I think there is a time travel elememt to the maelstrom that Starbuck passed through. When the fleet eventually goes through, I think everyone will have traveled back in time thousands of years and after a huge battle will live on earth with the rebellious cylons. They will be the gods and heroes of our religions. They will also be the mythical 13th tribe that is spoken of in their own distant future.
They are searching, essentially, for themselves.
this is both the ending and the beginning of the cycle that is prophisied.

I don't know the whys and wherefores but I think we will find that it is a necessary part of the natural order of things.