I am once again talking about the themes of Manifestos instead of talking about the characters or working on their bios. This got long so click on the read more.
I want to talk about the relationship between religion and race in the story. In racialized communities, faith is a huge component of everyday life. Even if you personally didn't grow up religious, your parents either did or you had religious friends. For black and brown people, the church has always been the heart of the community; especially during turbulent times like Jim Crow/Civil Rights and post slavery.
Most of the characters are POC (there are no white demon hunters in Manifestos /hj) with varying relationships with faith.
I'm agnostic so if I get anything wrong, please let me know! Unlike some people *cough* Vivziepop *cough* I can take constructive criticism.
For April, her faith is a cage. To me, JWs and Mormons are two sides of the same coin. She has no prospects in a faith she doesn't even believe anymore. Her religion forbids her from going to college, the most power she can have is being a pioneer, and the only reason she even has her job is because she "promised" to marry the son of an elder. But it's also where her sister is; and if she leaves, then she'll be cut off from Dinah. So despite being a caged bird longing to be free, April stays inside until she's forced out.
Ricardo is different. His whole life revolves around his Catholic faith. He was left on the stairs of a church as a baby, raised by a priest and the nuns there, and doesn't believe or practice premarital sex. It also kinda stunted him in a way. There was a time where he questioned his faith, after Father Benicio (the priest who raised him) died. Who wouldn't be when a parent passes on? Even though he thought it was unfair (and finds out it was a part of a whole conspiracy involving the Heaven and Hell later on), he tried to justify it by saying God protected Benicio in his final moments.
Whereas with Matteo, he loses all faith in God after Erasmo dies. He lashes out and questions why God had to take--no, steal his father from his family. He stops going to church and then stops practicing Catholicism altogether.
Sam and Asher are Jewish in a mostly Christian community, putting them in an awkward position. Asher feels as though he has to constantly overexplain himself while Sam doesn't because she's tired of it. They get the brunt of both antiblackness and antisemitism.
For Director Haegan, who grew up in the Jim Crow South, church was her safe space both as a demon hunter and as a regular woman. In an era where black people could be killed with no repercussions, faith was a young Kaye Haegan's sanctuary. As I stated before, the church is the heart of many black communities around the world. This detail also plays into her authoritarian nature because you aren't supposed to question God or the Bible the same way you aren't supposed to question authority figures like family or bosses. Even in her old age, Haegan's Christianity never wavers.
Omar and Liseth don't have strong feelings about their respective faiths.
One of Liseth's dislikes is quite literally going to church. Her lack of passion (for lack of better term) makes her seem more "American" in the eyes of both relatives residing in Mexico and older people at church. Liseth's background is another factor as she's middle class, therefore making her 'rich' in the eyes of her working class peers. It makes sense as to why her connection to Catholicism is so weak compared to characters like Ricardo. This is the main reason why them having Estibaliz out of wedlock was a PR nightmare for their mother not because she was afraid of the general public finding out, but because of what the people at their church would say.
Omar is a practicing Muslim but that's it. He'll go to the mosque, pray, and celebrate the holidays but he's not hardcore about it. It's just another part of him as a person.
Zahir and Faris are two other characters who treat the subject of faith casually, being agnostic. Both of them had parents who practiced different religions and grew up experiencing both; Christianity and Islam for Faris and Hinduism and Islam for Zahir. While they do hold some spiritual beliefs, they wouldn't consider themselves religious.
Neyha's Christianity is another layer in her desperation for white approval. It's less about genuine faith and more about trying to appeal to people who wouldn't spit on her if she were on fire by going "See? I'm just like you!" The problem is that Neyha is Indian Christian, not American Christian. Very big difference there.
For witches like Leah Nicole, Ximena, and Clover, it varies. Not too unexpected since witchcraft has been demonized a lot by the mainstream religions. Leah is not open about her practices and beliefs. Her spirituality for her and her only. Clover is open about being a witch. Yes it disgusts some people but others find it fascinating. Ximena is a middle ground, especially when you consider her husband is a hardcore Catholic. If she trusts you enough then she'll let you in on the secret but that's it.
Araminta is protective of Candomblé since she grew up practicing it with her mother. Unlike the big three, practice is more important than belief in Candomblé and some have characterized it as a secret society. This is perfect for someone like Araminta, who hates it when people are in her business.
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