The release of movie, The Golden Compass, has spurred the fear-mongers into high gear. Why do people fear ideas that may challenge their beliefs? Why not see such happenings as opportunities for discussion?

I've seen this panic-stricken e-mail enough times now that I MUST respond.
Before I do, however, I must confess that I HAVE NEVER READ The Golden Compass, or any of the author's books.
That said, here's what I a point I'd like to make-- and, coincidentally, this is also a major theme in my debut novel, Courage in Patience: Censorship sucks.
Period.
And what sucks even more than censorship is when people mindlessly forward panic-laden e-mails directing their friends and neighbors to completely avoid a work of art, simply because the ideas expressed in the art may conflict with their own beliefs.
Are, in this case, (some) Christians so insecure in their faith that they feel justified in judging the merit of a work without even having seen the movie or read the books, first?
Here's one more for ya: I would consider MYSELF a Christian, and yet...I'm currently reading Derek Armstrong's The Last Troubador. So what? Here's what: Tarot and mystical elements are woven throughout the plot. I don't know a thing about Tarot. Don't know much about The Inquisition, either, but I'm enjoying the book anyway, because of the characterizations and storytelling.
Now..let me check...nope, haven't burst into flames yet.
I think the only answer to the hysteria propagated by mindless panic-mongering is rational discussion.
But I guess that might make too much sense...right?