Not arguing here. Besides the hand of God showing up, I think you’re right there is no big significance besides the hand of God showing up, although I believe that Stu quotes scripture at the end. But looking back on it, although I loved The Stand when I was younger, now I can’t stand it because it seems implausible and it just doesn’t read as well as other great works of post-apocalyptic-fiction, such as Max Brooks World War Z.
I probably shouldn’t attempt to discuss a book I haven’t read. What happened was this. I watched most of The Stand, and later I ran into a Christian who is a very big fan of King. I related my impression—i.e.: that King was writing about very committed, devoted believers in what amounted to a world without God, and the friend told me I nailed it. So there is at least one King fan who is very familiar with The Stand who buys my impression of it. On this thread, it flew like a lead dirigible. Oh well; win some, lose some.
I appreciate your commentary on it, though, since you are one of the more familiar people with the story. Thanks for offering a helpful perspective.