The Golden Compass

i so often seen such biased and closed-minded christians (and people who are religious in any religion), it's very nice to see someone who can believe what they believe and not offend others.

Then it's a parents responsibility to explain the concept of fiction to children. Children don't watch the lion king and believe a lion really rules africa. but on the other hand, if they see The Exorcist, they're going to get scared and might believe it. It depends on how the topic is approached.

People who read and enjoy "Lolita" are not child molestors. If someone watches a movie about murder, it doesn't mean they condone murder. If someone watches a movie that is pro-abortion, they aren't necessarily pro-choice. It's fiction. It should not offend anyone. The plot should be explained before people watch it, if they have concerns. I'm not about to set my child in front of a tv set without knowing what they're watching. But i'd never, ever have the nerve to tell someone their child SHOULDN'T watch a show because it might put an idea in their head their parents don't like.

Not trying to pick at you M&M, but you just showed the particular argument I wanted to post about.

It isn't a kid's movie. It's rated PG-13. They're showing previews and commercials, but not cutesy little child-aimed ones (at least that I can see). I'm thinking that people just see a bear and a little girl, and assume "Oh, it's for kids!"

I'm reminded me of the whole Grand Theft Auto video game hullaballo. Parents bought the game for their young kids, then threw a fit about the violent content---even though the game they bought was blatently labeled as unsuitable for small children.

In this particular case, it maybe a little bit different because the author had admitted that he hated God & wrote the books to sway children away from believing in God.

It is rumored (I wish I could find the source) that he said his mission is to "Kill God in the minds of children". If this is true, Christians do have a pretty good reason to boycot this movie, and should refuse to take any part on such mission.

i have no problem with people choosing not to let their kid watch this. it is PG-13. if i thought something was at all cultic or in any way trying to sway my children from their morals, i might reconsider letting them watch it.

However, i do have a problem with anyone saying there is a problem with someone making a movie or something about this (plus the books are what are strongly anti-religion and anti-god, supposedly the message of killing god in the movie is mild). People make movies with messages all the time. Just because someone decides to make a big issue about a movie about a message they don't support doesn't mean it's got any less right to play in a theater than what they do support.

I thought the book was well written. It was a fun story I loved how the main character is a spunky, bossy, young girl and I did like the fact that it was a story about good overcoming evil with an interesting twist. I am not affiliated with any particular religion and found his arguement about how God was keeping people away from knowledge interesting. My brother loved it and is running around raving about how religion is the "opiate of the people" obviously he likes Marx and my sister who is Christian thought it was a good story even if she didn't agree with his views on releligion. Were all seeing the movie. If Christians don't like this movie then they don't have to watch it. But they have no right to protest it's release.

when i was in middle school/high school i LOVED those books. i've been meaning to get the set. i'm not sure if i will see the movie though. hp movies sucked after reading the books and so has a lot of other books/movie combos i have seen so we'll see

Yoko I think he may have come out with a 4th book or be planning to. It's a rumor I heard, really need to check up on that

You're right Yoko, that movie DOES have the right to be played in the theatre JUST as much as The Passion had the right. BUT christians who DO not agree with it ALSO have the right to pass the word on so others are aware of WHAT they maybe paying to watch and let their kids see. That is also freedom of speech

I've gotten several emails about this movie from other christian friends and relatives. I don't plan on donating more money to it by watching, therefore I cannot let my kids see it as we screen their movies BEFORE they can see them.

If they want to see it when they are older, more power to them.........I just won't give money to something I don't believe is right.

You know, the funny thing is, I read the book before I heard about the athiesm thing. And I found it to be deeply religious. Whatever the author intended to do . . . and I think he may have been more anti-church or anti-religious cocercion than anti-god . . . the books themselves come off as deeply spiritual. (If anything, the book is more gnostic than athiest. Though kids will likely read them as an adventure and think nothing more of it . . . that's how I first read Narinia too).

The god in the books is a false and petty god. The church is a totalitarian state more dedicated to theology than to decency and morality. I'm mostly irritated that people are judging the books, and the movie, without having seen them. Now, I'm not an athiest, but I'm not what most people on this board who declare themselves to be Christians would consider a Christian either . . . but I'm not anti-Christian. I didn't read the books to be anti-Christian (Of course, I read them without knowing what the author said, I just read them as the books they are). I read them to be anti-religious bigotry, anti-fanaticism, anti-theocratic, anti-letting-religion-blind-you-not-only-to-facts-but-to-morals.

Also, the movie has been altered. It it anti-totalitarian, rather than anti-religion in any way. Apparently, virtually all the religious overtones (at least that ANY child would get) have been stripped. Just to avoid offending Christians, apparently. Now, this does annoy me . . . not so much that they altered the movie, but that they felt it was necessary . . . and people are still going to boycott it . . . so its a lot of fuss about nothing, to me. The movie won't hurt your kids . . . and was rewritten to make sure that its not too objectionable . . . if you don't like it, then take the chance to sit down with your children and explain why the movie was wrong instead of sheilding them from anything that might damage their 'faith'.

On the other hand, they are your kids and your money, so do what you like . . . but knee-jerk reactions against ideas/works of art, especially encouraged by e-mail sent by people who haven't read the book (or read the articles about how the movie was changed). . . shrug.

Personally, I'd take my kids to see the Chronicles of Narina, and the Golden Compass . . . but I don't have kids.

EXACTLY!!! People act like kids are not capable of telling the difference between life and fantasy. Honestly people must think kids are stupid. I read the books as well when I was a kid. I was already a Wiccan at the time but still the books didn't effect my religious veiws. People crack me up. "But but kids won't understand and they are going to abandon their christian veiws!" .


I will say it again its a BOOK and a MOVIE. Im not a christain and I read the Narnia books and saw The Lion, the Witch, and the Wordrobe. Am I a christain because of it? No of course im not. And I read those as a child as well.

Seriousely people give your children some credit.

I don't think we Christians protest because we are afraid that the book/movie will affect our kids' faith & beliefs. If that is the only reason, then we Christians really need to evaluate our own faith, and the way we teach them to our children.

I think we protest the author's INTENTION as he widely & proudly admitted it, which he was trying to convey through his books/movie - in other words we make it known that we refuse to take any part in it. As someone said previously, we do so by making a concious decision not to contribute our money to his cause, and I think we have all the right in the world to urge others to do the same.

Of course, I don't have any problem with anyone who decides to see this movie. It's their right to do so. But it's my right to ask them to reconsider going, for the reason I've stated above.

My 2 cents on this...

It's a movie. Plain and simple. Not a fact based documentary, but a work of fiction that was created with great imagination.

If Christians want to boycott this movie, fine! If they want to restrict their children from seeing this movie, again fine. If a Christian wants to live their life following The Word, wonderful!

If nonchristians want to go and see this movie, fine! If they want to allow their children to go and see this movie, again fine. If a nonchristian wants to live their life the best way they know how, wonderful!

In the end it is only a movie and will hardly change the world.

Not singling you out, it's just that your post is the most concise

So, in the alternate case, it would be fine for non-Christians to make it known that we refuse to take part in Christian-centric events and to urge others to do the same?

:O i don't know if it was because i was so young or what... but i didn't pick up any references lol of course it has been a LONG time. they're selling the book for 12 bucks at walmart so might pick it up *the book with all three books in it*

Speaking for myself (and not M&M) I would say yes, and they do all the time......it's their right to speech/opinion and I don't hold it against them if they don't agree with me, LOL.

this may have been mentioned as I've only read up to this point...but I always think its funny when ppl make such a stink about stuff since it draws SOOO much publicity.

All it does is INCREASE the # of ppl who read it, haha. Stupids.

Anyways, I am clearly in a bubble cause not only did I not realize this movie was a book first, but I also havent hear any controversy! Interesting though...makes me want to see the movie now!!

Uh I guess so However, curiosity is a powerful thing. I bet there would be the same amount of Christians going to see this movie as non-Christian going to see The Passion. In the end, it's about freedom. Freedom to choose what you believe in, and what you don't, and freedom to make your choice known to others.

If only everything is this simple. As Christians, we have a moral obligation to be witness of our faith, and stand up for our belief. Sometimes, it means that we're called to go against the current, even though we may be ridiculed or worst, persercuted for it.

Lets say if I know of someone who's trying to abort her child, I have a moral obligation to ask her to consider other options. Of course, she is the one who'll be making the decision, and I have no control of that - BUT, I have to try - the same way if one knows of someone who's trying to commit suiside, don't you think he's obligated to say something? Sometimes, it's morally wrong for a person to just say, "It's your life, you do whatever you want with it. I don't care".

Oh I know all to well of the moral obligation that Christians feel that they have. I spent my teen years in a foster home with fundamental baptists. My point was simply that I if Christains feel that they have to protest this movie than so be it. Because personally if you are passionate about something then you do what you have to do. And if nonchristians are going to go see the movie than so be it, because they are going to do what they are going to do.

I think in this case it is, because Christians are going to protest and nonchristians are still going to go and see the movie. I was only personally stating that I have no problem with Christians protesting this if they feel it necessary. And I will still go and see the movie.

hehe me either. Because of their protesting, I am now aware of this movie that I otherwise would have missed out on!! THANKS

M&M, let me say I have a lot of respect for you, not only for always being so willing to offer explanations, but also for understanding that when it comes down to it, everyone IS free to do what they want to do.

I just went back and looked at my previous post, and although no one commented, I wanted to make sure it was clear that I wasnt calling you, or anyone else on this forum stupid. Sorry, that was just unnecessary on my part.