In a world that experienced a nuclear devastation, new times have begun, as a post
atomic society is left to pick up the pieces and start over. In the little town of Waknuk,
most of the pieces were lost, and now the basis of their society is built upon an extreme
form of the Christian Religion. Just as in the olden day's religion rules over everything,
however, when religious beliefs in Waknuk are taken to extreme's, their society as a
whole suffers. People are brought up to follow a religion that restricts their rights, does
not like change, and preaches violence against deviants.
Religious beliefs can cloud a mind with oppressive thoughts. These oppressive
thoughts can be translated into rules and regulations, which could mimic a communist
like society. In the case of Waknuk's society, religion dictates all. The society suffers
from this immensely, because most rights and privileges are made illegal, punishable by
expulsion to the fringes. A person can not speak out against the church with out fear of
other citizens thinking that they are a deviant. When Uncle Axel was speaking to David
he was telling him his views about their society. He also told him that speaking his views
openly to others would result in many people thinking he is a deviant. David's father,
Joseph Strom, is among the many who strictly abide by the rules of their religion. His
inhuman adherence to rules challenges David's views on life. When his youngest baby
was born, he didn't even mention the fact it was alive, because the inspector had not
check it. Only after the baby received its certificate, Joseph Strom acknowledge his
newborn's life. The family had to suffer, because the baby was not certified. David saw
that is father was extremely strict to when it came to following rules: "' My father's faith
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