I was predicting years ago that as a result, when something really toxic was offered to the public, we'd be powerless to effectively combat it because of the boy-who-cried-wolf reaction.
And yea verily, it comes to pass. Pullman is genuinely, explicitly, overtly and proudly anti-theistic in general --- the children actually kill God in the final book, or the repellent figure who is obviously set up as God--- anti-Christian in particular--- and if Christianity is the target, Catholicism is the bull's-eye.
The "His Dark Materials" trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; and The Amber Spyglass) is clever, appealing stuff, and just as anti-Catholic is "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" is anti-Jewish.
Also, unfortunately, in my estimation Philip Pullman is a much more skillful writer than J.K. Rowling.
So what are we to do? Cry out, and who will believe us?
I did’t care for what I heard of Harry Potter, so when I read the books, I was astounded at what a bad writer she is. And as you say, that is not true of Pulllman. He’s a very good writer, which is the only reason I’ve enjoyed the first two books. His books are just so blatantly, in-your-face evil and hating Christianity.
“One of the most unfortunate things about the whole anti-Harry-Potter episode was that it gave a strong impression that conservative Christian critics are too paranoid, and too stupid to properly evaluate fantasy literature.
I was predicting years ago that as a result, when something really toxic was offered to the public, we’d be powerless to effectively combat it because of the boy-who-cried-wolf reaction.”
I think the biggest problem is that it is a children’s book. But parents should always have read what their children are about to read. So the content can be filtered. As far as adults go, one just has to use their best judgment. Reading Jack Whyte’s Pelagius worshipping in his Camulod Series led me to the Catholic Church rather then turn me away. So it just depends. Of course it also helped that Whyte kept his screeds to specific chapters, so one could just skip over them upon the second and third readings.
I was predicting years ago that as a result, when something really toxic was offered to the public, we'd be powerless to effectively combat it because of the boy-who-cried-wolf reaction.
You may be right. But my position (and that of Michael O'Brien) is that HP is harmful in and of itself, since it interests children in the occult. I also said that HP is just the tip of the iceberg in the Young Adult/Fantasy genre. I quoted from Pulman in those threads.
I understand your point, but my point was, and is, that HP prepares the young soul for further corruptive reading, like Pulman's. It's a judgement call, but it should be clear to everyone now where this train is heading.
“So what are we to do? Cry out, and who will believe us?”
In all things pray.
Secondly, I would talk about it, discuss it and e-mail it to friends and neighbors who are inclined to do likewise. I think that many parents and teachers do understand the nuances of this kind of propaganda and, in fact, we even have a quote which acknowledges that the books are the work of a religious bigot. They simply can’t hide their hatred.
I actually felt that the conservative critiques of Harry Potter were merely a fringe element - and they are. Many fifth, sixth and seventh graders are very capable of discussing the issues of allegory, metaphor and symbolism implemented in fiction. My former students loved these literary devices. We were actually able to use elements of the Potter and Narnia series to demonstrate how it reflected Christian themes.
The nature of secular humanism is that it tries to muddy up the waters of open discussion. It doesn’t show well in the full light of day. It uses triangulation, moral rationalization and rhetorical devices that are meant to trick and confuse both adults and children. Children need to be instructed to step around these mines the same way that adults do. You can do it without bringing them nose to nose with evil.
This can become a teaching opportunity if you feel that your children are ready. That doesn’t mean they see the film, but maybe they learn why they shouldn’t. Make them tell you!
On the rare occasion that I get into it with a secular humanist the only way to have the discussion is to lay the ground bare; do they believe that evil exists? Do they believe in Hell? These are deliberate and uncomplicated questions. More than a “yes” or “no” is not an acceptable response. There are no smoke and mirrors available. Children can be taught that hemming and hawing and answering questions with questions are to be seen for what they are intended to be; obfuscation and lies.
They can tell you from whom such things come.