Multiethnic Literatures in the U.S.

Religion: A Distraction or Necessity?

Throughout history, religion has always played a crucial role in the lives of most people in a functioning society. To most individuals religion provides extended moral structure, as well as hope for the afterlife. Nearly all religions have some type of book or scriptures to help define these processes and sets of rules that are to be followed; many of these “hard copies” were written thousands of years ago, but are still perceived just as literally as the day they were written. In both the Parable of the Talents, as well as today’s society, I believe that the use of religion presents a distraction—or attempt at mild brainwashing—which helps to take people’s minds away from the real problems that are going on around us. Although this does not fit the public’s accepted view of religions, I still feel that most religions were originally founded to provide a false sense of security, while also helping leaders gain better control of their citizen’s behavior. After reading the Parable of Talents I notice that Octavia Butler shares similar viewpoints; we notice this by examining how Butler portrays Lauren and President Jarrett’s use of religion and its effect on others. Butler seems use a deteriorating society to exaggerate these present day misconceptions in religion.

In Parable of Talents society seems to be in an exaggerated state of chaos although many characteristics mirror the early stages of serious problems in today’s society. This type of exaggerated setting allows Butler to easily and accurately examine how religion is oftentimes used to distract society from the important issues that should be resolved. In the novel, Butler never really provides specific reasoning for Lauren’s need to start Earthseed, as well as to why she continues to dream about the need for its growth. This illustrates that Lauren might care so much about Earthseed because it provides a much needed distraction from the daily chaos. Chaos has surrounded Lauren her whole life, which may explain why she shows the need to pursue Earthseed with such determination. In many cases, we see this happening in today’s culture as well. For example many people feel satisfied by strictly following the words of the bible, but in reality they are losing sight of the actual economical and political problems that are sometimes more important. Religion may also become a distraction by providing a false sense of security. We see this first hand when Lauren is so caught up in her Earthseed community that it “forces” her to refuse a safe refuge for her elderly husband and their new bourn child. Lauren likes the way that Earthseed provides her with a sense of accomplishment, as well as a self esteem boost from her followers; but because of this she decides there is no way she can abandon her Earthseed community. However, in reality she should have been concentrating on survival before religion. This concept is also seen in today’s society with people who feel their life is complete just because they follow the word of the lord.

President Jarrett also uses religion as an obsolete solution for nearly every problem in their chaotic society. It is obvious that Jarrett is an extremist, but people start to believe that forced Christianity might be the only answer since conditions continue to worsen and no other options seem plausible. Extremists like Jarrett will always exist within any religion; this creates a problem since so many people will follow the orders of religious icon just because every part of a person’s life is structured on that religion. We obviously notice that extremists like Jarrett use the framework of a religion in a manipulative way, far from its original context. Nevertheless, the followers are distracted by religion as a whole, and fail to see the propaganda they are being fed. We see this through Jarrett’s manipulative speeches that result in a “cult-like” following. These “Crusaders,” as they are called, claim that they are fighting, killing, and torturing for the goodness of Christianity. This same type of blindness is seen throughout society today, especially through Jihad (a movement to kill all infidels who do not follow Islam) in the Muslim community. The ruthless individuals who pursue this Jihad show definite similarities to Jarrett’s crusaders. Both of these groups are similar because they use their own perception of religion to distract themselves from the wrongful injustices in which they involve themselves. Religion is always portrayed to be necessary in most societies, but can actually do more harm than expected if every part of our lives become concerned with religion. I feel this is why Butler chose religion to play an essential underlying theme in her The Parable of Talents.

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