The great Anglican apologist C. S. Lewis was raised in Belfast. I believe it is â??hearsayâ? evidence, but for what itâ??s worth, I once heard Catholic philosopher and apologist Peter Kreeft in a radio interview speak about a discussion between Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien (of Lord of the Rings fame), in which Lewis was why he hadnâ??t become a Catholic. Lewis is reputed to have replied (paraphrase): â??If you had grown up in Belfast, you would understand and wouldnâ??t ask me that question.â? Tolkien also is reported to have referred tongue-in-cheek to Lewisâ?? â??Ulsterior motivesâ? for not becoming Catholic.
If this is a true report, I think it is at least admirable of Lewis to honestly admit his biases (we all have them), and to acknowledge that they had a sort of irrational but profound effect on his position. Several commenters and experts on Lewis allude to very similar themes. For example, Joseph Pearce, in his book, C. S. Lewis and the Catholic Church (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2003) stated:
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