Backyards Quote by Rudolfo Anaya
“There are many gods . . . gods of beauty and magic, gods of the garden, gods in our own backyards, but we go off to foreign countries to find new ones, we reach to the stars to find new ones--. . . . The god of the church is a jealous god; he cannot live in peace with other gods.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, 1972
People create many deities for various needs, yet institutional religions often demand exclusive loyalty, causing conflict.
In simple terms: We invent many gods but some religions reject others.
Key Takeaway
Respect diverse spiritual needs.
Themes
spirituality
pluralism
conflict
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
cultural
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal belief systems
- interfaith dialogue
- travel experiences
- community rituals
Key Concepts
theology
cultural relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the “jealous god” symbolize for you?
- How can societies honor multiple spiritualities?
A Different Perspective
May cause tension between personal and organized faiths.
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![“I had been afraid of the awful presence of the river, which was the soul of the river, but through her [Ultima] I learned that my spirit shared in the spirit of all things.” quote by Rudolfo Anaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/db5/rudolfo-anaya-23174_awful_i-had-been-afraid-of-the-awful-presence_1791874.jpg)
