Religion in Clays Quilt essays

Religion in Clays Quilt essays Clay Sizemore is an endearing character whose life shows how important the Pentecostal religion is to so many people of the Appalachians. Early in the book, the author calls those who don't attend church on Saturday night "sinners" (House 17), and this lays the groundwork for the rest of the book. It shows how important religion is to the people, and how they use religion as a basis for everything they do in their lives. While the Church plays an important part in everyone's life, it does not dominate their lives. They gamble, smoke, drink, and even carouse a bit, because they know they will be forgiven. House writes, "Gabe loved to drink, and he loved to have a big crowd around all the time" (House 25). The Church is a sanctuary for the people of Fire Creek, and it plays an important part in their lives - but it does not dominate everything they do. Unfortunately, it also makes them entirely too wary of strangers who do not believe what they believe, as Easter's reaction to newcomer Marguerite shows "She vowed never to talk to Marguerite again" (House 69). Marguerite is a Catholic who does not go to church, so she does not fit in the community, and the women will not accept her. This shows how narrow-minded they are, and how their religion sometimes gets in the way of their The Pentecostal religion began in Appalachia, and it is a stern and serious religion that people hold on to because it makes them feel better about themselves and the "sins" they may have. Many of the most severe Pentecostals will not drink, smoke, or listen to music other than church music, but the religion has relaxed a little all the time. However, Clay knows he cannot have it both ways, and he cannot continue to go to church when the ways of the church are so strict. He tells Easter "'I can't make myself believe the way you do. And I won't be no hypocrite'" (House 116). ...