Christian groups slam Golden Compass

[CoasterMatt]

I think she just had some happy time with Mr. Owl.

[blueerica]

I think people can do or not do anything they do or don't want to do. If that makes any sense.

But, I guess what really gets me is the letter that got sent out. Though I can't refer to it since I deleted it, I got mine from a non-Catholic and it had the whole book thing and the "gateway" idea going on, too. I also got the idea that it was also against giving money to the people who made the message, all of which I understand, conceptually.

The thing is, I really didn't care as much about the movie until the whole story blew up. The moment I got that email, being an agnostic, I was excited. Sure, I deleted the email, but what previously seemed like a boring-assed movie about a book I couldn't have cared less about is now intriguing as can be.

In fact, I'm sure to be let down that it wasn't anti-religion enough.

As a marketer, my first thought was "brilliant marketing move!" Sure it would be a tad underhanded and unlikely, but the press over this has been outstanding. Coverage over just this aspect of the film (and the books it was based on) has been incredible. Newspapers, magazines, television, radio - you name it! Everyone knows...

So yeah, I wasn't able to see it this weekend (just too busy), but I'll probably go to the theaters this weekend to go check it out. Though I'll be let down.

[Tref]

Originally Posted by Chernabog

...

My response had nothing to do with child abuse, Chern. I gave an extreme example and a simplistic example about an apple. Thankfully, you have nothing against apples. So here it is again: I don't need to see it to know what is inside. That's it. That's all I was saying.

Now do you get it?

I don't know if we have ever talked before but maybe we shouldn't talk again. To my way of thinking, all this pettifoggery is just not worth it. I think your reply was overly reactionary and mean-spirited. Clearly, I failed in getting my point across and I apologise, but there are not enough hours in the day for me to want to answer anger-fueled crap like this. If you want to debate something I said -- go ahead, but make sure you know what I am talking before you get on your soapbox.

The second most annoying aspect of this whole thing is that, so far as I can see -- nobody ever protested anything. But if a group of "idiots" want to -- they can and with my blessing, because, really, who gives a sh*t? Not me. Why should I? I may disaprove but so what?

Relax, Chern. Pick and choose your fights. Clearly, this was not the right one for you.

Now, if you want to disect this post -- go ahead. If it makes you feel smarter then me -- cool. But this is the end of line for me.

[Chernabog]

Originally Posted by Tref

My response had nothing to do with child abuse, Chern. I gave an extreme example and a simplistic example about an apple. Thankfully, you have nothing against apples. So here it is again: I don't need to see it to know what is inside. That's it. That's all I was saying.

Now do you get it?

I understood what you were saying. I disagreed and gave an example of why it was off topic. Obviously, there's some kind of communication error between what I am writing and what you are reading, and perhaps I am just not clear enough in my intent, which was not to be mean, hurtful, or anything like that. I picked apart an argument that I found invalid, and you took that as a personal attack.

I don't know if we have ever talked before but maybe we shouldn't talk again. ...

Actually I find your usual posts completely hysterical (when they're meant to be funny, of course). I do find it odd that you hate me after a few posts, but if you want to stick me on ignore, so be it.

Relax, Chern. Pick and choose your fights. Clearly, this was not the right one for you.

It isn't like I'm horrifically upset over this issue; I just gave my opinion... so I'm thoroughly confused by this statement.

Now, if you want to disect this post -- go ahead. If it makes you feel smarter then me -- cool. But this is the end of line for me.

Me too, because I've obviously struck a nerve and this is slightly out of hand (especially for this board).

[Kevy Baby]

Was that a YAGE? Can one YAGE from a thread?


ETA: Timing is everything. My response was not to the post immediately above, but the one above that.

[Nephythys]

Snark snark.....

...and Veggie Tales DP - teaches good moral lessons you would uphold anyway- it doesn't preach salvation.

Golden Compass is a rental movie on our list- was before and still is.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I haven't seen all of the Veggie Tales videos/movies, but I've never seen any criticism of beliefs or specific dogma taught. There may be a biblical retelling here and there, but they're not of the "Jesus loves me, this I know" sort.

In fact, the ones I've seen have hardly featured any biblical stories, only cute parables that teach kids kindness, and otherwise downright silly and clever songs and sketches.

Of Golden Compass - I found the movie to be an enjoyable enough watch, though violent enough (in one moment specifically) that I wouldn't choose to take a child under 13 to it regardless of the religion issue. Let's just say that directly following the particular moment I refer to, the grown men directly to my left and right had their hand over their mouth in the exact same fashion as my hand covered mine. [Side note: Nicole Kidman? Generally tired of her.]

To say that the "religion isn't in the film," as is being reported widely, is a little silly. The veil is really quite thin (both the atheist and the non-committed but spiritual person in our group thought so.) My problem with the line of the film (and with other hard-line atheists who bother me as much as extremists of any religion - I am a fierce believer in respecting that each person's beliefs are as true and real to them as mine are to me, and I would no more want to insult theirs than I would want mine insulted) is that ALL of the church is bad, ALL of it is brainwashing and ALL of it is out to hurt people. Certainly, some people, some cults, some historical periods of most religions have brought pain and suffering. I continue to resent the implication that all people who participate in church are doing so because they are not intelligent, and that all church leaders are out for their own good. That is simply not my experience.

[Gemini Cricket]

$26 million last weekend. Hmm. It's #1, but I'm not sure if that's a good enough start or not. The budget for the film was $180 mil. I'm wondering if they'll make that back. It doesn't look so. Maybe that's a question for the Stroup.
I'm curious about this film now...

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

$26 million last weekend. Hmm. It's #1, but I'm not sure if that's a good enough start or not. The budget for the film was $180 mil. I'm wondering if they'll make that back. It doesn't look so. Maybe that's a question for the Stroup.
I'm curious about this film now...

I believe they were predicting $30 million, so it was a little under expectations.

[blueerica]

I have a number of thoughts on religion, Catholicism especially. I don't believe that ALL are out for greed/whatever, and would never venture such a blanket statement. Much of the perceived "problem" of religion(s) stems from their general origins.

When researching for a paper (that was essentially) on the origins of Catholicism, I picked up quite a bit of information that's out there publicly. I am no expert (no 30-page paper writer could call herself that), but it does seem that the earliest of times show greedier leaders. While I don't believe that is the case today, I can see how the feeling could resonate for some. It is partly the reason the Lutherans broke, off, protestants, etc... So...
you know... we all have our reasons and origins n' stuff.

As for me, I'm neither here nor there; agnostic and proud of it, as it were. (How many trite phrases can I pack into a paragraph to emphasize that I'm saying this all rather lightly?)



I think everything has its message, which is why I've chosen to soak up the best of what everything has to offer, whether it's the positive "do unto others" message of many religions or the "freedom of thought" of the atheists.