tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160916.post6931857162438300475..comments2024-03-06T04:31:53.093+11:00Comments on Just in CASE: What's Worth Censoring in Children's Literature? Beyond Misdirected PietyTrevor Cairneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160916.post-25928958483178607042010-07-26T23:37:30.196+10:002010-07-26T23:37:30.196+10:00Trevor,
Thanks for responding... that is exactly ...Trevor,<br /><br />Thanks for responding... that is exactly what I wanted to know. I'll wait until you write a post on humanism before responding further. <br /><br />I'm not "interested in what [you] might [see] as objectionable ... about militarism or nationalism" for the simple reason that I find those objectionable as well! Indeed, my interest in your objections to humanism was piqued precisly <i>because</i> I find them objectionable.<br /><br />TimTimaahynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160916.post-5344646705976269442010-07-26T21:12:10.393+10:002010-07-26T21:12:10.393+10:00Hi Tim,
My post wasn't an attack on humanism ...Hi Tim,<br /><br />My post wasn't an attack on humanism (or even secular humanism) or humanists. As an aside, I'm curious to know why you're not as interested in what I might be seen as objectionable at times about militarism or nationalism, which the Wolterstorff quote also mentioned. <br /><br />I don't have time to respond in detail, but my point was that while making a fuss over the word 'scrotum' parents might not notice something more significant in some of the things their children read - perhaps the most serious being that God is not seen as having a place in the worldview of most secular humanists.<br /><br />While there are things that are taught by humanists (of varied persuasions) that are not inconsistent with the Bible, and hence some Christians argue that we need to develop a form of Christian Humanism, the worldview that sometimes shapes the books and magazines that children read offer a form of humanism that is anti-God (or at least has no place for God). Humans are not seen as created by God in his image to live according to his purposes. They are seen as their own masters.<br /><br />Humanism is a democratic and ethical world view that seeks to affirm that human beings have the right and responsibility to give meaning and shape to their own lives. While on the surface this seems hard to argue against, most humanists believe that this can be done without regard for God. Clearly, as a Christian I would have problems with any philosophy that places man in charge of his own destiny. The Bible (as you know) teaches that a life devoted to God, to whom we can be reconciled through Christ, is how ultimate fulfilment can be obtained. I was suggesting that discussing fundamental issues such as these is what matters for parents, not the odd word that they find objectionable.<br /><br />Maybe I'll post on this topic in detail at some future time.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />TrevorTrevor Cairneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160916.post-84759786810060329652010-07-25T20:15:53.383+10:002010-07-25T20:15:53.383+10:00Trevor,
Yes, I know that's your point! I'...Trevor,<br /><br />Yes, I know that's your point! I'm trying to find out what it is about humanism that you'd critique, and why (especially in light of the definitions of humanism that you provided).<br /><br />TimTimaahynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160916.post-89850428465577249642010-07-21T10:13:47.420+10:002010-07-21T10:13:47.420+10:00Hi Tim,
I'm not sure how I can make my origin...Hi Tim,<br /><br />I'm not sure how I can make my original post much clearer. Here is the paragraph that refers to this:<br /><br />"But while many parents complained when Susan Patron's book 'The Higher Power of Lucky' was published in 2006 with the word 'scrotum' on the first page, few seem to complain about books that promote other topics like nationalism, militarism or versions of humanism that many Christians. Nor do some Christian parents question the view of the world promoted in many TV teen dramas, videos, musical lyrics, teen magazines etc."<br /><br />My post was never intended to say that censorship is wrong, just that parents need to think carefully about the things they warn their children about or censor. I rarely censored books as a parent but when I did raise issues with my children they were about more substantial matters. I would explain what 'scrotum' meant not ban it. However, I banned 'Dolly' in our house because I thought that it was filling my daughters minds with all manner of inappropriate ideas concerning the things that matter in life and offering limited views of what it means to be a woman, how relationships are formed, what are the things that contribute to self worth. There are plenty of non-Christians who would have agreed with me.<br /><br />You keep coming back to humanism. If a book was clearly riddled with a view of the world that was based on humanism, then in the process of reading it and discussing it, I'd warn them about the dangers of humanist thinking that assumes people are basically good and can solve all the world's problems if we just draw on the inner good. I certainly wouldn't ban it, but I'd critique it.<br /><br />That's my point. <br /><br />TrevorTrevor Cairneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160916.post-16990684235116740972010-07-20T20:12:26.842+10:002010-07-20T20:12:26.842+10:00Trevor,
You said in your post that "while ma...Trevor,<br /><br />You said in your post that "while many parents complained when Susan Patron's book...was published...with the word 'scrotum' on the first page, few seem to complain about books that promote other topics like... humanism...".<br /><br />This wording does give the impression that you think Christian parents <i>should</i> complain about books that promote humanism. If that is not the case, are you able to clarify your statement?<br /><br />TimTimaahynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160916.post-44772500117938387982010-07-15T22:23:47.443+10:002010-07-15T22:23:47.443+10:00Hi Tim,
I was referring to secular humanism. Secu...Hi Tim,<br /><br />I was referring to secular humanism. Secular humanists believe that humans are basically good and do not need God. I wasn't suggesting that they should not be exposed to this teaching; they can't escape it. My post was suggesting pretty much the opposite of what I suspect that you assume that I mean. No, I wouldn't want to censor information on other religions and atheism.<br /><br />I was writing mainly to Christians in the post, challenging them not to become focussed on narrow issues when judging the worth of books that children might read<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />TrevorTrevor Cairneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10743409298855125040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6160916.post-38261259614666867912010-07-14T20:57:34.870+10:002010-07-14T20:57:34.870+10:00Hi Trevor,
Two questions...
Firstly, why should ...Hi Trevor,<br /><br />Two questions...<br /><br />Firstly, why should Christian parents have compunctions, slight or otherwise, about exposing Christian children to humanism?<br /><br />Secondly, do you think it appropriate for Christian parents to censor information on other religions, and atheism?<br /><br />TimTimaahynoreply@blogger.com