I was reading the universe forum and apparently someone said Destiny had a lot of themes from this book:
[url=http://www.causticsodapodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/childhoods-end.jpg] link[/url]
The story talks about a "golden age of mankind, an alien protector, etc"
"Without warning, giant silver ships from deep space appear in the skies above every major city on Earth. Manned by the Overlords, in fifty years, they eliminate ignorance, disease, and poverty. Then this golden age ends--and then the age of Mankind begins...."
Might be some of Bungie's inspiration like ringword was for Halo.
[Edited on 12.09.2012 6:30 AM PST]