How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I guess in some people's minds Sunday is an unusual day for bad luck because it's a religious day, and people's lives should get better on a religious day, or at least remain equalized until Monday. (2.1)
Religion: making people think certain days are special for eons.
Quote #2
[…] I would think, If the Bible is so magical that people around here quote it all the time, how come it can't perform the magic that would keep church from being boring? Whatever. (2.5)
Good one, Torey. Church might seem boring, but the point isn't usually to entertain, but to teach. Torey's own transformation isn't exactly a good time, either, though he certainly learns a whole lot along the way.
Quote #3
[…] Christ was wearing this little cloth, like a loincloth. It was as if the story had to be added to, so as not to disgust people too much. (2.8)
Throughout the book, Torey is hung up on this fact: in order for the majority of people to accept a truth, it has to be changed to make them feel more comfortable. And he applies this same fact to other situations as well to try to get a grip on psychology, community, and where he fits in.
Quote #4
But it struck me that the Church is always saying you shouldn't lie, and here was one. (2.9)
This is the first really hypocritical bit Torey notices that makes him question the authority and authenticity of the church. Be sure to check out the loincloth over in the "Symbolism" section for more on this.
Quote #5
[…] I had never given any thought to the Apostle's Creed or why we said this thing week after week. It was just something "normal" we said. (2.38)
Torey investigates this social dynamic and concludes that everyone should think about what they are doing, why they are doing it, and if they want to keep doing it. People should be more reflective instead of just following the trend.
Quote #6
Leandra went to a holy roller church, which could be a pain, because she could go off about the devil being real and stuff that could make you twitch. (3.7)
It seems pretty clear here that Torey, while he admits that he has his own ideas about God, does not like extreme religions. Perhaps that is how he feels because the majority of Steepleton are a tamer breed of Christian than his Pentecostal girlfriend.
Quote #7
"Don't get Pentecostal on us before noon." (5.38)
Renee gets fed up with Leandra's extreme God talk, too. These kids might all be popular, but that doesn't mean they're on the same page when it comes to religion.
Quote #8
I shut my eyes and thought, God, do something here because I can't cope with this all by myself. (10.35)
We know Torey believes in God because he prays for help at a chaotic time. This is the only time he prays however, though you could argue his prayers are answered since his mom steps in to help out.
Quote #9
"So why do you waste your time running down to the Pentecostal church every Sunday if you come around on Monday calling people dirtbag and turbo slut?" (14.39)
Go, Torey, go. Leandra is being a total hypocrite and very unchristian, so while maybe Torey could have said this more nicely, at least he said it.
Quote #10
Fahdi. Maybe he was Muslim or something. He spoke with an accent. Yeah, well, ain't his religion, why should he care? (22.51)
Whether or not someone believes in a religion doesn't matter when it comes to discussing certain facts about it. Fahdi listens to Torey and respectfully talks out Torey's issue with the church's repeated covering of Jesus's nakedness.