Personally, I think the usage of Christian imagery contributes well to the meaning and emotional impact of the series (as opposed to being meaningless). The Angels having crosses as attacks and death-throes contributes to the sense of moral ambiguity and mystery of them which is definitely a part of the series (Shinji questions Asuka about the need to fight them, the angels are never identified as existential evil, the fight is merely a struggle for survival). And after all, why would something inherently evil die with a cross explosion and shoots eyeball laser cross-explosion beams? Crucifixion is a brutal thing, and as I said in my first post, is a practical means of restraining something, however the added meaning from Christianity is that crucifixion buys salvation for the Lilin (by keeping Lilith crucified, or by holding the promise of global tangification) and that there is the potential for resurrection (Lilith leaves the cross in EoE). Furthermore there's the whole 'playing God' dynamic which is an undeniable part of the series (even referenced in Rei's poem).
Despite what Anno says about it not meaning much, the effect of this imagery on a Western audience is an undeniable and in certainly inseparable facet of the experience of watching Evangelion. Certainly things break down if you try to interpret it as a Christian allegory (it clearly is not), but the Christian imagery form motifs that are powerful and completely valid within the scope of the rest of world of Eva and associated analysis and mythology.
Lance of LoL wrote:Tell me about it, I'm in Belfast. As it stands, I apologise if I've offended anyone, but when it comes to the things people do in the name of religion as opposed to actually following the tenants of said religion, I tend to get a little pissed off. So I'm sorry if I don't look like Christianity's biggest fan around here, I'm trying to be as objective as I can about the subject of religion, but I am ever so slightly jaded on the matter.
I don't mind you criticizing Christianity, as I have a fair number of criticisms myself. Neither would you be anywhere remotely close to the first person to come to the Evageeks forums and do so. However, Christianity is broad and diverse enough that when people do criticize Christianity (or any religion), I like them to avoid generalizations and be specific about what is irking them, particularly when it starts with "I've always hated xyz about Christians." I assure you I took no offense, I just wanted to prod you a bit into being more specific.
As for the 9/11 cross, I think a lot of people had a very reasonable belief that the cross-shaped beams were a sign from God. Of course there, a compromise was reached, clean up at ground zero continued, and the cross put into the 9/11 museum ( i think ).
