Atheists, have ANY of you ever called C.S. Lewis "That Traitor"?

Question

Someone posted in a question that that is how we refer to him. Never heard, or said it, personally...=0)

Answer 1

No, I call him "that author of those overrated kids' books."


He was an intellectual lightweight--I don't really care what his religion was, except that so many evangelicals take him so freaking seriously.

Blame him every time you have to point out how incredibly stupid the "trilemma argument" is.

Answer 2

From the non-Christian perspective, I could see several reasons for calling him a traitor:
1) He was interested in science and logic but still was a devout Christian.
2) He was a contemporary of JRR Tolkien, and famous writer of popular Christian themed books that were greatly enjoyed by Christians and the secular audience.
3) He had a powerful love affair followed by a tragedy that tested his beliefs, but stayed a Christian. (Great movie Shadowlands; I still imagine Lewis looking like Anthony Hopkins).
4) Oh yeah, and he was an Atheist from 13-31.

Some Christians consider him a traitor for almost the exact same reasons! Plus:
1) The Screwtape Letters rips into Christians that blame their own failings on Demons (while still claiming their existence).
2) He wrote one of the greatest SECULAR fiction books of all time: Till We Have Faces.

Answer 3

Why would CS Lewis be a traitor? He never betrayed anybody, he just changed sides. That is our right as human beings. Two of my favourite books are That Hideous Strength - the third of the Dr Ransom trilogy - and The Great Divorce, an excellent take on Heaven and Hell. Even today it sounds contemporary. It was pointed out to me that ol' CS couldn't have gotten by without his servants bringing him firewood every night. But ultimately, I think he gave more to humanity than he took away.

Answer 4

Now who would be so brainwashed as to think that?
No, there isn't an atheist alive or dead that would have referred to C.S. Lewis as a traitor. It was his life and he was fit to live it as he liked.
That's what atheists believe. Only christians feel the need to impose their morality and rules on others...

Answer 5

People really should cite their slanders -- oh, wait, if they gave a citation then it wouldn't be slander. Sigh. Forget it.

I enjoyed the Narnia tales as a kid, but since then I've found that they had less staying power than Andersen or Tolkien, both of whom I still enjoy reading. As for Lewis' apologetics, I've always found them appalling.

I don't think I've ever described the man as a traitor; certainly he never owed me any loyalty. One could argue, though, that he did indeed betray something -- our common humanity. It's a crime (not too strong a word) that he shares with many others, alas.

Answer 6

I think most atheists (at least from what I've seen) are disappointed to see a smart atheist convert to something else, but understand that people have the right and don't have a huge investment in making sure people stay "in the fold." It doesn't affect them and they don't take it personally. I think that person who said that is projecting their own attitudes about people who leave their faith onto y'all.

Answer 7

No, I've never called him "That Traitor.", nor have I thought of him that way. I do think of him as being seriously misguided though. It's a shame that such an intelligent man lost his grip on reality.

Answer 8

Ha. Traitor from WHAT? He's been a christian from way back.

I see him as a sweet old man. The story of his marriage is really heartwarming too.

Answer 9

Wha....? Not me, he is commonly known as a Christian Apologetic but I don't usually listen to labels, I research the subject.

Answer 10

um nope not at all. i just think that one little part of his brain was obviously illogical. thats all.

the same thing could be said about kirk cameron except i dont think anyone wants the chiquita fighting banana man on their side.