Chapter 10, "Their Religions and Our Marriages" Summary

As a Christian, Vandyck has difficulty grasping the Herland religion. Ellador asks about the various religions in the outside world and compiles a chart listing their characteristics. Ellador concludes that the commonalities of the religions of the outer world are beliefs in a dominant power and special behaviors needed to appease the dominant power. She approves of the gradual change from history's bloodthirsty gods to the Christian concept of a common Father. The story of the virgin birth does not surprise her, of course; but she cannot comprehend the necessity for the crucifixion or the belief in a devil and damnation. When Ellador learns that some sects believe in infant damnation she turns pale and questions how a supposedly loving God could be thought to burn little babies.

Ellador is so...