Beetle's Book and Word Thread

[driver]

I wasn't a fan of that one as well. I can imagine it being interesting read in the era that it came out.

[trout-r-us]

Not really my favorite. Finally finished it today. Had to drag myself through this.

You cannot view this attachment.

Perhaps you were born into a generation too late to appreciate, much as I find with myself and some of the newer stuff being put out there. 🤔

[trout-r-us]

As a christian apologist, I believe Lewis went over the edge with this one. I have more respect for the nuns we had as teachers, when asked the tough questions would merely state "we can't explain it, as it is a mystery".
His assessment of and downplay of pain would suggest that he had not been exposed to any type of serious , chronic , and long lasting incurable types of pain. Lucky him.

You cannot view this attachment.

[rbphoto]

As a christian apologist, I believe Lewis went over the edge with this one. I have more respect for the nuns we had as teachers, when asked the tough questions would merely state "we can't explain it, as it is a mystery".
His assessment of and downplay of pain would suggest that he had not been exposed to any type of serious , chronic , and long lasting incurable types of pain. Lucky him.

You cannot view this attachment.

Pain takes many forms and the predominant "pain" to which Lewis referred was not so much the typical "physical" pain, rather the suffering inherent in our lives as a whole. 

Having experienced lasting grief and emotional suffering in many forms, I think he was very articulate for his time. 

[Dee-Vo]

Another down.

You cannot view this attachment.

[rbphoto]

I am curious what led you to make the statement that he downplays pain or assessed it improperly.

Lewis experienced significant pain, suffering and grief during his lifetime.  If you want insight on his perspective read more of his books - "Surprised by Joy" - his autobiography of sorts, is a good start.    There are a ton of articles about his life as well.  Here's one:

https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/c-s-lewis-a-profile

Whatever you may believe, theologically, you can't deny that Lewis was an amazing writer.  He was a craftsman, gifted and able to communicate thoughts in ways that reached into the readers mind in new and insightful ways that, even today, endure and make one think deeply about life.

Lewis embraced mystery.  He simply put a different face on it.  Read some of his fiction.  It's evident in his characters and the storyline.

Raymond

[trout-r-us]

I've read a number of Lewis' books. Some I liked, some not so much.

"Problem of Pain", not so much.


Sample:
"Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say "My tooth is aching" than to say "My heart is broken."
― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

[rbphoto]

I've read a number of Lewis' books. Some I liked, some not so much.

"Problem of Pain", not so much.


Sample:
"Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say "My tooth is aching" than to say "My heart is broken."
― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

Do you believe he is downplaying physical pain because of that statement?

Doesn't physical pain also induce some level of mental pain?

I have countless stories of friends and family who struggle with both.  I think Lewis' statement you quoted is accurate.  We will talk about our physical pain much more openly than our mental pain.

Is your experience different?  Because I honestly have no idea what you've seen or experienced, so I am honestly asking why that quote strikes you as an improper assessment or downplaying pain.

Raymond

[trout-r-us]

I'm merely relaying my interpretation of his interpretation/opinion as to why a supposedly "loving god" would allow so much suffering.

Though I can respect him for making his best guess, I don't understand why he is so emphatic with statements such as "Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear." That is his opinion. I don't agree. Nothing more; nothing less.

[troutboy_II]

Too bad difference of opinion as wonderfully shown here, is no longer acceptable. And yes, that is a dig at our current administration.

Not sure what kind of VP Waltz would have made, but I appreciate his "mind your own damn business" quote. 

TB

[trout-r-us]

Quite amazing what humans can withstand in their fight for life.
Grann's writing is so descriptive at times that I could almost feel the motion of the ocean. The story ends in such a manner that could make one feel like throwing up.

"Empires preserve their power with the stories that they tell, but just as critical are the stories they don't- the dark silences they impose, the pages they tear out".
- David Grann in "The Wager"

You cannot view this attachment.

[trout-r-us]

Thanks for the tip on this one Woolly. 👍

I guess not everyone agrees with "All Men are Created Equal", or perhaps that "all men" are even all men, but rather some are a species unto themselves. 🤔

You cannot view this attachment.

[Woolly Bugger]

I couldn't appreciate Fred Chappell while I was in school at UNCG but have come to rediscover him later in life.

You cannot view this attachment.

And if you think this book doesn't have anything about fly fishing for trout in it, you'd be wrong.

[trout-r-us]

So much more meaningful than when last read as a 14 year old high school student.
Paine was quite the thinker, and as such his works are quite thought provoking.You cannot view this attachment.

[trout-r-us]

A well done review of authoritarian rulers of the past and present, and a feel for what we might be facing under Trump part 2.

Nothing trump has done thus far is new. Merely a repeat of what other dictators have done in the past in their efforts to destroy democracy.

I would recommend it for those that choose to be woke.

You cannot view this attachment.