How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I was certain he knew that all of us were there to laugh at his movement; our air of respect was as corrupt as his phoney hierarchy, but we were less cunning. Our hypocrisy gained us nothing – not even a reliable ally, while theirs had procured arms, supplies, even cash down. (2.2.1.8)
Fowler isn't one to thumb his nose at religion. He thinks religious is a fiction, but a useful one.
Quote #8
We make a cage for air with holes, I thought, and a man makes a cage for his religion in much the same way – with doubts left open to the weather and creeds opening on innumerable interpretations. (2.2.1.49)
Fowler observes that religion needn't be locked into an immovable prison. Even those most dogmatic beliefs can evolve with the times by being understood in new contexts or in light of new information. We're not sure quite everyone will agree with that conclusion though…
Quote #9
I had never desired faith. The job of a reporter is to expose and record. I had never in my career discovered the inexplicable. The Pope worked his prophesies with a pencil in a moveable lid and the people believed. In any vision somewhere you could find the planchette. I had no visions or miracles in my repertoire of memory. (2.2.1.50)
Is Fowler too enclosed in his identity as a reporter? Does his self-understanding prevent him from seeing or appreciating "beliefs" he cannot simply report as factual occurrences? Or is his profession the right way to seek knowledge of the universe?