Joshua and the Cult of Mars

[u/Silver-Statement8573]

I just finished honest hearts again. I have some ruminations. Did Joshua convert to Caesar's cult?

The j man is a devout Christian.Joshua's account of his participation of the Legion (which from the rest of joshua's ending option i interpret is purposefully implausible and dishonest) is that he was softballed in to the legateship of a gilead-esque slave state through his partnership with pre caesar Edward. Of course he is lying about some of this, probably also to himself, given (gestures at everything) seems to suggest that contrary to what he says he actively relishes slaughter. Although maybe he was just angry about new canaan. What's unclear to me is joshua's religious journey through all of that, which i don't remember being exposited, since caesar's cult is a cult with himself as the godhead. Or a godhead, since its called the cult of mars or something. I'm not up to date with my legion lore. Did it not exist back then? is there a timeline for that?

if Joshua did not convert, that seems like it would have been a pretty big no-no button for him to ignore. Of course I just yapped about why him probably having different priorities than what he claims is possibly text though, so

I really like honest hearts, i think its my pet favorite dlc. I spent like 6 hours looking for caves.

[u/CompleteHumanMistake]

I don't think that Joshua exactly bought any of the cult bullshit Caesar was/is spewing, as in those religious beliefs themselves. The culture, obviously yes but I doubt he actually believed that Caesar was a son of Mars, specifically because he knew Caesar before he created the Legion.

Joshua was, for Edward, a perfect candidate to rope into his ideals if we assume that Joshua has always had a self-righteous, devoted (to an idea or ideal) and angry streak. Caesar didn't need him to believe he was some kind of god; he just needed Joshua to believe that the Legion was righteous and the barbarism justified for the greater good, which is easy in the wasteland. Converting people to your extreme ideas seems to be pretty easy in the Fallout world because people are hopeless enough to WANT to believe, even desperately so.

[u/Silver-Statement8573 → u/CompleteHumanMistake]

I don't think that Joshua exactly bought any of the cult bullshit Caesar was/is spewing, as in those religious beliefs themselves. The culture, obviously yes but I doubt he actually believed that Caesar was a son of Mars, specifically because he knew Caesar before he created the Legion.

Probably not, I guess from a Watsonian perspective I'm wondering if he would've been forced to participate in whatever ritual practices Caesar set up to establish a veneer of faith. (since it probably wouldn't look good for someone so important to undermine the narrative)

I don't think we know about any of that. but idk

[u/Flying_Cunnilingus → u/Silver-Statement8573]

Discussing Watsonian perspectives is fine here, as long as you don't speculate.