Laura Sheahen

You’ve said how much you admire the people working for these causes. It sounds like what you’ve said about Sister Helen Prejean, the nun who wrote Dead Man Walking — that she had a kind of “practical spirituality.” Yes. My problem with the Church — I was brought up Catholic — was that Jesus’ life was a very hands-on spirituality. It wasn’t about excluding people. It was exactly the opposite. I always envisioned the Church more as they do in some Latin American countries, where they’re involved in the plight of the poor and in justice — all those things that politicise you once you open your eyes. You can’t tend to somebody’s soul and ignore their body. You can’t talk in abstract terms. Is that a problem you see with organised religion in general?

Any religion that is so black and white — to me, that’s like fanaticism. Religion is not black and white. It’s much more complicated. Spirituality is much bigger than that. God is much bigger than that. I don’t believe in a wrathful God. I believe he’s much more forgiving and inclusive than some religions. The things that are done in her name or his name are horrible.

What would the world look like if Susan Sarandon were in charge?

There’d be much more peace because the underlying problem today is the gap between rich and poor. Jimmy Carter’s completely all over this and moving in the right direction.

Interview with Susan Sarandon. — Beliefnet.com