I believe that the Yost family's pathologies are supposed to symbolize the crisis into which America entered during the Vietnam war, and from which it never recovered. I therefore think this series is more about politics than religion, although since America has always been a profoundly religious country, religion necessarily enters into the story. Or, to put this in more profane language -- no disrespect intended -- the real religion of America is politics. In the meantime, God bless the Yosts. And by the way, I am not a Christian. -- Tomamil 29 July 2007