tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post6452481252502707055..comments2024-03-22T06:22:08.010+00:00Comments on Stephen Law: Review: The Screwtape LettersStephen Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02167317543994731177noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-13558049346590794882008-11-07T04:47:00.000+00:002008-11-07T04:47:00.000+00:00Yes, there is something beyond our limited percept...Yes, there is something beyond our limited perceptions that has an effect on us. You can assume that Wormwood and Screwtape are mere metaphors, but that is where the demons would have their first victory, that of lulling you into the belief of their non existence. The preface of this book is the very disclaimer.<BR/><BR/>Demons do exist in the spiritual realm, but we cannot view them with our eyes, that of the flesh. And yes, we are far more that what we think we aresamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00542306446207221829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-53695820460780239852008-06-11T08:22:00.000+00:002008-06-11T08:22:00.000+00:00Haven't you guessed yet - I am Wormwood!Haven't you guessed yet - I am Wormwood!Stephen Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02167317543994731177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-60073848221484216332008-06-10T17:24:00.000+00:002008-06-10T17:24:00.000+00:00Your own personal Wormwood is laughing in the utmo...Your own personal Wormwood is laughing in the utmost pleasure. He can't wait until you write this book. You are convinced that you are not under the influence of demonic temptation and that what really needs to be exposed is the evils of religion. You couldn't be more amusing to the enemy. Sad and ironic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-53179539023484471832008-02-20T17:13:00.000+00:002008-02-20T17:13:00.000+00:00Stephen,I enjoyed reading your review and apprecia...Stephen,<BR/><BR/>I enjoyed reading your review and appreciate you pointing out that Lewis encouraged Christians to engage in critical thinking. I wouldn't mind seeing more of Christianity moving in that direction.<BR/><BR/>Thanks,<BR/><BR/>BrianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-75303672597607791732007-12-17T19:32:00.000+00:002007-12-17T19:32:00.000+00:00Well - perhaps I'm wrong - but I detected a note o...Well - perhaps I'm wrong - but I detected a note of scorn in Stephen's brief aside about Lewis! I'm picking up on a discussion from an earlier comment thread as well.Sam Charles Nortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04088870675715850624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-73408865391687902922007-12-17T16:18:00.000+00:002007-12-17T16:18:00.000+00:00Sam, why would you assume atheist's only share the...Sam, why would you assume atheist's only share the fundamentalists view of demons.<BR/><BR/>Obviously, we as naturalists do not believe in demons. And the vast majority of us are well aware that there are nonliteralist views of all sorts of biblical stories---including demons.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-33799040634144066792007-12-17T11:58:00.000+00:002007-12-17T11:58:00.000+00:00Just on that question of demons - isn't this a goo...Just on that question of demons - isn't this a good example of where atheism and fundamentalism shares the same understanding? In other words, the language of demons in the Bible has only one coherent sense (literal existence) and so the only issue is whether that existence is affirmed or denied? I don't know for sure, but I'd suspect Lewis' understanding to be a bit more subtle than that.Sam Charles Nortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04088870675715850624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-67637065917444405062007-12-17T10:34:00.000+00:002007-12-17T10:34:00.000+00:00Just spotted Twains letters available here:http://...Just spotted Twains letters available here:<BR/><BR/>http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/twainlfe.htmStephen Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02167317543994731177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-77612675453908229982007-12-17T10:19:00.000+00:002007-12-17T10:19:00.000+00:00I didn't know that, David. Will order the Twain - ...I didn't know that, David. Will order the Twain - thanks for pointing that out.Stephen Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02167317543994731177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-20009240710888348662007-12-17T00:45:00.000+00:002007-12-17T00:45:00.000+00:00Since you are thinking of writing a parody of THE ...Since you are thinking of writing a parody of THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS I wanted to point out, in case you werent aware of it, that it is itself written in reaction to Mark Twain's LETTERS FROM THE EARTH. At least that's what I've read and it certainly bears a strong similarity (though a reversal of theme).<BR/><BR/>You probably already knew that. But if you haven't read it I highly recommend it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-34421922557248849052007-12-15T22:46:00.000+00:002007-12-15T22:46:00.000+00:00Yes, thanks anticant. I actually remember reading ...Yes, thanks anticant. I actually remember reading that now, funnily enough, in my father's copy. But it's not in my current copy.Stephen Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02167317543994731177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-42989075229002663972007-12-15T22:37:00.000+00:002007-12-15T22:37:00.000+00:00I have a copy of a reprint of the first edition o...I have a copy of a reprint of the first edition of "The Screwtape Letters", published in 1942. In the preface Lewis says: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. The first is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight." <BR/><BR/>It would appear from this that Lewis did believe in their existence.anticanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18135207107619114891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-27080598449178424442007-12-15T21:53:00.000+00:002007-12-15T21:53:00.000+00:00"The deeper the soul plunges into religious devoti..."The deeper the soul plunges into religious devotion, the more it loses all sense of reality, all need, all desire, all love for reality....The dazzling light of their faith blinds them to the surrounding world, and to their own selves. As for me, who cares for nothing so much as to see the world and myself clearly, I am amazed at the coils of falsehood in which devout persons take delight."<BR/><BR/>Andre Gide: 'The Coiners'.anticanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18135207107619114891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-19126548457822689132007-12-15T16:30:00.000+00:002007-12-15T16:30:00.000+00:00Just found this on wikipedia:"A preface included i...Just found this on wikipedia:<BR/><BR/>"A preface included in some older publishings of the book included a short dialog on the subject of whether Lewis believed demons to be fact or fiction, exemplifying Lewis' belief that despite the fictional storyline of the book, he believed Satan and demons were not fictional."Stephen Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02167317543994731177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-20437984511247248582007-12-15T15:50:00.000+00:002007-12-15T15:50:00.000+00:00Dave m - I am pretty sure Lewis thinks they are re...Dave m - I am pretty sure Lewis thinks they are real. But I cannot now remember why I believe this(!) Probably one of his other books. Will have to check...Stephen Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02167317543994731177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-59179884754830994652007-12-15T15:48:00.000+00:002007-12-15T15:48:00.000+00:00Thanks. No haven't read that book, I'm afraid. Min...Thanks. No haven't read that book, I'm afraid. Mine will be with Routledge publisher. Title not decided as yet...<BR/><BR/>I am doing a special issue of THINK on good without God, shortly. Not sure which issue yet.<BR/><BR/>A really good intro to ethics written by an atheist, which is clear on the Euthyphro dilemma etc. is James Rachels' The Elements of Moral Philosophy. Bit expensive though...Stephen Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02167317543994731177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-16315738485492379892007-12-15T15:46:00.000+00:002007-12-15T15:46:00.000+00:00demons (whom Lewis seems to think really exist)Why...<I>demons (whom Lewis seems to think really exist)</I><BR/><BR/>Why do you say this? Surely you can't infer this from <I>The Screwtape Letters</I> alone. Does he mention demons in a clearly non-metaphorical sense elsewhere?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1905686568472747305.post-41878961138260396382007-12-15T15:43:00.000+00:002007-12-15T15:43:00.000+00:00Stephen,That's awesome. The parody you're writing,...Stephen,<BR/><BR/>That's awesome. The parody you're writing, is it a full book, or just an online-type piece? I can't wait to read it.<BR/><BR/>On a completely different note, I've been reading Richard Carrier's book called "Sense and Goodness without God: A Defense of Metaphysical Naturalism". Have you read it, and do you have any suggestions for similar books, if you have? Thanks.Kyle Szklenskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837443487933011691noreply@blogger.com