Golden Compass

Today I received an email warning me about the upcoming film, "The Golden Compass." Apparently it is based on a series of books written by an atheist (Gasp!) and will make children who watch the film become atheists too. Seriously? Weren't there concerns that Harry Potter would turn children into black magic worshipping heathens? Wasn't the Wizard of Oz going to turn us all into Communists? Shouldn't the Chronicles of Narnia have turned us all into Christians? When do people realize that getting all up in arms in these situations is ridiculous? Being exposed to opposing ideas does not make us all jump off a bridge, so to speak. How can people still be scared by ideas that they do not share? What is so wrong about discussion and debate? Talk to children about things, don't rush to shield them. Let's raise children who know how to express their ideas and concerns and can consider opposing arguments and think through how they personally feel. Not children who rush to ban or destroy anything that they do not agree with. So frustrating!