A Classroom Discussion

Four modernists walk into a classroom to find one large table surrounded by black desk chairs. At the head of the table, another modernist sits quietly waiting, ready to moderate their discussion. The man is Fyodor Dostoevsky and he is prepared to facilitate a very interesting discussion. The other modernists, Nietzsche, Lewis, Tolkien, and Freud, enter the room and take their seats around the large table.

Dostoevsky: [shifts his papers thoughtfully as the men sit, talking to himself] It has come to my attention that students struggle to determine if I am right or if I am wrong. I have often asked myself that very same question–do I know what it is to be moral? I believe that I do, but there is great fun in pretending that I do not. Why! [he exclaims] some might say a man must know what morality truly is in order to act like he does not. [glancing up from his papers to address four men] Well, Mr. Nietzsche, Dr. Freud, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Tolkien, welcome to the discussion room. I am so pleased to have you here. I was beginning to get bored of myself. Would one of you like to discuss anything?

Freud: I do have some things to say, now that you mention it. I see I’m surrounded by men who think quite differently, and I would like to discuss the unfortunate concept of religion. I know Mr. Nietzsche here vehemently disagrees, like me, with the comrades sitting over there. [he points to Lewis and Tolkien] The fact is, I’m more inclined to science. Religion is based on feeling, and “it is not easy to deal scientifically with feelings” (4). 

Dostoevsky: Alright, alright, thank you Dr. Freud. Let us journey then to discuss religion. I am sure we all have our own strong opinions.

Nietzsche: You, sir, are absolutely right. I do have strong opinions on this very subject–well, actually I would rather call them facts. There is no need for religion. It is a plain fact. [Lewis scoffs and Nietzsche turns to face the side of the table where he and Tolkien sit] It is clear that these two men abide by religion, and, even worse, they regard themselves as Christians. Well, to that I must say, “in Christianity neither morality nor religion come into contact with reality at any point (137). Not only that, but, I hear so much talk about the Church that I can hardly bear it. “Christianity negates the Church,” after all, by that I mean the very precepts of the religion revolt against the order and structure of the Church, against “the good and the just” (151). So, I would like to know why men flock to such a feeble belief system–religion, ha. [Nietzsche laughs sarcastically]

Freud: Mr. Nietzsche, I think we could be great friends. Your proposal that religion is worthless really grabbed my attention. However, I know you want an answer to your question. So many believe in that worthless religion because they fall prey to the “oceanic” feeling (3). I myself am proud to announce that I find this feeling nowhere in myself. That sense of eternity, that feeling of connection to the external world, is absolutely pointless no matter what these men might say. [Freud turns to face Lewis and Tolkien]

Dostoevsky: Mr. Tolkien, Mr. Lewis, I believe they would like to hear you speak.

Tolkien: [gives a sideways glance at Lewis with a grin before speaking] To those who have spoken thus far, you are correct in assuming that I disagree. Religion–Christianity–is vital to society. Every man needs it to help him get along, to give him guiding principles, to know right from wrong. But more than that, I must say, there is no other way to be fulfilled and reunited with the Creator. I understand that you do not believe in any of that, but I urge you to reconsider. I do not wish to see you perish. Oh! Speaking of perish, think of the character in my story “Leaf by Niggle;” Parish would have perished if it were not for his neighbor bringing him into faith. You see, men, that Christianity allows us to be perfected by the higher power that is God. Faith in Him allows us to go “on living and working together” (113). Don’t you, my fellow scholars, wish to go on living and working at your learning, even after death? That is the promise of the Christian religion.

Lewis: Good on you, Johnny Boy! [Lewis claps Tolkien jovially on the back before facing the other men] My friend, Mr. Tolkien has just elucidated why you should be a Christian. Did you know that he is the one who converted me to the religion? It is true, he did. Now, I want to tell you why it is dangerous not to be a person of faith. The ruthless pursuit of knowledge that men subscribe to when their knowledge is not based in the subject of the Christian religion, that is Christ, runs the risk of becoming like the villains in my book, Out of the Silent Planet. Weston, my villain, is a renowned physicist on Earth where he can subscribe to that ruthless pursuit of progress and knowledge (15). But because he does not have religion and he does not have Christ, his knowledge is useless when he arrives on Malacandra (127). Alternatively, my protagonist, Ransom, is welcomed by everyone on Malacandra because he holds to the Christian perspective of knowledge and progress; he is even told that when he has “need, some of [the people of Malacandra] will help” (142). So, you see, Christianity is not what you say it is. [Lewis sits]

Tolkien: Very good. Now Mr. Dostoevsky?

Dostoevsky: Dr. Freud, Mr. Nietzsche… I must say that, even though I have gone back and forth in my life, I agree with Mr. Lewis and Mr. Tolkien. It is you who have been “deceiving yourselves” not they (130). With that, let us depart. Gentlemen.[he nods with finality and leaves]