The quote from Alice Walker’s "The Color Purple" reflects a belief that the presence of God is not something to be discovered within the church walls, but rather something that individuals bring with them. This perspective suggests that the spiritual experience is not solely dependent on the environment but is rooted in the individual's own spirituality and connection to the divine.
Moreover, it emphasizes the communal aspect of worship, where people come together not just to seek God but to collectively express and celebrate the divinity they already possess. This reinforces the idea that church is a gathering space for sharing and nurturing existing faith, rather than a place of discovery.