Dear Colleagues,
As a group Library Media Specialists tend to be inclusive and
open-minded when it comes to books no matter what philosophy they
promote. This is my question: If the "Left Behind" series had been
written from an Islamic point-of-view with everyone except
Moslems/Muslims 'left behind' and based on a limited number of verses
from the Koran which have been interpreted differently by Sunni, Shi'a,
or Taliban, would we be having this discussion? Is the only religious
point-of-view that 'we' question 'Christian'?
If a Muslim student came in and asked you if you would consider having a
particular book or series of books that are written by a Muslim with
content that honors Muslim tradition, would you consider it? Would you
say that your policy for adding books to your collection requires two
favorable professional reviews (or what ever your policy is) and that if
you can find them, you will look into it? If your response is, "Of
course!", then change that scenario to a Christian student who asks you
about adding a particular series of books that are typically marketed in
Christian book stores. The parents have asked about having you add them
because they want content that is "safe", i.e. without pre-marital sex,
profanity, and graphic violence (o.k. I do realize that The Bible is
chock full of pre-marital sex and graphic violence, but it is viewed
differently and I am not going to try to explain it). I did have this
happen this year. I was able to find reviews of some of the books in the
series (a Christian romance series for teens and YA) and there were AR
tests available (go figure).
We have to ask ourselves if we would have this discussion or the same
reaction to any of the science fiction genre (futuristic) or is the sole
reason for concern that the futuristic story is based on the authors'
interpretation of a few verses of The Bible? Do we question on what
science fiction authors base their "predictions" in their stories?
I didn't mean to make this so long. IF it matters what my personal
beliefs are, I am a very committed Christian and I have NOT read any of
the 'Left Behind' books because I know that my millennial viewpoint is
different than the authors AND because my "to read" list is very long
with other books that I am looking forward to. I am in a 'sabbatical
leave, one-year only' position. None of the "Left Behind" books were in
this collection, but I know that I could find reviews to support adding
them if I was persuaded that they would be in demand. It is not about my
personal views. It isn't even about whether they are "well-written
literature" because I know that there are many books in the collection
that I do not think are well-written literature (and I bet you all have
some too, but that, nonetheless, fly off of the shelves by students who
love them.
My point is: Do you have the same type of reaction, whatever your
reaction, to any other religious or philosophical based books? If not,
then maybe you should do some 'soul searching' as to why 'Christian'
based books only raise this much negative (or positive) reaction. One
book that comes to mind is "A Wrinkle in Time"; Charles and Calvin are
able to identify to Mrs. Whatsit that 'the Dark Thing' is 'evil'. When
Calvin asks who has been 'fighting' for them, Mrs. Whatsit says that
they know, then Mrs. Who quotes The Bible, "And the light shineth in the
darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." Where upon Charles
Wallace says, "Jesus!" (p. 85 in the paperback that I happened to grab).
Did those of you who are suggesting that 'Left Behind' books not be on
your shelves, have the same debate over the Madeleine L'Engles theology
or the mixing of science fiction or fantasy and Christianity?
Just something to think about.
Sandra Bickler
Teacher Librarian
Harbour Pointe Middle School
Mukilteo, WA
bicklersl@mukilteo.wednet.edu
If librarians ruled the world, reading would be a varsity sport!
-Unknown
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