Hinduism, Islam, Christianity: Pi is unable to choose between the three religions and is only content when practising all three. When questioned about it his defence is simple: ‘I just want to love God’.
What do you think this says about Pi’s interpretation of faith versus belief? How do they differ? Could it be that Pi, by following all three religions, is simply using as many ways as possible to express his belief?
Think back to the question raised in our last tip about how both zoos and religion are plagued by ‘illusions of freedom’. How does this relate to Pi’s multi-faith stance?
As you read further in the story you might like to think about how each of these three religions’ tenets help Pi when he is adrift at sea, and whether his belief changes during his voyage to a more transcendental understanding of the universe.
Twitter responses:
- dhebblethwaite: Nice desciption of Mr Kumar in Chapter 7.
Gary
said:posted 11 August 09
It seems to me that Pi whilst striving for faith and pluralism has in fact none- rather than a believer he’s a covet agnostic-with all his doubts thrown into a bag-Surely if there is such a thing as objective truth-just as there are objective things like books, boats and tigers then faith either has either to be true faith or true unbelief. You can’t have all your cakes and eat them too. So although you might applaud Pi for his progressive attitude to faith and God- you might as well applaud someone who believes the earth is round or flat- well its either one or another-and Pi never gets to the point of self-discovery or rejection. And because of that he’s a religious fraud dresssed up in clothes of belief but merely peddling agnosticism. Apart from that -good book though-
Maria do Céu Costa
said:posted 11 August 09
Pi’s appealing to Jesus, Mary, as well as Mohamed and Vishnu are simply different ways to express his belief and trust in God.
For Pi “faith in God is an opening, a relief, a deep trust, a free act of love”. But… sometimes “it was so difficult to love”. Pi recognises how difficult, exhausting, desperate, desolate his environment is. At those times, however, he tries to get a spiritual lifting for if he went on in despair, he wouldn’t certainly get his salvation!
Everytime the harships became softer he felt ” …God remained, a shining spot of light in my heart. And I went on loving.”
Pi’s religious beliefs gain further philosophical features whilst questioning the nature of universe. Chapter 78, in our opinion, is a very interesting and philosophical reflection about it.
DVG
said:posted 26 August 09
For me this is the part of the book that I could relate most to because, “All I want to do is love God.”
I can understand not finding what I need in any one religion and chose to associate my spirituality with no specific one. I continue to believe in one God, call God what you wish.
Reading books on various religions truly interests me.
David
said:posted 30 June 11
What struck me about this was Pi’s negative feelings towards agnosticism whilst following three religions. It made me think about whether the difference is that between believing in God and loving God. Is it that I as an Agnostic am just open to the idea whilst a Christian, Muslim or Hindu actually professes to love God?