Actually I think they gave good advice. Now I have to say that I do NOT think Pullman’s three books should be for children. I have read all three. I first read them years ago, and at that time I didn’t have a clue that they were supposed to be childrens’ books. Now I know better from all the hype.
I have recently finished re-reading all three books. Again…I do NOT think they are children’s books. Unfortunately, what I think doesn’t matter in the world of publishing and making money. So while these books contain things that are definitely anti-God, anti-organized religion, and yes, anti-Catholic, I think we’re losing sight that they also contain other things most parents wouldn’t want their children to be reading.
Betrayal by parents (yes, at the end they ‘sort of redeem themselves’ in a warped way), murder, kidnapping, mutilation, hopelessness and several scenes that are quite sensual. I did say ‘sensual’ and not ‘sexual’ only because the act itself is not brought into the open. But the scene between the monkey and the snake that results in a man’s murder is disgusting! (this is not in the first book)
And it’s not just in an alternate universe/world. In the 2nd book, a boy, Will comes into the story as a main character and he is from OUR world. So is the ex-nun from our world.
So…while I do agree these are not for children, unfortunately because of the movie and the advertising of the books tie-in, there will be children who are bent on reading these books. You may say, “not my children”, and who knows? Maybe you are right. But maybe if you say that, you are being naive. If a child wants to do something badly enough, they can find a way to do it and hide it from “mommy and daddy”. Think back to your own childhood. Unless you were an angel, wasn’t there something you hid from your parents? Maybe nothing truly bad, but then a child who wants to read this probably doesn’t think they are bad.
Ok…all this to say, yes…if a child is set on reading the books, then the parents truly should feel the moral responsibility to read the books WITH the child. To explain what is wrong and right. That is what a parent’s job is all about. Not being a ‘nazi’, as some people on other threads have said, but being there to guide their children.
To tell the truth, I know a couple adults who are not strong in their faith that I would not even mention these books to. They both believed the DaVinci code could be true.
I like to open the neat package of “moral relativism” so that people don’t forget what kind of gut-rot is in there.
