men in the Royal Air Force, who knew that after just thirteen bombing missions, most of them would be declared dead or missing. Their situation prompted Lewis to speak about the problems of suffering, pain, and evil, work that resulted in his being invited by the BBC to give a series of wartime broadcasts on Christian faith. Delivered over the air from 1942-1944, these speeches eventually were gathered into the book we know today as Mere Christianity
Mere Christianity ~ CS Lewis
As noted above, from the Foreword, Mere Christianity was not written as a religious text for a religious audience. It's rather a shame Mere Christianity is titled so. It's a perfectly fitting title, and I don't mean to presume to give literary advice such a greater author and thinker as CS Lewis. But it's rather unfortunate because it tends to limit the book's audience to Christians, theologians, and academics—some skeptics too, but then they usually fall into at least one of the latter two categories.
However, I am of the opinion that anyone could benefit from reading this book—and not merely to learn about Christianity. It's a profound, thought-provoking text by one of the twentieth centuries greatest intellectuals. A proper reading of the book causes you to reflect and think critically, whether you agree or disagree with the arguments presented.
So often I want to recommend this book to others, but I always have to accompany the recommendation with an explanation that opens with the disclaimer, 'I'm not trying to convert you.' I'm truly not. The last thing I want to do is press my convictions onto someone else. Sharing is one thing; pressuring is another. I think religion is a deeply personal matter. It has usually has institutional and communal aspects, but it's ultimately a personal matter that should not be dictated by other people. To share your convictions and be receptive of others' is generally fine and often admirable, but belief should never be forced or coerced or pressed upon another.
What I love so much about CS Lewis's writing is that he doesn't try to persuade anyone of anything. He doesn't tell his readers what to believe; he tells them what he believes. He walks readers through the intellectual journey he went on and the conclusions he came to. Rather than being an argument for Christianity, it's an explanation for his faith—and his fragility.
Try to understand exactly what loving your neighbour as yourself means. I have to love him as I love myself? Well, how exactly do I love myself?
Now that I come to think of it, I have not exactly got a feeling of fondness or affection for myself, and I do not even always enjoy my own society. So apparently 'Love your neighbour' does not mean 'feel fond of him' or 'find him attractive'
Some people say that religion is for the weak, but I would caution those people to consider that statement a bit more carefully before carelessly asserting it. In the next breath, those same people may try to critique religion as being too demanding and restrictive, full of rules and rituals. Which is it? Is religion too easy or too hard? To truly adhere to a religion means a commitment beyond life and often includes doing things you don't want to do, things that go against our very nature
Every one says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive, as we had during the war. And then, to mention the subject at all is to be greeted with howls of anger. It is not that people think this too high and difficult a virtue: it is that they think it hateful and contemptible. 'That sort of talk makes them sick,' they say. And half of you already want to ask me, 'I wonder how you'd feel about forgiving the Gestapo if you were a Pole or a Jew?'
So do I. I wonder very much. Just as when Christianity tells me that I must not deny my religion even to save myself from death by torture, I wonder very much what I should do when it came to the point. I am not trying to tell you in this book what I could do—I can do precious little—I am telling you what Christianity is
In Mere Christianity, CS Lewis explains some fundamental basics of Christianity. He uses the term 'mere' to resist a tone of presumptuousness, adopting humility instead. 'Mere' means foundational. It is not fundamentalist religion; it is the fundamentals of the religion. 'Mere' must not be mistaken as 'simple' or 'easy'
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