Who plans to see "The Golden Compass"? I know I've been forwarded lots of e-mails from my extra-religious friends, urging me to boycott this anti-Christian movie. Of course I also got lots of e-mails years ago about Harry Potter, too.

Evidently in Compass-world, every human being is accompanied by a "daemon" - an animal-shaped buddy who is mentally tied to that person. Now, the villains in the movie belong to "The Magisterium" which detractors of the film think represents the Catholic church. However, reviewers of the movie say that these bad guys come across more like the Evil Empire in Star Wars than any real-life religious organization.

Wasn't The Da Vinci Code an explicit attack on the central tenets of Christianity and Catholicism? But I don't remember a lot of outrage about that movie when it was released.

My curiosity has been piqued so I feel sure I'll go see The Golden Compass. That's what generally happens when any religious group tries to squelch a movie based on its "anti-Christian themes" but the result is always that more people, not less, want to then see for themselves if it's true.

-nab

The Golden Compass written by Phillip Pullman A Proud Athiest who belongs to secular humaist societies. the movie has been written to fool children and parents. He hated the Cronicals of Narnia, did you see that one? That was a cute movie... But in this one, it shows a whole other side, in the End The CHILDREN KILL GOD it is not that we are boy cotting because it is against religion it is the fact that it depicts Killing GOD More SO the Children doing the killing and then being able to do what ever they want. That is what we are so upset about.. We all have a voice and we all have a choice to go or not to go. And you are right Most will go just to see, but, for the sake of our children I do hope they leave the kids at home.......Lesliediane

Having seen the movie this weekend, I can now say that anyone who goes to see this film hoping to see some sort of connection between a fantasy story and an attack on Christianity is going to have to do some very deep digging.

Even expecting such a link, it was difficult for me to find the perception of one. A child or teenager is going to see nothing more in this movie than a great story of a little girl's journey to save her kidnapped friend, meeting colorful characters and animals along the way. Adults who try to read atheism and anti-Catholocism into what is essentially a vibrant exploration of a fantasy world that all children dream about need to turn their efforts to true dangers kids should be aware of and not try to manufacture something bad out of a wonderful, entertaining movie.

-nab

I do not plan to see the movie-but I have heard that the first one "pulls you in." The plot thickens and becomes more openly and overtly atheist in movies ?2-4. (Per Alabama Baptist). I know that there are many good fantasy movies out there that still retain the values of Christians.

I know that there are many good fantasy movies out there that still retain the values of Christians.

So, do you only take your children to see movies that have Christian themes? Or do they go to movies that aren't really themed in any direction but are simply entertaining?

The Golden Compass is, imo, the latter. In fact, I'd say that this movie is far more wholesome than the majority of PG-rated movies that are shown as there is no bad language, sexual content, nudity and only minimal violence.

As for this being the initial film that sucks the viewer into deeper meaning, we'll just have to wait and see. That may be true of the books, which I haven't read. But it may not be true of the movies which may or may not be faithful to the author's vision.

-nab

If Hollywood would put out enough movies that are Christian based, that would be all we see. A Walk to Remember was wonderful as were the Narnia movies. But we do see movies that are entertaining. After my initial reluctance about Harry Potter, we did see those movies. While I don't agree with witchcraft, it wasn't blatantly trying to turn people into witches and warlocks. But time and again, from what I have heard, this movie is the writers attempt to turn people against God, particularly young children who are so impressionable. He proudly claims his atheism, and wants to see God killed. This goes against my beliefs. If others want to see the movie, I am not going to picket the theater. Yet I am not going to show MY support by funding into it either.

I suppose the first movie could be "harmless,"(the intent), which is what I have heard-but the rest of the series-like I said before, gets more antagonistic against God. This is what was reported in Alabama Baptist, and I think Fox News and Katie Couric also covered this controversial movie. I really think the movie would be good, if it weren't for the anti-God sentiments. I suppose that may come in the future movies. Also, if the writer wasn't so "possessed" about atheism and Christian bashing, then it might do better. My opinion.

I agree there are so many movies out there, there's no reason to see any that you think would be offensive to you, your children, or your beliefs.

From the little I've read about the author and his books, I know he's an atheist and I know he likely wrote the series from the standpoint of his beliefs. However, I don't think that the producers of the film are trying to perpetuate those beliefs. Why? Because that's not what they do. They make movies to make money. They're in the business of selling a film and the way they can best do that is not by making a movie with a "mission" (especially a mission that would cause people to boycott the film!) but instead by focusing on what people like to watch on the big screen.

I can understand (and somewhat agree though not wholeheartedly) why some churchs might suggest that the book series might not be suitable for impressionable young people. But based on the first film at least, I don't think the movies will have the same overt focus.

-nab

lesliediane - 06 December 2007 04:09 PM

The Golden Compass written by Phillip Pullman A Proud Athiest

Actually, he's Agnostic...and he said this

[quote author="Phillip Pullman"] His Dark Materials seems to be against organised religion. Do you believe in God?

I don't know whether there's a God or not. Nobody does, no matter what they say. I think it's perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing God into it, but I don't know everything, and there may well be a God somewhere, hiding away.

Actually, if he is keeping out of sight, it's because he's ashamed of his followers and all the cruelty and ignorance they're responsible for promoting in his name. If I were him, I'd want nothing to do with them.



and, the children did not infact, kill G-d at the end. I saw the movie.... brilliant I must say. Amazing movie. Showed nothing against G-d, unless I thought really really really really hard and let my mind wander too much during the movie.

Maybe people should actually see the movie/read the book before condemning it so much.

My mother is a VERY religious person. I was talking to her a couple days before I saw the movie and we started talking about the movie. I told her I was going to go see it and she told me about the same emails you guys are talking about.
Growing up with her I was VERY concious about what she does and does not like and what she would and would not like my younger brothers and sister watching.
I watched the movie and the ONLY thing she would not like, was the fact that the child/persons "soul" was called a "deamon" pronounced "demon".

lesliediane, it is obvious that you have neither READ the books nor seen the movie. The CHILDREN DO NOT KILL GOD!

In the very last book of the trilogy the Children break the glass cage that GOD was imprisoned in, allowing him to become part of the World(s).

I fail to understand why Christians feel they must spread lies and misinformation about a work of fiction.

Everyone, this is a great movie, take the kids to see it and enjoy. The books are great too!