Re: Pilgrim Books
J J R (jrovira@juno.com)
Tue, 13 Oct 1998 18:21:32 -0400 (EDT)
<<One of the main points of Salinger's theology is to point out the lack
of differences between the religions. Zooey's admonishment to Franny
about
going straight from her St Francis view of Christ to the Bhudda is not an
endorsement of christianity, it's pointing out her lack of understanding.
Seymour's invoking of Christ is not really so " Christian" he's reverting
to the old " seeing christbeing a Christian" The Jewish or Zen
influences
are no more prevalent than the Christian influence if you really look
into
what's being said. JD is all about trying to get us to unlearn the
differences.>>
But you have to respect them. See, the belief that "There are no
differences" is a specific belief itself, and stands in contradiction to
other beliefs held by those who believe differently than you.
I think you've nailed Salinger's message pretty well, and it's a Zen
message. It's not a Jewish message or a Christian message, because in
both Christianity and Judaism the differences between religions are real.
That's not to say there aren't Jewish and Christian strains in
Salinger's thought--there are, but his appropriation of Jewish and
Christian thought is within a Zen framework.
Jim
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