The Bible is by far the most alluded to book in history and is also the best-preserved literary work of all antiquity. But, it has probably never been alluded to the way it was by Margaret Atwood in "The Handmaid's Tale." Atwood uses Biblical stories, verses and principles to create an oppressive society, which at first glance may seem as an attempt to demonize the Christian faith. Holding this view on the novel would be an erroneous analysis. I will show you from a Bible reading Christians perspective why that view is false. Atwood's purpose for using Biblical allusions and references is not to demean religion, but to exhonorate it and to plead for those who are Christians to not allow Biblical law and practice smother faith and morality.
The whole system of the handmaids was constructed based upon one single passage of the Bible. This single verse, little slice of the Bible was used by the leadership of Gilead as an excuse to oppress and control a certain part of the population. Without this excuse, many may not have gone along with the system because it would have had no moral base. But, since the verse is used to justify such a practice, it is generally accepted by society because it is viewed as "morally" right. Atwood uses this as a warning to Christians to not simply listen to a sermon or teaching and perceive it as absolute truth simply because those who are delivering it say it is. An active, faithful Christian is one who doesn't simply go to church and go through the motions, robotically absorbing everything they here without question. They are to read and ponder for themselves what they interpret the Bible to be saying, and to pray and meditate on it and reach a clear, rational and personal conclusion. The Bible itself implores believers to test question their beliefs, as explain in 1 John 4:1,"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." This verse is clear, DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR! For it is not all from God! Their are many who set out to deceive people. Atwood is commenting on the fact that there exists in society today, many people who use religion and exploit it for their own personal gain, and that those who have true faith need to watch out for them, for if they are not rebuked, a society like Gilead is not too far fetched anymore.
Whether one believes in God, Jesus or even believes if the Bible is true, they cannot deny that within the Bible exists concrete values that most of mankind would agree with. Things such as being kind to one another, to not value material things, to not commit adultery, murder or steal. These things we can all agree are morally wrong. It is for this reason many Biblical allusions made in the novel are perceived as so ironically extreme. Gilead hangs abortion doctors and homosexuals (murder), allows Commanders to sleep with handmaids (adultery) and focuses itself on the gaining of material possessions. The murder and adultery are obvious in the novel through the killing of rebels, homosexuals and abortion doctors, and the entire handmaid system. But, the fact that the society is focused upon material thing is not as obvious. The whole reason the handmaids exist is for reproduction. That is their sole purpose. They are not to experience the pleasure and intimacy of sex between a married man and woman (as God intended it to be) but rather they are to be emotionless because they are producing a child for the betterment of society. All of these things blatantly contradict with Biblical teaching and can be seen, at genuinely so, as a bash on Christianity. Yet, one must look past the unmistakable irony and must realize the writers true purpose. Atwood knows and has probably observed, as I have, many Christians who "talk the talk" but don't "walk the walk." They know their ten commandments and can recite for you their prayers and ritualistic pledges, but their actions and characters reveal them for the hypocrite they are. The people in Gilead may seem to know what they are talking about and believe what they are doing is just. But through it they miss the sole purpose of the belief they are trying to protect. My favorite passage of the novel reflects that very key missing aspect:
"I go to the window and sit on the window seat, which is too narrow for comfort. There's a hard little cushion on it, with a petit point cover: FAITH, in square print, surrounded by a wreath of lillies. FAITH is a faded blue, the leaves of the lilies a dingy green. This is cushion once used elsewhere, worn but not enough to throw out. Somehow it's been overlooked."
This passage could not display better the missing factor in the society, FAITH!!! The very word "faith" is found in the NIV Bible 422 times! The very foundation of the Christian religion is faith! Faith is there when you first become a Christian, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith."-Ephesians 2:8. Faith is essential while you live the Christian life: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."-1 Corinthians 16:13. And at the end of your life you should look back and be able to say you lived by faith: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."-2 Timothy 4:7. The Bible makes it precisely, painfully clear that faith is extremely important and is required to live a fulfilling Christian life. But as this passage from the "The Handmaid's Tale" exposes, faith can be too easily lost. An obsession for law and regulation can eliminate faith from any religion, especially Christianity.
Religion gives people hope, purpose and reason to live for. But the biggest problem truly is religion itself. Religion by definition is a belief system. But people can take this too an extreme and use extreme views of the teachings to justify things that would be commonly viewed as immoral. Thus, faith is lost. Atwood is pleading for those of not only the Christian religion, but any religion, too not forcibly impose their religion on others. Rather, she would have them express themselves through faith, not religious practice, but through faith and faith alone. If this view could take hold in every religion, the perception of religion would drastically change for the better.
My Opinion of the Novel
I found this novel to be one of the most thought provoking, insightful and meaningful novels I have ever read. This book presents so many aspects and issues of modern society and brilliantly comments on all of them and brings to light their faults in order to open the mind of the reader to things they may not have realized. As a Christian I have certainly learned a considerable amountfrom reading this novel. I always knew that there exists Christians who do not follow the core teachings of faith, but i did not realize how serious a cost it could be if the faith is lost. If law takes over, the view of Christianity will be as the book portrays, immoral, unjust and truly evil. This is something as a Christian is honestly frightening. To think that my belief and faith could be twisted to do things so immoral is appalling and has motivated me to insure it does not happen in any way I can. Law and regulation can never be allowed to replace faith, not only in religion but in any facet of life. Whether one realizes it or not, steps of faith are taken on nearly a daily basis. If we simply did not take these steps because of law or teaching, the world would truly be a boring, unfullfilling place, filled with constant regulation. Faith is the basis of religion, individuality and life, and it is our duty as humans to never let it be forgotten.
