I posted this over at pds_lit's end of this discussion, but I guess it holds true over here. In Ebert's review of The Golden Compass he says, The books have been attacked by American Christians over questions of religion; their popularity in the UK may represent more confident believers whose response to other beliefs is to respond, rather than suppress. And it did make me wonder whether the excesses of religion in America are actually due to a lack of confidence. I know Pullman has been attacked over here as well, but I think Ebert has a point about the differences between religion in the Old and New Worlds.
On the other hand, the row over Jerry Springer, The Opera seems to demonstrate that a similar mindset is working its way in here.

It would be tempting to say that we've lost the educational discipline you speak of because They don't want us to learn to think. But I think the more probable explanation is that it's easier not to teach it.