The Abolition of Man

The Abolition f Man is a book written by the famous author C.S. Lewis.  For an ethics class, I was to read the book and write a summary/response to Lewis' ideas.  Even though it was a difficult read, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, as it opened my mind to a new perception of modern science.  I must admit I had a little trouble comprehending Lewis' eloquent writing style, so I used the following two websites to help me understand what he was trying to convey while writing my response:

http://www.lewisiana.nl/abolsum/index.htm
http://www3.dbu.edu/naugle/pdf/3303_handouts/abolition_summary.pdf

The Abolition of Man Summary/Response

In The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis addresses the idea of a natural law of morality, which he calls the Tao, that leads mankind’s definition of right and wrong.  Lewis explains the need for such morality to be taught in schools by providing a connection between emotion and ethics, which later in life will provide the students with a will and reason behind the choices they make.  Students who have been educated in this way and who can stand in the face of a moral dilemma and stand firm in their beliefs with strong support are considered to be men with chests; however, students who do not have emotion and meaning backing their definition of ethics will crumble in the event of a moral choice and are considered to be men without chests.  Although emotions can be weak and mercurial, trained emotions can be used to guide a person’s views rather than leaving him to rely solely on reason, which can only take him so far.  The idea of Reason is often used in such a way as to “debunk” emotion, exposing it as fickle and unreliable.  With Reason as his weapon, a man can say, “This is how we can preserve society;” however, Reason cannot supply an answer to the question of, “Why should society be preserved?”  Inherent emotions and morals, or the Tao, provides society and life with a meaning and purpose that Reason cannot, and therefore the structure of Reason faces great limitations as defense for a man’s argument.  Still, society continues to shift away from moral values and towards science and Reason.  Science has given mankind a certain power over nature, allowing man to control his surroundings.  For example, natural selection has enabled a couple to choose the specific gender and genetic makeup of their child, and birth control and abortion give a woman power over her pregnancy.  On a lesser note, if someone is cold, he no longer must chop down a tree and build a fire but can rather turn on an electric heater.  Science has distributed power into society; however, the total amount of power is limited, meaning as one group gains power, another group must lose power.  As a result, only a small minority grows increasingly powerful while the rest of society grows increasingly powerless.  In the example of natural selection, the husband and wife, or in some cases only a mother, has the ability to choose which of the twenty-four babies will survive and which will be killed.  As the minority (the parents) gains power, the majority (the babies or the twenty-four fertilized eggs) loses power.  Because Reason is becoming such a strong force in society, people are encouraged to surrender their natural emotions for science.  Ray Bradbury explores a world where society has completely abandoned emotion and values in his novel Fahrenheit 451.  In Bradbury’s fictional future, which modern society is frighteningly beginning to resemble, individuals are discouraged from spending time in deep thought and are encouraged to divert their attention to meaningless technologies such as giant TV screens displaying mindless entertainment.  The officials of this society shove science and technology down the throats of the people in order to blind them from emotion because emotion leads to the formation of strong opinions, which could be used as a dangerous tool against the minority (the officials) that hold the power.  Within our current society, people are giving up their souls for science by wasting away in front of a computer on social media sites rather than spending time getting to know God through prayer, pondering the meanings for the way things are, or formulating valid opinions and views.  The majority is falling into monotonous, robotic, and powerless lifestyle that is brought about by Reason rather than delving in the purpose for life.  If science and Reason continue as they do on a path set on destroying natural values, they will soon reach a point where they are destroying everything they have built up, for eventually they will face the values of knowledge, understanding, and learning, which are what drive and support Reason itself.  In conclusion, the Tao, or the inherent morals and emotions that rule and motivate our world, are necessary in order to keep a balance of power, values, and purpose within modern society.

The Journey Begins

A little fact about myself: I have been to seven different schools.  That means I've been the "new kid" seven different times, and let me tell you, it's NOT easy.  Suddenly, you are thrust into a completely new group of people who look at you like you're some freak of nature who must have some nerve to disturb their norm or who don't even bother to give you a second glance and go on through their lives as if you never existed.  You feel awkward, confused, lost, and really self-concious.  Being in a completely new environment, you have to test the waters--get to know some of the kids and figure out which group you want to be a part of.  You can't, however, just wait for people to come to you.  It is vitally important that you take the initiative to introduce yourself and ease your way into your new world.  No matter how awesome one of the kids seems, you're not going to run up and give them a hug or start acting like you've known them forever.  It's the same way with Christianity.  It's difficult ot just jump right in and expect it to be easy because it's not.  At the same time, you can't just sit back and wait for God to force you into a relationship with Him.  YOU have to start praying, reading your Bible, and easing into this new way of life.  But at the same time, you can't expect to be a perfect Christian right from the start, in part because there's no such thing as a "perfect Christian," considering we are all human and therefore flawed.  Refering back to the "new kid" analogy, when you find someone who seems like a potential friend, you have to work towards developing the friendship--it's not just going to happen.  You have to communicate with the person and spend time with them, getting to know them and building up history.  Likewise, you cannot enter Christianity with the belief that you will immedietly have a close relationship with God.  You must develop you relationship with Him by spending time with Him and talking to Him, which is done by reading His word, praying, and discussing His word with others.  I am not dismissing the possiblity that God might reveal Himself to a person through some spiritual revelation, and the person suddenly has a highly developed relationship with the Lord, but I am saying that YOU have to work at getting to know God.  A good way to get started is to commit to praying at least once a day.  It doesn't have to be a super long, emotional prayer--just tell God how your day was, tell Him what's on your mind, tell Him about anything you're worried about or can't get off your mind.  Try reviewing your day--is there anything you want to ask forgiveness for?  Is there anything you want to thank God for?  I heard this quote once that said,"What if you woke up tomorrow with only the things you thanked God for yesterday."  (I saw the quote on a Facebook picture, so I don't know to whom I should give proper credit)  Really think about that for a second.  I know if I woke up tomorrow with only what I thanked God for today, I would have nothing--no friends, family, housing, food, clothing, or even life. (Remember I am going through this journey myself, so I'm still struggling...a lot).

Journey Through the Eye?

Matthew 19:24
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Wow.  That's pretty scary, isn't it?  It's easier for an 800lb camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.  I can barely get a thread through the eye of a needle!  In our minds, getting a camel through the eye of a needle is impossible, so how is it even possible we could get into God's kingdom?

But then we see verses such as Philippians 4:13--"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  If I can do all things, how can I accomplish the impossible task of entering the kingdom of God?  This is the first thought that occurred to me when I put these two verses together.  What I was failing to do was look at the second part of Philippians 4:13--"THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me."  The truth is, it is absolutely impossible for us to enter the kingdom of God.  But, like with the verse, we must look at the second part of the truth.  With Christ, there is nothing we can't do.  With Christ, and only with Christ, can we enter the kingdom of God.

My Journey is to walk with Christ and to one day enter into the kingdom of God and see my Father's face and His kingdom with my own eyes.  I have set up this blog so that you might find the Truth and accompany me on my Journey, so let it begin....