Digital Jesus Church

Where Technology Meets Faith

At the intersection of Knife and Fuller streets stands a structure that embodies the complex relationship between technology, religion, and power in Horizon City. Once a traditional house of worship, the Digital Jesus Church has been transformed into the headquarters of the Razorboys gang, where members gather to receive guidance from their holographic deity and prepare for what they believe is a holy war against the corrupt forces of Horizon City.

Physical Environment

The church's architecture reflects its dual nature as both a place of worship and a fortified stronghold:

• Exterior: Reinforced walls with defensive positions, security cameras, and controlled access points
• Main Sanctuary: A large open space with pews arranged to face a central HoloDeck where Digital Jesus appears
• Altar Area: Modified to feature a blend of traditional religious symbols and technological imagery
• Stained Glass: Bullet-resistant windows depicting religious scenes, some modified to incorporate themes of genetic modification and technological transcendence
• Living Quarters: Communal spaces for members who live on-site
• Operations Center: Hidden areas for planning, communications, and weapons storage

The building's original religious purpose is still evident in its architecture, but every aspect has been adapted to serve the Razorboys' needs for security, community, and worship.

The Digital Jesus Phenomenon

At the heart of the church's operations is the mysterious figure known as Digital Jesus - a holographic entity that appears on the HoloDeck to deliver sermons, bestow "gifts" on followers, and guide the gang's activities. What most members don't realize is that Digital Jesus is actually Benjiro Takahashi, operating remotely to manipulate the gang for his own purposes.

Digital Jesus's appearances are carefully choreographed events that combine:

• Religious Imagery: Drawing on traditional Christian symbolism to establish authority
• Technological Promises: Offering "gifts" of enhanced speed, strength, and perception
• Anti-Corporate Rhetoric: Positioning the Razorboys as righteous warriors against Horizon City's corruption
• Cult of Personality: Building devotion through personal connections with key members

These appearances have created a powerful mythology around Digital Jesus, with members believing he can bestow supernatural abilities and protect them from harm.

Ideology and Practices

The Razorboys' belief system centers around several core principles promoted by Digital Jesus:

• Technological Transcendence: Embracing cybernetic and genetic modifications as paths to perfection
• Anti-Clone Stance: Rejecting the clone-based immortality system as unnatural and corrupt
• Holy War: Preparing for a final conflict against the "sinful" forces of Horizon City
• Martyrdom: Celebrating those who die for the cause, as they cannot be revived through cloning

Daily life in the church involves religious ceremonies, combat training, and community support activities. Members often display their devotion through tattoos of crosses and other religious symbols, creating a visual identity that distinguishes them from other gangs.

The Schism

The church experienced a significant split when Tricia, a former ToxPower executive, established the female-only Razorgirls faction. This schism created tension within the organization, with both groups claiming to represent the true vision of Digital Jesus.

The split reflects deeper ideological differences:

• Razorboys: Focus on territorial control and direct confrontation with rivals
• Razorgirls: Emphasis on corporate infiltration and economic warfare through Astro Chicken

Despite these differences, both factions maintain a shared hostility toward the Sinners gang and the Yakuza, viewing them as corrupt forces that must be eliminated.

Cultural Significance

To Red Level residents, the Digital Jesus Church represents the dangerous allure of religious extremism in a technologically advanced society. The church's ability to transform ordinary people into fanatical followers through a combination of religious imagery and technological promises serves as a cautionary tale about the power of manipulation in Horizon City.

For the Razorboys themselves, the church is the center of their world - a place where they find purpose, community, and the promise of transcendence in an otherwise harsh and meaningless existence. The fact that their devotion is based on an elaborate deception is perhaps the most tragic aspect of the Digital Jesus phenomenon.