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The Phorum > The Arts > Literature (Moderators: Josh, Vlad!) > The Giver
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Vlad!
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« on: July 20, 2003, 02:24:37 PM »
After I finished reading Lois Lowry's The Giver, one of the best stories I have read, I suggested to my mom (an English teacher for a Christian hich school) that it should be taught in schools. Maybe even have the students read both Anthem (by Ayn Rand) and The Giver, two very similar books, and compare their themes and agendas (if any). She told me that at one time the middle school tried to teach The Giver but some activist parents (a la Donnie Darko) claimed it was New Agey and should not be taught to Christian kids. The worst part? These "parents" hadn't even read the book! It appeared on a list somewhere of books with new-age influences (which I would refute, by the way), so obviously it must be inappropriate for our children!

Why must this happen? Has anyone else experienced this kind of reprehensible stupidity?
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Josh
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« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2003, 02:53:31 PM »
Yes.

Try writing film reviews (well, you do that part already) and then discussing them with reactionary fundamentalists. Your mind will be blown by how utterly stupid humans can be. It's almost as if, when He gives you the Holy Spirit, God also bestows upon believers the uncanny ability to take everything out of context and turn just about anything into something damnable.
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DvChWi
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« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2003, 04:53:03 PM »
The whole attitude you guys are talking about is exemplified(sp?) bythe whole Harry Potter controversy.  Anyone who actually reads Harry Potter with an open mind should see the non-seriousness of the whole thing.  I hate when people won't read(or watch and listen) with an open, yet discerning mind.
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RokrantheGreat
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« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2003, 10:34:32 PM »
Yeah, my parents are very much like that... Harry Potter's evil, shooting games turn kids into killers (they blame Columbine on them), rock and roll (even Christian), or anything other than what they listen to is evil...  sigh.
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Vlad!
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« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2003, 07:28:38 AM »
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I hate when people won't read(or watch and listen) with an open, yet discerning mind.
Indeed. These "parents" need to realize that just because something is taught to their children doesn't mean it's being endorsed in any way...I mean, as far as they know, the literature is being used as a lesson in what to avoid in their own lives. Just as admiring the Taj Mahal won't turn you into a Hindu, so will reading The Giver not turn you away from Christianity. But then again, what would I know? I've only READ THE BOOK, which is more than most of these "parents" can say.
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If you don’t have freedom as a principle, you can never see a reason not to make an exception. There are constantly going to be times when for one reason or another there’s some practical convenience in making an exception.
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DvChWi
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« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2003, 09:59:18 AM »
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Just as admiring the Taj Mahal won't turn you into a Hindu, so will reading The Giver not turn you away from Christianity.
Aha, thats great! =D   Did you come up with that all by yourself?
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Fun facts about Chuck Norris:

Newton's Third Law is wrong: Although it states that for each action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, there is no force equal in reaction to a Chuck Norris roundhouse kick.

Chuck Norris can divide by zero.

Chuck Norris CAN believe it's not butter.
Vlad!
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« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2003, 11:29:12 AM »
Yeah, I did. I'm glad you liked it ^_^
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If you don’t have freedom as a principle, you can never see a reason not to make an exception. There are constantly going to be times when for one reason or another there’s some practical convenience in making an exception.
rms
Vlad!
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« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2003, 11:32:04 AM »
By the way, I should have mentioned earlier that I think the claims of new-ageism in The Giver are spurious at best. Both Jonas and the Giver exhibit Christ-like love and a willingness to sacrifice themselves for others. Frankly, I've read 'Christian' literature that has worse theology than this excellent book.
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If you don’t have freedom as a principle, you can never see a reason not to make an exception. There are constantly going to be times when for one reason or another there’s some practical convenience in making an exception.
rms
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« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2003, 02:27:03 PM »
strange, it was a required book for me at some point in time, and it was for at least a little while. It is only a vague memory in my mind now, but I don't remember anything particularly new-agey about it.

NIR: I think this is my first post in literature
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