Shoeless Joe has several references and allusions to traditional Christian religious beliefs and practices. The novelist presents the reader with a strong contrast between traditional Christianity and what he perceives to be true religion, as represented through the game of baseball. Kinsella’s portrayal of several characters in the novel present his negative view of traditional religion. Ray’s description of his wife’s family as fundamentalist Christians who hold on to their traditional beliefs with steadfast firmness present the author’s view of traditional religion as joyless and dogmatic.

Ray’s mother in law is aself-righteous, judgmental womanwho inserts her religious beliefs into any conversation. Mark, Ray's brother-in-law, who is trying to take over his farm, is also a fundamentalist Christian, who has an inherent dislike for atheists and Catholics. The names of Mark’s and his three brothers, Mathew, Luke and John, are the names of the four evangelists who wrote the four Christian gospels. Ray’s quarrel with his brother-in-laws underlines his quarrel with Christianity. Eddie Scisson’s three daughters, who are described as unimaginative and joyless, are examples of other characters in the novel who adhere to traditional Christianity.

In contrast, the novelist presents baseball as a kind of quasi-religion, a religion that provides people with joy, imagination and, most importantly, a feeling of faith: "We're not just ordinary people, we're a congregation" (63), says Ray of the baseball fans.