Rachel > Recent Status Updates

A world without God meant no punishment for sin, and therefore no sin. This was an attractive idea to many, in an age where man appeared to be able to do everything and overcome anything. If the physical world had limitless possibilities, why should human behavior be limited by dusty and unwelcome prescriptions from ancient times? [Chapter Five, "Hell Freezes Over," on the destruction of Britain's morals]

[the destruction of "outdated" and "irrelevant" worship in European churches]: First, there would be an 'experiment' with new forms, which was always deemed a success. Then there would perhaps be a period when old and new alternated. Then the old would be relegated to early morning (a concession to the aged) and perhaps the evening. In a few years, 400 years of almost unbroken tradition had been wiped out.

"Take a walk along a hedgerow or through a patch of woods, and you'll notice a great variety of plant life standing branch to branch, likely more kinds than you can name. Why the fraternity of different species? Certainly not to please the bugs. In nature as in the garden, plants have a better chance of survival if they are surrounded by plants of various species. Plants in a monoculture are susceptible to enemies."

Oh boy, the author and her friend are incredibly adventurous. And extremely courageous. This is a fantastic book so far!