“The good book does indeed count war an evil, said Irving. Yet there's many a bloody tale of war inside it” (McCarthy 248). Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian tells the story of “the kid,” who joins the Glanton party—a group of men who ruthlessly scalped Native Americans and eventually others for bounty. The atrocities committed by the Glanton party are magnified by the presence of the judge, who seems to hold a deep understanding of God and the nature of the universe. This text seems to hold some of the same beliefs as a Gnostic worldview. Gnostic sects are present in several religions with ancient roots. Gnostics believe in a dual God—the False part of God who is found in human nature’s ways, and the True part of God who is beyond human …show more content…
‘[God] does not [lie]. And these are his words.’ He held up a chunk of rock. ‘He speaks in stones and trees, the bones of things’” (116). In this passage, the judge makes note of God’s existence. As a representation of a part of God, he has absolute knowledge of how the spiritual and physical worlds function. Though the judge may not identify himself directly as a part of God, his uncontested knowledge and power add a beyond-human element to his character. The judge acknowledges the presence of God, but he believes that God’s presence is found in the core of nature’s foundations. This points to an interpretation of the True God. This idea is related to Tobin’s understanding of how God is manifested—through the least expected of beings. In addition, remnants of nature (stones, bones, etc.) seem to be things that are not given much attention by the characters. The judge could be suggesting that the True God is found in such small unexpected things because the True God’s existence is not significant. While what the judge is saying about the presence of God seems to be easily explained, the concept of God being able to speak through such minute things is quite complex given the fact that humanity is unable to make sense of these communications. Furthemore, the fact that the judge was first encountered by the Glanton party …show more content…
When the kid and some of his friends stop to have drinks in a bar while in Mexico, they and the reader learn of the ways that both God and humanity react in the midst of suffering from an elderly man at the bar: “‘Blood,’ he said. ‘This country is give much blood. This Mexico. This is a thirsty country. The blood of a thousand Christs. Nothing’” (108). What is most striking in this passage is the fact that Mexico has lost so many lives, but the country is still depicted as “thirsty” for more blood. In the midst of suffering, people are still unable to maintain a sense of morality, and often will contribute even more to others’ suffering. As previously mentioned, according to Gnostic belief, humanity reflects the actions of the False God. In this novel, humanity mindlessly kills each other, which is reflective of the judge’s behavior. He ignores the increased suffering of innocents, and contributes to this suffering as well. Moreover, the man at the bar makes a significant comparison between the blood of the people who have perished to the “blood of a thousand Christs.” He finishes this statement by contrasting such a profound comparison to “Nothing.” This man is actually making a notable comparison with Christian beliefs—beliefs that honor a man and manifestation of God who died a violent death at the cross. The man’s statement holds two