#i was never mormon i was raised southern baptist before leaving the church

[mysterioussinkhole]

severance 2x04 spoilers and thoughts on religion in the show's universe

It's been discussed a bit how Lumon's company culture and Kier as a figure are very Mormon-coded. This is primarily in terms of American exceptionalism as a core tenet of a religious movement that centers on the wisdom of a singular man, purported to be advancing the human race.

What interested me in this most recent ep (2x04 Woe's Hollow) was the language Milchick uses in his speech before Innie Irving's death. Specifically the last line about condemning him to "the eternal dark".

To me (whose knowledge of Mormon theology is limited to the bits of research I've done, I'm def not an expert), this draws a comparison to the concept of the Outer Darkness. References to it are present in the Christian Bible, but within Latter Day Saints teachings it is a realm of the spirit world (where we go/return to after death) that is for those who have committed the highest sin.

Knowing God's Will, promising to follow it, and then consciously rejecting it. Apostasy.

The assumption is that not many people go there, and there's debate over what actually merits being condemned to the Outer Darkness after death.

The usage in Severance of that language does feel very intentional, especially after an episode that gave us more of the Kier-based philosophy the innies are educated to follow. Irving B is condemned to nonexistence after the high crime of harming not just a coworker, but an Eagan. Knowingly and willingly.

We don't know what happens to innies when their outies leave the company in disgrace. If they're simply never reactivated or if their data is erased entirely. However, I think this language implies that within the Kier religion's philosophy Irving has been sentenced for the highest crime possible and his soul can never be redeemed.

Good for him.