Well, I guess it helps, if you haven't read the book, the character of Puddleglum is actually an ultra-realist. This is about his first hopeful line in the novel. He's more likely to give out inadvertent black humor:
And you must always remember there's one good thing about being trapped down here: it'll save funeral expenses.
He's arguing that, at a practical level, if something is real or not is kind of beside the point if that belief causes you to act good. The speech isn't about heaven, Rakuen. It's about the Christian call to do good deeds. He is rebutting a villain who's arguing since there is no God, there is no good, so they might as well give up their fantasy quest now. He's saying his beliefs may be wrong, but they're getting the goddamn job done, so who cares?
It's also a message for Christians who have doubts, who may feel self-loathing or depression due to feelings of hypocrisy. Both this and later books make clear that Lewis, at least, believes if you act like a Christian, you are a Christian.
It's basically "fake it 'til you make it", except British.
Well, I guess it helps, if you haven't read the book, the character of Puddleglum is actually an ultra-realist. This is about his first hopeful line in the novel. He's more likely to give out inadvertent black humor:
He's arguing that, at a practical level, if something is real or not is kind of beside the point if that belief causes you to act good. The speech isn't about heaven, Rakuen. It's about the Christian call to do good deeds. He is rebutting a villain who's arguing since there is no God, there is no good, so they might as well give up their fantasy quest now. He's saying his beliefs may be wrong, but they're getting the goddamn job done, so who cares?
It's also a message for Christians who have doubts, who may feel self-loathing or depression due to feelings of hypocrisy. Both this and later books make clear that Lewis, at least, believes if you act like a Christian, you are a Christian.
It's basically "fake it 'til you make it", except British.