I think you can argue against some religious thinking when it runs counter to humanistic behavior. A good example is Jehovah's Witnesses who are opposed to letting their children get transfusions in life threatening situations. That decision had to be taken away from them due to the harm it would cause the child. And there are many more instances I could point out.

Card is a homophobic Mormon. Hubbard is dead but his legacy lives on. Sure I can enjoy the books, but it is reasonable (I think) to at least think about what it is you might be supporting by laying down that money for one of their books. I don't know, it is complex.

I am sure if Adolf Hitler were to have written a child's story that in and of itself was harmless I would never buy it and I would never read it to my child, on principle.

I personally would read Adolphs book if it was good XD as for being homophobic, that isn't life threatening in any way like the transfusion example. -shrug-

it's all about hour personal outlook on like I guess.

This is such a great discussion! Luckily Neil Gaiman is very open minded so I have no issues with his stuff.

I think homophobia can be life threatening (hate crimes like the brutal killing of Michael Sandy for example). When homophobia is taught to children then they bully other children or even adults who suicide (Tyler Clementi) due to acts of homophobic hatred. It is sadly endemic and is not harmless.

However, I don't go looking for that stuff in an author. I take books as they come, in general.

I suppose you're right there, but homophobic hate crimes can also be done by non-religious people just as easily, if not more easily as they have no religious code to follow. a religious person may not want to do a violent act, while a plain hater may not care.

I only know of Cards views because other people reacted badly when I mentioned him as my favourite author.

People there in Scotland reacted badly? Why?

Ender's Game is one of my top 100 books, maybe in my top 50.

no, it's just people knowing he was homophobic. usually online. Apparently i should enjoy his stuff.

I just got his biography for three bucks. Not bad I think. I've only just started it.

I'm reading his biography.