[Zsinj]

You know, in the current and past Christian schools my sister has gone to, as I've expressed before, the administration of the school seems to be against a lot of the fantasy novels out there, considering them to be of the "occult" which they have a strong policy against. Yet they have in their libraries "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis, and "The LOTR Saga" by J.R.R. Tolkien. I asked my sister about this and she said that apparently they don't seem to mind Christian authors of fantasy. And so I've been thinking, if this is true, why don't they have the works of other famous fantasy authors that are Christian, such as Lloyd Alexander, Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman, David Gemmell, Madeleine L'Engle, Gene Wolfe, and David Farland? Sounds reasonable, yes?

[algernoninc]

I read a couple of weeks ago Orson Scott Card - The Tale of Alvin Maker - first volume, and I think it will make a great starting point to a discussion in these schools. I don't know about the next volumes, but this one abounds in Christian references.

I always found that debate will strenghten and clarify my views on a certain topic. Rather than accepting a theorem on faith, I like to see what my options are and then make a choice.

[terminus est]

I find that to be staggeringly hypocritical. Not that I have anything kind to think of when I think of Christian schools though. Shacks of indoctrination, houses of brainwashing... I could go on and on. I won't though. Instead, I'll talk about Alvin Maker. Seventh Son is good. Red Prophet is far better. After that it goes downhill. I advise not reading past the third book. You'll only be disappointed.

[Nevyn]

I find that to be staggeringly hypocritical How so? And in what way? Many books do promote the occult indirectly! The school's I attended (not Christian) diddn't even have LOTR more shame there don't you think? Shacks of indoctrination, houses of brainwashing... I could go on and on. Is this an opinion or first hand experience? In what way did you find your experience brainwashing? Define brainwashing. I could go on and on!

Oh, and Zsinj. If you want genuine answers why don't you ask the parties directly concerned your questions. I am pretty sure they're in a better position to answer rather than have people around here to try and guess for you. This topic will only start trouble even though you ask a reasonable question you'll most likely not get reasonable answers!

[Boll Weevil]

Knowledge and understanding is a key foundation of civilized plural society. Censorship, and this is what we are talking about here, restricts the access to this knowledge and understanding. It can and has in the past created dangerous ignorance.

However, generally we would all agree that some forms of censorship are appropriate. Sexually explicit material away from minors, images of "real" violence away from minors, animal torture not broadcast on the 6.00pm news etc.

Censorship based on religious convictions is a hard one to call. Presumably the people restricting the supply of these "fantasy" or other novels by non-christian authors or containing potentially occult themes, genuinely believe these books can do harm. They have an opinion on censorship that is not the general opinion of mainstream society; nor is it mine. But philosophically where do we draw the line and how, who are we to judge, and given the flexibility of censorship through time how can one approach an absolute standard?

[nealasher]

Religious censorship is on a very bad footing to begin with. It's not done because it might be bad for children, its done because it might contradict the teachings of the faith. Did anyone see Egypt? The guy who translated the the Rosetta Stone sent on his way to Egypt to translate heiroglyphs, with the instruction, "If you find anything that contradicts the teachings of the Church you may not publish."

Other forms of censorship seem based in Victorian morality, so we end up with the weirdness, in film, that its okay to show someone being murdered but not alright to show an erect penis. What a horrible standard is that?

As to the Christian censorship of fantasy books ... maybe they don't like the competition with their own major best-selling fantasy.

[tracyt1800]

Religious censorship is on a very bad footing to begin with. It's not done because it might be bad for children, its done because it might contradict the teachings of the faith.

I think you may be right from the standpoint of religious fundamentalists (Christian, Muslim, whatever) and the church government. However, I think the parents, teachers and possibly school officials (of the religious schools) may truly just believe some of this can be bad for the children. I have a friend that absolutely refuses to let his kids read Harry Potter. He's afraid they're going to read that, want to get into magic and go join a cult.

I've tried to tell him (and others) that it's not the fantasy books or dungeons & dragons games that drive the kids out to look for those occult solutions. It's a lack of proper parenting. The need to raise their kids to understand "fantasy" and "reality". They need to make sure their kids get plenty of love, attention and acceptance at home so that they don't feel the need to go join some group in order to get that security that should have been provided by their parents & family.

[AuntiePam]

School boards and librarians seem to be nervous about what's on the shelves. It's not censorship so much as it's not wanting to deal with complaints from irate and unknowledgeable parents.

Why don't you suggest those titles to the school librarian? Give them some background info on the authors and the books, what they're about. Or donate copies.

Problem solved.

It's not a plot or a conspiracy. They just don't know any better. It's up to you (and us) to educate them. :)

[Boll Weevil]

Not censorship...hmm. Moral cowardice then?

It's odd the almost Victorian religous model that resides in the middle of the USA...how has this old fossil survived for so long? Why has Europe moved away from this model, and the US seemingly moved towards this archaic absolutism?

[tracyt1800]

Victorian religous model

Can you define what you mean by "Victorian religious model"? I'm not a big studier of religions or the Victorian period.

I googled it but didn't find a good answer.