History Main / TheChosenPeople

** The Hebrew Bible alters between [[PlayedStraight Playing this Straight]] and [[Subverted Trope Subverting it]] - in the Literature/BookOfAmos alone contains both references to God only knowing Israel (3:2) and holding all nations to the same standard (9:7). Although this makes more sense when you understand chosenness as being chosen ''for a task'' (like being a light to other nations) rather than being loved more than others, this begins to make a bit more sense.

* In Judaism, the Israelites (and their descendants) are God's Chosen people. This is in regard how certain people among the Israelites are chosen to carry-out divine missions, or are exempt from specific declarations and boundaries brought up by God. However, God does make it clear in the story of Jonah that he is the God of All nations, and gets angry when Jonah is unwilling to preach so the people of Ninevah (Assyrians) can be saved.
** This is further clarified in Christianity, that salvation is for "the Jew first and also to the Greek," where "Greek" is used synonymously with Gentile (non-Jew). It's made clear that while the Jewish people are God's chosen people, part of the reason they're chosen is to be ambassadors to everyone else; the choice isn't ''exclusive''. Also contains an interesting [[InvertedTrope inversion]] of EthnicGod, where God essentially [[UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} joins the Israelite race]].

Various groups and civilizations since before recorded history have considered themselves to be chosen people by a god or goddess. Historical cases operate more on a form of honors system -- that a specific people or leader claims to have been chosen by what they believe is a real, infallible, supernatural authority and thus this entitles them to privileges and authority [[EgocentricallyReligious not accorded to the rest of their species]]. They would then use this word-taken status as a means of claiming dominance, whether it is an assurance that this higher power has granted them ownership of [[ThePromisedLand territory]], over resources, and [[ASlaveToTheIndex even over their own fellow man]], sometimes with MoralMyopia in full effect. Anthropologists commonly regard claims of chosenness as a form of [[CulturalPosturing ethnocentrism]].

Various groups and civilization since before recorded history have considered themselves to be chosen people by a god or goddess. Historical cases operate more on a form of honor's system -- that a specific people or leader claims to have been chosen by what they believe is a real, infallible, supernatural authority and thus this entitles them to privileges and authority [[EgocentricallyReligious not accorded to the rest of their species]]. They would then use this word-taken status as a means of claiming dominance, whether it is an assurance that this higher power has granted them ownership of [[ThePromisedLand territory]], over resources, and [[ASlaveToTheIndex even over their own fellow man]], sometimes with MoralMyopia in full effect. Anthropologists commonly regard claims of chosenness as a form of [[CulturalPosturing ethnocentrism]].

In fiction however, the likelihood of this being true is much higher. When the actual existence of supernatural -- or at least, very amazing and hard-to believe things -- is made known, it is also just as likely that not only does this higher power possess an independent, thinking sentience in the universe, but that it can also pick favorites.

If the Chosen People seem poor, despondent or massively unimpressive at face value, then they can be a collective version of TheChosenZero. If the Chosen People actually ''are'' poor, despondent or massively unimpressive, then [[TheChooserOfTheOne the higher power that chose them]] was wrong and they are all ThePoorlyChosenOne. If [[EthnicGod the creator share a specific homeland with the chosen]], then it can be considered a form of divine CreatorProvincialism.

* In ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'' [[spoiler: an ethnic group known as the Eldians can turn into the titled giants, a power which they believe are given to them by God. This has some evidence to back it up, such as the transformation being triggered by a lightning bolt from the sky.]]

Various groups and civilization since before recorded history have considered themselves to be chosen people by a god or goddess. Historical cases operate more on a form of honor's system -- that a specific people or leader claims to have been chosen by what they believe is a real, infallible, supernatural authority and thus this entitles them to privileges and authority [[EgocentricallyReligious not accorded to the rest of their species]]. They would then use this word-taken status as a means of claiming dominance, whether it is an assurance that this higher power has granted them ownership of [[ThePromisedLand territory]], over resources, [[ASlaveToTheIndex even over their own fellow man]]. Anthropologists commonly regard claims of chosenness as a form of [[CulturalPosturing ethnocentrism]].

* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles'': The High Entia think to be this as they misinterpreted visions from [[GeniusLoci the Bionis]] as being his chosen people and believe they are superior to all other life. [[spoiler: [[GodIsEvil The Bionis']] [[BeastOfTheApocalypse actual plans for the High Entia]] [[TragicMonster are far less than beneficial for them.]]]]

Compare to TribeOfPriests. See also SpaceJews. Not to be confused with TheChosenMany.

* In Judaism, the Israelites (and their descendants) are God's Chosen people. This is in regard how certain people among the Israelites are chosen to carry-out divine missions, or are exempt from specific declarations and boundaries brought up by God.

Various groups and civilization since before recorded history have considered themselves to be chosen people by a god or goddess. Historical cases operate more on a form of honor's system -- that a specific people or leader claims to have been chosen by what they believe is a real, infallible, supernatural authority and thus this entitles them to privileges and authority [[EgocentricallyReligious not accorded to the rest of their species]]. They would then use this word-taken status as a means of claiming dominance, whether it is an assurance that this higher power has granted them ownership of [[ThePromisedLand territory]], over resources, [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil even over their own fellow man]]. Anthropologists commonly regard claims of chosenness as a form of [[CulturalPosturing ethnocentrism]].

Various groups and civilization since before recorded history have considered themselves to be chosen people by a god or goddess. Historical cases operate more on a form of honor's system -- that a specific people or leader claims to have been chosen by what they believe is a real, infallible, supernatural authority and thus this entitles them to privileges and authority [[EgocentricallyReligious not accorded to the rest of their species]]. They would then use this word-taken status as a means of claiming dominance, whether it is an assurance that this higher power has granted them ownership of [[TheConqueror territory]], over resources, [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil even over their own fellow man]]. Anthropologists commonly regard claims of chosenness as a form of [[CulturalPosturing ethnocentrism]].

-> '' "I am the guide of all beings. The one who bestowed Mantra upon your ancestors."''

Various groups and civilization since before recorded history have considered themselves to be chosen people by a god or goddess. Historical cases operate more on a form of honor's system -- that a specific people or leader claims to have been chosen by what they believe is a real, infallible, supernatural authority and thus this entitles them to privileges and authority [[EgocentricallyReligious not accorded to the rest of their species]]. [[FreudianExcuse They would then use this word-taken status as a means of claiming dominance]], whether it is an assurance that this higher power has granted them ownership of [[TheConqueror territory]], over resources, [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil even over their own fellow man]]. Anthropologists commonly regard claims of chosenness as a form of [[CulturalPosturing ethnocentrism]].

Various groups and civilization since before recorded history have considered themselves to be chosen people by a god or goddess. Historical cases operate more on a form of honor's system -- that a specific people or leader claims to have been chosen by what they believe is a real, infallible, supernatural authority and thus this entitles them to privileges and authority [[EgocentricallyReligious not accorded to the rest of their species]]. In other words, "TakeOurWordForIt". [[FreudianExcuse They would then use this word-taken status as a means of claiming dominance]], whether it is an assurance that this higher power has granted them ownership of [[TheConqueror territory]], over resources, [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil even over their own fellow man]]. Anthropologists commonly regard claims of chosenness as a form of [[CulturalPosturing ethnocentrism]].

Various groups and civilization since before recorded history have considered themselves to be chosen people by a god or goddess. Historical cases operate more on a form of honor's system -- that a specific people or leader claims to have been chosen by what they believe is a real, infallible, supernatural authority and thus this entitles them to privileges and authority [[EgocentricallyReligious not accorded to the rest of their species]]. In other words, "TakeOurWordForIt". [[FreudianExcuse They would then use this word-taken status as a means of claiming dominance]], whether it is an assurance that this higher power has granted them ownership of [[TheConqueror territory]], over resources, [[SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil even over their own fellow man]]. Anthropologists commonly regard claims of chosenness as a form of ethnocentrism.

Various groups and civilization since before recorded history have considered themselves to be chosen people by a god or goddess. Historical cases operate more on a form of honor's system -- that a specific people or leader claims to have been chosen by what they believe is a real, infallible, supernatural authority and thus this entitles them to privileges and authority [[EgocentricallyReligious not accorded to the rest of their species]]. In other words, "TakeOurWordForIt". They would then use this word-taken status as a means of claiming dominance, whether it is an assurance that this higher power has granted them ownership of territory, over resources, even over their own fellow man. Anthropologists commonly regard claims of chosenness as a form of ethnocentrism.

If the Chosen People seem poor, despondent or massively unimpressive at face value, then they can be a collective version of TheChosenZero. If the Chosen People actually ''are'' poor, despondent or massively unimpressive, then [[TheChooserOfTheOne the higher power that chose them]] was wrong and they are all ThePoorlyChosenOne. If the creator share a specific homeland with the chosen, then it can be considered a form of divine CreatorProvincialism.

* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance'' and ''FireEmblemRadiantDawn'', the [[PerfectPacifistPeople Heron Tribe Laguz]] claim that they are the closest to the setting's goddess. The given reason for this is that their hearts are much more balanced between [[OrderVersusChaos order and chaos]] than either beorc or their fellow laguz; this makes them the only race that can safely hold [[ArtifactOfDoom Lehran's Medallion]]. Their claim also put them into conflict with the Empire of Begnion, who claim that their empress has the power to directly speak to the goddess; the herons claim that the empress's powers are a lie. This conflict is why the citizens of Begnion were so quick to believe that a race of [[ActualPacifist Actual Pacifists]] could assassinate the empress. [[spoiler: The irony is that the empresses of Begnion have their powers because they are [[HalfHumanHybrid beorc-heron hybrids]] who inherited their power from the individual heron that was the closest to the goddess.]]

* In ''VideoGame/{{Destiny}}'', a massive space-faring sphere known as [[MessianicArchetype the Traveler]] makes itself known to mankind. Not only does it sacrifice parts of its own power to stave of the Darkness, but it also provides an arsenal for humanity to defend itself with and the power of resurrection to the Guardians of the last city. This has inspired much envy from aliens of other races, including [[TheChosenWannabe Dominos Ghaul and the Cabal]]. This isn't the first time this has happened either; the Traveler has chosen multiple races before humanity, including another race that they fight, the Fallen, but each one has been destroyed by the Hive, an EvilTwin of this trope who have been chosen by the Darkness, the Traveler's archenemy.

* In Franchise/TolkiensLegendarium, the Atani -- that is, humanity itself -- are the Chosen People. Unlike other races such as elves and dwarves, the fates of Men are not bound to Arda until it ends, but [[BlessedWithSuck through dying]] go ''beyond'' it. Therefore, they are said to have the ability to shape their destinies beyond the fate of the world, and were set apart by [[{{God}} Eru]] for this purpose.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Destiny}}'', a massive space-faring sphere known as [[MessianicArchetype the Traveler]] makes itself known to mankind. Not only does it sacrifice parts of its own power to stave of the Darkness, but it also provides an arsenal for humanity to defend itself with and the power of resurrection to the Guardians of the last city. This has inspired much envy from aliens of other races, including [[TheChosenWannabe Dominos Ghaul and the Cabal]]. This isn't the first time this has happened either; the Traveler has chosen multiple races before humanity, including another race that they fight, the Fallen, but each one has been destroyed by the Hive, a ShadowArchetype of this trope who have been chosen by the Darkness, the Traveler's archenemy.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Destiny}}'', a massive space-faring sphere known as [[MessianicArchetype the Traveler]] makes itself known to mankind. Not only does it sacrifice parts of its own power to stave of the Darkness, but it also provides an arsenal for humanity to defend itself with and the power of resurrection to the Guardians of the last city. This has inspired much envy from aliens of other races, including [[TheChosenWannabe Dominos Ghaul and the Cabal]].

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