Faith of Mark Twain
Mark Twain is one of the most famous American authors of all time, and yet for his entire life, Twain was an enigmatic figure when it came to religion. He lived during a period of religious revival and witnessed the roots of many Christian denominations in the United States. His works are often seen as anti-Christian, he but he also showed an immense admiration for Jesus Christ in some of his later works. Many still ponder the question: Was Mark Twain religious?
Twain received his first Catholic education at the Jesuit school in Saint Louis and that exposed him to a range of religious experiences. His writings often contained sarcastic lines and critiqued the state of organized religion. In “Roughing It,” Twain writes “all religion is stupid and will not bear investigating.” This quote has caused many readers to assume that Twain was a non-believer; however, this paper argues that his writings suggest something more complicated — a faith that shifted throughout his life.
Twain has been said to have an “agnostic attitude towards religious experience” that appears in his works. In a story he wrote for the Fourth-of-July in 1878, Twain implies that Religion is a very personal experience and should not be taken too seriously. He also often suggested that people should be able to interpret religious texts in whatever way they choose. He writes “It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience and the prudence never to practice either of them.” This statement could indicate that he felt religious freedoms should be preserved, and that in terms of personal faith, it should never be forced onto another.
Twain also mentions faith in his work “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” when a character named Muff Potter says “He mustn’t be a responsible being no more, and so he couldn’t call no person to account.” This sentiment implies that a person can still feel religious without being “responsible” for it. He also suggests that faith could be seen as something that does not have to have a tangible basis but can still be experienced by people. While Twain is not necessarily promoting faith in this example, it does show that he was open to its possibilities.
One of the best examples of Twain’s faith comes from a letter he wrote in 1868. In it he says “No pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth.” He is referring to the power of faith and its ability to elevate one’s existence. He goes on to say “it is the hardest of all things to make anyone acquainted with because no one can see it.” This quote speaks to Twain’s notion that faith is something personal and indescribable.
Overall, while Twain himself never identified as religious, it is clear that he had respect for faith and those who believed. His works tend to criticize organized religion and the power it held at the time, but he also showed an understanding for individual faith. From this it can be seen that Twain held a complicated and changing stance on religion throughout his life, but it was ultimately rooted in respect for differing beliefs.
Life Experiences
Mark Twain’s life experiences likely shaped his views and attitudes towards religious beliefs. Throughout his childhood he experienced racism and discrimination due to his heritage as a Southern American. Racism, especially in the South, was often intertwined with religious beliefs. This could have led Twain to believe that the way organized religion was practiced at the time was oppressive and unjust.
Twain also lived during the era of the Second Great Awakening, a period when Americans were heavily exposed to religious teachings. While Twain was exposed to Christian teachings, he was not entirely influenced by them and instead chose to explore different faiths and life philosophies. One of the key figures that Twain was known to admire was Moses, who served as a key figure in the Hebrew Bible. This admiration of Moses could be seen as a sign that Twain was open-minded in terms of spiritual exploration.
Twain’s later works suggest that he found some similarities between his own beliefs and those of the Christian faith. In his memoir, Life on the Mississippi, Twain writes about Jesus, noting that “The gentle Nazarene has been centuries in taking his revenge, but to-day Aramaic and ‘the works’ are a secret mystery to the world; hardly a person outside of a college can read them.” This shows that Twain admired Jesus for the lasting impact he had on Christianity, despite the fact that most people did not understand the original sources.
Twain also seems to have taken a spiritual approach to death. He appears to have believed that despite the fact that people die, their spiritual essence can still exist in some form. In “Letters to a Young Man,” Twain wrote “The soul that speaks in me is always astonished at death- it cannot comprehend it.” This suggests that Twain believes that the soul can exist beyond physical death.
Overall, Twain’s own life experiences likely had an impact on his faith and it is clear that he was never completely opposed to religion or the concept of spiritual exploration. His works show that he had a deep interest in faith and the teachings of various religious traditions.
Pervasive Influence
Mark Twain’s views on faith were likely influenced by other pivotal figures in his life, such as his wife, his friends, and even some of his literary contemporaries. Twain’s wife was a devout Catholic and this could have had an influence on his own beliefs. Twain was also friends with the famous Christian historian, Henry Ward Beecher. It is possible that Beecher’s views affected Twain’s ideas of faith.
Twain was also an admirer of Charles Darwin and it is possible that Darwin’s theories of evolution had an influence on Twain’s views. Twain could have interpreted Darwin’s theories to mean that faith was something that could be understood and accepted without the need for a physical, tangible basis.
Twain was also inspired by a number of his peers, such as Walt Whitman and Ralph Waldo Emerson. These authors had their own spiritual explorations and their influences likely had an effect on Twain’s works. One can see the thoughts and philosophies of these authors in Twain’s own works — suggesting that their ideas had a pervasive influence on him.
Overall, it is likely that Twain was influenced by a variety of figures, both religious and non-religious, in terms of his beliefs of faith. Rather than fully subscribing to any one faith, Twain sought to explore the various of ways faith could be interpreted and experienced — a notion seen throughout his works.
Satirical Intent
Many of Twain’s works contain satirical undertones which could indicate a certain level of animosity towards religious beliefs. One such example is in “Letters from the Earth,” which is a collection of satiric stories in which Twain depicts religion as a tool of control and subjugation. He writes “Theology is forever filling men’s minds with false and foolish notions about their Maker and the universe, and nearly always with a share of obscenity and indecency.” This could be taken as a criticism of the way in which religion was being used to control the populace and to manipulate them into blind faith.
While Twain’s works often contain scathing critiques of organized religion, he also admires the teachings and personage of Christ. In “Letters from the Earth” he writes “Of all revelations since the creation, is any one more wonderful than the revelation Christ made of the infinite mercy, compassion, and patient forbearance of God? Is any one more proof of his infinite love and sorrow for the human race?”
This quote shows that Twain is passionate about the teachings of Jesus, and admires them even while criticizing other aspects of Christianity. He could be argued to be offering a unique and unifying approach to faith —one that combines criticism, admiration, and personal exploration.
Literary Genres
Mark Twain was a master of a variety of different literary genres and this could be seen as a reflection of his religious views. He could be said to have adopted a very distinct approach to religious exploration and expression — one that combined the analytical with the spiritual.
Twain is known for writing works of satire, which often reflected his distaste for organized religion. Yet, he also wrote works of fiction and non-fiction, which show his appreciation and admiration for faith in general. He also wrote poetry in which he expresses appreciation for Jesus Christ, as well as works of travel, which show his openness to exploring faiths and beliefs from around the world.
By utilizing different literary genres, Twain allowed himself to explore any topic he wished, including his faith. He did not feel the need to conform to one particular literary genre or to one particular attitude towards religion. This allowed him to explore a wide range of ideas and to speak to the complexity of faith.
Confronting the Unknowable
A defining aspect of Mark Twain’s faith was his willingness to confront the unknowable. In his autobiography, Twain recounts a conversation he had with a fellow traveler during a steamboat ride. During the conversation, Twain was asked about his religious beliefs and he replied by saying “I don’t know. I think that can easily be discovered. In the beginning, it is likely everybody believed every thing — then somebody found out something — then nobody believed anything.”
This remark implies that Twain was open to the idea of spiritual exploration, yet also skeptical of any absolute truth. This could suggest that Twain viewed faith as a personal endeavor and was unwilling to completely embrace any one creed or religion.
Twain also wrote about this idea of confronting the unknowable in “Letters from the Earth.” In it he writes “The most beautiful and inviting of all the great unsolved problems of the universe is the problem of an infinite power not accountable to any other power, and himself accountable to no one—this is God.” This quote speaks to Twain’s complex views on faith and his willingness to accept that there may be things in the universe which go beyond the scope of the human mind.
Overall, Twain’s works show that he had a deep respect for faith and for the exploration of different spiritual ideas. He recognized the power of religious conviction, yet also acknowledged that faith can be a personal journey. His works speak to the complexity of faith and suggest that the true nature of faith may never be fully comprehended.
Beyond the Institution
Twain’s works reveal a complex relation between him and organized religion. Though he criticized much of the institution of faith from his time, Twain remained skeptical but open to religion. He viewed faith as a powerful force and as something that could not be easily dismissed.
Twain’s works also indicate that he had a keen interest in spiritual exploration and personal faith. He showed respect for the teachings of Jesus, as well as for religious figures such as Moses. Twain was not afraid to challenge common notions of faith and explore different ideologies.
Twain clearly recognized the power of faith, but appeared to have chosen to distance himself from the institution of organized religion. He felt that faith should be left to the individual and that faith itself should not be confined or restricted by any creed or group.
Inner Reflections
Though Twain’s exact religious views remain unknown, it is clear that he had a deep appreciation for faith and its power to elevate and enlighten the human consciousness. His works speak to his own inner reflections on faith and the impact it had on him.
Twain’s works often commented on faith and religion in a way that showed his deep respect for individual belief, yet also avoided forcing his own views onto others. While he could often speak to the flaws of organized religion, Twain also showed a deep appreciation for individual spiritual exploration and the power of religious teaching.
Though Mark Twain may have never directly identified as religious, his works speak to a deep appreciation for faith and a willingness to accept its power. Twain’s works suggest that faith can be experienced and that it should not be binded to any specific institution or ideology.
Contradictory Nature
The complexity of Mark Twain’s views on faith can be seen throughout his works. He often spoke with admiration and respect for religion, yet he simultaneously criticized many of its institutional aspects.
