How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I prayed, I wrote, I scratched out words and wrote new ones in the margins, I consulted with Bill Quigley and some of the Sisters, then prayed some more. (8.59)
Prejean often mentions praying. Here she's trying to figure out the words to say at Robert's Parole Board hearing. She must know that it's not going to make much difference—but still, it's important, so she asks for guidance. Prayer's a matter-of-fact part of her life: it pops up here and there, without too much fuss, maybe less because she hopes it'll change things and more in order to remind herself what it is she's doing.
Quote #8
One of the things he had told a reporter was that yes, he had religious faith and believed in Jesus Christ, and had a spiritual adviser, but he was no "religious fanatic or nothing…" (9.130)
Robert assures the media that he's Christian—but not too Christian. Prejean sort of assures her readers (and the inmates on Death Row) of the same thing. She talks plainly and doesn't try to convert you. She and Robert don't have too much in common, but maybe that's one thing.
Quote #9
And thus was legitimated for Christians the authority of secular government to "control" its subjects by coercive and violent means—even punishment by death." (9.159)
Prejean thinks Christianity was corrupted or compromised when Constantine made it the official religion of his empire. When Christianity is adopted by the rulers, Prejean thinks, it becomes part of government efforts to force people to do things through violence. In Prejean's view, Christians were better able to follow the precepts of Jesus when they were outlawed and pursued by the state—though obviously that had its downsides as well (like being eaten by lions).