How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
[My mom] has this enormous book describing every illness known to man, from nail fungus to caner of the eye-ball. She reads it the way some people read the Bible. (2.46)
What does it mean to worship something? What kinds of things do people focus their time and energy on in our society? iPhones? Beamers? Red-carpet celebrities?
Quote #2
"Dear Lord, Al Anderson here. Just wanted to say thanks for giving me another day here on planet Earth, and for getting every one of these kids here safely. We appreciate it, Lord. You're one heck of a guy." (3.6)
Why do you think Jason is "mildly amused" the first time he hears Just Al pray this? Why does he get sick of it? Paying attention to how Jason responds to other people's relationship with their faith is one way to track his development in this book.
Quote #3
"Can you be Buddhist and Catholic at the same time?" (3.14)
To what degree is a religious affiliation a demographic box to check off, and to what extent is it a matter of heart-felt faith? We think it probably depends on who you ask.
Quote #4
"According to Father Haynes, if nonbeliever takes Holy Communion, he'll be damned for all eternity. Of course, being a nonbeliever damns me anyway, so I suppose it doesn't really matter, but I figure it's safer not to partake. Just in case I'm wrong about the whole God thing." (6.113)
We respect Jason's rejection of hypocrisy.
Quote #5
"God, no." (8.18)
Jason doesn't believe in god. He doesn't believe in leprechauns either, though he doesn't really lose any sleep over that one.
Quote #6
"Hey, if the water tower is god, what's the devil?"
"I don't think the Chutengodians have a devil."
"You gotta have a devil. You can't have a religion without a devil." (10.67-69)
A question for the ages: Do good and evil require each other in order to exist? Interesting that volatile, abuse-survivor Henry Stagg is the one to make the assertion that a devil is necessary.
Quote #7
A few hours ago, Henry Stagg and I watched the sun rise over St. Andrew Valley from the top of the Ten-legged One. […] We sat in devout silence as sunlight touched the silver tank, lighting it inch by inch, from the top down. Talk about being close to God. (11.7)
Interesting turn of phrase from someone who doesn't believe in God. Maybe Jason finds something in nature that is more godlike than the history and rituals of organized church. Or maybe it's just a turn of phrase.
Quote #8
"Listen, you can't just make up your own rules." (25.49)
Jason says this to Henry after he drafts some commandments with Magda. Irony anyone? Jason has made up all sorts of stuff, so we think what's really going on here is that Jason is realizing he can't control a "religion."
Quote #9
Maybe I'm the Antichrist. Maybe I'm a pawn of Satan. But I don't feel evil. (30.40)
In the final chapter, Jason does some genuine soul-searching about what level of responsibility he may bear in all the CTG fallout. But here? His fondness of hyperbole seems to be a handy way to blow-off blame. Can we blame him?
Quote #10
I envy my father, too. I envy his unshakeable belief in the Catholic Church—his faith gives him power and contentment. (31.51)
This seems like a Big Deal kind of moment. If Jason envies this, why doesn't he just start believing too? We think this shows that faith can't be coerced or wished into being any more than someone can just decide to love gastropods.