Background for _Vineland_?

[Michael Bailey]

as to why anyone would identify as a christian in this day & age...let
alone as a Protestant...

I'm a Christian as distinct from being atheist because I believe
there's something that's simply divine...and it's nice to suppose that
something in human form...  - "hey suppose that simply divine
something did appear on earth as a human -- we'd screw that simply
divine human up anyway, right?  maybe not us personally, but you just
know somebody would give them a tough time" -- "yeah but that simply
divine human'd come back and plus say, like, hey I forgive you, I
laugh at your steenkin' idea that you can end me or lastingly fuck me
up..."

also...I believe in stories -- even (or especially) tall stories...
arousal of emotions, imparting of attitudes, etc - and in being a fan
of particular stories

I believe in text and commentary

I believe in the physiological fact that a feeling of reverence is
very pleasurable

I believe in forgiveness rather than revenge

i'm a Protestant as distinct from a Catholic because - among other
reasons - I was brought up to believe that it's wrong for anybody to
claim they're infallible - violates Murphy's Law or something...