How does religious belief help Mary Anne? How do you think it might have helped Will? How does it help you?

I believed that religion taught Mary Anne that dying is a natural part of living. The last words that Will thought she read was from Daily Strengths for Daily Living -- If you do not wish for His kingdo, don't pray for it. But if you do, you must do more than pray for it; you must work for it.

I believe that one day Will will find comfort from religious belief.

Although Will does not and maybe never will share his mother's religious belief, he also saw that dying was a natural part of living. A particular religious belief system is not necessary nor sufficient to view death in an emotional healthy way.

It helped Mary Anne because she sees death as part of life. She sees it as God's plan. She believes in an after life. She believes that she will see her family again.
I think it helps Will because he knows his mother is at peace with her death. Maybe eventually he will share her beliefs.

Religion gives Mary Anne so much comfort. Perhaps one of the bigger benefits was it gave her a place to "lay her burdens down," a God to talk to and express everything she didn't want to burden her family with. For her belief was a refuge, a way to make sense of the senseless.

As for Will, not believing in God myself I take more a Buddhist approach, turning inward in order to rest my mind and help myself through the big events in life. I don't think Will needs to change anything, unless it gives him comfort to do so. If he finds he needs religion later I hope he finds it. Otherwise, I think he's well-grounded and can handle what he needs to handle on his own.

Mary Anne found comfort in her religion. She turned to God for the strength to get through the trials of life. I agree totally with lisag that Will does not need to change anything. Some people need religion, some do not. Perhaps religion may have helped him, perhaps not. I think his mother instilled good values and a good foundation in Will to help him through life.

Mary Anne's faith gave her peace, comfort, and the strength to face her illness and death.

I think Mary Anne found extraordinary comfort from her faith. I was glad that she didn't force Will to see things her way, but I think Will also was comforted that his mother had that faith. I am not involved in any religion and run from folks who proselytize. I am happy for those who find respite, relief or solace in this way. it's just not my belief system.