“Let us cautiously assume that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience forbid us from hoping that national morality can prevail to the exclusion of religious principles. » George WashingtonAccording to George Washington, morality can only be maintained or exist when religion is there to guide it. While this may seem like a simple concept to understand, issues of religion and morality are more complex. Many religions have value systems regarding virtues and morality that are intended to guide their followers in determining between good and evil; however, just because a person is religious does not mean they are moral and just because a person is moral does not mean they are religious. Although the ideas of religion and morality are often confused, in his novel Light in August, William Faulkner confirms his belief that religion and morality are not synonymous. Faulkner recognizes religion as a central theme throughout the novel and uses it as a major influence while characterizing his character's choices and actions. In his use of detailed characterization in the novel, Faulkner illustrates how religion and morality are not interchangeable based on characters who are motivated to violence because of religion, or who use religion as a means to justify thoughts and racist behavior. By comparing and contrasting some of the novel's most religious characters and their actions, Simon McEachern, Mr. Hines, and Byron Bunch, it demonstrates how Faulkner reveals the way in which religion and morality are not dependent on each other but rather about the individual and how they choose to practice their religion.Simon McEachern, Joe Christmas' foster home...... middle of paper ......l life.In conclusion, although the religion be used as a means to frame the basics of morality, Faulkner reveals how virtues and morals based in religion can be ignored and/or distorted due to an individual's cruel and selfish intentions. Although McEachern and Doc Hines both identified as religious men, neither of them was moral. Both men manipulated their religious faith in order to achieve their own selfish and cruel goals. On the other hand, Byron Bunch is sincerely moral. Instead of using religion as a way to justify his behavior, he uses religion as a way to guide his life and spirituality. Therefore, moral goodness is not a product of religion itself but rather of the individual and how they choose to live their life. Works Cited Faulkner, William. Light in August: the corrected text. New York: Vintage, 1990. Print.