Compare And Contrast Religion And Rocketry By C. S. Lewis
‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’ was more effective than Out of the Silent Planet for C.S. Lewis to express his thoughts about life on other planets and how they relate to us. There are many ways to express a thought or opinion. An author can choose to communicate his opinion through a non-fictional source, like C.S. Lewis did in ‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’, or through a fictional source. C.S. Lewis communicated the same idea he did in ‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’ through a completely fictional story called Out of the Silent Planet. Normally, a fictional story is the best way to reach out and connect with readers, but in this particular instance, an essay worked so much better. The topic of both works is the same. C.S. Lewis is addressing the possibility
of life on other planets. In ‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’, readers are led through a series of hypothetical questions that lead back to one answer: extraterrestrial life is not plausible, and the Christians and Scientists cannot reconcile long enough to reach this conclusion. In Out of the Silent Planet, life is found, and the scenario gets as bad as it could possibly be. Both works pay attention to a giant factor, human nature, and the disastrous effects this factor would bring about. These works are similar because, as previously stated, they express the same beliefs. For example, aliens are a huge part of both works. Out of the Silent Planet featured Hrossi, Seroni, and Pfifltriggi. Those three species had rational souls and were saved. C.S. Lewis addresses the issue of rational souls multiple places in ‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’. Both works spoke of an all-powerful creator who loves all he creates. In Out of the Silent Planet, it’s Maleldil. In ‘’Religion and Rocketry’’, it’s God. These two works have some major differences. First of all, there’s the way the issue is addressed. In ‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’ everything is purely hypothetical. Out of the Silent Planet gives life to these hypothetical creatures. Another difference is the state of these creature’s souls. ‘Religion and Rocketry’ clearly states that these aliens (who probably aren’t even real) might not even have souls or be capable of rational thought. Out of the Silent Planet, however, gives readers aliens that have both souls and are capable of rational thought. To sum it all up, there are two options. There is fictional story that is the product of many a dream or nightmare. This story is a lie, albeit an entertaining one, but it’s still a lie. There is a non-fictional essay that doesn’t lie to its readers. It offers interesting new perspectives and entertains hypothetical questions in an efficient way. It’s obvious that ‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’ is better because it’s short, to the point, and doesn’t leave any lingering ‘‘what-ifs’’.
of life on other planets. In ‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’, readers are led through a series of hypothetical questions that lead back to one answer: extraterrestrial life is not plausible, and the Christians and Scientists cannot reconcile long enough to reach this conclusion. In Out of the Silent Planet, life is found, and the scenario gets as bad as it could possibly be. Both works pay attention to a giant factor, human nature, and the disastrous effects this factor would bring about. These works are similar because, as previously stated, they express the same beliefs. For example, aliens are a huge part of both works. Out of the Silent Planet featured Hrossi, Seroni, and Pfifltriggi. Those three species had rational souls and were saved. C.S. Lewis addresses the issue of rational souls multiple places in ‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’. Both works spoke of an all-powerful creator who loves all he creates. In Out of the Silent Planet, it’s Maleldil. In ‘’Religion and Rocketry’’, it’s God. These two works have some major differences. First of all, there’s the way the issue is addressed. In ‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’ everything is purely hypothetical. Out of the Silent Planet gives life to these hypothetical creatures. Another difference is the state of these creature’s souls. ‘Religion and Rocketry’ clearly states that these aliens (who probably aren’t even real) might not even have souls or be capable of rational thought. Out of the Silent Planet, however, gives readers aliens that have both souls and are capable of rational thought. To sum it all up, there are two options. There is fictional story that is the product of many a dream or nightmare. This story is a lie, albeit an entertaining one, but it’s still a lie. There is a non-fictional essay that doesn’t lie to its readers. It offers interesting new perspectives and entertains hypothetical questions in an efficient way. It’s obvious that ‘‘Religion and Rocketry’’ is better because it’s short, to the point, and doesn’t leave any lingering ‘‘what-ifs’’.