Christian groups slam Golden Compass

[Not Afraid]

Here;s another FoF quote:

Other critiques have appeared on evangelical blogs and Web sites. Adam Holz of Focus on the Family, writing on the Christian ministry's Plugged In site, calls Pullman's books and the film a "deliberate attempt to foist his viciously anti-God beliefs upon his audience."

I don't see what's wrong about "foisting beliefs"? Narnia certainly does that.

The "thought police" mentality is what really irks me.

[Alex]

Re this:

he fears the movie would "plant seeds" to "ultimately encourage some fans to reject God."

It is an irony I didn't want to get into in my review, but

Spoiler:

The "evil goal" of the bad guys in the movie is their experimentation in pursuit of a way to completely protect children from the temptation towards questioning received authority and even awareness of its existence.

So, seeing as I would disagree with such approaches, seeing certain groups advocate just that very thing in response to this movie makes me smile while being sad about it.

As one commentator I saw said, if you're faith is going to be destroyed by a movie, then there were other problems with it (your faith) anyway.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

I kinda lost interest in the movie when the bear started talking in the trailer.

What if they had a talking twink?

[Chernabog]

Roger Ebert gave this movie 4 stars, and that is enough for me. I'm going to see it tonight after the gym, I think.

Frankly, the Christians who are protesting this movie are being idiots considering the movie takes out the heavy-handedness of the books (I mean, why not SEE a movie first, THEN protest it). Though of course, some of those people say "OMG if kids like the movie, then they'll read the book, and then they'll get these naughty naughty ideas!".

I mean, god forbid someone actually hear different viewpoints or think for themselves. I believe that people who question their religion and then come to similar conclusions of their religion (or spiritual beliefs) come out that much stronger in their faith. How is it that Mother Theresa questions her belief in God, making her a stronger person of faith in the eyes of the Church, and yet when a child hears a viewpoint that questions the belief in God or organized religion, it is evil?

Yes, yes, I know, Mother Theresa is held to a different standard because.... because.... ummm....

In an odd way, the Christian groups are PROVING the point in the books regarding the evils of organized religion. Dumb, dumb, dumb. The author of the books can just point to them and say, "see! This is EXACTLY what I mean."

[Gemini Cricket]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

What if they had a talking twink?

Then I would see it over and over and over.

[Tref]

Originally Posted by Chernabog

Frankly, the Christians who are protesting this movie are being idiots considering the movie takes out the heavy-handedness of the books (I mean, why not SEE a movie first, THEN protest it)..

I mean, god forbid someone actually hear different viewpoints or think for themselves. I believe that people who question their religion and then come to similar conclusions of their religion (or spiritual beliefs) come out that much stronger in their faith. How is it that Mother Theresa questions her belief in God, making her a stronger person of faith in the eyes of the Church, and yet when a child hears a viewpoint that questions the belief in God or organized religion, it is evil?

Idiots? That seems a tad strong, what? The books have a clear anti-Catholic bent -- no one, including the author, would argue that point, so does it not behoove the Catholic Church to defend itself against a sugar coated tome that propagates atheism at the church's expense? I say, absolutely. An attack is an attack no matter how subtle or discreet.

I won't be seeing it but not necessarily because of its content. I am just tired of CGI animals and fantasy movies. They are starting to look all alike.

[Alex]

I would say there is an important difference in approach between defending oneself from an attack and saying that an opposing idea should be avoided as completely as possible.

"These ideas are too dangerous to even be seen" is not a defense against attack, in my opinion, it is an infantilization of the membership. "Examine this idea, think about, and here are the reasons we think it faulty/inadequate/scurrilous/etc and are confident your faith will come out strong on the other side" is defense.

I do agree that the market is overcrowded with epic fantasy adaptations (particularly YA epic fantasy) but think this is one of the better examples and I'd gladly swap the final two Harry Potter movies for two more in this vein.

[Tref]

Originally Posted by Alex

I would say there is an important difference in approach between defending oneself from an attack and saying that an opposing idea should be avoided as completely as possible.

Let's all put aside this concept of opposing ideas, for one minute, OK? Its entirely irrelevant to the argument.

These books are an attack on the Catholic Church. That is the beginning, middle and end of it.
And for that reason, the church has full right to ask that Catholics avoid taking their children to this movie.

So far as the children's right to choose. Well, that is silly, too. Children do not and should not have the right to choose. That is why we call them children.

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Here;s another FoF quote:

I don't see what's wrong about "foisting beliefs"? Narnia certainly does that.

The "thought police" mentality is what really irks me.

How does Narnia do that- you yourself have said you did not pick up on the religious undertones when you read the book. The movie is even less obvious-

[Alex]

I make no such confusion; unless you are claiming actual physical acts of violence all this "attack" can be is one of words and ideas. So I'd say it is both; it presents its own view of enlightenment and attacks what it sees at the Catholic view (in the books, little of it is in the movie). But even if it is just an attack, "pretend it isn't there" isn't a defense against it.

I don't see your last paragraph as that big of a big difference, and the movie (nor the books) is not a childrens movie.

Has the Catholic Church made any official comment against the movie or just some Catholic activist groups? As pointed out above, the official body of the U.S. Roman Catholic Church gives the movie a pretty mild review and they seem to agree with me on a better way for parents to handle it than the one William Donohue suggests:

Originally Posted by from the same review I linked above

Will seeing this film inspire teens to read the books, which many have found problematic? Rather than banning the movie or books, parents might instead take the opportunity to talk through any thorny philosophical issues with their teens.