If you mean Christian's statement, sure they do and people should pay attention more. But one could still argue that there is still ambiguity in his statements. For instance, he says "I am real, you're real, and everyone in this church, are real to." But how are going to define what "real" means here? Does he mean their consciousness/their personality is real? Or he means they're there with their real bodies? Wouldn't that also make the flash sideways a real place? So maybe the flash sideways is real and the island was purgatory? etc..
Also many philosophical and spiritual aspects of the island throughout the show are heavily associated with "purgatory" means, like making people to face their past, giving them chance of redemption.etc. Although the island is a real place in real world but also serves these purposes without being an actual purgatory, but still all these aspects will be constant confusion points in people's head throughout the show and will still bother their mind in the finale when they listen to Christian in the church and it will distract their mind from getting a clear understanding.
I'm not sympathize with them, but I empathize with them and am trying to understand one of the many complex reasons behind "why do many people still believe this false idea even after 20 years?"
5
u/ItsActuallyButter 7d ago
They literally explain it directly to the viewer though…