Banning Tolkien, some questions - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 05-04-2003, 07:50 PM

*smiles* I see you're from London, Cazoz.

Life's a little different here, and I think you do have som good points, but I think you may be misreading a little bit. For one thing, I don't think that "fellowship with liberals" necessarily means political liberals. At least in my experience the term seems to be used in a more all around sense, by people who don't understand the real meaning of it (like Iarwain said). In many circles the term liberal is a catch all term for evil much like the term fantasy is. It applies (in those circles) to much more than politics, but to the religious/moral areas their political philosophy influences. Part of this is another resistance to 'paganizing'. The school wants you to be protected from the influence of people whose political view contradict their moral views (on perhaps one of the very firey issues like abortion).

And as for teaching/imposing. I refer to my above post. I don't believe that teaching is the same as imposing. You can be forced to pay lip service to a view while you're in that school, but what you're taught is never imposed on you, you still have the freedom to believe or disbelieve, and most of us seem to have active enough minds not to blindly accept.

As a side note, yes Lalaith, creationism is taught in many US private schools (and some public, even), it was in mine, and barely raises an eyebrow. Funny how different things can be?

Iarwain- thanks for that insightful discussion on unicorns and such, it opened my eyes and helped me understand in a little different way. Thanks again.

Sophia

05-04-2003, 07:50 PM	#1
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	smiles I see you're from London, Cazoz. Life's a little different here, and I think you do have som good points, but I think you may be misreading a little bit. For one thing, I don't think that "fellowship with liberals" necessarily means political liberals. At least in my experience the term seems to be used in a more all around sense, by people who don't understand the real meaning of it (like Iarwain said). In many circles the term liberal is a catch all term for evil much like the term fantasy is. It applies (in those circles) to much more than politics, but to the religious/moral areas their political philosophy influences. Part of this is another resistance to 'paganizing'. The school wants you to be protected from the influence of people whose political view contradict their moral views (on perhaps one of the very firey issues like abortion). And as for teaching/imposing. I refer to my above post. I don't believe that teaching is the same as imposing. You can be forced to pay lip service to a view while you're in that school, but what you're taught is never imposed on you, you still have the freedom to believe or disbelieve, and most of us seem to have active enough minds not to blindly accept. As a side note, yes Lalaith, creationism is taught in many US private schools (and some public, even), it was in mine, and barely raises an eyebrow. Funny how different things can be? Iarwain- thanks for that insightful discussion on unicorns and such, it opened my eyes and helped me understand in a little different way. Thanks again. Sophia __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!