Well, where is God," said Mrs Coulter, "if he's alive? And why doesn't he speak anymore? At the beginning of the world, God walked in the garden and spoke with Adam and Eve. Then he began to withdraw, and Moses only heard his voice. Later, in the time of Daniel, he was aged - he was the Ancient of Days. Where is he now? Is he still alive, at some inconceivable age, decrepit and demented, unable to think or act or speak and unable to die, a rotten hulk? And if that IS his condition, wouldn't it be the most merciful thing, the truest proof of our love for God, to seek him out and give him the gift of death?
In her contemplation on the nature of God, Mrs. Coulter expresses profound doubt about His presence and communication with humanity. She reflects on biblical accounts where God was once interactive, walking in the garden with Adam and Eve, but suggests that over time, He has withdrawn from direct engagement, becoming increasingly distant. She questions if God, now ancient and possibly incapacitated, still exists in a meaningful way, pondering whether He would rather be freed from the burdens of existence.
This internal struggle reveals her contemplation of mercy and love toward God, leading her to suggest that ending His life could be the ultimate act of compassion. Mrs. Coulter's reflections challenge the traditional views of a powerful, communicative deity, possibly indicating a broader critique of faith and divine authority in the world depicted in Philip Pullman's work. Her thoughts invite readers to question the definition of divinity and the relationship between humanity and God.