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November 18, 2005

Remember when the religious whackos tried to ban Harry Potter?

Here we have just about every kid in the world awaiting each book release, gobbling up in huge bites page upon page of writing, eschewing TV and video games and computers ...

And the majority of us rightly ridiculed these handwringing prudes with their "Oh it's about magic and wizards and occult!" blatherings.

Pretty pitiful bunch pissing on an extraordinary opportunity to introduce kids to the wonder that only great books can give them ..

Right?

Well, the religious whackos are at it again. The ones so a'scared that a book reading contest just might not be imparting the correct thoughts to children they've already sent a cease-and-desist letter to the contest's sponsor with further threats of a lawsuit.

This time the target of whackos is Gov. Jeb Bush, sponsoring a reading contest featuring The Chronicles of Narnia and the panties-in-a-bunch-group is the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.

An advocacy group claims a Florida reading contest involving the classic novel and upcoming film "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" violates the role of religion in the classroom. [...]

Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AUSCS) group has demanded Gov. Jeb Bush's statewide contest stop using C.S. Lewis' Christian allegory as the only book for the contest.

Can we please now stop pretending this group of bigots is not much better than the ACLU in trying to Bowdlerize American culture of any hint of Christianity?

Geez, this on top of the real bizarreness coming from ADL's Abe Foxman pimping fear of Christians as a fund-raising stunt?

W.T.F?

tracked at Stop the ACLU

Posted by Darleen at November 18, 2005 12:01 AM

Comments

C. S. Lewis is a lot of fun to read.

In Narnia he uses a Faun (a mythological creature) which you'd think would be out of place in a Christian allegory.

But in the Middle Ages, it seems, the creatures of pagan myth were thought to be real--simply spirits of a different sort.

Removed from their positions of spiritual power over men, by Christ.

As for your rant; I wouldn't sweat it; there's always going to be someone trying to ban something.....

Posted by: Carl W. Goss at November 18, 2005 07:42 AM

Okay...

First off, I, as an atheist of the Den Bestian "mechanistic" stripe, must completely disavow any allegiance to the Michael Newdows of the world. The man seems to like making trouble simply for the joy of stirring the pot.

Second, I read the Chronicles when I was in fourth grade or so, at a time when I was well steeped in the trappings of Christianity (went to Catholic school don'cha know...), and I didn't even notice the parallel until Lewis really hits you over the head with it in the last book.

I guess I'm saying that allegory is lost on someone who doesn't already know the referenced story, and sometimes even on someone who _does_. Lewis spun a good yarn, and it was a fun read in my Oz-soaked youth.

Posted by: Strider at November 18, 2005 07:54 AM

You just watch---as the time approaches for the release of the movie, "Narnia", the Loony Left is going to get increasingly hysterical about C.S. Lewis, this horrid "Christian" movie, and its alleged evil impact on innocent kids---who should only be allowed to read books like "Silly Wanker, and his Kiddie Death Factory", or "Amy has 10 Dads!"

In fact, it might be a good idea just to ban books altogether! Kids can absorb dangerous ideas from them, such as the Judeo/Christian tradition, heroism, friendship, loyalty. Really, all kids need is to adjust, listen to their kindly social worker and remember that Mommy's new boyfriend must be treated with as much respect as their real Daddy! (Whether he actually deserves it or not.)

Seriously, the Left, and the MSM, is beginning to realize it's losing its hold on the public; witness the tremendous financial flops of "Kingdom of Heaven", "Chronicles of Riddick" (evil space crusaders attempt to conquer the galaxy by dropping giant cathedrals on innocent Moslem planets) "Kinsey", and any number of films meant to indoctrinate the public.

And, yes, the Loony Right is being equally idiotic in hating the Harry Potter books; there is, in fact, a movement in some very straight-laced circles that C.S. Lewis is bad too, because he writes about a witch. Wouldn't it be nice if all the nutjobs on either side of the political spectrum could address themselves to the REAL problems facing us in the 21st Century? (Hint: it ain't J.K. Rowlings or C.S. Lewis, guys!)

Either that, or take up a nice---quiet---hobby, such as macrame, or collecting antique thimbles, which will keep them out of hair.

Posted by: TalkinKamel at November 18, 2005 08:11 AM

Geez, Phil, way to be on topic.

And in the face of the newly passed budget bill, just a bit histrionic as well as a dollar short.

Posted by: Darleen at November 18, 2005 12:33 PM