Bokononism

          Most people join a religion so they can have something to believe in. A god and set of beliefs that they can follow. This is mostly because we as human beings, can not comprehend the ultimate question to the existence of life the universe and everything, so we look to religion to explain the forming of earth, and the terrifying question as to when it is going to end. In the fictional religion Bokononism presented in Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut, there is a very different case. Followers of the religion admit that their religion does not exist, they admit the foolishness in trying to find the extent of their religion. In this way, Bokononism is almost completely different from all other religions, some might say it is the exact opposite of other religions, almost making fun of the extreme extents people take their religions. In the past and today, people have made their religions a huge deal in their lives, some even going to such extents to place their soul in their Gods hands, believing all events happen because of God's will. For example, recently there was a big belief that the world was going to end on May 21 2011 because that was when God was going to take believers to an eternal paradise. In this scenario, like many before it, people have let their fate take to much control over common sense.

          So is Kurt Vonnegut simply poking fun at religious extremities, or is he sending a message? Possibly he is warning us of the danger religion can have on a person if they believe so deeply in it or let it take away their true sensible minds. Bokonon explains it, yet we as the reader need to discover what Vonnegut meant by creating this bizarre unique religion.