Religion is the way

Let's look at the facts: In Cat's Cradle the San Lorenzans live in a lower class area faced with hardships, poverty, and unfair laws. Similarly in The Man in the High Castle people live in a society that is cruel and unjust, especially for people who are not of German, Italian or Japanese descent. What do the people turn to in each novel to help cope with their difficult and overbearing lives? They turn to religion. In the case of Bokonon it is different verses that explain how to deal with certain scenarios as with the I Ching it is a dependency on a sort of cosmic belief. Even though these are contrasting religions the basis of them is not so different. More importanly the impact they have on their followers is very much the same. People rely on their religion not when they are happy, bur more so when they are faced with hard times; when they are faced with despair. When one looks for guidance they can find the most comfort in the answers they are given from their respectful religion. Regarding the I Ching, its not always about getting the answer that makes you happy but simply getting an answer. When the characters in The Man in the High Castle pass the stalks from hand to hand they do so knowing the answer they receive may be far from they would like, but that does not stop them from completing their hexagram. The whole idea of the I Ching, along with Bokonon, is to satisfy the follower even if its not happy satisfaction that is in store for them. When in times of turmoil these practices are most important for the reason that people need more than physical objects to comfort them; they need a higher power to show them what may be in store. Even if the "predictions" one receives from the I Ching turn out to be completely false it still success in its purpose. When a person wants to believe in something it is extremely difficult to break them of their beliefs; in knowing that people who practice the I Ching, or Bokonon for that matter, do not care if they are steered astray it is merely the fact that they are being steered and not driving themselves.