Role Of Religion In Cat's Cradle By Kurt Vonnegut

Religion has always had a large part in the way people live their lives, in history and today. But the most powerful and important role that religion plays is how it affects the human itself. For some people religion provides answers to ultimate meaning, questions that nobody can answer. Questions such as, “Why are we here on Earth? And what is the purpose in living?” The answers vary depending on which religion, but ultimately there is no factual answer to those questions. A force that drives people towards religion is fear and they will seek out religion for comfort. Religion has been a part of human society since the first civilizations, but there have always been those who question it. Religion is questioned because proven science often can contradict the stories that make up a religion. Many people believe that religion is a waste of time, and that there’s no such thing as a God or a higher power. One of the most outspoken author to question beliefs and religion is Kurt Vonnegut, who in his novel, Cat’s Cradle, shows the detrimental aspects of religion and its impact on a society. Vonnegut highlights the negative impact that religion can have on a society by telling a tale in which putting faith in religion becomes fatal. In Cat’s Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut created a made up religion called “Bokononism.” It is the religion of the …show more content…
Bokononism becomes the only religion of all the people in Vonnegut’s fictional world because it states that it is all lies and its only purpose it to give meaning to existence. The villagers of San Lorenzo are the only ones who take it seriously, but they end up killing themselves because they refuse to question their religion, even though it admits to being made of lies. Newt describes religion best “Religion! See the cat? See the cradle?”