Praise or Mockery?

I noticed that through his writing, Flaubert often emphasises his descriptions on the aesthetical beauty of the church, and therefore, religion. "It was covered with a lace cloth and draped with green wreaths. In the middle stood a little frame containing relics; at the corners were two little orange-trees, and all along the edge were silver candlesticks, porcelain vases containing sun-flowers, lilies,peonies, and tufts of hydrangeas." (Flaubert, A Simple Soul). This is, in my opinion, a truly stunning description. It shows us through the depiction of the altar, Flaubert's belief in the frivolity and triviality of the church. It appears to be more of an ornament than a symbol to him. Its like some kind of costume meant to fool people, to make them belief in something that isn't really there. The faith and the hope we beileve it inspires is not real. It does not exist. It is all just a petty scenario meant to dress and image up, making it look convincing to those who worship it. As the story comes to and end, the final lines proved to me that Flaubert's purpose is definately to mock God. "...and when she exhaled her last breath, she thought she saw in the half-opened heavens a gigantic parrot hovering above her head." (Flaubert, A Simple Soul) Why would Flaubert choose Loulou as a representation of God? He is obviously laughing at Him. In this way he is all but saying that we can take God as seriously as we can a parrot. Parrots are seen as creatures that entertain, make people laugh, make fun of people. This is why I believe that Flaubert's purpose in these final moments of the story is to make fun of God and the whole idea of Him and what He brings to our lives.