Religion

So this post is a little different than my normal ones, but it's some quotes on religion I've found from this book I've been reading.


The book is called "Change of Heart" and it's by Jodi Picoult. All of her books are completely amazing, so should you ever need something to read, pick one of hers up. "Change of Heart" is a newer one of hers, and I'm reading it (for the second time). Basically, it's about a guy who gets charged with murdering a police officer and a seven-year-old and put on death row (the story opens up with the jury deliberating over whether to sentence him to death or not. Then the story moves ahead 11 years, with one of the jury members becoming the inmate's spiritual adviser. Some miraculous things happen surrounding the inmate, and some people think he's a religious reincarnate, and it basically turns into a huge religious hoopla, but really, the guy just wants to donate his heart to the second daughter of the mother and wife of his first victim. (He killed the cop & daughter when the mom was pregnant with her second child - the cop's baby). Anywho, the new baby, who's like 7 at the time has a failing heart, so the inmate wants to donate his heart to save her, to clear the slate after taking away her father & sister. His reasoning is that it's the only way to save himself. But through everything, it turns into a big religious issue, even though he says he's not religious. But out of it (thanks to the incredible writing of Jodi Picoult), she managed to put into words my views on religion.


And here are those quotes:


This first one comes from a reformed hardcore atheist in the novel (who's story originates in another novel of hers..."Keeping Faith")

“An atheist got more in common with a Christian, since he believes you can know whether or not God exists – but where a Christian says absolutely, the atheist says absolutely not. For me, and any other agnostic – the jury’s still out. Religion is intriguing, but in a historical sense. A man should live his life a certain way not because of some divine authority, but because of a personal moral obligation to himself and others.”

These next two come from the inmate who's trying to explain to the jury about his "religion" (that donating his heart is his way to salvation):

“I don’t belong to a religion. Religion’s the reason the world’s falling apart – did you see that guy get carted out of here? THAT’S what religion does. It points a finger. It causes wars. It breaks apart countries. It’s a petri dish for stereotypes to grow in. Religion’s not about being holy, just holier-than-thou.”

“You know what religion does? It draws a big fat line in the sand. It says, “if you don’t do it my way, you’re out.”

This is the book cover:

Never Give Up.

“When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.”

Somehow, this quote has defined my life more times than not. It’s true though. There’s been times where I want to give up on everything and I’ve needed to remind myself (or have someone else remind me) why I’m still holding on. This time is only slightly different. I’m still holding on, but I have no intention of giving up. Sure, there’s sometimes when I think it would ease the pain of missing him, but then I think about trying to live my life without him, and I can’t even picture it.

I want to say so much has changed in the past couple of weeks, and some things have, but others haven’t. The one major thing that changed is I’ve stopped crying every two seconds. The major thing that hasn’t is Will and I still aren’t technically together. But, I’m more okay with that than I was.

Things have gotten better for Will and I…it’s close to how we were. But then again, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. It’s better than nothing though. I couldn’t handle having nothing. He means the world to me. I love him. And he loves me. He doesn’t want me to give up on us…he’s not giving up. He still wants everything we’ve had for the future. We just need to get through this year. He needs to not worry about me wanting to quit school to go to wherever he is. And I promise, he doesn’t have to worry about that. I know shit changes, but this I can do. I know I can. I have to. But after this year is over, things can get back on track. We can get back together, and get back to the plan. I’m not giving up hope.

Now, I’m sure there are some of you reading this going, “why doesn’t she just give up all hope? Move on with her life?” Well let me put it this way – think of the ONE thing in your life that you KNOW will be there in your future, and you honestly can’t live without it. Now imagine something taking that away, but still having the possibility that you’ll get it back. Can you HONESTLY say that you’d just give up hope? If you’re sitting there saying, “yeah, I could,” then what you’re thinking of isn’t that important to you, or you’re completely lying to yourself. I’m sure most of you reading this aren’t thinking that though – and for that, thank you. Most of you are hoping, just like me, that Will and I get back together. I deeply appreciate your hoping for me, and not telling me to just give up.

To those of you who still get shocked that we talk daily, please stop or just keep your shock to yourself. Because it’s annoying. He’s my best friend. Nothing has changed that. I can still talk to him in ways that I can’t talk to anyone else. And he still tells me everyday how he feels about me. I can’t even put into words how happy that makes me. So in regards to my confusion on what to do from my last blog, I’ve decided.

I’m not giving up.

And if you don’t agree with my decision, or you think I’m being stupid, please keep it to yourself. This is what I’m going to do and if you feel like judging me for it, then let me know so I can stop talking to you.

I’m going to live my life MY way, and do what makes ME happy. I don’t know how to give up on the only one person I’ve ever truly loved, so don’t try to help me give up, because I can’t, and I won’t.