Ellen Hopkins, Believer?
By Ellen Hopkins - November 17, 2008
If you read my books without reading my blogs, you might have a rather inaccurate view of who I am as a (yes, gasp!) “believer.” The characters in my books often question their faiths or wonder whether there is, in fact, a God. I was raised in a solid Protestant household, and my beliefs have evolved from that. Still, many a good church-goer would consider my views unorthodox, at the very least.
I suppose if any of my character’s ideas reflect my own, it would have to be Aunt J, from Burned. A favorite quote (for myself, and many of my readers) says, “God is love. I don’t think He cares about religion one little bit. Live your life right. Love with all your heart. Don’t hurt others, and help those in need. That’s all you need to know. And don’t worry about Heaven. If it exists, you’ll be welcome.”
I still go to church fairly regularly. I enjoy the communion. But my view of God and the Beyond has skewed much more toward the spiritual. The world in general, and our country in particular, have been damaged by the isolationist pitch, “My God is better than yours.” No matter what you call the Power that jumpstarted Big Bang, there is only one.
I don’t think God has a gender. I don’t think God hates gays or Democrats, and I don’t think you have to be Born Again to find your way to Heaven. I believe God expects us to care for one another, even those who are different. God wants us to be good stewards of this planet, and that means not wasting or violating its resources. Most of all, it means not blowing it up. Especially not in God’s name.
