The Toronto Star reports that The Halton Catholic school board has pulled Phillip Pullman's book, The Golden Compass, from the libraries of schools in Halton County. Apparently school board trustees received a complaint that, in an interview, Mr. Pullman admitted that he is an atheist. The complaint also includes the claim that The Golden Compass is anti-religious.

Pullman has made controversial statements, telling The Washington Post in 2001 he was "trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief." In 2003, he said that compared to the Harry Potter series, his books had been "flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God."