Daniel Globig

The Question of God The Question of God: Theism vs. Naturalism

3.10.09

Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis differed greatly on the question of whether God existed or not. This was not always the case since at the beginning if C.S. Lewis life he was an atheist. His knowledge of atheism gave him a proper stance to later argue against Freuds arguments of atheism. Freud also came from a very religious family and associated the spiritual worldview with his father (16). In the argument of the question of God between theism and naturalism both actually hold certain truths and therefore both Lewis and Freud have very substantial arguments. C.S. Lewis is only more convincing because I have been instructed, as he has, by the Holy Spirit of God. Quite compelling is the question by Lewis concerning the universe. eventually Lewis wondered whether [its+ incredible vastness, its precision and order, and its enormous complexity reflected some kind of Intelligence. Is there Someone beyond the universe who created it? (36) This question is asked today by many in support of Intelligent Design. The great argument by Freud for why theists believe there is a God is a psychological argument which is as follows: all religious ideas are rooted in deep-seated wishes and are therefore illusions false beliefs. (41) He furthermore, expands into the idea that those wishes are projected from early childhood. C.S. Lewis response to Freuds argument seems to make more sense. C.S. Lewis countered Freuds wish fulfillment argument with the assertion that the biblical worldview involves a great deal of despair and pain and is certainly not anything one would wish for. (45) Then, Lewis expounded on the idea of wish fulfillment basically asserting there is a desire for every human which must be fulfilled (hunger for food, sexual desire for sex).

PHI 210

Theism vs. Naturalism

Dr. Brewer

Daniel Globig

The Question of God

3.10.09

In the argument of conscience concerning moral law Lewis states how the universal moral law cannot be ignored and presents, through our conscience, a signpost for the existence of a Creator. (59) When Freud argued moral law or ethics, as he stated, and the v olatility through time and culture Lewis countered that from one culture to another and through time you can recognize a clear law running through them all. So Lewis creates a stronger argument in this case because he uses the similarities of historic moral writings to show how like the past we still have the basically-same moral laws. Happiness what is it? Freud equates happiness with pleasure. (100) This pleasure, according to Freud, is satisfied the strongest when sexual (genital) love is experienced. Apparently this is the most important thing in regard to happiness but it short-lived and how could a God have a short-lived love on this earth. Lewis believes the plan of creation did indeed provide for out happiness. But something went wrong with th e plan. (103) Freud made a good point that happiness and pleasure is short-lived. Even Lewis agrees on this; at least while here on Earth humans will only experience pleasure, happiness, fun, and love (which all come from God) in partiality and they will never completely satisfy us. This world is not our home. Before Lewis conversion he saw life through the same lens as Freud - as pointless and hopeless which instilled quite a lot of depression in his life. Concerning sex, Freud argues how sex is basically the only climax we, as humans can reach thus defining sex as our pursuit and only purpose in this life. C.S. Lewis notices how Freud seems to understand only in a small detail how life, love, and sex are. In looking to see that being in love is more than the description Freud provides, Lewis gives a summary: Sexual

PHI 210

Theism vs. Naturalism

Dr. Brewer

Daniel Globig

The Question of God

3.10.09

desire wants it, the thing in itself; Eros *being in love+ wants the Beloved. (140) So as shown, love is much more than just the experiencing of sexual desire Freud describes. Love is further described by Freud; human love is basically in two categories, one being sexual (genital) love and the other being sexual desire which is unconscious. (160) Not surprising Lewis gives a two different and far superior categories; gift-love and need-love. These two categories seem to make more sense because after these two categories he then details them based on four smaller categories. Lewis seems to contrast Freud in that love is more complicated than Freud makes it to appear. The four loves involve family, friends, romantic love, and a love toward God or ones neighbor. (166) These different types of love were clearly gifts from God to us so we can sink our feet in the rich soils of it instead of just what is mostly sex (Freuds description). Unfortunately, love is not the only part of life which is on this Earth for humans during the duration of their lives. There is also exceeding pain. Pain infiltrates the very existence of humans. Both Freud and Lewis have asked the question, If God is sovereign, if He really is in charge of the universe and if He really loves me, then how could he allow me to suffer so? (187) When asked by Lewis during the first half of his (atheist) life this question was completely wondering why God if he really was loving would allow this suffering to take place but later he came answers for this question. After conversion, Lewis suggests the universe is temporarily in enemy hands. (205) He believed the New Testament description of how the universe contains a mighty evil spirit who inflicts death, disease, and sin. What about death? Why is there so much death in the world? Is this also brought on by a mighty evil spirit.

PHI 210

Theism vs. Naturalism

Dr. Brewer

Daniel Globig

The Question of God

3.10.09

The arguments of these two geniuses mean nothing unless their lives are scrutinized to see the validity of their own arguments. Concerning death C.S. Lewis had a much more happy ending both in the way he lived while he was on Earth and how he died according to his belief. Freud wrote: Our unconscious then does not believe in its own death; it behaves as if it were immortal. (218) His own life seems to contradict his own statement when he was noted saying he thought of death every day of his life. (221) C.S. Lewis was not worried about death and while he was living and when he died he was at peace and actually looking forward to death. His brother, Warren, wrote that Lewis knew he was going to die and was calm and peaceful in light of that awareness. (239) For many people today, the question of why God would allow death to take place makes people question if there really is a loving God at all. Which argument is more convicting? The argument of C.S. Lewis would not overplay the argument of Freud so much if one were not biased as a Christian. Everything in C.S. Lewis argument screams truth to a Christian but if a human was not convicted by the Holy Spirit both arguments have extremely adequate findings and legitimacies. Lewis and Freud thus did not prove their worldviews. Worldviews start from a beginning point and every human derives from a certain philosophy. After this philosophy is installed into ones mind the person then sifts all understanding and worldviews through the view of biased lens. Even Gods existence cannot be proved by anyone at all but the all-knowing Himself (assuming there is a God). This is for many reasons the main being - humans have such a finite understanding and humans do not even have the capacity to wrap their minds around infinite life as it is. If they could they would be God themselves.

PHI 210

Theism vs. Naturalism

Dr. Brewer

Daniel Globig

The Question of God

3.10.09

Source(s):

PHI 210

Theism vs. Naturalism

Dr. Brewer

Daniel Globig

The Question of God

3.10.09

The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life. Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr., 2002 Free Press

PHI 210

Theism vs. Naturalism

Dr. Brewer