What Is Meursault's View Of Religion

The Stranger, originally published in France in 1942, is known for its existentialist overtones. The author, Camus, is a famous proponent of absurdist philosophy, prominent in the post-World War II era. Absurdism, as Camus describes it, argues that the human desire for order, meaning, and purpose comes into conflict with an irrational universe. The solution to this, he asserts, is to accept and embrace absurdity, rather than to seek meaning where there is none (Simpson). The protagonist of The Stranger, Meursault, lacks sentimental expression for most of the story. He embodies this supposed indifference toward what most people see as meaningful. When faced with his death, Meursault concludes that the universe is indifferent to human existence,
Religion is integral to the lives of many and is often so powerful that societies firmly believe that it must be spread and that all must believe. The chaplain who visits Meursault, makes it his mission to indoctrinate Meursault with the belief in G-d: “all men believed in G-d, even those who turn their backs on him. That was his belief, and if he were ever to doubt it, his life would become meaningless. ‘Do you want my life to be meaningless?’ he shouted. As far as I could see, it didn’t have anything to do with me,” (69). Meursault, who at this point sees life as meaningless, cannot understand why this is important and what the chaplain’s ideas of meaning have to do with him, indicating how social constructs of meaning and the human pursuit of personal meaning do not make a difference to the surrounding universe. After Meursault is convicted, the chaplain comes to see him again and tells him to ask for forgiveness from G-d, “According to [the chaplain], human justice was nothing and divine justice was everything. I pointed out that it was the former that had condemned me.” (118). Meursault realizes that he is not condemned due to not adhering to an absolute truth as the story asserts that there is not one, he is condemned because he does not adhere to what society deems meaningful. His crime, the universal transgression of murder, is minimally mentioned in comparison to his deviation from traditional social norms and values. He does not face condemnation from a higher force, he faces condemnation from those who cannot face indifference in response to their values. Throughout the book however, Meursault does not assign meaning to anything with his repeated phrase, “It doesn’t matter,” indicating passivity toward life. Facing death, Meursault