I don't think Jimmy lost his faith. How could he really? After what he knows first hand.
That's precisely why my first reaction was that Jimmy lost his faith. Not his belief, because, yeah. He lived through all that. But his faith in God, his faith that what he (Jimmy) had been a part of was for Good. There are a lot of people who believe in God, but they don't have faith that God will do what He says He will do. Ya know?
I saw it more as he was out now, he's over and done and ready to put it and everything that led up to it behind him. Start fresh--minus his devotion. That just hurts.
However, for some reason, I often find it heartening when people are mad at God because that anger demonstrates a relationship on some level. Perhaps not the most ideal level, depending on the reason for the anger, and what the person does with that anger makes a difference (allow it to fester or work through it), but it's a start. So seeing Jimmy yell and demand that heaven keep its promise to him . . . I found that encouraging.
There is much chewy thinkiness to be pondered where Jimmy's depiction of faith is concerned. I just really liked that he wasn't presented as fanatical beyond reason; rather, he was presented as earnest and sincere, if naive as to what service might entail. (See karenmiller's comment above.)
I feel like I'm not making sense. Topics dealing with faith are so personal, it's hard for me to put into words.
My fort will be build along the river in Egypt. Feel free to bring pie if you come visit. :-)
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branchandroot
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Date: 2009-05-06 02:59 pm (UTC)That's precisely why my first reaction was that Jimmy lost his faith. Not his belief, because, yeah. He lived through all that. But his faith in God, his faith that what he (Jimmy) had been a part of was for Good. There are a lot of people who believe in God, but they don't have faith that God will do what He says He will do. Ya know?
I saw it more as he was out now, he's over and done and ready to put it and everything that led up to it behind him. Start fresh--minus his devotion. That just hurts.
However, for some reason, I often find it heartening when people are mad at God because that anger demonstrates a relationship on some level. Perhaps not the most ideal level, depending on the reason for the anger, and what the person does with that anger makes a difference (allow it to fester or work through it), but it's a start. So seeing Jimmy yell and demand that heaven keep its promise to him . . . I found that encouraging.
There is much chewy thinkiness to be pondered where Jimmy's depiction of faith is concerned. I just really liked that he wasn't presented as fanatical beyond reason; rather, he was presented as earnest and sincere, if naive as to what service might entail. (See karenmiller's comment above.)
I feel like I'm not making sense. Topics dealing with faith are so personal, it's hard for me to put into words.
My fort will be build along the river in Egypt. Feel free to bring pie if you come visit. :-)