Religion in Playing for the Devil’s Fire Marcel Cantu College

The idea of religion is abstract and often met with a variety of both positive and negative connotations. To some, a church may be a symbol of hope and a reflection of moral resilience, to others, church may stand for hypocrisy and moral betrayals. In Phillippe Diederich’s novel Playing for the Devil’s Fire, Diederich addresses this dichotomy and uses character development to explore the differences between a relationship with God and relationship with the church. Diederich uses specific plot, representative characterization, and poignant dialogue to demonstrate the complex motivations of the church and address the baffling question of god. Religion holds an important role in society and generally puts forth a moral standard or obligation that people may expect their peers to uphold.

In Immigrant America, Alejandro Portes and Ruben G. Rumbaut explains that “Sociologically, the significance of religion...is to sustain moral cohesion and normative controls” (423). This definition of religion provides a basis for what society expects from religious constructs. It holds religion to a standard that guarantees protection and moral fortitude. In Diederich’s novel, the narrative demonstrates what happens when religion fails to uphold...