Clay Sizemore is an endearing character whose life shows how important
             the Pentecostal religion is to so many people of the Appalachians. Early
             in the book, the author calls those who don't attend church on Saturday
             night "sinners" (House 17), and this lays the groundwork for the rest of
             the book. It shows how important religion is to the people, and how they
             use religion as a basis for everything they do in their lives. While the
             Church plays an important part in everyone's life, it does not dominate
             their lives. They gamble, smoke, drink, and even carouse a bit, because
             they know they will be forgiven. House writes, "Gabe loved to drink, and
             he loved to have a big crowd around all the time" (House 25). The Church
             is a sanctuary for the people of Fire Creek, and it plays an important part
             in their lives - but it does not dominate everything they do.
             Unfortunately, it also makes them entirely too wary of strangers who do not
             believe what they believe, as Easter's reaction to newcomer Marguerite
             shows "She vowed never to talk to Marguerite again" (House 69). Marguerite
             is a Catholic who does not go to church, so she does not fit in the
             community, and the women will not accept her. This shows how narrow-minded
             they are, and how their religion sometimes gets in the way of their
             The Pentecostal religion began in Appalachia, and it is a stern and
             serious religion that people hold on to because it makes them feel better
             about themselves and the "sins" they may have. Many of the most severe
             Pentecostals will not drink, smoke, or listen to music other than church
             music, but the religion has relaxed a little all the time. However, Clay
             knows he cannot have it both ways, and he cannot continue to go to church
             when the ways of the church are so strict. He tells Easter "'I can't make
             myself believe the way you do. And I won't be no hypocrite'" (House 116).
             ...