First, the thought occured to me that TPTB might distacting us with theory so we lose focus on what the island really might be and some of the other unanswered questions.

The question that quickly followed is if the redemption theory is true, how does it fit in with the island "guru's" (Locke) theory that the island will give you what you want if you give it something in return? What has Locke given up in exchange for the ability to walk and "commune" with the island (i.e. Know how to survive and know the others' secrets)?

We know that Charlie gave up his drugs for his guitar. That goes along with Locke's theory, not redemption.

THIS IS NOT MEANT TO START ANOTHER LOCKE DID OR DIDN'T MURDER BOONE DEBATE SO PLEASE DON'T TAKE IT THERE!!! THAT'S ALREADY BEEN HASHED AND REHASH SO MUCH THAT THE DEAD HORSE IS ONLY BLOODY MUSH NOW!!!

THIS IS A THEORITCAL DISCUSSION ON THE 2 ISLAND THEORIES.

Supposedly, Boone gave up his feelings for Shannon with the help of the "guru's meds" but did he really? Is that why he was allowed in the plane while Locke was not? I don't know how the issue would even fit in with redemption since he spent most of his time saving her. It might fit in with Boone not "giving the island something in return", I guess.

Or, since Boone was the only one able to climb up, was that Locke's unwitting "sacrifice"? I honestly don't see that because Charlie was given a conscious choice and so was Boone, both times. I know that's how Locke rationalized it in the end but...It makes me really wonder what Locke gave to the island to be the "guru" he is.

As far as Locke's redemption, what did he do that needs redeption? Nothing I have seen so far. His backstories show him as a constant victim of others he tries to help and bond with (and the island appears to perpetuate this with Boone).

What about Walt? I really don't see anyone holding him responsible for his mother's death. What is he? 10? He probably understands death but could he really be held responsible for it.

What about Aaron? Redemption for sins of a past life? Or is he the thing Claire will have to give up for whatever? Oops, I think I might have just excluded the redeption theory.

The question that quickly followed is if the redemption theory is true, how does it fit in with the island "guru's" (Locke) theory that the island will give you what you want if you give it something in return? What has Locke given up in exchange for the ability to walk and "commune" with the island (i.e. Know how to survive and know the others' secrets)?

I like this. I think Locke gave the island his FAITH.

Did this idea come from Michael and Sawyer singing Bob Marley's, Redemption song?

Actually, I believe it began more from the Purgatory Point of View and evolved as the characters began dealing with their issues from their pasts, like Sawyer's vindictive boar and "It will all come back around." There's a lot of belief that the island has become a place of atonement, even though they are not dead. Some theroize that once a character atones, he/she will be freed from the island in some way.

In a sense, I think Locke getting his legs back is more of an "Advanced Payment" from the island. He's helping unlock it's mysteries and possibly set things right. The island seems to draw people in like a curse. Maybe Locke has been given the ability to not only help the people on the island (who he says were all brought there for a purpose), but to help them fulfill their purpose and possibly break the curse of the island. I know that kind of a polluted stream of thought there, but its about as sound as most anything on here.

Supposedly, Boone gave up his feelings for Shannon with the help of the "guru's meds" but did he really? Is that why he was allowed in the plane while Locke was not?
Good question. In fact, I think the island was wondering the same thing. The beechcraft was a test of Boone's commitment. By radioing for rescue, he failed.
Or, since Boone was the only one able to climb up, was that Locke's unwitting "sacrifice"? I honestly don't see that because Charlie was given a conscious choice and so was Boone, both times. I know that's how Locke rationalized it in the end but...It makes me really wonder what Locke gave to the island to be the "guru" he is.
I think Locke sacrificed himself (or as WIF eloquently puts it, his faith) to the island, and got his legs back in return. He then sacrificed Boone to get into the Hatch. Like you, however, I'm still stuck on the question of choice, albeit Locke's not Boone's. Seems to me that Locke didn't have much "choice" in the beechcraft situation since the island robbed him of the ability to walk.
As far as Locke's redemption, what did he do that needs redeption? Nothing I have seen so far. His backstories show him as a constant victim of others he tries to help and bond with (and the island appears to perpetuate this with Boone).
Perhaps we're defining redemption too narrowly? Locke was (seemingly) living something of a loser's existence back in civilization. Perhaps his redemption lies in his transformation into an island "guru."
What about Aaron? Redemption for sins of a past life? Or is he the thing Claire will have to give up for whatever? Oops, I think I might have just excluded the redeption theory.
I personally think Aaron is the source of the other survivors' redemption. He is the Messiah of Aaron predicted by the Dead Sea Scrolls, who will cleanse the world of sin and suffering. Seems to me he's already started...

I'm new to this board, so if any of my thoughts are redundant, please forgive me.

Locke is the only person to have been "reborn" on the island. In the pilot (I believe), Locke not only sits in the rain while the rest of the survivors scramble for shelter, he raises his arms to the sky. He has been saved, newly baptized by the island. Also, Locke is the only person to have seen the monster and lived to tell of it. The island wants him around, for some reason. I agree that Locke is there to help the other survivors either come to grips with what the island really is or what they can achieve if they let go of the past (as Locke did with Boone). But why would this dangerous island want to help anyone?

As for Aaron, I think that he will do the exact opposite of what bigmouth suggests. Recall that the psychic was adamant about Clair raising him and then suddenly changed his position and "found" adoptive parents. Then he tells he that absolutely must get on flight 815. I think the psychic knew the plane was going to crash and decided the only was to save the world was to kill the baby. Pretty drastic, I know, but I can think of no other reason why the psychic would want Claire to take that flight and that flight only.

THIS IS NOT MEANT TO START ANOTHER LOCKE DID OR DIDN'T MURDER BOONE DEBATE SO PLEASE DON'T TAKE IT THERE!!! THAT'S ALREADY BEEN HASHED AND REHASH SO MUCH THAT THE DEAD HORSE IS ONLY BLOODY MUSH NOW!!!
This cracked me up!

Is it possible that Locke made a deal with the devil? That he'd do anything the island asked if he'd just get back the use of his legs, go on an all-out walkabout, and experience the adventure of a lifetime?

[quote=bigmouth;496514]Good question. In fact, I think the island was wondering the same thing. The beechcraft was a test of Boone's commitment. By radioing for rescue, he failed. [quote]

It amazes me when I come across ideas I haven't heard before. What was the plane plan? To see if there was a radio? I don't remember.

PS Thanks for the compliment