At a Christian school in England, located in the picturesque Dorset region, a recent decision has stirred up a debate. Lilliput Church of England Infant School has placed a ban on its young students, aged between four and seven, from singing along to the popular KPop group's song "Demon Hunters," amid concerns over references to demons.
In a heartfelt note addressed to parents and carers, the school shared that some members of their community were "deeply uncomfortable" with specific lyrics from the Netflix smash hit film. The initial letter requested parents to encourage their children "to refrain from singing these songs at school, out of respect for those who find the themes at odds with their faith."
The school's staff explained that demons are associated with "spiritual forces opposed to God and goodness," and thus, efforts must be made to nurture and uphold the school's "Christian ethos." Acting head teacher Lloyd Allington penned a new letter on the school's website on Monday, stating: "For some Christians...even fictional or playful use of this language can conflict with their faith, which emphasizes rejecting evil rather than engaging with it—even in entertainment."
However, Mr. Allington also shared that he had received positive feedback from some parents about "Demon Hunters," who appreciated that the songs encouraged values like teamwork and kindness. "We want to reassure you that we are not asking parents to tell their children that there is anything wrong with enjoying the film or its songs if it aligns with your own views and beliefs, and this will not be the messaging we share in the school either," the letter continued.
"Our role will simply be to help children understand that some of their peers may hold different views and to explore how we can respect and support those peers in upholding their faith," the letter concluded.
The movie, following the K-pop girl group and demon-hunting trio Huntr/x, received widespread acclaim in June this year and swiftly became Netflix's most-watched original title in its history, with a sequel already in the works. It was also the first film soundtrack on the Billboard Hot 100 to have four of its songs in the top ten and earned an impressive five Grammy nominations. The Hollywood Reporter's review called "Demon Hunters" a "dazzlingly animated, infectiously soundtracked treat."
