Forrest Gump doesn't hit you over the head with its religion, but God (and his general attitude toward the world) does keep popping up as characters wrestle with (1) whether God exists and (2) whether he's kind or cruel. Jenny prays that God will turn her into a bird, but she might as well wonder why he let her be abused in the first place. Lt. Dan curses God for keeping him alive, but maybe he should be thanking him—or Him—for letting him live to become a happy millionaire. But, is God the wind controlling the feather? Or, is he the hurricane wind destroying an entire economy just so Forrest can make a fortune?
Questions about Religion
- Do you come away from this movie with a sense that the world is a good place, a bad place, or neither? Why?
- Which character in this movie has the greatest religious faith, and is that faith portrayed as silly and naïve or as profound and meaningful?
- At what point does Lt. Dan make his peace with God? Why?
- Do you think Forrest believes in God and heaven? Why or why not?
Chew on This
In Forrest Gump, we see that it's very hard to believe in God when so many horrible things happen in the world.
Forrest Gump shows us that, even if there is a God, there's no point in trying to make sense of his actions.