Stranger in a Strange Land

#444, Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein is a mixed bag. I enjoyed it, though the cult aspect of it toward the end got a bit creepy, which I guess it was meant to be. I'm trapped in a loop of mental conflict when it comes to deciphering Heinlein's message, though. Is the narrative telling me that society requires something/someone to follow and believe in, or that rather people are easily brainwashed by those that seem to perform miracles? Or, is it that there is no true right or wrong and that society's morals are fallacies....or further yet is it that people can be so easily manipulated to do wrong as long as there is a convincing figurehead telling them to do so? Maybe it's all these things. Maybe it's just about the shortcomings of humanity as a whole.

My biggest gripe is with Jill, who started off as such a strong, smart persona but just ended up turning into an opinion-less sex object after she basically gets bewitched by Mike.  The same goes for the rest of Jubal's lady friends.  Is that Heinlein's idea of women faced with men of power?  Maybe it's just a result of the difference between the times, but it's still disappointing.

Not being a fan of religion myself, however, I kind of liked it that the crazy Fosterites ended up being legit.  A light touch of comedy there in the end.

Also can someone tell me what the big thing about whoever Dorcas' kid's father is? Is it not Mike??? WHO IS IT AND WHY IS IT SUCH A BIG DEAL?