Posted by Siamang on: 01.14.2008 /
By Siamang,
After my last post about “Broken America” I wanted to provide a tonic. Here’s a warning about seeing others as “the other”, and the danger we face by giving in to easy labeling and grouping.
“The real test is this. Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one’s first feeling, ‘Thank God, even they aren’t quite so bad as that,’ or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies are as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see grey as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally we shall insist on seeing everything—God and our friends and ourselves included—as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred.”
-C.S. Lewis. “Mere Christianity”
As I’ve said before, I’m reading The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality by André Comte-Sponville.
I haven’t read any other blogs by atheists or Christians discussing this book, which I believe to be a really great read, and quite positive. I’d like to start a discussion online about this book, which is a slight three chapters and 200 pages.
So I’m going to start live-blogging through the book, bringing to light certain points. We’ll see how far we get. I welcome commenters, especially non-atheist readers.
Comment by: Mike Clawson
1Great quote by Lewis! Thanks for mentioning it. And I’m glad you’re reviewing that book. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.