Is 'Golden Compass' too Anti-Christian--or not enough?

well i agree with your view absolutely. even lao tsung recommended knowing your enemy (if that's your take) but really, do we think we should hide from different points of view, even though they do not promote violence or cruelty?

differing philosophies abound, and i would think that those who disagree with this one would at least want some exposure in order to have or find conviction. it reminds me of disallowing a girl to date throughout high school and then being surprised when she unexpectedly turns up pregnant because she had no experience or any idea what she might face, and no practice in handling situations.

MITCHELL RESPONDS: Interesting analogy about teenage pregnancy. However, it's a good idea to get input from opposing point of views.

This is a dangerour. I kid you not. If we allow our children to read or watch whatever they want, then they will begin to believe it.

Just look at how desensitized kids have become to violence because of TV. I’m not letting them see this film. Harry Potter was different because it was not intentionally trying to attack Christians, like this film.

First of all, the movie has been pretty much stripped of all religious references (which is too bad, in my opinion; it will be interesting to see how they complete the trilogy, when in the final book "God" is killed). Second, the book didn't really present a very strong argument against religion, anyways. I'm sure most atheists could provide much more convincing arguments. Finally, children should be allowed to make their own decisions regarding faith. Parents can raise their children in a religious household, but it is ultimately up to the child to decide what they want to continue later in life. I doubt they will be "brainwashed" by watching a movie stripped of its religious overtones, based on a book that didn't present the best argument for atheism.

I wish I could say that I was astounded by the Catholic League's frenzy surrounding this film, but I wasn't. It fits right in with the group's perplexing need to attack anything that doesn't adhere to its dogma.

I don't recall Muslims or atheists attacking the Narnia movie because of its Christian theme. So why is it that some religious nuts have to boycott anything that represents a different viewpoint?

When we get to the point when we start to attack ideas -- when we get to the point when we feel the need to supress anything that doesn't fit into our dogma -- when we get to the point where words and thoughts are deemed dangerous because they conflict with our own -- we cross over from a democracy to a theocracy. And that is the real danger. And the real disappointment. And the real threat.

MITCHELL RESPONDS: Nice commentary. I'm a religious zealot, but I believe I'm aware of what is dangerous and what isn't. It looks like many other people feel the same way. In fact, I've had a difficult time finding people who feel the opposite.

In response to Mark, it is not that this movie presents another faith's idea. It is that this movie attacks the Christian point of view. It is the attack that offends. A movie about Islam or about Judaism is not banned by the Catholic church. There is enough bad blood in this world without creating a group dedicated to "killing God." My children will not be seeing this movie.

Lynn,

I understand why you would be offended by the novel's message (not the film's, however). And you certainly have a right to keep your kids from seeing the movie. But I think Mike's point is spot-on: Trust the audience to make up its mind. Because, when you get right down to it, none of us can repress ideas or thoughts forever. At some point, our children will make up their own minds about life, faith and the future. We can provide a framework, but we cannot keep people from thinking. Our children will be exposed to all kinds of ideas, both good and bad --- and they should be. And I really doubt a movie that features talking polar bears and little badgers will move people away from faith and toward atheism.

Oh please.. This is yet another example of 'political correctness' gone mad.. People, it's a MOVIE!!! Sure you can read into it in many different ways (as you can anything including the bible), but the bottom line is it's a sci/fi fantasy film made for entertainment, and I did enjoy it. Just because a movie/book presents a storyline that adds a new twist to our perceptions of our own existance and the universe around us, it doesn't mean it's bad or should be boycotted, afterall that would validate one of the movie's supposed (in some peoples minds) analogies that the Magisterium 'is' the Church and that free thought should be controlled. None of the concepts or storylines in this movie are new. Similar concepts are in most other scifi/fantasy movies like StarWars, 1984, Lord of the Rings, etc... and nobody complained about them (there probably were a few PC nuts that did)....

My family and I will not be going to see this movie. Our decision does not have anything to do with political correctness or censorship or boycotting or suppressing alternative worlds views or having our faith shaken by a movie. We just don't want to support anything that is as anti-Christian as the trilogy of books and movie are purported to be. We love our Christian faith and tradition. We are just not going to give our money to people of this ilk who have written books and made a movie that denigrates and disparages something so close to our hearts.

TJ

Mike Mitchell wrote:

"Are you in agreement with the Catholic Church for boycotting the film?"

I don't believe the Catholic Church has called for a boycott of this movie. Mike, could you please correct the inaccuracy in the question?

Thanks,
TJ

MITCHELL RESPONDS: I said the Catholic League.

Mike,

Please look at your original post dated "December 6, 2007 11:50 AM" at the top of this blog. The last question in your post refers specifically to the Catholic Church and not to the Catholic League. Here's your complete post again for your reference. Again I respectfully ask that you make the necessary correction.

Thank you,
TJ

Is 'Golden Compass' too Anti-Christian--or not enough?

It's here. The movie, based on "His Dark Materials" trilogy by Phillip Pullman, will surely be a smash at the box office, starting this weekend.

But the movie carries an an atheist theme. Is this dangerous?

You already know my point of view.
Will you allow your children to see the film? Are you in agreement with the Catholic Church for boycotting the film?

Mike,

Thank you for correcting the question in your original blog entry regarding boycotting the film from "Catholic Church" to "Catholic League". It makes a big difference!

TJ