How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
We kept far enough back so as not to be seen. I had not been a very religious boy up till then, but I found myself praying for George Pearson to get away. Please, God, I thought, make George run fast. (16.5)
When Ben sees George beaten in the streets as a kid, he prays. Notice how he says he wasn't very religious, but he still thinks about praying because he doesn't have any other options. We're not sure Ben has changed very much when it comes to religion, but we do know he believes some sort of god is out there listening to him.
Quote #5
"Ain't no Jesus," she said. "There ain't no Jesus for me." She wept so terribly I could not hold myself back. I knelt by her in the clearing. (43.11)
One of the many heartbreaking moments in the book is when a woman (Annie) weeps over a body and seemingly has no hope left. Her comment that Jesus isn't there for her strikes Ben as sad because religion is important in this town. But you know what else is important in this town? Hurting Black people all the freaking time. So we get why a Black person might have a crisis of faith.
Quote #6
I have prayed much about this matter, and have spoken to my father about the situation. I should have known. Meg had consulted the one god in her life, the almighty Colonel Wilfred A. Haverbrook, U.S. Army, Ret. (44.14)
The Dear John letter from Meg reveals how Ben's wife thinks of her family and religion. It seems like she cares more about what her dad says than anyone else. Ben doesn't get why he's such a god to her—or why she would take his word over the Bible's, for that matter. It bugs him, to say the least.