I always saw The Matrix as a parallel to Christianity like this: There is the Trinity: Neo, Morpheus and Trinity. Obviously Neo represents Jesus (The One, the Messiah etc), though its less clear which Morpheus and Trinity represent out of the two remaining pieces of the trinity the Godhead and The Holy Ghost. There are a lot of parallels like Cypher(Judas) betraying Neo (Jesus), Zion, the literal/figurative leap of faith and the biggest; realizing “The Truth”. I always assumed the Matrix’s parallel was a reality without a belief in God, never realizing what was right in front of you. But Neo (Jesus) could show you “the truth” . But recently I had it explained in another way. The idea that the Matrix represented the Church, which has enslaved the human race by feeding them a big fantasy, just like the Matrix is a big fantasy. Obviously the “Matrix” is bad and a lie, but which is the lie? The Church or The Atheist?
See I never saw the Matrix as either...I saw it as maya (the delusion in the world)...where the people think that the matrix is real...but there is really a truth behind the matrix...and the people who are realized in this truth finally see the matrix for what it is...a play...and they can be in it, but not of it...just as it is said that once someone who is self realized has no more desires from this world (just as Neo, Trinity, and the whole lot have no desires to have anything of the matrix)...and they see the world as a play or the Divine Lila...and it is their choice that sets them free just as it was Neo and other's choice to pick the blue or red pill... I see how Neo is Jesus...but I don't have it all worked out as to it fits all the way with my previous theory...I have still been thinking on that one...
Hard to say. the movie was created based on lots of religious ideas, from Buddhism and Taoism to Gnostic Christianity. It's all so mixed in it's hard to tell what came from where. Which was probably the intention, to create a new synthesis in the movie. I think the Matrix is not the Church, that's too narrow. The Matrix is like SvgGrdn said, it's like maya. The whole false reality we believe. We are held captive by our egos in believing this, living a lie. Neo plays the role of the savior or Buddha, going above and beyond everyone, even his teachers, to truly get a mastry of this lie and expose it for what it is.
hmm yeah I definitely see buddhist influences now that you mention it. I'm going to have to watch the movie again
