Church of the Children of Atom

Church of the Children of Atom refers to both a building in Megaton and the cult residing within this building. The cult members refer to themselves as "Children of Atom".

Location
The church building is located at the bottom of the crater, next to the live atomic bomb around which the town of Megaton was built. The building is two stories tall with ramps and walkways all around it and a large, ramshackle sculpture of an atom adorning the roof. These believers pray for a special kind of salvation. Find out more when you speak with Confessor Cromwell (he's usually standing by the bomb) or Mother Maya (who's usually inside the church). You can generously give a donation (an unmarked quest) and ask more about this religion and about the residents. Cromwell has a key on him, but this is only useful for entering the church at night.

Background
The Church of the Children of the Atom seems to have existed as far back as Megaton's construction, as Manya mentions that they were instrumental in getting the town built. The citizens of Megaton do not mind the cult residing there as their technologies and workforce were needed to build the city, in exchange for it being "built around the bomb."

Beliefs
Children of Atom believe that each atomic mass contains an entire universe, and that when an atomic mass is split many universes are created. Therefore, instead of seeing the Great War as destructive, the Church believes it was a creative and unifying holy event. The Children of Atom also see death more as a celebration of life and unification to Atom through "the Glow.", "The Glow" is the earthly embodiment of Atom and the Children of Atom's direct connection to Atom. The Children of Atom view the ghouls as "Atom's forsaken" or those who have unfinished business and, for denying the ghouls their unification with Atom himself, Atom touches them with "the Glow" and asks that they spread the word of Atom to those around the world. Those ghouls that refuse to accept the "gift of the Glow" and refuse to spread the word of Atom are doomed to becoming feral ghouls.

People

 * Confessor Cromwell leads the Church and can usually be found preaching outside in front of the bomb. Cromwell will accept donations on behalf of the Church.
 * Mother Maya is a Child of Atom and wife to Confessor Cromwell.
 * Mother Curie III, leader of the Holy Light Monastery is a former Child of Atom.

Appearances
The Church of the Children of Atom appears only in Fallout 3.

Behind the scenes
The Children of the Atom may be a reference to the film Beneath The Planet Of The Apes which included a cult that revolved around the worship of an atomic bomb. Within the Fallout series, said cult previously served as inspiration for the town of Gravestone in Fallout Tactics.

Kościół Dzieci Atomu Дети Атома Chiesa_dei_Bambini_dell'Atomo