Parable of the Sower

The phrase “God is change” is the central tenet of the religion that Lauren is developing. To her, it is the only constant in life. Her religion is a way of allowing herself to survive through traumatic events. It’s different than other religions in many ways because it does not encourage prayer or the idea of an afterlife. Instead, it encourages its followers to “shape God” themselves. Earthseed followers should care about others and choose a compassionate way of life that understands that change is inevitable and it’s better to plan and prepare for it than deny it or hope passively for better days: “Earthseed deals with ongoing reality, not with supernatural authority figures. Worship is no good without action. With action, it’s only useful if it steadies you, focuses your efforts, eases your mind” (226). Yet Earthseed does have a heaven—outer space. However, Earthseed’s heaven is a real and tangible goal, and not a promise or reward for good behavior in this life.

Throughout the book, Lauren’s Earthseed religion contrasts against the Baptist faith with which she grew up; being a preacher’s daughter, she is intimately familiar with Christianity. Yet she feels that her father’s faith is insufficient to offer enough comfort in a world like this one, maintaining that it takes people back into the past.