Did this story further my belief in God? I wouldn't say that it did. However, I would say that it increased my desire to love - - to love others, to love life, to love God.
In the beginning when Pi was becoming part of all religions he first learned about Christ. "This Son is a god who walked?" he pondered. "This Son is a god who died in three hours, with moans, gasps, and laments....What is there to inspire in this son? Love, said Father Martin." (p.56) Love. That is the connection to all religions. Further, when approached by all religious leaders, Pi exclaimed, "Ghandi said, 'All religions are true!' I just want to love God." To which his father responded, "I suppose that is what we're all trying to do - - love God." (p.69) Thus, we must be accepting and tolerant, showing forth that love the Savior gave so freely for us. We must love others.
Secondly, we must love life. Pi showed his love for life, for living and breathing, through his miraculous survival. Whether the story of the animals be truth or not, he examplified love for life. He showed that he was willing to fight. Before his ordeal he stated, "You must take life the way it comes at you and make the best of it." (p.91) Did he not do just that? It was hard. It was strenuous. It was down right impossible. But, he held on to his love for life and living.
Thirdly, connected to the love of life is that love we have for God. When his father asked him why he wanted to pray, Pi's simple response was, "Because I love God." (p.72) This love of God is what also led to his survival. While travelling through is veil of tears he said, "Faith in God is an opening up, a letting go, a deep trust, a free act of love - but sometimes it was so hard to love." (p. 208) Would you not find it difficult to love in such a situation as this?! He had so much to fear, to hate, to be angered toward, and yet he chose to turn to God.
Thus we see in the conclusion of this great story a boy who survived. Why? How? Love. An act of love for those who left him and those who saved him (be they real or imagined), an act of love for his will to live, and an act of love in turning his will over to God. "Love is hard to believe, ask any lover. Life is hard to believe, ask any scientist. God is hard to believe, ask any believer." (p.297) Pi believed. Pi loved. Pi survived.
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