Oh, if only you had, Mister Lewis, if only you had. I'm sure Susan would be happy to hand you a match after you used her as a strawman example of people who outgrow your childish belief system.
Am I the only one who was utterly repulsed as a child by the climax of The Silver Chair, where Puddleglum stands up to the Green Lady's strawman atheism by saying—
>Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things—trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play-world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it.
—and this utter lack of concern for seeking and testing what's actually true reality is treated as good and heroic?
The fact that you think I would want him banned simply because I may like C.S. Lewis and that you can't seem to see the problem with his original post speaks far more to the quality of your character than of mine.
You demand an immediate and permanent ban for inciting violence by suggesting a dead man in a humorous comic strip set himself on fire. And no excuses, James.
@Etrimyn For inciting violence by suggesting a dead man in a humorous comic strip whose only line in said comic contains the verbatim phrase "I will set myself on fire" set himself on fire.
While I can understand a dislike of the Narnia books – I'm not especially fond of them myself – I agree that some of the comments do seem unexpectedly intemperate to me, especially when the comic itself isn't about religion at all but approach to writing of each man. I was frankly more interested in commenting on the way Tolkien's works are frequently misrepresented as allegorical than I was in making fun of Lewis.
I don't think it's terribly intemperate (or off-topic for that matter) to note that one of the key differences between Lewis and Tolkien — both pious men whose faith informed their writing — that Lewis's Narnia books are offensive to the non-religious in a way that Tolkien's Middle-Earth stories are not.
Me too, Corathon. And for those who are offended by Lewis's faith, how about just not reading his books? The degree of hatred in these responses suggests some folks may not be at peace with their own religious choices. At a minimum, they seem to have no respect for differing views.
The comments seem to be from Narnia fans who are frustrated with the way that the author handled certain characters and ideas. I would count myself as the same. My overall opinion on Lewis is positive, but he held some blockheaded views on skeptics and skepticism.
>And for those who are offended by Lewis's faith, how about just not reading his books?
I'm not offended by Lewis's faith, I'm offended by the bad ideas that he inserted into his books as moral lessons for children. But not reading the books is no remedy; rather, the proper antidote to bad ideas is always vocal opposition.
>The degree of hatred in these responses suggests some folks may not be at peace with their own religious choices.
The degree of attempted mind-reading in this response suggests intent to provoke. But instead, I'm simply curious. By what chain of reasoning do you arrive at this baffling conclusion? "Lewis makes inane attacks on skeptics; therefore skeptics feel attacked by him and say so" would be the natural conclusion. Not "Lewis makes inane attacks on skeptics; therefore skeptics reveal a heretofore unevidenced inner turmoil with their skepticism."
>At a minimum, they seem to have no respect for differing views.
Many of Lewis's views differ from mine. A select few of them — chiefly his views on monarchism, modernism, skepticism, and Eastern religion — are unworthy of anyone's respect.
I have not read the Narnia books since I was a child but I have to confess at the time I did not understand they were allegory and took them at face value. I don't know if I would want to read them as an adult because if I saw everything as symbolizing something else it would probably make it a lot less magical.
Oh, if only you had, Mister Lewis, if only you had. I'm sure Susan would be happy to hand you a match after you used her as a strawman example of people who outgrow your childish belief system.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who was utterly repulsed as a child by the climax of The Silver Chair, where Puddleglum stands up to the Green Lady's strawman atheism by saying—
Delete>Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things—trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play-world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it.
—and this utter lack of concern for seeking and testing what's actually true reality is treated as good and heroic?
Ugh. Lewis really grinds my gears.
What a sad thing to say.
DeleteDick's post, wishing that someone had been set on fire, should result in an immediate and permanent ban. No excuses, James.
DeleteDick McGee, proving himself as always, to be the most obnoxious troll that posts to this blog.
DeleteGlad to know I'm not the only one who was incredibly offended. And it takes a LOT to offend me.
DeleteAn immediate and permanent ban for inciting violence by suggesting a dead man in a comic strip set himself on fire?
DeleteOr because you disagree with his feelings about C.S. Lewis?
@Etrimyn
DeleteThe fact that you think I would want him banned simply because I may like C.S. Lewis and that you can't seem to see the problem with his original post speaks far more to the quality of your character than of mine.
So it's the first option then.
DeleteYou demand an immediate and permanent ban for inciting violence by suggesting a dead man in a humorous comic strip set himself on fire. And no excuses, James.
Got it. Just checking.
@Etrimyn For inciting violence by suggesting a dead man in a humorous comic strip whose only line in said comic contains the verbatim phrase "I will set myself on fire" set himself on fire.
DeleteHa!
DeleteWow, a lot of Lewis hate here.
ReplyDeleteI love the work of both Tolkien and Lewis.
While I can understand a dislike of the Narnia books – I'm not especially fond of them myself – I agree that some of the comments do seem unexpectedly intemperate to me, especially when the comic itself isn't about religion at all but approach to writing of each man. I was frankly more interested in commenting on the way Tolkien's works are frequently misrepresented as allegorical than I was in making fun of Lewis.
DeleteI don't think it's terribly intemperate (or off-topic for that matter) to note that one of the key differences between Lewis and Tolkien — both pious men whose faith informed their writing — that Lewis's Narnia books are offensive to the non-religious in a way that Tolkien's Middle-Earth stories are not.
DeleteMe too, Corathon. And for those who are offended by Lewis's faith, how about just not reading his books? The degree of hatred in these responses suggests some folks may not be at peace with their own religious choices. At a minimum, they seem to have no respect for differing views.
DeleteRespectfully, that works both ways. For those offended by these comments, how about just not reading them? :)
DeleteAnd honestly, I always thought it was C.S. Lewis who had no respect for differing views. :)
The comments seem to be from Narnia fans who are frustrated with the way that the author handled certain characters and ideas. I would count myself as the same. My overall opinion on Lewis is positive, but he held some blockheaded views on skeptics and skepticism.
Delete@Norwegian Blue
ReplyDelete>And for those who are offended by Lewis's faith, how about just not reading his books?
I'm not offended by Lewis's faith, I'm offended by the bad ideas that he inserted into his books as moral lessons for children. But not reading the books is no remedy; rather, the proper antidote to bad ideas is always vocal opposition.
>The degree of hatred in these responses suggests some folks may not be at peace with their own religious choices.
The degree of attempted mind-reading in this response suggests intent to provoke. But instead, I'm simply curious. By what chain of reasoning do you arrive at this baffling conclusion? "Lewis makes inane attacks on skeptics; therefore skeptics feel attacked by him and say so" would be the natural conclusion. Not "Lewis makes inane attacks on skeptics; therefore skeptics reveal a heretofore unevidenced inner turmoil with their skepticism."
>At a minimum, they seem to have no respect for differing views.
Many of Lewis's views differ from mine. A select few of them — chiefly his views on monarchism, modernism, skepticism, and Eastern religion — are unworthy of anyone's respect.
@MW The zeal of the convert. Lewis was a skeptic in his youth and became religious under none other than Tolkien's influence.
ReplyDeleteI have not read the Narnia books since I was a child but I have to confess at the time I did not understand they were allegory and took them at face value. I don't know if I would want to read them as an adult because if I saw everything as symbolizing something else it would probably make it a lot less magical.
ReplyDelete