Phillip Pullman is second on US banned booklist, and JK Rowling lost US medal over Harry Potter 'witchcraft'?
Phillip Pullman, author of Northern Lights and other cherished children's books is ranked second in the top 10 books that people have tried to ban across America.
see http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/sep/30/american-library-association-banned-books
The Bush administration officials objected to giving JK Rowling a presidential medal of freedom on the grounds that her Harry Potter books 'encouraged witchcraft'.
see http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/sep/29/harry-potter-rowling-medal
Why is it always America that makes these ridiculous claims? I'm Catholic and I love the Harry Potter series. I'm a mega fan of the books. I'm a Harry Potter know-it-all. JK Rowling's books taught me to read. Also, I love Phillip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy as well!
A quote from the author, Phillip Pullman:
“I’ve been surprised by how little criticism I’ve got. Harry Potter’s been taking all the flak. I’m a great fan of J.K. Rowling, but the people—mainly from America’s Bible Belt—who complain that Harry Potter promotes Satanism or witchcraft obviously haven’t got enough in their lives. Meanwhile, I’ve been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God.” http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
The author Peter Pullman (who is an Atheist) made the Catholic Church the bad guy in the book and its sequels.
You might want to read Pete Vere and Sandra Miesel's book "The Pied Piper of Atheism: Philip Pullman and Children's Fantasy."
From the Introduction by Carl E. Olson: British author Philip Pullman is widely acclaimed by critics and readers for his best-selling, award-winning trilogy, His Dark Materials. But he has been criticized by some for attacking Christianity and promoting atheism. What is the truth about Pullman and his books? What does he believe about God, religion, the Catholic Church, and atheism? What does he hope his books will accomplish? Why does he express such strong disdain for the fiction of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien?
US $23.99
