Marcelo in the Real World Religion Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

One day Abba saw me looking at the portrait and she said, "That's Jesus' heart. It shows how he feels for us." Then she took the picture down and sat beside me on her bed. "The thorns are His sorrow for all that we suffer, and the flame is His love." (16.5)

Here's some symbolism for you: if Ixtel had a crown of thorns, it would be made of shards of glass.

Quote #8

Then I try to block out the rushing thoughts by remembering a favorite piece of Scripture, but the remembering is not focused. It has a life of its own and what it presents are lines from different parts of Scriptures, senseless and disconnected, like an inner Tower of Babel. (16.8)

"Babel" and "babble" sound alike, which may be why Marcelo thinks of that particular Biblical reference when trying to focus his thoughts.

Quote #9

Rabbi Heschel takes off her sunglasses and dangles them by the side of the chair. "I think we, and I mean all of us, every single one of us who's in the religion business, have messed things up royally." (26.52)

Do you agree? Has the corruption of religion overtaken the benefits? Are any religions exempt?