CS Lewis on Fake News

[MaybeACoordinator 8349]

Quote

"The real test is this. Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one’s first feeling, 'Thank God, even they aren’t quite so bad as that,' or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies are as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see grey as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally we shall insist on seeing everything — God and our friends and ourselves included — as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred." -- CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

Right and left alike are guilty of clinging to the worst possible versions of stories, even after they've been totally or partially debunked, in order to score points. Trouble is, those are false victories, and they are tearing this country apart. 

I honestly feel like we are hurtling towards a Civil War over ideology. This proposed California break-up thing is yet another firebell in the night. 

So let go of what you want to believe and let God tell you what's real and true. 

[TornACL 7674]

Everyone on our side is Jesus and everyone on their side is Hitler.

[Jiggy-Z 3432]

13 minutes ago, MaybeACoordinator said:

Right and left alike are guilty of clinging to the worst possible versions of stories, even after they've been totally or partially debunked, in order to score points. Trouble is, those are false victories, and they are tearing this country apart. 

I honestly feel like we are hurtling towards a Civil War over ideology. This proposed California break-up thing is yet another firebell in the night. 

So let go of what you want to believe and let God tell you what's real and true. 

So to recap:

A nice quote by CS Lewis>

Both sides.

Something about California.

Let God tell you what to do.

Not sure if serious.

[longhornsftmfw 129]

16 minutes ago, MaybeACoordinator said:

So let go of what you want to believe and let God tell you what's real and true. 

Trolling brilliance, right here folks.

[MaybeACoordinator 8349]

By God I mean your better nature. I am an agnostic, for the record. 

If the California into three states thing comes about, it will be as divisive to the rest of America as the expansion of slavery into the western territories was in the 1840s and '50s. This time around, it will be purely about ideology rather a single issue like slavery. 

We are hardening into warring camps, neither of which will give the other side the benefit of the doubt even if the facts say we should. 

Edited June 13, 2018 by MaybeACoordinator

[MaybeACoordinator 8349]

And if you don't think Putin's army of Trollskis hasn't been using this tendency of ours to demonize the other side, you are delusional and / or ignorant. 

[longhornsftmfw 129]

I agree with the warring factions part, I was mostly pointing out the irony of a statement about beliefs that says to turn to God. I haven't read up much on the California split, are they citing political reasons or economic?

[F250 28674]

The context of the piece quoted is regarding forgiveness. Earlier, Lewis discusses the justness of punishment and self-defense but goes on to discuss not being consumed with vengeance to the point that you dehumanize others and allow yourself to be changed by the wrongs that were committed against you.

Very appropriate quote.

[Caracara 41]

9 minutes ago, F250 said:

... but goes on to discuss not being consumed with vengeance to the point that you dehumanize others and allow yourself to be changed by the wrongs that were committed against you.

Very appropriate quote.

And be not conformed to this world:

[Thetexashammer 1062]

On 6/13/2018 at 12:29 PM, MaybeACoordinator said:

We are hardening into warring camps, neither of which will give the other side the benefit of the doubt even if the facts say we should. 

Disagree. Social Justice Warriors (aka The Left) are losing. And badly. People just don't know it because of the media.

[Thetexashammer 1062]

It is the job of professional politicians, and their hangers on, to fling poo. It's what politicians do best. Parties exist to get their members reelected. So I don't blame them, per se.

However, it is the job of citizens to hold politicians responsible for their actions. And politicians are the most immoral people alive. The failure here is not on them, it is on the people here who don't care about policy but care about motives. 

It makes no sense to suggest that if Nazis were for low taxes, I should be for the opposite. The merits of the policy matter, nor the motives of the supporters. People who bring up motives are the worst people. They are despicable. They are race baiters. They have no argument, so they fling poo. Policy matters, not personal feelings.

That normal Americans see other Americans as the enemy is pathetic. It isn't an elementary cafeteria food fight. The enemy is the government and being divided and afraid plays into their hands perfectly. It gives them the power to manipulate, control, and to herd you like cattle and you'll never even be aware of it. 

Edited June 16, 2018 by Thetexashammer

[JBJ 3648]

On 6/13/2018 at 12:10 PM, MaybeACoordinator said:

The real test is this. Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one’s first feeling, 'Thank God, even they aren’t quite so bad as that,' or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies are as bad as possible?

This is designed as an introspective test on loving your enemies - determining whether you choose to view them in a good or bad light.  Fake news works because we often choose the latter.