Halton Catholic School's Censor Fantasy Series, Still Allow Bible

http://theframeproblem.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/halton-district-catholic-school-board-officially-bans-pullman-books/

Halton District Catholic School Board Officially Bans Pullman Books
Posted by ronbrown on December 20, 2007

For daring to criticize Catholicism, Philip Pullman’s books have officially been banned from Halton Catholic School shelves. The most notable of the three books is The Golden Compass, which has recently been made into a movie and has been dignified by readers around the world as the best children’s book in the last 70 years.

“After yanking The Golden Compass from its library shelves for review, a Toronto-area Catholic school board has decided to make the removal permanent.
At a board meeting Tuesday evening, the trustees of the Halton District Catholic School Board voted to ban the title as well as the remaining two books in atheist author Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy: The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.
A committee struck to review The Golden Compass had proposed moving the book to the young adult section of school libraries, but the trustees rejected that proposition and approved a ban instead.”

Something tells me that the Halton Board probably would not be in as much of a rush to ban books condemnatory of other religious or secular groups. It’s seems, to me, to be an incredible sign of weakness that rather than simply presenting an alternative perspective to what is being said or implied in Pullman’s books, the board feels that it needs to ban the book altogether. I only hope that this results in more of their students wanting to read it just because they’ve been discouraged from doing it.

On the plus side, this turn of events will probably increase the number and vigor of Ontarians against the public funding of Catholic schools, which was already a majority. So a big “Thank You” to the Halton District Catholic School Board! Your spineless insecurity and Big Brotherish ways are a continuing source of inspiration.

Why the "War on Christmas" Won't Stop . . . and Why it Should

Interesting article on OpEdNews.com by Donna Halper. Includes the surprising origin of the 'War on Christmas.'

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_donna_ha_071226_why_the__22war_on_chri.htm

Scared of Santa

A gallery of pictures of children being terrified by Santa. Really reminds you what this season is all about: scarring children for life.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/holiday/sfl-scaredofsanta-ugc,0,7181908.ugcphotogallery

MI State Representative to follow Ernest's lead in saving Christmas

This is an interesting one right in our own backyard . . .

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=85310

Jesusland Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VMnFYQ_35Y

Green Bay Votes to Respect an Establishment of Religion Despite Pesky Constitution

Click the link to check out the audio, it's even more horrifying than it sounds. Mayor Schmitt appears to be painfully clueless about, well, everything.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17416043&ft=1&f=2

All Things Considered, December 19, 2007 · Melissa Block talks with Green Bay, Wis., Mayor Jim Schmitt about Tuesday night's 6-6 vote by the city council on whether to keep in place a nativity display adorning the roof of City Hall.

Schmitt cast the tie-breaking "yes" vote to let the nativity stand and bar other holiday symbols until guidelines for future displays are approved.

The council's president installed the nativity earlier this month, and it quickly drew criticism, praise and requests for other symbols, including a Pagan Yule wreath with a five-pointed Wiccan pentacle. Days after being installed, the wreath was torn down and was found in bushes nearby.

Teacher sued for exposing religious bigotry

http://presscue.com/node/29804

World History with the Pope

http://www.mattbors.com/strips/321.gif

Fortune Teller Fraud

If only it were Sylvia Browne . . .

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22133229/

Holy Mitt!

Did you catch Mitt Romney's speech yesterday? Yeah, me neither. That's what they make the Internet for.

Here's my favorite quote: "Freedom requires religion just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone."

As a friend of mine said: "I wonder what Saudi Arabia has to say about religion perishing without freedom?"

Here's an article comparing Romney's speech vs. Kennedy's:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/12/6/144038/828/298/418716

Oh, and CNN was running the headline: "Romney barely says 'Mormon'" . . . so, did he say "Morm . . ." and then trail off?

Fletch blogs CFI's Conference

After attending CFI New York City's recent conference (Secular Society and Its Enemies), I did a blog series over at Bathtub Jeff is Watching

It's a lot of material, and a lot of it is irrelevant to the topic at hand, but just in case any of you were interested in my experiences in NYC, I thought I'd post some linkage.

Parts 3, 4 & 5 are probably the most relevant, the rest is mostly for shits and giggles.

Part I: Coming and Going
Part II: New York, New York
Part III: The Conference
Part IV: My Generation
Part V: Prologue

Tonight "Separation on State Street" Sneak Preview

To our listeners/readers in the west Michigan area, tonight at 8:00 the Microcinema in Grand Rapids will be showing Rob St. Mary's new film "The Separation on State Street."
Tickets will be 5$. Its a local film with a great message. Don't miss it. The Microcinema is located at 470 Market S.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

For more about the movie or to see the trailer go to www.knowsaint.com