Golden Compass being pulled from library shelves

Wasn't a Catholic organization trying to get rid of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code? And weren't these the same accusations about the Harry Potter series, which turns out, is full of positive religious overtones?

However, because I don't purposefully select books that are religious in nature I generally never see the religious/anti-or the like that's been stated to exist, for instance I would have never gathered anything about The Golden Compass atheism until this posting, I had no idea LoTR was a reflection of Catholic beliefs, no idea Chronicles of Narnia were Protestant, and wouldn't have gathered anything religious about Harry Potter until JKR's public statements and the ending sequences. Although I have always, even in any English classes I have taken, been against the idea that I was to evaluate what the author was thinking. I like to focus on the story and perhaps some relevant references to other epics or puns on character names. I think it's interesting knowing the political climates when the book was written or certain portrayls the author believes he/she has done, but I would never assume as such. I like developing my own theories from books, which are usually inconsistent with what the author's believes they have portrayed.

Reagarding jesusita's quotes I think Pullman thought it was hilarious that his book, being purposefully anti-religious in nature was not catching any "flak," but JKR was and her's turns out is a positive religious epic. I think Pullman was making those comments, because he believed that's what the Catholic Church, if they actually paid attention to it, would claim that his books corrupt children. I don't think he meant anything negative with corrupting children, I think this is more of a statement against presumptions than anything. Anyways most children, dependent on the age range, will not even pick up on such huge philosophical or theological themes unless they have been taught to do so, they are just too abstract of ideas.

I agree there shouldn't be censoring on books like these, but if the only censoring that is happening is within their grounds of control than I don't think I should have any say in the matter. Although, I would think the teachers could use these books as teaching tools and development of children's thought processes rather than banning. It's funny though, because there are some seriously sexually explicit novels that you can pick up anywhere, even gas stations, and there isn't an uproar within the religious communities about those. You would think with the current regulations on mass media, TV, movies, and music eventually they would move to ban these books versus the aforementioned ones. I guess they just have to garner a certain amount of publicity before certain religious sects begin conducting a publicity stunt themselves. Just shows they are interested in setting their own agenda versus eradicating the world of "evil" influences. Can you really buy that the Catholic church believes with the banning of these books they will get rid of any skepticisms children may have later on in life about religion? You can only control so much, time to educate children instead of pretending you know the best course for the world.

Saw this and just had to post my two cents.

Maybe I need to read the books again.

My husband and I loved these books. We read them and then bought several sets as gifts for all the kids we know and a few adults, too. But I don't remember any overt anti-religious agenda being evident in any of them. I just thought they were terrific, complex books for older children.

Sure, I remember about the souls being outside the body, but...

Let me admit that my husband and I are both athiests and so maybe we weren't looking for problems. We were just looking for good books to read and we love science fiction. Is it possible we didn't notice anything anti-religious because it's not an issue for us? Can someone specify some of the problem parts?

I read that the Catholics are banning the books just because the author is an athiest, not necessarily because of anything in the books. Okay, it's their school. They don't get public money and they choose their students using their own criteria, students whose parents pay the school for the education. So they can ban any book they want and they can ban any author they want. For any reason. It's their loss, and just one more example of why so many of us are turned off by religion.

Like Elise, I was annoyed by the anti-religion aspect of it-- more because I just felt that he still could have pointed out the problems inherent in any large institution, religious, secular, or otherwise, and the power struggles in which institutional actors engage without making it so Religion Bad, No Religion Good! It was the one part of the series that strained credulity. But the story in general is wonderful, and worth the annoyance of the rabid atheism.

I'm perfectly happy to let parents decide what their kids should read. I am not happy for anyone outside the home to tell kids what they should read-- seems like the Catholic school boards have bought right in to what Pullman was trying to prove, and are doing his work for him.

I was wondering when a post would turn up here on this issue. I also plan to read this soon, in part (if not completely) due to the controversy. I remember passing on this book a while back, I thought the story sounded like something I've already read before. As such, I don't have an opinion on the material yet, but I agree with Leaustin, if there is a message in this book that concerns parents or groups, the best way to overcome the concern is to discuss it, openly and frankly. Any child old enough to read this book is old enough to have a conversation about the ideas presented.

Hmm. Have you read the other books? Book 3 is especially anti-religion.

I had no idea who Pullman was before I read the books. But after learning that the author is an atheist, I wasn't surprised.

Elise Bauer
Simply Recipes ( http://www.elise.com/recipes )
Learning Movable Type ( http://www.learningmovabletype.com )

I definitely agree that his agenda is too overt. My husband and I read the first one some time back and dove into the next two (finishing them), but were a bit put off by his putting his agenda ahead of the storyline (sadly, as we agreed that the storyline could have been a very imaginative and exciting read).

Pullman himself has said some very interesting things in the press, prior to the movie's coming out, about how he was attempting to "kill God" in the minds of children and even boasted back in 2003 that he was getting away with it because J.K. Rowling was taking all the flak instead. (Source: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/12/10711256... ) His intentions are clear from other interviews he gave years ago, but people still seem to insist that he wasn't attempting to further his own agenda. He used to frequently and readily admit that he was indeed attacking organized religion and a belief in God. Such things that are currently said about him are true of what he was spouting before the movie was filmed.

The most interesting thing is seeing him back off in interviews now that he wants people to see the movie. I've seen and read more recent interviews where he's been asked about his atheistic views and he says now that people are to take from the books what they will. Just fascinating.

That said, I do not agree with banning or censoring these books. All books should be checked out for age appropriate materials anyway, prior to letting children read them, and I'm a big fan of knowing what your children are reading. If they are old enough to think through their own belief systems, then the books are a great tool for discussing world views and belief systems. There is nothing wrong with allowing children to think and decide things for themselves, if they are ready for such thought processes. I've never understood banning or censoring books anyway, since that usually makes a person more likely to read it to see what all the fuss is about. *laughs* I know I would have when I was a kid.

jess
Bumblebee Dreams ( http://takeflightwithinconsideratewings.wordpress.... )

Well, each person comes into an experience with their own perspective and sometimes preconceived notions. The Golden Compass or the Chronicles of Narnia can affect people in different ways, some seeing religious (or atheist) references and others just seeing a good story. Those who see things they do not agree with, should take that as an opportunity to discuss with others their ideas and thoughts instead of being frightened or angry at the mere thought that other people might be allowed to see or read such things. Just as the recent rash of anti-God/religion books such as The God Delusion should not be feared but brought out into the light of day for dissection.

From a school's perspective, they do have to be sensitive about the appropriateness of religious proselytizing, even the proselitizing of the "religion" of atheism, in a school setting. Haven't read the book, can't speak to that, but it sounds like more of a Harry Potter-type problem.

Linda
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
http://moonbridgeblog.blogspot.com

Personally, I stopped reading it because I thought it was boring. But that's just me. The movie looks much more exciting and the bear is cute so of course I want to see the movie. In the over half of the book I did read I don't recall much anti-Christian shenanigans... but then again Harry Potter was the spawn of Satan or something, right? People don't like books that get kids to read and USE THEIR IMAGINATIONS.

Because imaginations are anti-Christian, don't you know. ;)

I listened to The Golden Compass on CD this time last year when Tucker and I drove home for Christmas. We thoroughly enjoyed the book and I was thrilled to learn that it is actually one of three.

When I found out that Book 1 had been made into a movie, I was beside myself.

And then, I started reading the controversy surrounding the book/movie and my father-in-law forwarded me a slanderous junk email about how everyone should ban the movie and how Pullman is trying to convert all of America's children to "atheism".

Tucker and I have discussed this subject at length and neither he, nor I, thinks that any of the books have an anti-religious agenda; we feel that they tell a wonderful, detailed story and that's it.

I don't think that this would be an issue if Pullman was Methodist or Baptist or Catholic instead of an "out of the closet" atheist.

Amy
http://TasteLikeCrazy.com
http://IronicGamer.com

I read these books years ago and really enjoyed the creativity of the story line. As a practicing Catholic though, I was annoyed by Pullman's overt anti-religious agenda; I felt that he kept battering me, the reader, with it over an over again, and that it detracted from the story. In fact, it was so strong that I got the sense that the story was just a vehicle for Pullman's anti-religious views. That said, I'm looking forward to seeing the film.

Elise Bauer
Simply Recipes ( http://www.elise.com/recipes )
Learning Movable Type ( http://www.learningmovabletype.com )