Catholic school board vs Golden Compass

[Blondin]

Remember all the nonsense over the Golden Compass in the Halton Catholic School Board jurisdiction? The book was pulled from the shelf because of a complaint from a parent.

Many bloggers & bloggees had much to say about this at the time. It was suggested by some that this was a storm in a tea-kettle: "just because a book gets pulled from the shelf doesn't meant it is banned", "books get reviewed all the time because of complaints from parents - they usually get put back on the shelf at the end of the review", etc.

Well the Halton Catholic School Board book committee has reviewed The Golden Compass and rendered their verdict: The Golden Compass should be returned to the shelf and made available to grades 7 and up. Good news, right? All those silly bloggers got their panties in a knot for nuthin'...

Or not:
"The Halton Catholic school board has rejected the recommendation of its book committee and banned the children's fantasy novel The Golden Compass, as well as the subsequent books in the trilogy, which were not officially under review."

Link: http://www.thestar.com/article/287313

[Fazor]

Well, given the subject it's hard not to tred on the wrong side of the politics and religion rules of this board, but generecially speaking, I always find it sad but not suprising when something like this happens.

What worries me is not the influece that "bad media" has on people (particularly children), but the fact that more and more people seem to forget that these things are for entertianment. They only have meaning and impact on your life if you chose to give them meaning and impact. You had the whole "Harry Potter is anti-religion" thing, but how many kids would honestly read those books and because of them throw out their religious beliefs, unless you start telling them that the books are against religion (which, IMHO, they are not).

People seem to forget that ultimately, we are the ones with the power to influence our own actions, not books, television, and movies. We only give that power to these types of outside influences when we fail to make up our minds for ourselves.

Oh, and as an aside, the only thing about the new Goldan Compass movie that's likely to lead me to cursing god is the fact that such a cool looking movie has to include an actress like Nicole Kidman. Eck!!

[torque of the town]

an actress like Nicole Kidman. Eck!!

[Fazor]

Originally Posted by torque of the town

Lol, there's just something about her that I can't stand. And I apparently am one of the few guys who is not into that plasticy blonde look, so not really eyecandy either.

[torque of the town]

Originally Posted by Fazor

Lol, there's just something about her that I can't stand. And I apparently am one of the few guys who is not into that plasticy blonde look, so not really eyecandy either.

Good Gad!, Your a bounder and a cad sir I will instruct my seconds...

[Ilya]

Originally Posted by torque of the town

Good Gad!, Your a bounder and a cad sir I will instruct my seconds...

I will second Fazor. I never found Nicole Kidman particularly attractive either.

[Blondin]

"I always find it sad but not suprising when something like this happens."

That's how I feel, too. One hopes that common sense will prevail but then common sense just doesn't have a chance against blind faith. This is the same school board that wanted to deny HPV vaccinations a few months back on the grounds that they just couldn't condone premarital sex(?!). They did relent on that one as far as I know.

[Jim]

I don't know about religion, but such negative comments about Nicole Kidman seem blasphemous to me.

[Fazor]

Originally Posted by Jim

I don't know about religion, but such negative comments about Nicole Kidman seem blasphemous to me.

Uh-oh, and here I am sitting here not expecting the Texas Inquisition (then again, nobody expects the Texas Inquisition). If it pleases you, I shall repent by fetching you a shrubbery.

[Spock Jenkins]

Well, it is a private institution and it is their library. It's not like they've denied all access to the book. The public library is readily available to Catholic school students as well. If they wish to read it, they can go there. Or they can buy the book at a local book store. This particular school board has the right to not endorse a message they don't agree with. The schools library doesn't carry every book ever written.

[Kaptain K]

My ex-wife always wanted to see such-and-such movie because so-and-so was in it. My thought was "Who cares who's in it". I go to movies to see the movie, not who's in it.

[torque of the town]

I shall repent by fetching you a shrubbery.



NEE!......

[Fazor]

Originally Posted by Spock Jenkins

Well, it is a private institution and it is their library. It's not like they've denied all access to the book. The public library is readily available to Catholic school students as well. If they wish to read it, they can go there. Or they can buy the book at a local book store. This particular school board has the right to not endorse a message they don't agree with. The schools library doesn't carry every book ever written.

I completely agree, which is why I was careful not to use the word "censorship". The part I disagree with is assigning more meaning to a book than what is actually there (note: I haven't read Golden Compass yet, so can't specifically speak for or against it).

[Matherly]

Originally Posted by Fazor

I completely agree, which is why I was careful not to use the word "censorship". The part I disagree with is assigning more meaning to a book than what is actually there (note: I haven't read Golden Compass yet, so can't specifically speak for or against it).

My understanding is "His Dark Materials" is intentionally anti-Catholic, with the main antagonist being "The Church". The author seems clear of his intention in his public statements.

[Tucson_Tim]

Originally Posted by Jim

I don't know about religion, but such negative comments about Nicole Kidman seem blasphemous to me.

Agreed. Tommy boy lost both her and Penelope Cruz - what an idiot.

[Fazor]

Originally Posted by Matherly

My understanding is "His Dark Materials" is intentionally anti-Catholic, with the main antagonist being "The Church". The author seems clear of his intention in his public statements.

That's what I've heard, but am not familiar with it myself. Regardless, there's still a difference between meaning and significance. My favorite video game example, Grand Theft Auto, has a meaning of "You can earn a good life through theft, violence, and drugs". I love the game and played it a lot, but as it affects my real life outlook, it has zero significance, in that I know ones just a video game and the other's real life.

Granted it's a matter of personal opinion. I however would not want to limit my children to only being exposed to things that are identical with my morals/beliefs. I would also hope that my children will know that just because something's in a book, movie, or game, that it doesn't mean they should think/act that way.

In other words, I don't think pretending something doesn't exist is the way to go about things. But who am I to say that I'm wright and the others are wrong?

[Ilya]

Originally Posted by Fazor

That's what I've heard, but am not familiar with it myself. Regardless, there's still a difference between meaning and significance. My favorite video game example, Grand Theft Auto, has a meaning of "You can earn a good life through theft, violence, and drugs". I love the game and played it a lot, but as it affects my real life outlook, it has zero significance, in that I know ones just a video game and the other's real life.

A bit off-topic, but I recall a post on some Internet board (and I think the poster was serious): "Everything I need to know in life I learned from Harry Flashman". Examples being:

Never hesitate to take credit for what you deserve. That goes double for what you don't deserve.
Better be a live coward than a dead hero.
Wine, women and song... on the second thought, forget the song.
Etc.

There are certainly worse people to emulate than Harry Flashman (most politicians come to mind), but still that was a bit of a startling revelation.

[Jim]

Lots of good points being made (especially Tuscon Tim's).

Yes, this is a private school and the board certainly has the right to decide what will and will not be in the school library, despite any advice from anyone.

However, I think they are causing more problems than they are resolving. Tell a yound person not to do or read or view something, and you increase the allure of that something. "Wow, this must be something special 'cause the adults don't want me to do/read/see it. I'm gonna!"

Also, it gives the impression that there is something substantial there that you'd rather not let out. "Hey, this book/film must be telling The Truth and They don't want me/us to know. I'm gonna read/watch it!"

In both cases, there is a significant chance that the kids will find exactly what the board doesn't want them to find, even if it isn't really there.

The school might be better served to issue a statement that the books contain thinly veiled and completely unfounded attacks on the Catholic Church, but they will remain on the shelves so the kids can see for themselves. (Or, that the church described in the books is obviously not the Catholic Church, so they will remain...)

In fact (and this should really kill any interest in them), the school could actually require reading one or more of the books and discussing the fallacies as defined by the Church in class.

[Fazor]

However, I think they are causing more problems than they are resolving. Tell a yound person not to do or read or view something, and you increase the allure of that something. "Wow, this must be something special 'cause the adults don't want me to do/read/see it. I'm gonna!"
Thanks Jim, that's sorta the point I was trying to make. Further, I think the young reader would be more apt to change his personal beliefs to that of the book, because "there must be something to it, if they're making such a big deal out of it".