The statue was past. Sayid and a few others saw it in 2004 after they crashed. Since that was before time travel (that we know of), it is safe to assume the statue is past.
You know, in the Bible, snakes represent Satan. And on most Mary statues today Mary is standing on a snake in defeat. Maybe the statue in Lost is Mary, and the snakes in the temple also represent Satan. That would explain why Ben looked so shocked upon seeing them. Also remember the statues Charlie got the herioin from.
What we need to establish is whether or not the statue is future or past.
The statue was past. Sayid and a few others saw it in 2004 after they crashed. Since that was before time travel (that we know of), it is safe to assume the statue is past.
You know, in the Bible, snakes represent Satan. And on most Mary statues today Mary is standing on a snake in defeat. Maybe the statue in Lost is Mary, and the snakes in the temple also represent Satan. That would explain why Ben looked so shocked upon seeing them. Also remember the statues Charlie got the herioin from.