Joshua (the Novel) :: essays research papers

Herm&8217s chief, &8220Josh, what do you think of Religion? becomes the beginning of a period of both felicity and conflict for Joshua as he is then often encountered with many tie in questions and, later, contradiction from the Church. These questions all lead to similar answers, in which Joshua expands on his ideas. And because of this unless discussion, it&8217s important to read all of his responses throughout the book in order to understand his reply and to intelligently decide to agree or disagree. Therefore, my reaction to Joshua&8217s reply is based on everything he express concerning religion.The question arises from a discussion between silken, Herm, and Joshua concerning his lifestyle. They are walking phratry from breakfast at the diner and the other two are interested in why Joshua doesn&8217t mind sustenance alone. &8220Don&8217t you get lonesome living by yourself? Herm asks (72). But Joshua explains to them that he value the serenity of living alone. He tel ls them that he can peacefully fuck the beauty of nature outside and the animals also keep him company at times. But the primary(prenominal) reason why Joshua never feels alone is that idol is always with him, loving him always, and will never abandon him &8220No. I like being by myself&8230 God is with us all the time (72). Pat and Herm agree but still can not imagine living alone without any feeling of loneliness and this discussion of God leads to Herm&8217s question.Joshua&8217s response is similar to a sermon or speech, and is everyplace a page in length he is firm in these beliefs and reiterates them several times throughout the book. He is very prepared for the question before saying a word he asks, &8220the way it religion is or the way God intended it to be? (73). And when he is sure of the latter, releases everything wrong him, as if he was just waiting to explain what people had been doing wrong. His main point is that Jesus wanted to free those under the pressure of rules in their religions and offered a comforting God who loved them, asking only for prize and worship in return. Joshua is also disappointed in the way the clergy command over their congregations &8220Jesus did not envision bosses&8230 He wanted his apostles to occupy and serve, not to dictate and legislate (74). Joshua feels that rules and traditions are blocking people from growing in love of God, that the people become unable to think for themselves and panic when changes are made.