Woah there. I've got a long standing rule against debating religion on the internet, because it's about as productive as breaking rocks by hand, but slightly more painful. I just linked that article because I thought it was an interesting take on the subject, and doesn't really rely on any Christian underpinning to reach its conclusion. That said, if your response to it boils down to, as I read it, 'Christians can only make Christian arguments and in my view all Christian arguments are wrong' then there's nothing I can say to defend it: forget I mentioned it. The only way through that particular blockade is pages and pages of arguing religion, for which I refer you to my first point. 
Couple things:
The point I was trying to make was not that Christians can only make Christian arguments - my point was that C.S. Lewis WAS making a Christian argument in the article you linked. He mentioned the scripture several times throughout the essay, and talked about "What bad men actually deserve". It seems clear to me that his motivations were Christian. I could be completely wrong, but regardless, I still think he has no idea what he's talking about.
Secondly, I appreciate your desire not to start any fires by arguing religion online, but would you be more comfortable discussing religion in person? It seems to be me that most people who say they don't want to discuss religion online, simply mean they don't want to discuss religion. That's fine with me, as the AI War forums probably aren't the best place; but I think that religion in America is something that needs to be discussed. This social stigma we have against talking about it is extremely harmful, because I consider it to be one of the main problems with the country. The current war on gay rights is a great example. So in other words, I think it's pretty disingenious to defend something if you're not willing to explain your reasons why (which I would be happy to do so with you in another venue).
Everyone's worldview prevents them from "seeing things clearly", whatever that might mean. That's not even a postmodernist point. It's just obvious.
In the example we're discussing, one person's worldview was backed up by evidence and reason, the other person's seemed to be a religious rant on why people should be punished.
Also, the meaning of "seeing things clearly" should be pretty obvious, unless you think that nothing is true or real, in which case I have no desire to continue discussing with you. I simply mean some people see the truth of reality better than others do, because they have no religious biases and can make decisions based on the evidence, not ancient tradition.
My worldview, for instance, leads me to see any outright vilification, denigration or simple dismissal of others' worldviews - capitalism, Christianity, whatever - as laughably misguided.
It wasn't intended to be an outright villification, though it may have seemed that way. Everything I said about Christianity is true is it not? We are born in sin and must accept human sacrifice or spend eternity in hellfire. If you actually believe that madness it WOULD taint your perception of human beings wouldn't it?
I think if you have a problem with that you have a problem with Christianity, not my explanation of it.
Secondly, consider the topic we're discussing. We're talking about punishing people, often for their entire lives, for a single mistake. We're talking about vilifying a human being for something that could probably be fixed through rehabilitation. I'm sorry, but if you want to take the stance that punishing a human being and taking away their life is helpful to society, you better be ready to back that up. You better be ready to back your motives for that up. If your motives are Christianity (which C.S. Lewis' seemed to be), then you better be ready to back those up too. This isn't something I'm going to take lightly, nor should you.
But as with Bob, I've no desire to get involved in a theologically-based conversation on the internet or anywhere else, frankly - they rarely end well for anyone!
Unfortunately I must point out that your stance on this issue (the default stance) is very harmful to society. Sometimes, people's feelings need to be hurt because there's something they need to hear. If we never discuss the main problems behind our nation (which I think are religion and politics) how can they ever get fixed?
The AI War forums may not be the place, but I'm happy to discuss it with you anywhere you would like.
