The Burr in the Burgh

Here's a great quote for you:

"Children like to be scared," he said. "It is good for them to be scared, if they are scared of the right things."

And who said that? It was Douglas Gresham, the stepson of C.S. Lewis at a sneak peak of the new film based on Lewis's book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Go here. And all I can say is A-M-E-N. Apparently, some woman in the audience was concerned that children would be upset by the battle scene between the Lion Aslan and the White Witch.

Have you ever noticed that modern editions of classic fairytales often sanitize the stories of the violence and gore? That drives me bonkers. Or what about all those who complained about the violence in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ? Give me a break.

I saw a Precious-Moments-like figurine one time of the crucifixion of Jesus. Now that is what I find terrifying. Let's make the blood sacrifice of God's Son into something cute. If you ask me, cuteness and our love of cuteness is playing a large part in the undermining of the American Church. And we wonder why our pews are filled mostly with women and children. No men. Because it's all just too sweet.

I believe that adults harm their children by shielding them too much from the harsh reality of blood and suffering in the world. Obviously, I don't mean we should be trying to give our toddlers nightmares.

I don't know if Gresham is correct that children like to be scared. But he is dead right that it is good for children to be scared of the right things. Anyone ever hear of stranger danger? Don't take candy from a man in a trenchcoat alone in a playground? Being scared can be a good thing.

St. Peter said, "Be Alert!" He wasn't talking about pedophiles, but something much worse. Because the devil wants nothing more than to gobble you up for lunch.

As a father, I want my son to know that there is danger in the world. But you can bet your petunias that I will all the more vigorously impress upon him that Christ has overcome the world for us. Christus Victor!

Dr. Gene Veith is directing a great discussion over at the Cranach blog on the upcoming Narnia movie.