Locke's disciples by Locke's disciple

(This isn't a shot at the creativity of those who have put together theories of Locke being alive in the latter half of s5. I love the creativity and have been so impressed I rated some theories 5 stars, I just don't think it's what has happened.)

All the Losties are Locke's disciples...

The season 6 promo tagline: "Who is the leader?" With all the Losties and Locke facing backwards. When you're following someone what viewpoint do you have of them if they are walking in front of you leading the way? A view of their back! The same view we have of Locke in the promo poster! The question is which "Locke" will they follow? (Which message)

John Locke is my favorite character and while I want to cling to the hope he isn't dead, it makes more sense to me and to the story that Locke is dead. It shouldn't be any other way. Locke was chosen by the Island to be the messenger to "his people". His purpose was to teach and spread the belief in the power of the Island to the chosen savior's (Jack and company). His reason for coming to the Island was to inspire Jack and company to believe in and accept their destiny to save the Island. To hear the call, go back and protect it, to save it and find personal redemption in the process

Jack was lacking something as a leader. Ben was lacking something as a leader. Locke provided what was missing to both of them. Then he died. Now they must use that to fulfill their purpose.

It's in this "work" that Locke found his life's purpose. He wasn't ever meant to become Darth Locke or whatever theory supports him still being alive. He was meant to be the example to Jack and company. Everyone's purpose will be a different function of the goal to save the Island by ridding it of MIB's presence. Locke's role was the catalyst to inspire belief in Jack and the others. Once that had been done, as Christian told Michael, "You can go now John Locke."

We learn that Jack booked a ticket and tried to go back to the Island within a few minutes of seeing Locke's death. By that point Locke had served his purpose for the Island. He told Jack not to leave, knew he would have to die to bring them back and accepted that task. He inspired Jack to believe in destiny and in the Island and convinced him to come back. He added another layer to the leader Jack was and gave him what was lacking the first time around on the Island. After that he doesn't need to be alive anymore because that was his personal redemption. He suffered in life, was healed and then spread the message to others. That is redemption! Healing yourself so you can heal others. The message: The Island can take a crippled man of somewhat naive faith and turn him into the leader that inspires others to save the world. If it can do this then what can't it do for you?

Like Charlie, Boone, and Michael before him he was a sacrifice the Island demanded for the greater good so that others would have what they needed to be saved.

If you're one who still believes Locke's alive and have a theory to prove this then you're the exact type of person MIB wants on the Island so he can con you. You've fallen for the loophole. It's not that Locke can't be resurrected, but that there isn't anything more Locke needs to say or do to convince you of what the Island wants. Believe in the fact that you have a purpose in being brought to the Island and it will be revealed to you. Locke believed and had a special communion with the Island.

With MIB gone I believe the Island will be able to finally use it's full powers to resurrect Locke or do whatever it wants. It is limited by MIB's presence. It needs him gone so it can reach its full potential. The same way each of the Losties needs to be redeemed of their doubts and personal struggles so they can reach their full potential. The reciprocity of the Island and the Losties.

Locke is the messenger to the savior's of the Island. The translator of the Island's will. Richard told him in s3 that "(Locke) was there to remind them they're there for more important reasons than just fertility issues." Locke is the reminder to the people of the Island's important purpose for them. That was his purpose that was why he was so special.

MIB's loophole was sending confusing messages from the mouth of the Island's chosen messenger. Locke's body gives him the soapbox he needed. Locke tells Jack in s1-4 about having faith in the Island. In s6 Locke/MIB will try and convince Jack to doubt the Island. Two messages from the mouth of John Locke, which one will Jack believe? It's why MIB has all of Locke's memories, he can use any previous conversation or mannerism to pile doubt on Jack's mind. It's symbolic of the Island's difficulty in communicating with its people. All it can do is provide a choice, no matter who says it or what is said they can choose to believe one way or another. That's the "corruption" part of MIB's speech. The same image of Locke can inspire hope or cause doubt, like the same situations on the Island can inspire hope or cause doubt.

The Losties are all Locke's disciples. The question is which "Locke" will they follow? By that I mean which philosophy and message. The message of belief in the Island, miracles and destiny from the man who came to the Island and was granted the ability to walk again so he could spread the message to those chosen to ultimately save it?

Or will they follow this unknown entity? This spirit void of any form who knows what the Island wants but is pessimistic and seems unwilling to share or bestow those gifts to humanity?

Locke's disciples