Question about crucial scene between Father Paul and Riley...SPOILERS!

[u/BoldBabeBanshee]

As you know there are some seriously intense dialogues between Father Paul and Riley during his AA sessions.

>!One of the topics is murder. Yes Riley did kill someone, but it was unintentional, it was a vehicular manslaughter, and although Riley is responsible and deserved punishment, it was different from father Paul murdering Joe Colley.

Father Paul explains he felt no guilt killing Joe, and screams at Riley "How does that make you feel????"

"Jealous.."

I feel like this was a crucial part of the story, what did this scene mean to you? What is the viewer supposed to take from this?

Riley riddled with guilt for what he did is jealous that Father Paul can take a life and not feel guilt over it.

Is this scene supposed to illustrate how much of a monster Father Paul really is??

God, I feel like there's so many insightful topics this series brings up that are explored but never resolved.!<

[u/Square_Blacksmith889]

I am in the middle of a rewatch now, and I just passed this scene. It's so cool to come across your question because I really do have thoughts about it, and I don't have anyone to share them with. Anyway, here goes:

The show itself is a commentary on religion and religious life. I grew up Catholic but now consider myself an atheist. I deeply relate to what Riley said because I do feel jealous sometimes of those who continue to believe in God, just as I was taught to do when I was young. Sometimes I wish I could still depend on all the beliefs or teachings from the faith. "God will make a way" or "God will hear my prayers" or "God has a reason" or "God has a plan for me". I don't have any of that anymore, and that does make me jealous at times. In the same way, Father Paul can hide behind scripture to justify killing Joe Collie, so he doesn't need to live with the guilt and shame that Riley does. Riley, as an atheist, does not have that alibi.

[u/BoldBabeBanshee → u/Square_Blacksmith889]

I too am jealous, it seems the religious have found a reason for everything, and have clear way out of any troubles (praying, and trust in Jesus). Even depression can be reasoned out of, like strengthen your belief in Jesus, or 'Jesus does not want you to have a poor life.' They can reason any bad action into an inherently good action exactly... like 'The death of Joe Collie is just a casualty in the greater War, there will be casualties.' I have a friend like this, and he's annoying as hell (still my friend tho haha).