Spirituality in Watchmen

We have seen thus far that Watchmen poses challenging questions regarding social and political issues to its readers. It goes even further in its discussion of spirituality of the human race. It is clear that corruption of urban life is a constant theme of this tome. The dialogue among characters associate blame for the corruption with political leaders, regular human nature, and God. Although the reference to God's role in the corruption of the world is never directly addressed, Dr. Manhattan's impression on others causes people to respond to his actions as if he were God. His infinite power of the universe and ability to see the future cast him as an omnipotent and all-knowing being.

In Dr. Manhattan's recollection of his interactions with the Comedian in Vietnam, the Comedian shoots a woman who is pregnant with his child. Dr. Manhattan is abhorred by the Comedian's actions, to which the Comedian retorts," You coulda changed the gun into steam or the bullets into mercury...but you didn't lift a finger. You're turning into a flake. God, help us all" (Ch. 2 pg. 15). This is an example of the classic argument regarding spirituality and the role of God toward the human race. If God is all-powerful and merciful, how can he allow evil and corruption to spread across the world? How can he allow immense suffering to occur every day without interfering? The Comedian thinks that God doesn't truly care about the human race. He thinks that God just observes humans like rats in a lab.

At the end of the graphic novel, Adrian Veidt wipes out millions of people in an attempt to create a utopian world. Dr. Manhattan watches Veidt do it, and tells him later that he neither condemns nor condones such actions. He approaches Veidt after walking on water, in a Christian symbolism, and leaves Veidt as he tells him that he will now create his own world. Perhaps the idea of God's absence led to the establishment of a new God, Dr. Manhattan, who also decided to abandon the human race in pursuit of his own creation.