The Golden Compass Gets Protests...
Wednesday October 31, 2007
and it hasn't even been released yet. I've already been inundated with chain emails from my Christian friends warning us all about the evils of the new film based on novels by well-known atheist Phillip Pullman. The Catholic League is encouraging parents to avoid letting their kids see The Golden Compass, because it might encourage them to read Pullman's books.
Even despite the presence of Nicole Kidman, it looks like it might be entertaining -- you can watch a trailer here.
Even despite the presence of Nicole Kidman, it looks like it might be entertaining -- you can watch a trailer here.
Hey, I love Nicole Kidman.
To the Catholic League: Oh Please, for crying out loud. I wasn’t aware that the book or movie promoted atheism, but so what if it does? To be truly religious, to be truly spiritual, your understanding and embrace of your religion must be able to withstand criticism and conflict. Avoiding this conflict only makes for weaker faith.
>>Hey, I love Nicole Kidman
Theo, I like you so I’ll let that slide
Seriously, I don’t think she’s done any really good work in a long time. The las thing I liked her in was Cold Mountain. Anyhoo, the Golden Compass looks like it’s got some potential. It’s got Sam Elliot and Daniel Craig, so I can’t complain too much!
patti
Why is it that all a movie or book has to do is mention something supernatural and the religious nuts are all over it. Harry Potter is a wizard and consorts with witches, Oh My! This Golden Compass is written by an atheist. No No No. Give Me a Break.
Patti,
Well being gay, I’m genetically required to love Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, Cher, Madonna, Queen Latifah, and Matthew Broderick. Can’t argue with genetics, so it’s good you’re letting it slide.
Besides, Moulin Rouge should be enough to make anyone a Nicole Kidman devotee in perpetuity. But the Golden Compass looks really good, I can’t wait.
>>>Well being gay, I’m genetically required to love Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, Cher, Madonna, Queen Latifah, and Matthew Broderick.
Hmmm… I’d forgotten Moulin Rouge. May have to rethink that whole “can’t stand Nicole Kidman” thing.
patti
>>>To be truly religious, to be truly spiritual, your understanding and embrace of your religion must be able to withstand criticism and conflict. Avoiding this conflict only makes for weaker faith
well said!!
I don’t give a dam what the Catholic League has to say, They are part of the problem with everthing in the word.
I think the main issue is that the author explicitly states that he wants to encourage children to walk away from Christianity and embrace atheism. He admits (quoted many times in the past)he is using this movie medium, aimed at children, to force his worldview onto them. I find it morally bankrupt and unethical.
~Jenni…who is not Catholic, not gay, and likes Nicole Kidman.
I don’t see it as unethical or morally bankrupt to use art to spread your message, whatever that message is.
It kills me to see people spreading anti-gay messages, but I defend their right to do it. And I will defend my right to spread pro-gay messages and pro-love messages.
Was it unethical for Salvador Dali to create Christ en Perspective as a representation of his ill-fated love of Christ?
Is it unethical of me to wish that everyone would watch “Bang Bang You’re Dead,” and read “Rainbow Boys” so they know what it’s like to be abused in School, and that they can become strong beautiful people without resorting to violence?
No, on the contrary it is very ethical, indeed I would demand that as an artist I must use my art to express my experience of the world, and further use my art to influence the world, to bring forth emotions, desires, and realizations in those who I touch.
Kudos on everyone who loves Nicole Kidman!
I don’t see it as unethical or morally bankrupt to use art to spread your message, whatever that message is.
It kills me to see people spreading anti-gay messages, but I defend their right to do it. And I will defend my right to spread pro-gay messages and pro-love messages.
Was it unethical for Salvador Dali to create Christ en Perspective as a representation of his ill-fated love of Christ?
Is it unethical of me to wish that everyone would watch “Bang Bang You’re Dead” and read “Rainbow Boys” so they know what it’s like to be abused in School, and that they can become strong beautiful people without resorting to violence?
No, on the contrary it is very ethical, indeed I would demand that as an artist I must use my art to express my experience of the world, and further use my art to influence the world, to bring forth emotions, desires, and realizations in those who I touch.
Kudos on everyone who loves Nicole Kidman!
Reading His Dark Materials won’t make anyone atheist any more than C.S. Lewis’ Narnia books made anyone Christian. Children view them as fantasy stories, nothing more. Get a grip Catholic League!
What is most clear about the attacks on His Dark Materials and the Harry Potter books is that the people doing the attacking have no idea why children read those kinds of books. It’s not to bash Christians or delve into the occult. Kids do it to step into another world, to experience things they are never likely to in this world! Fantasy and science fiction are wonderful genres that allow children to think outside the box and to explore the world around them with a different viewpoint which is a wonderful skill because it allows children to be more tolerant of the ways of others!
How can you “force” your worldview on something by using a movie? You can make a movie, and then someone can choose to watch it or not… then choose to accept what they see and hear or not. I mean, c’mon, give people (and the kids!) some credit already!
If you believe in a creative force of some kind, then perhaps you may admit that that creative force gave you a brain. With that brain comes the ability to *use* it – to love, to be creative, and to think logically.
You have it, I have, and “the kids” have it. I don’t think one movie about atheism or for atheism is going to somehow compare to the flippin’ jesus fish and “jesus loves you” signs every time I’m out driving around…
You want to talk “morally bankrupt” perhaps start there… Besides, Christians seem to like banning things rather than engage in meaningful discussion about them – like boycotting Harry Potter and the DaVinci Code today.
I think the main issue is that the author explicitly states that he wants to encourage children to walk away from Christianity and embrace atheism.?????
Where? Where did you read this?? If you look at his site he wants them to question their belief of organized religion! Where does he “explicitly state” this? He’s no Madeline Murray O’Hair shoving his beliefs down peoples throats, he wants you to question your beliefs.
Questioning your religion or anything else for that matter is a beautiful thing. Why would you choose for yourself or your child to walk on this wonderful planet as sheep. Be your own person, question everything and live your own life-we don’t all have to be the same; that’s what makes us all special. I applaude Mr. Pullman for having the nerve to stand out in the open and let us know that it’s ok to question your religion. Most of us are shoved into religion by our parents as we grow up and are never given an option. As for the movie, Nicole Kidman or not-it looks great!
I love Nicole too!
Wait, the Catholic League is trying to stop this? Well, we all know what the Catholic Priests like to do to small boys don’t we. How anti-christian is that?? A quote from the Catholic League:
“We are fighting a deceitful stealth campaign on the part of the film’s producers. Our goal is to educate Christians so that they know exactly what the film’s pernicious agenda really is.”
If they actually educated Christians on faith they wouldn’t have to worry about silly things like movies now would they.
Just my 2 cents.
To Theo and Micki – Beautifully said! I was going to rant but I can’t really add anymore to that! Having been born and raised Catholic (but no more!), I know first hand that we are all taught from the beginning to NOT QUESTION anything, and if we did, it was always “one of the Church’s ‘mysteries.’
Give me a Break!
Then I joined the Mormon church (someone shoot me!) for awhile and I learned that most of them are even worse! In my life I’ve discovered that the most “Christian” people I’ve met are ATHIESTS! Go figure.
Why can’t people in this country just live and let live? Why does one group always have to try to dominate? Christians seem to have too much hate inside to really know what Christ was all about.
I think it looks to be a great movie and people should just see it as it is, entertainment.
I am a teenager who read all the series His Dark Materials, and I believe that everyone is entitled to his, or her own opinion. But I do not
believe that someone should boycott a movie because it challenges their religion!
If you dont like what it says, DONT READ IT!
Hold on, how does C.S. Lewis’ books have anything to do with Pullman’s?
There is quite a bit of connection between C.S. Lewis’ books and Pullman’s. Pullman has spoken out again Lewis’ books as promoting Christianity. Frankly I like both series of books and find a similarity in them in their focus on love as most important aspect of true spirituality. I’m neither Christian nor Atheist, but I find positive messages for kids in both series.
The problem with the movie is that it undermines the authority of parents-like we really need more of that. In other words it is counterproductive to what schools and parents are trying to achieve-a respectful, compassionate, responsible person who does not blame their woes on everyone else.