I need help with Yann Martel's comments about his book Life of Pi.In response to the question "Would you say that religion and fiction work in the...

Martel uses religion and fiction almost interchangably,
and makes the point that all religions have stories that explain our existence and
purpose here on earth, and that is a good thing, because it makes our lives more
meaningful, calm and happy.  He says that "dry, yeastless factuality" is boring and
frightening.  To imagine your life with no purpose or meaning is a terrifying thing--why
even bother living if that is the case?

He finds all of the
different "stories" that religions have fascinating, just as Pi does in the novel.  From
a Christian or Catholic perspective, the story revolves around Christ.  We are here on
earth to be tested and prove our worthiness for heaven.  But because we can never be
worthy, because we are in a fallen state, we had to have a Savior to come, to make up
that difference.  That Savior just so happened to be the son of God Himself, and he
atoned for all of our sins so that we could live with God again.  That story brings
purpose, meaning and direction to our lives.  Trying to explain life without God at the
center of it means that we are living a purposeless life, and that there is no one out
there to help us, and to guide and support us.  That is not a good way to live, and it
makes for a very boring story indeed.

In the novel, he
actually goes into people who live their lives without God, saying that he can't imagine
them dying, and how empty that would be to not know that something better was waiting
them.  Whether or not there is a God, or a purpose to our lives, Martel insists that
living with that belief is better than living without it.  God makes our lives better;
He makes the purpose more interesting, and the journey much
easier.

I hope that those thoughts help a bit; good
luck!