What is Zodiark?

[Kallera]

Sure, because rejecting the overarching themes of self-love, free will, and mankind's inherent and unlimited potential that run through the entire series simply for the sake of being contrarian would make for a much better story....

I don't think Cilia was talking about rejecting the themes, so much as not copying plot pieces in previous games word for word.

...
In all instances of a primal summoning thus far, it was due to tension between ideals and something being unobtainable without their power. Clashing ideals are one thing, but summoning a primal is not necessary to settle a dispute of ideals. The fact that people will resort to summoning a phantom god speaks volumes about their character, though - their weakness of heart gives birth to a desperate wish, and it is from that desperation a primal is summoned. That's what makes us so strong - not only are we able to overcome the despair that creates and summons primals, we never give in to despair ourselves. We fight with our own strength, and don't borrow power from or rely on the power of a (phantom) god. (The only time we really needed Hydaelyn's protection was to survive Ultima, which was, well, a freakin' nuke.)...

I'm not sure this is true. yes, Hydaelyn's power occured visibly in that instance. but from the way the echo and blessing are described we could possibly be using the blessing in every battle we are in, not in the manner of life saving shields, mind you, but our ability to take on shrug off blows from vicious beasts on a level that would cream the average soldier. I'm not sure where our own personal power begins and the power afforded by "being Hydaelyn's champion" ends, unless Heavensward's blessing is us attaining and use the blessing solely through the use of the crystals of light, which would mean the blessing ONLY requires the crystals of light, and can be not connected with Hydaelyns will at all. Then it becomes a lot easier to answer.

If everyone was strong enough to accept hardship, there would be no need for primals. Faith is not a bad thing, but when it goes to extremes like the primals do, well, conflict is inevitable, even if it is to the detriment of everyone involved. Thus, while the Garleans have a valid point, they simply take it too far because their extremism only pushes others to the opposite extreme.

Any social commentary on religion is purely imagined on your part. I assure you.

"If only people could accept their lot without turning to otherworldly powers..." Is simply easier to say for some than others, particularly when the body count starts. It kinda points out that the "Warrior of Light", however strong they are, is not a permanent solution to the primal question, either. Primals are kinda like nukes in a way. once the knowledge and proliferation of their creations becomes more and more common, it only becomes more difficult to contain.

I admit it'd be kinda boring to have every god be a primal of varying power, or perhaps an eikon (which as far as we can figure is just a primal that doesn't need active worshipers). Still, we have yet to understand much beyond "Hydaelyn is a goddess." As a scientific person, it's not really in my nature to just accept that as truth, or not ask where she came from or what gives her power...

This is an important question to find out, given the currently theories of our character.