Religion and Happiness

Religion and Happiness

Many people have posted thoughts about Victoria Osteen’s recent pronouncement about happiness. It reminded me of something C. S. Lewis said in a public forum when asked, “Which of the religions of the world gives to its followers the greatest happiness?”

Lewis responded: “Which of the religions of the world gives to its followers the greatest happiness? While it lasts, the religion of worshipping oneself is the best.

I have an elderly acquaintance of about eighty, who has lived a life of unbroken selfishness and self-admiration from the earliest years, and is, more or less, I regret to say, one of the happiest men I know. From the moral point of view it is very difficult! I am not approaching the question from that angle. As you perhaps know, I haven’t always been a Christian. I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity. I am certain there must be a patent American article on the market which will suit you far better, but I can’t give any advice on it.”

From God in the Dock, 58-59.

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