(cont'd from yesterday's post)
Lewis was a professor at Magdalen College in Oxford when someone else started the Socratic Club and asked him to be its first president in 1942. Its purpose was to apply the Socratic principle to one specific matter: the pros and cons of Christianity.
They "scoured Who's Who" to invite well-qualified atheists to come and present their arguments. They wanted to listen - to hear not the weakest, but rather the best arguments that the other side had to offer. The case in favor of Christianity would also be heard.
Magdalen College, Oxford
Inaccurate misunderstandings may drive bitter division between the two sides, especially (Lewis said) in a "large and talkative community" like the university. This format would produce clarity. Some say that religion is too sacred to be debated publicly. Lewis said that it absolutely must be talked about.
In controversial issues, both sides think themselves right and the other side wrong. Let's not silence the other side, but hear and answer it. Civilly and respectfully.
We are spiritual beings. We want to know the truth.
from God in the Dock, pp 126-128
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