For all Catholics; the devout and the unsure...

[Vanessa Eden]

While reading the series, there have been moments when Jamie's deep religious devotion has made me wish I were less skeptical.
I admire and appreciate his spirituality. If you recall the part in DoA when Jamie was nude in the woods and Claire happened upon him and he was praying...how beautiful was that?!
I guess, sometimes when I find myself murmuring Hail Mary, it really is because of Jamie reviving my interest. I also have to hand it to Claire, its because of her that I realize that I don't have to understand religion for it to effect me.

Have any of you had a spiritual awakening because of outlander?

[Susan K.]

Yes! Repeatedly!

[Northern Light]

Not really because I am already very aware of my need. I am pleased though that for a rare time an author makes a book have such powerful religious characters

[Susan]

I was inspired by Claire and Brother Andre to participate in Eucharistic Adoration. It was a wonderful, peaceful and moving experience for me. Sadly, I moved and haven't been able to find a church in the area that offers this.

[Natalia]

I stand to not think much about the religious theme of the characters. Each with their beliefs, in my opinion. For eight years I was a Catholic, because they taught me, I was in a Catholic school, most of my family is Catholic, but about thirteen or fourteen I left and I leaned over to the Buddhist in certain respects, but generally I don't have a defined religion. I believe in God, not in men who speak of God.
At first I noticed that Jamie is quite religious, but in the following books, I notice that you are more involved with Masonic ideals, especially with the Trinity Lodge, which still exists today, from its origins in the Scottish Freemasonry.

[Becky]

I love all of the religious themes! Jamie's humility with Catholicism is something I find so endearing and admirable.

[Natalia]

Becky wrote: "I love all of the religious themes! Jamie's humility with Catholicism is something I find so endearing and admirable."

Yes, is admirable, but I laughed very much especially when in The Fiery Cross upset because Brianna and Roger marry a Christian and not a Catholic priest. I think Jamie is a devout Catholic but also a curious Mason knowledge.

[Diane]

Tere this is exactly what happened to my mom so I grew up Lutheran. She really felt betrayed by the church but all worked out in the end.

[Mrsbooks]

I'm a little confused myself with the language. In the first book Jamie won't take the lords name in vain but he apparently quickly gets over that. They all swear much more than I believe was common for their "class". Especially the men slipping up constantly in front of the " gently bred Ladies".

But yeah, Jamie's language seems to be a contradiction to his other morals IMO.

[Mary]

Vanessa Eden wrote: "While reading the series, there have been moments when Jamie's deep religious devotion has made me wish I were less skeptical.
I admire and appreciate his spirituality. If you recall the part in Do..."

I too like that aspect of the book and you don't have to be catholic to feel spiritual that way, any Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Muslim might feel that spirituality with God.

I am more like Claire, baptized catholic by birth, but shortly after due to circumstances I was brought up as a protestant.

When I think of Jamie, I do envy his being able to believe so firmly in his religion. Like Claire, I feel spiritual sometimes in moments but I do not consider myself very religious.

Believing in any superior being, any god can make one feel spiritual. I've experienced special moments when I feel god has touched me, spoken to me, been there with me. What that is I don't know.

Over the years I've come to believe that all religions have that aspect of spirituality. However, many churches and church doctrines are made from man's interpretation of God, not necessarily God's divine intent. Go back and study any church's doctrine and you'll find religions/churches have not always acted as what we think a God would. Look at what was done in the name religious belief of the catholic church in the crusades, or in the middle ages. Similarly what we see with fanatical religion interpretations of their religion today. All of that is man's interpretation, and has very little to do with the spirituality aspects of a religion, or being able to connect to God.

[Vanessa Eden]

I am a spiritual agnostic. There are definitely flaws in religion.

[Mary]

Vanessa Eden wrote: "I am a spiritual agnostic. There are definitely flaws in religion."

Just like I was saying, you don't have to be religious to be spiritual.

Of course, there are flaws in anything man creates. I would not expect religion doctrine it to be otherwise.

[Vanessa Eden]

Yea, I agree.

[Diane]

Mary wrote: "Vanessa Eden wrote: "While reading the series, there have been moments when Jamie's deep religious devotion has made me wish I were less skeptical.
I admire and appreciate his spirituality. If you..."

WOW that is exactly how I feel and my experience with religion. You could be in my head and heart. Well said.

[Mary]

Diane wrote: "Mary wrote: "Vanessa Eden wrote: "While reading the series, there have been moments when Jamie's deep religious devotion has made me wish I were less skeptical.
I admire and appreciate his spiritu..."

I glad I'm not alone in my beliefs, but even if I was it wouldn't matter. If you know something in your heart and soul, it is your reality. What the rest of the world believes doesn't matter.