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I remember the first time I thought about the religious foundatiosn to a lot of literature. I was reading the Narnia books at the age of about 7-8. one the whole I was enjoying it. Although I was a bit miffed about the 'daughters of Eve' not fighting in the battle. But then I got to the end where Aslan is saying 'you shall come to know me by another name' (or something like that.
At the time I was basically bemused and rather put of that the author decided to put in an explicitly Christian ending. In retrospect it was a little like being told the author didn't write the book for people like me. At the time I was not explicitly atheist but I knew that I had no particular interest in Jesus.
I am not sure the answer is to have Atheist Aslan's for kids (Golden Compass?). Except that if religious author intrusion is part of fiction then I guess other perspective should also come up to provide balance. On the whole I would prefer Aslan to remain Aslan and meta-symbolism to remain more implicit in YA. But I dare say that isn't going to happen....
At the time I was basically bemused and rather put of that the author decided to put in an explicitly Christian ending. In retrospect it was a little like being told the author didn't write the book for people like me. At the time I was not explicitly atheist but I knew that I had no particular interest in Jesus.
I am not sure the answer is to have Atheist Aslan's for kids (Golden Compass?). Except that if religious author intrusion is part of fiction then I guess other perspective should also come up to provide balance. On the whole I would prefer Aslan to remain Aslan and meta-symbolism to remain more implicit in YA. But I dare say that isn't going to happen....