How does faith influence Mimi and other characters’ choices? How does faith—religious, spiritual, humanistic, or otherwise— influence your choices?
We see faith influencing characters in how Mimi is treated by Halina as well as the women at church. Before they ever learn about her clinic work, Mimi is judged for not being Catholic, with the women leaving her out of social groups and Halina not accepting her.
I also see many of the characters’ faith tested throughout the book - abortion, infidelity, lying, and so on.
I think this is something many people struggled with at that time, and struggle with now. The issue of “right or wrong” is not cut and dry, and I believe, ultimately is one each person should come to on their own, without judgement toward others. 
Yikes, faith and spirituality can do so much good. It can guide us in difficult situations and help us to be a better person and encourage us to give our time and money to others in need. But then any faith can be a weapon against others, excluding others and raising yourself. We saw Mimi being excluded and Halina not accepting her
I am a religious person, and I try to use faith to guide me. I love that I belong to one of the most diverse churches in America, it is impossible to sit in a pew and not sit next to someone of a different race than yourself. MLK called Sunday church time the most segregated time in America, and it often still is.
Faith in this novel often feels tied more to moral boundaries, guilt, and duty than to something that enriches or nourishes life. It provides strict rules to live by—clear lines between right and wrong, black and white. Many of the characters seem trapped between compassion and those rigid rules, struggling to reconcile human suffering with the beliefs they’ve been taught to follow.
Personally, I believe the most meaningful forms of faith are the ones that deepen empathy and understanding rather than focusing only on rigid ideas of right and wrong. I think the novel highlights that tension very well.
Faith made Mimi think twice before she took the job in the clinic. I think we saw more of the negative sides of faith in the book - especially the way that Mimi’s mother in law and the women in the church treated her for not being Catholic - and this was even before they knew about her work at the clinic.
I didn’t really see faith depicted in this book. I saw religion depicted. The two are not always synonymous and that was the case in this story. The people in Halina’s church were portrayed as judgmental, uncaring, & harsh. Telling kids they can’t march in a parade because of a parent’s actions? Cruel. Excluding Mimi from the women’s group when she worships with them regularly but hasn’t officially converted? Small and petty.
And the judgment was on both sides – the Catholics and the Lutherans (Mimi’s family). They saw the world in absolute terms. I didn’t see them living out the messages of the Gospel.
For me? I left organized religion 19 years ago after being a member of the Lutheran Church (ELCA) all my life. I was also a staff member, having served as parish organist/pianist/choir accompanist for years in addition to serving in many other capacities.
I conceptualize spirituality differently now. I believe in the power of the Universe, the Law of Attraction, & the inherent worth & goodness of all people.
For Mimi, she relies on goodness and compassion rather than a strict adherence to organized religion. Others rely on traditional beliefs, while some quietly support the clinic. I believe each person must decide issues based on their situation and what they can live with.
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