“Some people write heavily, some write lightly. I prefer the light approach because I believe there is a great deal of false reverence about. There is too much solemnity and intensity in dealing with sacred matters; too much speaking in holy tones.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“Some people write heavily, some write lightly. I prefer the light approach because I believe there is a great deal of false reverence about. There is too much solemnity and intensity in dealing with sacred matters; too much speaking in holy tones.”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis critiques the overly solemn and intense tone that is often used when discussing sacred matters, such as religion, faith, or spirituality. He suggests that there is a certain false reverence—a kind of pretentiousness—in taking these topics too seriously or with too much intensity. Lewis himself favored a lighter approach, where the sacred is treated with honesty and joy, rather than with forced seriousness or overwrought solemnity. He believed that humor and a lighter tone could often be more authentic and accessible when exploring deep or sacred topics, as opposed to the pompous or distant language that can sometimes alienate or obscure the true meaning.
Historically, Lewis, who wrote both as a theologian and a writer of children’s literature, understood the power of language to communicate profound truths in ways that were both intelligible and engaging. In his works, such as The Chronicles of Narnia and Mere Christianity, Lewis often approached spirituality and theological ideas with a blend of intellect and warmth, using accessible and often playful language to engage readers while still maintaining the depth of the topic. He saw the danger in making religious topics so heavy and inaccessible that they became off-putting, and he advocated for a tone that would invite people into the conversation, rather than making it feel like something distant or overly formal.
In the modern context, this quote challenges the tendency toward seriousness that often accompanies discussions of faith and spirituality today. There is a cultural expectation that sacred subjects should always be treated with a kind of reverential distance or intensity, but Lewis’s perspective suggests that genuine spirituality does not need to be heavy-handed or alienating. A lighter approach to sacred matters, one that retains reverence without pomposity, can make these topics more approachable and relatable, allowing for a deeper engagement with the truths they convey. Lewis’s words encourage us to embrace joy, humor, and authenticity in the way we discuss and live out sacred truths, making them more inclusive and human rather than overly formal or intimidating.
