November 21, 2007
Saul Bellow’s thoughts on God
The Forward‘s Web site has an interesting excerpt from a new book called, “Do You Believe? Conversations on God and Religion
Monda is a Catholic and he teaches film at NYU. According to the blurb from Publishers Weekly, he interviewed 18 writers, thinkers, artists and film directors about their thoughts on God and faith.
The excerpt that appeared on the Forward‘s site was taken from Monda’s conversation with Saul Bellow (pictured right). The Nobel laureate agreed to the interview but only on the condition that he be permitted not to answer certain questions. Here is an excerpt from the excerpt:
Monda: Why do you consider sincerity impossible?
Bellow: Because we are able to be absolutely sincere only with ourselves and, in fact, with God. In an interview, even when there is complete good faith, narcissism, the wish to say something intelligent, and anxiety about how one will appear prevail in the end.
Monda: And why do you not consider even extended reflection possible?
Bellow: Frankly, it seems to me a little antithetical to journalism.
Monda: So you might as well not speak…
Bellow: I didn’t say that. I think that awareness of these dangers and these limits can provide a possible interpretation with respect to a theme as important as the one we are trying to address.
Monda: In other words you’re saying: “We offer the reader damaged goods, but if he is attentive he will perceive the hidden value.”
Bellow: Isn’t it always like that with the press?
In the interview, Bellow goes on to discuss his belief in God, his parents’ influence on his religious thinking and his admiration for Dostoyevsky’s use of religion in his books. But he also declines to answer several other questions, including one about how he imagines God.
In addition to Bellow, Monda spoke with several other big name writers including Toni Morrison, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Michael Cunningham, Derek Walcott and Jonathan Franzen.