16 March 2008
C.S. Lewis Attempts to Open Eyes
Posted by Joy Bischoff under: Constitution in Peril .
My favorite writer is Hugh Nibley. From reading his works I learned that he was well aware of the machinations of those who would steal our freedom. In one of his books he suggested that we could learn a lot about what is really going on by reading science fiction. Nibley wrote that many academics tried to expose truths about behind the scenes politics by slipping that information into sci fi and fantasy literature. C.S. Lewis is one of many writers that I have enjoyed who employ that technique.
In the third book of a science fiction trilogy by C.S. Lewis called That Hideous Strength, there are a couple of paragraphs that correlate to the message from Roy’s article, The Secret Behind the Political Spectrum. The whole story is an expose’ of a secret organization plotting to overthrow the free world. In the book a young man named Mark has been brought into the secret organization. He is ordered to write articles for the paper to change public opinion with lies. He is confused about what is the end goal because only the hierarchy understand the full purpose of the group. Here are two paragraphs that support Roy’s thesis:
I’ve been told so many things that I don’t know whether I’m on my head or my heels, said Mark. But I don’t see how one’s going to start a newspaper stunt (which is about what this had come to) without being political. Is it left or right papers that are going to print all this rot about Alcasan?
Both honey, both, said Miss Hardcastle. Don’t you understand anything? Isn’t it absolutely essential to keep a fierce left and a fierce right, both on their toes and each terrified of the other? That’s how we get things done. Any opposition to the N.I.C.E. is represented as a left racket in the right papers and a right racket in the left papers. If it’s properly done, you get each side outbidding the other in support of us to refute the enemy’s slanders. Of course we’re non-political. The real power always is. (p. 99)
22 Comments so far...
Jesse Says:
16 March 2008 at 12:38 am.
Lewis was a genuis. Totally nailed the problem right there.
Chuck C Says:
16 March 2008 at 1:01 am.
This reminds me a little of the Wizard of Oz. In L. Frank Baum’s classic fairy tale, Dorothy did NOT wear Ruby Slippers. Rather, she wore silver shoes. He was for changing to a silver standard to back the monetary system and that was part of the inspiration of the book. This has been entirely lost since they are now ‘ruby’ slippers.
How much have we been subtly influenced by these great writers?
Mac Says:
16 March 2008 at 10:05 am.
I love C.S. Lewis. I had no idea he had this kind of political understanding so I am impressed. I don’t know who Nibley is but I’m starting to believe there is a whole world out there that I’ve missed.
Angela Rogin Says:
16 March 2008 at 11:10 am.
I assumed Roy had it right with his political spectrum but now I believe it. I have so much faith in C.S. Lewis that if he saw this so clearly then it had to be happening even back then. He was a very great man and remained incredibly humble even with all his success. Maybe that is because he saw so much pride and arrogance with this kind of thing.
E.E. Says:
16 March 2008 at 1:16 pm.
I’ve noticed a lot of that kind of thing. I love sci fi and especially fantasy. It’s a great way to say what you want and not get fired for it if you are an academic.
SGS Says:
16 March 2008 at 1:46 pm.
Mac, C.S.Lewis is a Christian first and politican second. He would write the stories based on Christianity (in fact, he wrote a few apological books, defending the belief system that is Christiainity). In many of those same stories, he would insert some political issues that he saw in his days. He used those political issues as an example, among many, of why we need to be more Christian people. Yes, He was a fantastic writer.
As for Nibley, he was one of the world reknown biblical scholars (from the same era as C.S.Lewis). I believe he was one who started effort that resulted in Koran being translated into English. He also often challenged the basic assumptions of some religions. But he was more famous for pointing out how Bible supported our type of government, and he identified many of the principles (based on Bible and other ancient writings) that Founding Fathers used to gave our country some foundations.
SGS Says:
16 March 2008 at 1:54 pm.
And oh yes, Mac, there are quite a few amazing writers from the same era as C.S.Lewis (1940s to 1960s). One of my favorite constitutional writers is W. Cleon Skousen, one of the strongest Constitutional Defenders, also from the era of 1950s and 1960s. Do not think this era of protecting the values of our country is gone. We do have some great writers today, for example, Dinesh D’Souza, David Kupelian, and many more.
Umm… IGWT Contributors, perhaps we should have a weekly or monthly book reading recommend or something on this site, so we could gish into the wisdom of some of the great authors, like CS Lewis? I mean, specifically for the principles this site stands for?
Cameron Says:
16 March 2008 at 1:58 pm.
SGS, that is a great idea. I haven’t read nearly enough and I’ve felt a little overwhelmed by all that is out there. My eyes are really just beginning to open about a lot of what we talk about here. I vote yea!!!
Jan W. Says:
16 March 2008 at 2:06 pm.
I like that idea. I think it would help us feel more empowered. We would be doing something positive together and I think it would make me feel more courage knowing I was being active in really studying freedom.
Benjamin Says:
16 March 2008 at 2:13 pm.
I have been reading here for awhile. After seeing what you guys have been going through the last few days to try and work out how to make this blog successful, I realized I needed to have more courage and let my voice be heard too. What you want to do is important. I actually think it is an experiment to see if the divisive spirit that has taken hold of American can be overcome by reason and patience. So I came out of hiding. I too love C.S. Lewis and Hugh Nibley so I loved reading this blog and comments. There are some great people around here. Thanks for having this site.
Jan W. Says:
16 March 2008 at 2:22 pm.
Benjamin, we are very happy you have joined us. It’s always kind of a funny feeling knowing there are lots more just reading than are posting. It’s fun to hear from different people. Sounds like you like to read so maybe you can help us pick books to study together.
Benjamin Says:
16 March 2008 at 2:24 pm.
Thanks Jan. I do love to read. Maybe it was the idea of a reading group online that helped spur me to come on and comment.
Cameron Says:
16 March 2008 at 2:28 pm.
Welcome aboard, Benjamin.
Joy Bischoff Says:
16 March 2008 at 3:34 pm.
Glad to have you, Benjamin.
SGS, I love the idea of an online book club as part of our community. I’ll talk to the other moderators and see what they think. I used to go to book clubs once a month and miss it. What a novel (pun intended) way to have that experience but with a more focused goal in mind. I would love to mix it up a lot with some biographies of the founders thrown in occasionally to inspire us, but they need to be the right authors and not revisionists.
Sharon Anderson Says:
16 March 2008 at 7:33 pm.
What a great idea about reading a book a month. There is so much good stuff out there that we otta read more than 12 books a year, but even finding time to do one a month would be a stretch for me. Maybe have a book list from which the monthly book is taken and from which the more ambitious can choose multiple titles.
Here is one idea for the list: The Naked Capitalist by W. Cleon Skousen 1970–I read it when it first came out and think it would be interesting to read it again in light of what has happened since then, especially in the past couple of years.
Ghost Says:
16 March 2008 at 7:50 pm.
I’m in. I’ve always wanted to read that book Sharon. This would give me the kick in the pants necessary to do what I should already be doing. I go to school and work but if I put off doing this until I really had time it would never happen.
Carrie Says:
16 March 2008 at 8:37 pm.
Ghost I bet you read faster than me. As it is now I can’t keep up with my assignments. But I could do this in summer from May through August. It sounds fun.
HerculesMulligan Says:
16 March 2008 at 9:09 pm.
“Any opposition to the N.I.C.E. is represented as a left racket in the right papers and a right racket in the left papers.”
Ah! The sacred golden rule! The first and the greatest — the unbreakable — commandment!
Sure, you can steal; sure, you can murder unborn children; sure you can commit adultery, worship graven images (ever heard of American Idol and Teen Idol? We haven’t changed, have we!), hate the Lord your God, etc., but don’t DARE let anyone be politically incorrect! Fear ye the wrath of the ******* (too holy to name)!
Yes, I think Lewis nailed it on the head. John Adams once said that once a society has lost its virtue, liberty can never be restored; it is all downhill from there.
Choice: we either turn back to God, and accept HIS standards of right and wrong, or we lose our freedom and our country.
Saddened Says:
16 March 2008 at 10:02 pm.
Hercules, my minister preached on that subject last week. I am positive that this is true. When God blesses a nation as much as this one has been blessed, He expects us to follow Him. First main stream America threw out prayer, then threw out the Holy Bible and how they are trying to disenfranchise Christians. I think that when they cast us out (symbolically), then it will be like Sodom and the people will be ready for destruction. I don’t want that to happen. I want us to turn that around.
Mac Says:
16 March 2008 at 10:51 pm.
SGS, Thanks for filling me in on stuff. Nibley sounds like a smart man.
Hercules and Saddened, you are right on target. Imagine how they would make this sound on the left but that doesn’t change the fact that it is true. It will take even more courage in the future to be a Christian. I don’t think I would have that courage if I didn’t read the Bible. I should read it more and will probably start doing that because we sure can see prophecies happening and getting ready to happen.
Joy Bischoff Says:
16 March 2008 at 11:26 pm.
I talked to the other moderators and they think the monthly book reading is a great idea. Terrie is going to put some thought into and blog about it maybe tomorrow. Things like that are right up her alley.
I have enjoyed reading these last comments that show what strong values you guys have. It is a great example to me and I am sure to others.
T. Fan Says:
17 March 2008 at 12:07 pm.
I like the idea of a monthly book we can read together and maybe we can discuss it on the site.
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