail address another or others, “sharing” the vision of the Great Snail, they have held themselves aloft and raised themselves above those they would preach to. This is not for the sake of visibility or presence when addressing their peers, this is for the sake of self, making them more than their peers by way of holding themselves above them.
This instalment inspired the graphic design of Hail the Snail, available on clothing, giftware and other items at Redbubble.