CS Lewis's Moral Argument and the Existence of a God

CS Lewis’s Moral Argument and the Existence of a God

The question of whether or not God exists has been asked by billions of people since the concept of religion emerged. Many people try to explain things such as hurricanes and tornadoes as “Acts of God” or even the existence of human beings and the world itself to be “created” by an almighty power. Others claim that the harm they inflict was demanded of them by their God. CS Lewis argues that through the comprehension of standards of good and bad, God’s existence is proven. However, Lewis’s defense for the existence of God is adequate because it fails to acknowledge the possibility for people to be good on their own, without the instruction of a supernatural entity.

Clive Staples Lewis grew up in a Christian household in Belfast, Ireland, and though his family was frequent church-goers, Lewis claimed himself to be an Atheist at the tender age of fifteen. He found that his discontent with Christianity stemmed from the feeling that religion was simply a chore that he begrudgingly carried out. However, after many years as a student and scholar in England, CS Lewis found himself to be slowly returning to theism through many debates with his friend and colleague, J.R.R. Tolkien. Lewis did not claim Christianity immediately, but did acknowledge the existence of some sort of a higher being. He often described his conversion to Christianity as “kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance to escape” (Lewis, Surprised by Joy, 230.) That being said, Lewis did not have a problem becoming one of the most renowned and respected Christian authors of all time. He provided amazing insight to the views that of an Atheist in contrast with his views later ...

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...h goodness without a belief in God. When there is only the natural world, then people act in a way which maximizes their happiness without the sacrifice of others. Morality does not come from a set of rules created by a divine master. If it were, then it eliminates the concept of free will because people would only do good things merely out of chore and requirement, not because they actually want the best for themselves and the world. Morality is an inherent instinct in which has developed to fit the times through evolution of social situations in order to live harmoniously.

Bibliography

Epstein, Greg M. Good without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe. New York: William Morrow, 2009. Print.

Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. New York: Macmillan, 1958. Print.

Dwight. "CS Lewis’ Moral Argument." Atheology. N.p., 29 Mar. 2007. Web. 07 Apr. 2014.