His satirical approach to something people base their lives upon often tests his readers’ faith. At the beginning, he warns that “Anyone unable to understand how a useful religion can be founded on lies will not understand this book either” (5-6). Through lies and stories, Bokonon spreads his religion throughout the impoverished island of San Lorenzo. Although he warns them that “All of the true things I am about to tell you are shameless lies”, the people of the island hold the views so sacred they are willing to kill themselves for the sake of their religion and the ideals that Bokonon say are important to God(5). Through the principles of Bokononism, Vonnegut demonstrates his notion that all religions are useful lies through which people find their meaning; however, he allows the reader to believe these fantasies--foma--to liberate their mind from inhibitions of a literal
His satirical approach to something people base their lives upon often tests his readers’ faith. At the beginning, he warns that “Anyone unable to understand how a useful religion can be founded on lies will not understand this book either” (5-6). Through lies and stories, Bokonon spreads his religion throughout the impoverished island of San Lorenzo. Although he warns them that “All of the true things I am about to tell you are shameless lies”, the people of the island hold the views so sacred they are willing to kill themselves for the sake of their religion and the ideals that Bokonon say are important to God(5). Through the principles of Bokononism, Vonnegut demonstrates his notion that all religions are useful lies through which people find their meaning; however, he allows the reader to believe these fantasies--foma--to liberate their mind from inhibitions of a literal