How we cite our quotes:
Quote #7
"Many of the people had been running toward the church where they knelt clutching the altar and from this refuge they were dragged howling one by one and one by one they were slain and scalped in the chancel floor" (13.44).
Lots of people turn to religion in their times of suffering, or in this case, when they're being attacked. But unfortunately, no one comes to save them in this case. They all die and we're left wondering what kind of God would allow this sort of suffering to take place. But hey, whoever said God had to be a nice guy?
Quote #8
"The good book does indeed count war an evil, said Irving. Yet there's many a bloody tale of war inside it" (17.22).
It's fair to say that religion can sometimes be pretty contradictory. Irving, for example, is quick to point out that even though the Bible is against violence, there's a ton of violence inside it. Could we say the same thing of Blood Meridian?
Quote #9
"Weigh your counsel, Priest, he said. We are all here together. Yonder sun is like the eye of God and we will cook impartially upon this great siliceous griddle I do assure you" (20.69).
The judge isn't a big fan of the ex priest Tobin because Tobin seems to be the only one who can see the evil that's lurking beneath all the judge's charm. The jury's still out on whether the judge is actually Satan, though.