How we cite our quotes: (Letter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
My father said that in those days after he came back from the war, he used to go off and sit with the Quakers on the Sabbath. (1.7.57)
The Quakers were pacifists and did not participate in any wars. While some people use the Bible as a justification for going to war, the Quakers believe the Bible forbids war. It's the same text, but these are two opposite interpretations of it.
Quote #8
He did preach those young men into the war. And his church was hit terribly hard. They joined up first thing and stayed till it was over, so the Confederates got off a good many shots at them. He went with them, too, even though he'd have been well into his forties. And he lost that eye, and came back finally with it has healed as it was going to be. (1.7.58)
Ames's grandfather persuaded the men of his church to join the Civil War, but he didn't just preach others into harm's way. He went himself, and it cost him. But at least he practiced what he preached, right?
Quote #9
His father had preached his people into the war, saying while there was slavery there was no peace, but only a war of the armed and powerful against the captive and defenseless. He would say, Peace will come only when that war ends, so the God of peace calls upon us to end it. He said all this with that gun in his belt. And everyone there always shouted amen, even the littlest children. (1.7.99)
Ames's grandfather's defense of war is just as religiously motivated as Ames's father's rejection of it. Gilead takes us into the conflicts religion brings up—conflicts within families and among interpretations. The members of the Ames family take their religion seriously; at times it binds them, but at other times it tears them apart.