I've read just about everyones theories and comments on this site and while some of it seems silly some seems to have real possibility. We all know that the "Dharma" thing was started back during the "HAIR" generation. People then were looking for escape from an iron fisted world. The drugs, the music, the beliefs, etc. It was all like "Far-out man!"
They believed that there were places of unexplained power on the earth that could bring us all beyond the trappings of a "cold-war" "vietnam" "disillusionment" era. They were "In Search of" and even had a show about all the mystical stuff so named and hosted by Leonard Nimoy.
Places like Sedona Arizona discovered powerful "vortexes" - I think that the show will set its' compass in this direction. Dharma seems to be something like as described above, and has failed like many of the ideas of the time with the exception of a few die hards. (Sedona still has it's vortexes) I think the island, or small chain of islands was discovered as a place of power - And inhabited by Dharma in the hopes of creating a almost pure commune style society. But like Marxism/Communism, the idea starts off that all members of society contribute, and everyone is equal, and there are no leaders. Sounds good on paper. (Remember Juliet said to Jack that "We make decisions together here.") But when you add humans to this idea, someone always emerges as leader and is reluctant to give up power. (Freewill does still exists on this island... Juliet said at the book club)
We see that much of what Dharma was has failed (abandoned facilities - empty cages - nonworking equipment) But one aspect, the magnetic field - Smokey - Island itself: which all seem to be connected. My guess is that there was somewhat of a drug like factor about the island - initially the island would heal people & make people have enhanced mental abilities - but eventually would become addictive and make people ill. The "Him" has a deeper connection with the island than all others. But "HE" has become coorupt and the island seems to be picking a new "Him" and that is Locke. (Ben as Henry told Locke that he was originally coming to get him) I think that Ben will turn out to be a "good-guy" - Ben might have even been the "white stone" to the "Hims" "black-stone." (Ben quotes "Of Mice and Men" to Sawyer and tells him about being alone) Juliette is faithful to "Him" and wants to take over. Everything on the island seems to be about balance and Yin/Yang.
Ben and Juliette might even be decendants, either physically or spiritually to the "Adam and Eve" in the cave. But they are clearly yin and yang to each other. I believe that we have all to this point been led to think that the Others are Bad and the Losties are the Good. I think however we will see that like anywhere else in the world, there is good and bad on both sides and eventually the 2 groups will merge and the battle between the proverbial good and evil will begin.
Theory by Cajun Angel
