Re: Pilgrim Books

Camille Scaysbrook (verona_beach@geocities.com)
Wed, 14 Oct 1998 10:54:11 +1000

> Are there any atheists among you who are bothered by "all this talk about
> Jesus" in Faz?

I was brought up Catholic myself and I'm no atheist - but I look on
religion as an inherent part of Salinger's art. As far as I can see,
literature *is* Salinger's religion; his creation of the Glass family his
search for meaning. It's just another theme in his work. I wouldn't be
bothered about it anymore than I'd be bothered about a book set in Africa
when I'd never been to Africa - I think you could be an atheist but still
understand the semiotics of religion. I'm extremely interested in Buddhism
for example, without actually being an Buddhist myself.

I've heard some people query the concentration on Jesus, considering
Salinger is as far as we know a Buddhist-leaning Jew - but it must be
remembered that both Buddhism and Judaism *recognise* Jesus - but as a
prophet rather than the Son of God.

Camille
verona_beach@geocities.com
@ THE ARTS HOLE www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/6442
@ THE INVERTED FOREST www.angelfire.com/pa/invertedforest