PLRReligion

=  __//Religion //__   =

  Throughout  the novel __Peace Like a River__, the topic of Religion is depicted as the Land family's stronghold, and hope for the future. This page will explore Religion and the feelings the characters have toward Religion during times of hope and despair.

 “I have seen Him in the watchfires of a hundred circling camps, They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps, His truth is marching on.”  This quote is important to religion because it takes place right after the lands decided to let God guide them to find Davy. It shows how the Lands will not let their troubles get to them, for God will always be there. The Lands believe they can always rely on God to guide them on the right path. God helps them through Davy's trial and escape, especially Jeremiah Land.(175)

 “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword, His truth is marching on.”  The Lands believe the "truth is marching on" at many points in the book. One is during Davy's trail when Swede and Reuben think that Davy is innocent. When the time is right, the Land family believes the Lord will let the truth be known. (174)

 “God told me you were in trouble.”  This is important to religion because it is explaining how Jeremiah's beliefs revolve around God. He says this meaning that he had a feeling from God. This feeling was to go see his newborn son, and when he did, he realized that something was wrong. Because of this feeling, he saved the life of his new child. (1)

 “We must trust in the Almighty to do what is best.”  Jeremiah is very dependent towards the Lord when he has no other options. He is describing about Reuben's birth; specifically when he could not breathe. Mr. Land took the advice of God to go to his son, and commanded him to breathe. This works after a few minutes of vigorous commands for air, and Reuben takes his first gasps of air.(2)

 “Reuben Land, in the name of the living God I am telling you to breathe.”  (3      <span style="color: rgb(199, 42, 239);">       <span style="color: rgb(199, 42, 239);">   <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">  <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);">  This image shows the Cross, a popular image in Christianity. Throughout the book, the Lands demonstrate a strong Christian faith. They have a strong relationship with God, thanking him for all great occurences.   <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);">     <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);">  Discussion Questions   <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);">     <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);">  1. What are your religious beliefs? How do they compare to those of the Lands?   <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);">  <span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 11);">I be <span style="color: rgb(48, 255, 0);">lieve in Buddhism and it is similar and different. One similar thing is that Buddhism has a heaven and hell just like Christianity, but the people of Buddhism does not believe in a god or devil. Heaven is for monks, which become Buddhas, while hell are for the most cruel and horrible people. Everyone else becomes reincarnated. <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);"> 2. Do you see any problems in the strong faith of the Lands? Explain. <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);"> <span style="color: rgb(27, 3, 134);"> I see no problems with the strong faith of the Lands. Their beliefs give them something to lean on in desperate times. They see their religion as their salvation in the chase for Davy and the relief of some stresses. If it were not for their faith, they would not be the kind natured people that they are, and they would have given up hope for a peaceful life. <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);"> 3. Religion has both united and divided people in our world. Do you think that religion is for the better or the worse? Explain. <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(19, 36, 139);">Religion is both for better and for worse. It has helped many people in the world by getting them through difficult times, but it has also hurt many by causing a multitude of strife. An example of a difficult time was created from religion by Jews during WWII. They were killed and hated only because of their religion and not because of who they were. Another example of this is all the wars that have been going on over many years, over peoples different religious beliefs. Although it has caused some problems it has also helped many people. It brings a wide variety of people together, and often brings them together to help others. Sometimes when people are going through hard times they look to their religion to help them get through it. Overall it has helped and hurt people overtime. <span style="color: rgb(23, 33, 24);">