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Lujack
Guest
What are we going on here, can, or should? The bishop has the right to restrict anything that is in the library, but that doesn’t mean that it is the right decision.
Should a Catholic Bishop Restrict Catholic School Kid's Reading?
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Teen4Christ
Guest
He has every right to do that. I think it’s kinda crazy but it’s still his right to do so.
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AHapka
Guest
This is not the government banning any books. To compare it to a government law is comparing apples to oranges. A person is still free to own or read these books without any fear of running afoul of the law. There is no “censorship” involved here.
This is a private institution deciding for itself what books it will and will not carry. If you want these books, you can go to a public library, Barnes & Nobles, Amazon.com, etc.
This is no different then me deciding I won’t keep any particular book in my house. I don’t agree with the Bishop, but it’s his house.
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AHapka
Guest
True.
But he’s also the only gay man I’ve seen in a lot of literature who lives a chaste life. While that may not have been the authors intent, it is good to point out that as an honorable way for a gay person to live.
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Dtmccameron
Guest
Haven’t read enough to know. Depends on how issues are presented. Glorifies evil, embraces it, presents it as good, no.
Recognizes it, points it out, shows its effect, fine.
I’m fine with there being only anti-heroes, so long as they’re no presented as heroes.
It’s adult reading anyway, isn’t it?
True. But it was obvious the Author only made the character so in order that the homosexual agenda might be pushed. Sexuality should have no place in a children’s book. I personally felt them a bit much on their own, heavy kissing all over the place.
Never promoted. But no one ever caught meningitis or mononucleosis either.
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Col40
Guest
That’s a valid way of putting it. He can, because it’s a private school. He shouldn’t because it sends a message that he supports censorship, which is against the First Amendment. A more appropriate response on the bishop’s part would be to send a letter to all parents in the diocese, expressing his concerns about these various pieces of literature, and that he encourages parents to either a) find diffferent books for their children to read (with perhaps a recommended list of comparable genres that would be of interest) or b) make sure that they are talking to their children about these books and discussing their values in accordance with the messages the books are projecting.
My daughter LOVES Harry Potter books----not because she’s fascinated with witch craft, but because she loves the battle of good vs. evil. Whether or not the headmaster is “gay” hasn’t come up with her. The messages she seems to be taking away are positive. And I know this because I ASK her about what she’s reading and what she likes/doesn’t like about the books.
Of course, my daughter is a bit different. This is the girl who despises “Enchanted” because the female character–Giselle–is so dependent on a man to save her. I just love the movie because it’s fun…but my 12 year old just cringes. Cracks me up!
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Lujack
Guest
Dumbledore is only gay by author’s statement; if you read the seven books and never hear Rowling speak, you would never even know.
I think, though, that if a kid is going to read the books, they should read them the same way that kids read them as they came out, one year at a time. When the third book came out, I was in fifth grade, probably a little bit younger than the intended audience. Nonetheless, there was nothing in there inappropriate for a fifth grade. The books, however, do get older as they go along; by the time the sixth and seventh books came out, they would have been inappropriate for a fifth grade. You age along with the books.
Its odd that way, but the sixth and seventh books being aimed at an audience that has aged along with the series does not invalidate the first book as children’s literature.
By the time kissing was really appearing, the kids who grew up reading the first books were in high school, when that was going on, and when it was perfectly at their level.
And nobody catching mono is not unrealistic; I knew one kid who caught mono in my entire high school career, and it wasn’t from kissing anyone.
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Dtmccameron
Guest
Oh yes! Heavens forbid that the Bishop should be against the First Amendment of the Catechism of the Catholic Church! No, wait, wasn’t that, it was Of Canon Law! No, not that either, hmmm! First Amendment to the Ten Commandments?
No…Nope, sorry, I’m looking, but I don’t see anything anywhere about “Freedome of speech, press, or whathave you”. In fact, I’m getting a lot of "thou shalt not"s. Such as lie, blashpeme, detract, promote scandal, swear…
I guess you’re gonna have to provide for us where the Catholic Church allows us to say whatever we want whenever.
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pnewton
Guest
Theocracy? That is rule based on religion, not the stocking of* private* libraries.What if that Bishop is senile, ignorant or insane? No checks or balances? How frightening theocracy would be!
You people that object. Do you want me or anyone else coming over and telling your how to spend your money, what you should have in your house, what you can watch in your house, etc. The money is given to the Church, diocese or school. The control of this money is up to those who have it. If one does not like it, then go elsewhere more secular.
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Col40
Guest
Don’t you love how that myth continues forever? I remember hearing that 30 years ago when I was in the doctors’ office being checked for it–and at that point, I hadn’t even had my first kiss! (didn’t have it either, but…)
Besides—kids catching mono from kissing should be the least of our worries…lot of other bugs out there that are a lot easier to catch and it’s not from kissing that they’re catching them…
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Col40
Guest
If you read my posts carefully–I said he CAN decide, but SHOULD he decide—I think it’s not the wisest of choices with the particular books in question. There are lot of varying opinions on the Harry Potter series, and Twilight series from a host of theologians–it is not a direct order from the Vatican that these books are inherently evil and therefore should be pulled. This is one man’s opinion, not a Papal order.
But, I would also be very cautious about thumbing our noses at First Amendment rights because with FOCA and Fairness Doctrine, we as supporters of pro-life may find ourselves without the ability to speak our voices soon. My point is, it can go both ways…
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AmberDale
Guest
It doesn’t come up in the books, and in my head isn’t a valid reason not to read it. The author just made that statement at a Q&A session. Unless your daughter decides to go searching through all the Q&A’s J.K. has ever had, or searches the web for “is dumbledore gay” it won’t come up. It’s not in the books, and unless she’s going to “rewrite them” to make it obvious, then it’s validMy daughter LOVES Harry Potter books----not because she’s fascinated with witch craft, but because she loves the battle of good vs. evil. ** Whether or not the headmaster is “gay” hasn’t come up with her.** The messages she seems to be taking away are positive. And I know this because I ASK her about what she’s reading and what she likes/doesn’t like about the books.
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Contarini
Guest
Nonsense. It worked for the first millennium because there were healthy (if informal) checks and balances in place: see the Quartodeciman controversy for an illustration. Ever since the Papacy started trying to remove the checks and balances, there has been chaos and division in the Church. It hasn’t worked at all.
Christians today face the unenviable choice between a Papacy out of control and no Papacy at all. I think the latter is at least marginally worse. But both are very bad.
Edwin
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jmcrae
Guest
I think you should write to your Bishop and inform him that your library contains these other anti-Catholic materials, as well. I am betting they will disappear within the week.
He has probably been assuming that any idiot would know enough not to put such blatantly hateful books into a Catholic library.
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Dtmccameron
Guest
My only point was it is utterly ridiculous to apply a principle of the American Constitution to what the Catholic church does. And let them ban us from speaking the Truth. Let the prevent us from practicing our faith. America has for too long feigned tolerance. Let her show her true, ugly colors. Heck, let her outright persecute Christians. Maybe then God will have finally sufficient reason to wipe this godless land from the face of the earth.
I tell you truly! Outrage the Catholic people enough, make them so angry as to unite, and they will be unstoppable! We can show the theives and murderers and liberals and heretics that it is only by our tolerance, not ineptitude, that they have free reign over this world, and only by God’s grace and mercy, that they exist at all.
Good grief, we’re in the majority!
Liberty is not to “do what thou will” it is to have the freedom to do what is right!
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marthagreys
Guest
I only wish that my children were fortunate enough to be able to attend a Catholic school with a supervising Bishop who cared enough to make sure that the library didn’t carry books that he felt were unhealthy for whatever reason. I can only imagine that this Bishop, as shepherd of the diocese, wishes that his sheep would simply respect his decisions without turning something like banning a few books into a federal case. This is ridiculous. Since when did we pick at small issues like this when God Himself put these people into positions of leadership over us? I don’t always understand/agree with everything that my boss/supervisors tell me to do, but I do it anyway. My kids don’t always like the instructions I give them, but they still have to follow them, and how much easier it is when they don’t question and fight every little thing. I’m shocked and disgusted by the tremendous lack of respect toward the Bishop, and obedience to him. The issues presented here are far greater than whether or not the Bishop had adequate reasons for banning some books. This is really sad.
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Cracker_Mom
Guest
Well, I think each bishop can determine what books are suitable for school libraries in his diocese.
If you prefer, you can check the books out at a public library.But I’d try to find out what issues the bishop has with each book & look at them carefully beforehand.As you indicate your policy is.
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AHapka
Guest
He’s not just “one man.” I am just “one man.” This man is a successor to the Apostles who has genuine spiritual authority over the souls in his diocese. This man is someone who has an indelible mark on his soul called “Holy Orders.” And has received the fullness of the Sacrament, thereby making him a Bishop.
With this authority he therefore has every right to eliminate any book he sees fit.
If I were a Bishop, I would never have revoked the faculties to hear confessions from Padre Pio. Yet his Bishop did for a time. He was OBEDIENT and did not hear confessions then.
Also, if you are gonna allow First Amendment doctrines to define what will be in a Catholic school, be prepared for such secularly protected “art” as crucifixes in urine. Which are considered free speech by the First Amendment.
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Lucky7
Guest
I agree with this. This bishop is sending the message that the Church has banned these books…and that the best way to deal with something we disagree with is to remove it from our midst. I think a better way to deal with these books is to have the teachers use them in their classes…what a perfect opportunity for kids to learn why some of its contents is contrary to the teachings of the Church.
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CHRISTINE77
Guest
I don’t think the Bishop has the authority to ban these books. If they are banned by the Pope fine, but if some Catholic schools are okay with them, and some not, that’s wrong and deceptive. It sends the wrong message if some kids can read these books and others not. The Catholic church should be the final authority.
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