Caprica: The Genesis of Cylon Monotheism vs. Human Polytheism

One of the more interesting aspects of Caprica and Battlestar Galactica is the religious aspect of the conflict between humans and Cylons. To wit, Cylons have developed a monotheistic religion, complete with churches and priests/priestesses, which we witness at the end of the Caprica series, while humans have emerged as a polytheistic civilization. This is an interesting overlay of the conflict between humans and Cylons and was absent in the original series. Additionally, it was added into the original series, during the height of the Post-War Occupation of Iraq, giving the series a more politically relevant context. There's even a webisode and episode focusing on the use of suicide bombers by human POWs to inflict casualties on human collaborators and their Cylon masters.

The polytheism of the humans seems to track well with the fact that the Human Civilization in Caprica/Battlestar Galactica has colonized 12 planets, each named after a sign of the Zodiac, and each possessing its own patron God(dess). Battlestar Galactica acknowledges that the human race evolved on one planet before a diaspora, but still seems united under one political system instead of evolving into the planetary versions of nation-states. In fact, the 12 planets are referred to as the colonies, implying control from one central planet.

The development of the Cylon monotheistic religion is more interesting.  Zoe Graystone, the developer of the Zoe Simulacrum and program for the development of the Cylons was an adherent of the Soldiers of the One (STO). STO is a militant religious organization dedicated to advancing monotheistic beliefs in a judgmental, all-knowing God who wanted humans to understand right from wrong. This is a reaction against the perceived excesses, sexual and otherwise, of the polytheistic majority. These excesses are first, and best, witnessed in the Virtual Club where we first meet Simulacrum Zoe. There is group sex, murder for fun, and human sacrifice, all of which is dedicated to some God or other.

The STO didn't just come into existence weeks before the series show. According to the show's mythology, it's a long-existing cult, at least decades old. It has been driven underground because of its "extreme" views on human morality. Zoe Graystone, as an adherent of the STO imbued her Simulacrum with those same beliefs. Lacy Rand, Zoe's best friend and fellow STO member eventually becomes high priestess. Between the two of them and sister Clarice they indoctrinate all Cylons into the STO's monotheistic religion.

(To Be Continued...)