In Iain M. Banks' "Consider Phlebas," the protagonist confronts a character whose delusional beliefs are masked by a facade of religion. The struggle highlights the distinction between genuine faith and dangerous fanaticism. The protagonist's recognition of the other as a maniac underlines the challenges of navigating such convictions, especially when they are intertwined with religious ideologies.

This perspective raises critical questions about the nature of belief and the potential for religious convictions to mask profound irrationality. The protagonist's resolve to treat the character as a maniac suggests a necessity to acknowledge when ideology crosses into madness, emphasizing that the outward appearance of religious devotion does not inherently validate the beliefs being held.