Alissa Ruddell wrote a post in the style of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. The subject of the latest letter from the demonic Uncle Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood is the smartphone. Screwtape tries to get Wormwood to sabotage a mother by intensifying her relationship with her phone.
While there is always some danger in letting a parable prick the conscience, the risk is worth it as long as she doesn’t do anything about her guilt. Static turmoil is a decent substitute for outright disobedience. Even if she writes a cheeky, remorseful blog post on the topic of smartphones, it will be harmless as long as her habits remain unchanged and are (in her mind) unchangeable. Humor borne of despair is the icing on the cake for us, unless of course she begins to pray for help. God have mercy as a joke or an excuse is quite the treat, but God have mercy as a genuine prayer is not to be borne.
I have to admit being moved by the piece to put down my iPad and pick up The Arabian Nights to read to my youngest son.
→ My Dear Wormwood: A Screwtape Letter on the Art of Smartphone Addiction
