Sunday, January 9, 2011

We Have No Right To Happiness

Do we or do we not have a right to happiness? C.S. Lewis contemplates that question in his article entitled "We Have No 'Right to Happiness.'" He uses the example of two couples who are getting divorces because they are no longer happy with their partners: Mr. A and Mrs. A, and Mr. B and Mrs. B. In turn, Mr. A is getting married to Mrs. B because both of their spouses seemed to not meet the requirements to make Mr. A and Mrs. B happy. Lewis then explores the lawful amount that humans are able to pursue happiness. He decides that the underlying reason for happiness is usually sexual happiness, and that people tend to be unfaithful in order to gain the most happiness. He later goes on to make two final points about unfaithfulness: Women are more adversely affected, and that unfaithfulness soon is seen in every aspect of life.

I agree with Lewis' point about how infidelity seems to be accepted as long as it provides the most happiness. He uses a character, Clare, as an example of how the world thinks. She thought that it was okay for couples A and B to divorce because "After all, they had a right to happiness." Lewis says: "Clare, in fact, is doing what the whole western world seems to me to have been doing for the last 40-odd years." This seems to be a huge problem in today's society. Many of the top news stories revolve around people, usually celebrities, getting caught using illegal drugs, or getting so drunk that they turn violent against their friends and family. These are definitely things that should not be done; however, sexual promiscuity and infidelity usually do not make the morning's top headlines. There are, of course, exceptions, but for the most part infidelity seems to be accepted, simply because it seemingly provides people with the most happiness and therefore there seems to be nothing wrong with this. How has our culture become so twisted? The 7th Commandment says "You shall not commit adultery" (Deut. 5:18). I don't think God's commands can get much clearer than that; yet infidelity seems to be widely accepted.

Maybe what God wants us to do is different than what seems to make us completely happy, at least at first. That being said, Lewis makes two final points in the end of his essay that quickly decreases the appeal of being unfaithful. I do agree that women are adversely affected by infidelity, but I do think that men should not be taken out of the equation. They can definitely be emotionally affected by it as well. Also, Lewis points out that once a person starts to be unfaithful to their spouse, unfaithfulness starts to spread in all aspects of their life. I think that this can be prevented by taking it all to God. If one confesses what he/she has done wrong and is truly repentant, they can stop the effects of unfaithfulness, because God will give them a second chance. Every time. I think that as long as we keep God in the equation and put his law above all else, in the long run we will be more happy than ever thought possible.

3 comments:

  1. I really like what you said in the last paragraph about how as long as God is involved, problems like infidelity and unfaithfulness in all aspects of life will be prevented. So often, (especially in today's society) we're always trying to fix our problems ourselves. If our marriage isn't going to well, we go to counseling or talk to our friends about it. I'm not saying that counseling is unnecessary because it can help greatly but what if instead of paying hundreds of dollars, we talked to God about it for free? What I mean to say is, I think we need to include God in every aspect of our lives (the good and the bad) and that way, happiness will never be too far off. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like how you incorporated the 10 commandments into the picture. It really is so true that society breaks marriage fidelity so easily, but there is such a clear commandment against it from God. How on earth are we not getting the picture. I often wonder if this is closely related to all the stories of people on their 3rd or 4th marriages. Did they divorce because of infidelity, or perhaps they were both bored with each other and wanted something new, so they divorced first. It bothers me quite a bit that some people seem to put so little effort into the relationship, focusing only on the physical aspect. We must all strive away from this. Great ideas, katie!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like your last paragraph about the decreased appeal of unfaithfulness. Its true and you see it so much more today than what you would have even a few years ago. If we include God in every relationship and pray for healthy and loving relationships, no matter if we are friends or spouses, then I think God will follow through. Good post!

    ReplyDelete