Religion is Always Open to Interpretations

            So far I am roughly 150 pages into Harriet Beecher Stowe’s American novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. Although there are many themes that have appeared in my readings so far, there is one that has me intrigued and confused. And that is Stowe’s use of religion throughout the text.

            This book takes place in the United States mid to late 1800’s. The primary religion of that time period being Christianity. This time period also expressed different ideologies with which religion is intertwined with. There were public spheres designated for men and business. Then there were also private spheres for the home and for family, and specifically for women. Women were domestic beings who were also in charge of maintaining religion in the household. They were the ones who needed to have a good influence on other women or children and needed to have spiritual morals. In some ways it seemed like religion was a way to keep women busy while men went out in the real world and made real decisions for his own household. As Stowe introduces the reader to more and more characters we start to see each characters take on religion. Often than not it’s the women talking about being a good Christian as opposed to men.

            “I an’t a Christian like you, Eliza; my heart’s full of bitterness; I can’t trust in God. Why does he let things be so?”

            “O, George, we must have faith. Mistress says that when all things go wrong to us, we must believe that God is doing the very best.” (15).

            Here we have two counts of women preaching Christianity and a man not involving himself in religion.

“Mrs. Shelby was a woman of a high class… she added high moral and religious sensibility and principle… Her husband, who made no professions to any particular religious character, nevertheless reverenced and respected the consistency of hers…” (9).

            “Now, John, I want to know if you think such a law as that is right and Christian?” (72).

 “It’s undoubtedly the intention of Providence that the African race should be servants, - kept in a low condition,” said a grave-looking gentlemen in black, a clergyman, seated by the cabin door.     “’Cursed by Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be,’ the scripture says.” (112).

These quotes use Christianity to either say that slavery is bad or that it is just the natural way things should be. How can religion explain two different sides of slavery? Why would Stowe use religion as a tool in each defense?

            As I think about different reasons for Stowe to use religion as a tool no matter which side of the debate you are on, it really confuses me. When I think about this time period I think that everyone is deeply religious and people expect you to be a “good Christian” to prove that you are actually religious. But here what some people think is being Christian and following the bible is different then what other people may think. I think that one reason that could explain these different viewpoints is that during this time period people started viewing slavery differently. Those who were starting to be against slavery and the treatment of slaves seem to be more religious in the sense of how I  think of Christians during this time period. They were more kind and empathized with slaves. Then there were others who still saw slavery as business and didn’t think of slaves like they were people. These people I believe had could justify their actions with religion because slaves weren’t worth the same. They were only slaves. Nothing more. They could be replaced or disposed of; just like an animal. I think Stowe also uses these different takes on religion to show the reader how some people, like slaves, clung to religion or dismissed it because of the terrible life they had been living. Wives use religion to argue with their husbands because it’s all they have. They don’t have real power in the household so they try and persuade their husbands with religion and guilt for not being as Christian as they should be. Then the men need to handle business and their families security so they partake in slave trade and justify it with religion.

It just goes to say that anyone can find ways to justify what they are doing so they can feel right and put down others opinions as wrong. Stowe uses religion to depict this idea. People find anyway to prove they are right even when it seems completely wrong to other people around them. Maybe it’s her way of showing how absurd it was for people to justify the horrible treatment and trading of human lives with religion.