In the first place our warped natures, the devils who tempt us, and all the contemporary propaganda for lust, combine to make us feel that the desires we are resisting are so 'natural', so 'healthy', and so reasonable, that it is almost perverse and abnormal to resist them.
-Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis
This is dangerous territory because it's so ingrained in our culture today. In fact, it's so ingrained in culture that I guarantee most people would think these views of C.S. Lewis are old and ridiculous! That is also why it is such a critical topic for today. Lewis wrote these words around 1943, so think about how much has changed in this world since then. Think about how much more propaganda is out there targeting us to give in to temptation of whatever kind. We deserve it. It's normal. Everyone is doing it.
One reason I am loving life without TV is that it is one facility where I am not being inundated with such nonsense that is prevalent in shows and in commercials. The messages that are slowly being slipped into even the most 'family-friendly' shows is steering our culture to even more loss of virtue. I am discovering that I am more thoughtful when I do watch something.
Another dangerous thing is that, like all lies, it is based on a truth. Many of these things we are tempted by are not in-and-of-themselves bad at all. That is true. However, misused and misguided they can easily be.
But we are all seeking to be happy in life, right? We are told to do whatever it takes to be happy. Who is making this stuff up? (hint- he might have hoofs and horns)
For any happiness, even in this world, quite a lot of restraint is going to be necessary; so the claim made by every desire, when it is strong, to be healthy and reasonable, counts for nothing. Every sane and civilised man must have some set of principles by which he chooses to reject some of his desires and to permit others. (pg 100)
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