> 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