WARNING: LONG BLOG
*NOTE: I REALIZE THAT THIS IS AN OLD TOPIC, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET AND I'VE HEARD CONFLICTING OPINIONS ESPECIALLY REGARDING RELIGION. SO IF THIS IS OLD NEWS, THEN MY BADD, BUT I JUST THINK OF IT TO BE QUITE INTERESTING.
FIRST READ THE ARTICLE: Updated Thu. Dec. 20 2007 3:16 PM ET [CTV.ca News Staff ] "The Golden Compass" and two other books in the "His Dark Materials" trilogy have been banned indefinitely by the Halton Catholic District School Board despite a committee's recommendation that the titles remain on library shelves.
Board chair Alice Anne LeMay told CTV.ca that the committee found the books suitable for students in Grades 7 and up, but the majority of board members voted against the committee's report Tuesday night.
The book, written by popular British author and avowed atheist Philip Pullman, has won numerous awards, including the Maine Student Book Award and the American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults award.
"Philip Pullman's trilogy of atheistic ideology, carefully couched within the realm of fantasy for young readers, is in direct opposition to the mission statement and governing values of our board," the board's decision reads.
The trio of books was removed from library shelves last November after receiving a request for review from a member of the community. All three titles were available to students upon request.
The board set up a committee, made up of teacher, principals, trustees and consultants, to review the book and recommend whether it should be available to students.
LeMay said this is the first time a book has been banned from school libraries within the board. The three titles will not be made available to students upon request and will be "stored at the central board office for the time being."
She said the books were initially purchased for the schools because of the critical acclaim they received.
LeMay said she has received a minimal amount of calls from parents about the book and added that if parents want the trilogy for their children they can visit a public library or purchase copies.
"The board felt that because it really was in opposition of what we're trying to teach the children, there is a lot of literature out there that is more appropriate for teaching critical thinking," she said.
"Yes, we do want the children to be good critical thinkers but we can do it with other materials than that one."
Pullman, known for his "legendary atheism" in the British press, has never shied away from his controversial views on religion.
"The trouble is that all too often in human history, churches and priesthoods have set themselves up to rule people's lives in the name of some invisible god (and they're all invisible, because they don't exist) -- and done terrible damage," Pullman writes on his website.
"In the name of their god, they have burned, hanged, tortured, maimed, robbed, violated, and enslaved millions of their fellow creatures, and done so with the happy conviction that they were doing the will of God, and they would go to Heaven for it."
A film version of "The Golden Compass," starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, was released on Dec. 7 and has grossed more than US$100 million worldwide.
THESE ARE THE COMMENTS POSTED.
YOU WILL SEE BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSTIVE REMARKS, BUT MOSTLY NEGATIVE. I WAS JUST SPEECHLESS AT SUCH HOSTILITY THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH. HONESTLY, IT HURTS. I HONOUR ALL THOSE COMMENTS WHO REPRESENTED FOR THEIR FAITH.
'Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do...'
Robin
Simply another tale highlighting the irrelevancy of the Catholic Church. What's next, witch burning? Checking students' ipods for music sung by homosexuals? Their never-ending saga of repression and control. Perhaps, they didn't consider the effect of banning the book namely that students will read the book in defiance.
JEREMY
I completely agree with the statments of the author that more people have died in the name of deity's or religion than for any other reason or motivation.
Time for some forward, realistic thinking.
ABBIE
Nuts! Its just another form of control, like religion itself. Control thinking, control a childs ability to think for themselves. What are they frightened of?
Murray
This shows that the Catholic school system needs to be abolished. There should only be one public funded school system.
Bill in Seattle
Schools should have a choice. Only ban books with permission of the government school board, or get no funding from any level of government.
SP
Pullman neglects to mention or conveniently ignores the fact that billions of Christians (Mother Theresa for example) have loved and served the people (even the unloveables) in the name of God.
I wonder what "good" he (Pullman) has done in the name of Atheism (no god, other than make millions of dollars declaring that there is no god?
Mark G.
I have not read this book but when I was in my late teens I did read "Why I am not a Christian" by Bertrand Russell.I enjoyed that book back then but it did not make me an atheist today.Books like this give us perspective and let us make up our own minds about issues.Having only one point of view has its own pittfalls.I don`t think that suppressing free thought on religion is such a good idea. Are religious beliefs that fragile that a book questioning them will do harm?
ance
I disagree with Ms. LeMay, to me it's obvious the last thing they want for their kids is for them to become critical thinkers and decide for themselves what they believe.
Critical thinking is detrimental to ensuring that children embrace religous dogma as the only truth.
Narrow minds can only be assured of staying that way if they never open a book filled with differing ideas...
This kind of idea censorship is used in many places, its just that most of them are state religion theocracies (eg Afghanistan)and not democracies...
Ryan
I'm not sure if i understand correctly. These schools - are they public? Do my tax money pay for them? If so, how can it be that these schools are controlled by some catholic board? I have NO intention whatsoever to pay my money for religious organizations who are hypocritically brainwash kids by deciding what they should and what they should not read. Kids, for crying out loud! Who do not know yet that they should decide for THEMSELVES and not let ANYBODY do it for them.
So can anybody here confirm - is it true that our public money pay for religious brainwashing?
Marc
Robin, true ! true !
I find the whole article sad, but at the same time I chuckle out loud.
The church is all about shame and guilt, shame and guilt.
When will they get their heads out of the sand?
emv
I am Catholic and will let my daughter read or watch this! It's a great piece of literature and the words the catholic church is talking about I have never heard of nor my family members. I think it is because the author is an aethiest...who cares!!!
Zach
Is faith in God so fragile that the narrow-minded have to burn and ban books that run contrary to dogma? The answer then and now is a resounding yes. Use Pullman's books to strenghten critical thinking, to effectively counter his arguments. Ultimately, a private religious school can stock whatever books it wants, but not one that receives public funding.
Tony
Jeremy-yes, it's true many people have died in the name of religion. But millions have died also in the name of atheism-lest we forget Hitler (Nietzche was his idol), Stalin (gee, was Communism not atheist) and Pol Pot in Cambodia(the main leaders were intellectuals who were devoted atheists). Stop whitewashing atheism.
Chris from Kitchener
I am a Christian. However, I have no problem with people who don't believe in God. What I DO have a problem with, are the aetheists who try and shove their beliefs down my throat. I don't try and convert you to believe in God...don't dare and try and tell me that God doesn't exist and that I'm blind for believing in "an imaginary friend in the sky."
It's funny...when a book comes out that goes against aethiest beliefs (read religious) they are the first up in arms saying that it should be banned. However, when it happens the other way, it's censorship, and we shouldn't stand for it...which way is it? You can't have both.
Peter Muhl
How dare the Catholic School Board repress, censor and gag students because the author's views does not jive with the board's 'governing values' (whatever that means). The board is behaving no better than third-world dictators and religious fanatics.
Its the 21st century folks. I suppose they believe in Creationism as well. Sigh.
Sam in AB
I don't know about Ontario, but in Alberta you as the tax payer dictate where your taxes go; public or separate (Catholic). Catholic schools are very upfront about their ideals and mission, which is to teach within the context of the Catholic Faith. If books like these hinder that mission, then they have every right to pull them off the shelves, just like tax payers have every right to dictate; public support or separate support.
Tony
Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist that there is no God---Heywood Broun, US journalist (1888-1939)
Angeline
3 Cheers for the Halton Catholic Board!
Finally a board that is willing to stand up and defend its faith. Public or private is irrelevant. The Catholic Board exists to promote a certain world view and if something clashes with it, then of course they have the right to ban it from their shelves. After all the public board would not put racist or homophobic material on its shelves in the name of critical thinking, would it? If parents want their children to read it before grade 7, there's always the public ibrary. I own all 3 of these books and love them, but I firmly believe that school boards need to defend and stand up for their beliefs.
Roch
I agree with the ban, and Penthouse magazine should also continue to be banned as well.
Live with it. Kids don't need to read and view porn while at school. An excellent decision by the school board, not to give in to the pornographer lobby.
Davey Legasse
Absolutely and utterly the time to end this dual school board system, what a waste of time, energy and money. "if parents want the trilogy for their children they can visit a public library or purchase copies." Eliminate the ridiculous double school board system and then "if parents want their children to learn about catholicism, they can visit a public church"
Not holding my breath.
Asif
Wow talk about narrow minded people.
I have read the books and seen the movie and in this time and age they resort to censership like this the Catholic Church should be ashamed of themselves.
Its time for them to catch up to the rest of us.
Man think out of the box please.
J-F (Ottawa)
Dear Abbie:
I completely agree with you, CONTROL is exactly what this is.
I am ashamed to be Catholic.
Paul
This is another blatant example of how the church, particularly Catholic, is so fragile in modern times that thinking cannot even be challenged. If the Catholic church is so strong it should be impervious to a story book. Governments need to stop pandering to such blatant discrimination and bigotry and stop funding these schools with public money. If I can tolerate the commercialization and "christian" holiday season surely they can respect other opinions and rights. I say abolish Christmas, let's see what would happen then! Imagine celebrating Hannukah or Rahmadan instead - the Catholics would have a real crisis - which mijust be the wakeup call they need.
Ron
A Catholic School board doesn't want an anti Catholic book in its library. Makes sense to me. This isn't about book burning, banning or religious perspective. It is about a book that simply doesn't belong in a Catholic school. I suppose some of you won't object to the Grade 5 class having access to this month's Playboy.
Lance
Banning books?
What year is this?
fool
Yes Ryan, in Alberta the taxpayers pay for both the public and catholic school divisions.
JP
I have to agree with everyone else here that this is moronic. I was raised Catholic and left the church at 14 because of its outdated, self-serving, inward-looking nature and lack of vision. I recently saw a great bumper sticker- "Jesus is cool but most of his followers give me the creeps"
It is time to end this despised, arrogant, and unfair support for Catholic schools. Yes, it's a constitutional issue but it's time to actually have a vote on the government support for Catholic schools. Dalton, if you're a real leader you will call a referendum on this. Our forefathers made a decision that was sensible for the time but to blindly tie ourselves to tradition is to be doomed by it. Stand up. Do what leaders do- LEAD! Call a referendum and allow the public to have their say on this matter. One vote, yes or no, and we'll all live with the decision. It's time to revisit this issue.
Brad B
Ryan: If you pay municipal taxes in the Halton region, you have made a choice as to where to direct your school board taxes: "public" or "catholic" school boards. If you are directing it to the catholic school board, then Yes, your money is going towards this.
I wonder if they have books in the library about evolution?
Patrick
Ryan, you need to stop frothing at the mouth. An organization has said that providing certain materials to its clientle is inconsistent with its mandate. It happens all the time, in both the sacred and the secular worlds. Check out what various gay rights groups condemn on their websites, for example.
For you and others to start screaming religious brainwashing and closed minds and insisting children are never taught to think is pretty silly. And an example of adults who really aren't thinking critically either.
Ashley
Kids need guidance - that is why the books are banned - the movie should also be banned in my opinion and no one should be able to see it. Would you want kids to read and watch R rated movies with other bad things in it? This country was founded on the principles of Christianity and believing in God. The athiests and other people of American who don't wake up in time to realize what it's doing to our nation will have to answer for this one day and it will not be good for them.
Matt
The secular school system has banned prayer, banned the Bible, banned the word Christmas in relation to "winter" concerts. Such censorship is appluaded as "free-thinking".
Why then is the Catholic school system vilified for much less? Religious intolerance thrives where a lack of critical reflection exists.
Jacqueline
Wow,until recently I did not realize how close to the surface anti-catholicism was or that it existed so widely. It sure comes out loud and clear in these posts!! The book is available at the book store or library. The people on these posts obviously don't have children in the Catholic school system so why should they care?
MH from Ontario
I find this unacceptable for them to ban book that may gave kids talent to imagine. Kids need to dream and enjoy life. This is story and no reason for them to ban. This is proof that they're a control freak.
Carl
Being a Catholic who had the privilege to attend a publicly-funded Canadian university, I find this decision both appalling and disconcerting. Have we not learned anything from this past century? Purging literature from a publicly-funded institution which deviates from official party/church policy is chillingly reminiscent of Stalinism or Hitler's National-Socialism. Why do fellow Catholics automatically defend or turn a blind eye to official church doctrine without first thinking about the issue and its ramifications? In reference to SP's comment: Mother Theresa often read the Qur'an (Koran) to dying Muslims in hospital because it brought comfort to them in their final hours, which is one reason she so widely-respected amongst so many people of various cultural and religious backgrounds.
Alex
The book is a work of fiction, but does glamorize satanic activity (including physic guides), which is understandably viewed as destructive for kids to try in the eyes of the Catholic School Board. It is neat to see that they show a level of discretion (no Harry Potter banned), but if you don't believe in Catholic values, don't send your kids there...
Ed
It is time to stop funding Catholic schools with public money. It was a mistake in the first place,and this shows why. Such blindness cannot be allowed in schools. Our country has to stop allowing the religionists the right to prevent freedom of thought with monies from the public purse. What's next from these fools?
Peggy
Can't believe this! Are we in the Middle Ages...it's a book for goodness sake...but heaven forbid that we upset the thinking of the narrow-minded..what ever happend to free thought??
Craig
Is this going to be a news story EVERY time a school gets rid of this book?
Yes, a Catholic school banned this book because it is derogatory to the Catholic faith. Pullman has admitted as such. However, the people are free to read it in a public library or buy it in a local bookstore.
We do not ask secular schools to stock the bible, do we? No. People need to lighten up.
Craig
Is this going to be a news story EVERY time a school gets rid of this book?
Yes, a Catholic school banned this book because it is derogatory to the Catholic faith. Pullman has admitted as such. However, the people are free to read it in a public library or buy it in a local bookstore.
We do not ask secular schools to stock the bible, do we? No. People need to lighten up.
Janus
Shame, shame, shame on the Catholic Board.
Obviously they haven't read the series.
Shame. END
* this was taken off a public forum [CTV], this is not the be all end all. I encourage you to find other threads to actually help your decision. here's one:
[CATHOLIC ANSWERS FORUM]
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=194247 | 
