Christian groups slam Golden Compass - Page 7

LSPoorEeyorick · 12-09-2007, 12:09 PM

Some quick responses to you, KB...

Anti-Christian message is not in movie, but the concern, as I understsand it, is not the movie but the "gateway drug" phenomenon, as the anti-Christian message is DEFINITELY within the books.

No, the anti-Christian message is not illegal, but it doesn't mean a parent has to choose to take their child to it, either.

We're heading to see it (and Atonement, and Juno) today so I'll pop in later with a review.

Disneyphile · 12-09-2007, 02:11 PM

As with anything, I think parents should review whatever their child watches prior to them watching it anyway. My parents did that - if they couldn't watch it, they read reviews or at least researched what the movie/television show entailed.

To be fair, I wouldn't want my kids (if we had any) watching anything that made them feel bad about our household beliefs. For instance, "Veggie Tales", which preaches biblical teachings in the guise of cute cartoons. The last thing I'd want is my kids to see something and say, "But if I don't worship Jesus, I'm bad!" So, I can understand and respect the Catholic's stance on this particular film.

Chernabog · 12-09-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

As with anything, I think parents should review whatever their child watches prior to them watching it anyway. My parents did that - if they couldn't watch it, they read reviews or at least researched what the movie/television show entailed.

And that's the thing -- the Catholic Church thinks the movie is bad because the books have a veiled message which doesn't appear in the movie. For them to say "we don't think your kids should read the books" -- that I can kind of understand on some level (though I still disagree with it -- I think that kids and parents should be able to talk about opposing viewpoints, if only to try and discredit them. I'm not a big fan of the "no dialog -- THIS is how things are" mentality).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

To be fair, I wouldn't want my kids (if we had any) watching anything that made them feel bad about our household beliefs. For instance, "Veggie Tales", which preaches biblical teachings in the guise of cute cartoons. The last thing I'd want is my kids to see something and say, "But if I don't worship Jesus, I'm bad!" So, I can understand and respect the Catholic's stance on this particular film.

My understanding of "Veggie Tales" is that it is more than just a guise, but I've never seen it so I can't really comment. But don't you think that if your kids asked you that question, it'd be a good opportunity to sit down and explain, "well here's what some people think, and here's what other people think"? Parental censorship is all well and fine, I don't disagree with that.

So, um... don't buy your kids the book "The Golden Compass" if you're afraid it will ruin their little minds. Problem solved. And at least you're basing it on reviews and analysis from people who have actually read the thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Gotta say it Cherny, those non-Bjork b00bies are sort of freakin me out. Will you be going back to a regularly scheduled avatar sometime?

Your wish is my command. I hope "Clash of the Titans" Bjork doesn't turn you into stone

Hahah don't ask me what the hell she's doing.

CoasterMatt · 12-09-2007, 03:20 PM

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

blueerica · 12-09-2007, 04:14 PM

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.

Kevy Baby · 12-09-2007, 06:16 PM

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 · 12-09-2007, 07:09 PM

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 · 12-10-2007, 10:45 AM

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 · 12-10-2007, 10:54 AM

$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 · 12-10-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

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.

12-09-2007, 02:11 PM	#2
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	As with anything, I think parents should review whatever their child watches prior to them watching it anyway. My parents did that - if they couldn't watch it, they read reviews or at least researched what the movie/television show entailed. To be fair, I wouldn't want my kids (if we had any) watching anything that made them feel bad about our household beliefs. For instance, "Veggie Tales", which preaches biblical teachings in the guise of cute cartoons. The last thing I'd want is my kids to see something and say, "But if I don't worship Jesus, I'm bad!" So, I can understand and respect the Catholic's stance on this particular film.
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12-09-2007, 03:20 PM	#4
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	I think she just had some happy time with Mr. Owl. __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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12-09-2007, 04:14 PM	#5
blueerica Nueve Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,497	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. __________________ Tomorrow is the day for you and me
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12-09-2007, 06:16 PM	#6
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	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. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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12-09-2007, 07:09 PM	#7
Nephythys Yeah, that's about it- Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In a state of constant crap to get done Posts: 2,688	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.
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12-09-2007, 12:09 PM	#1
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	Some quick responses to you, KB... Anti-Christian message is not in movie, but the concern, as I understsand it, is not the movie but the "gateway drug" phenomenon, as the anti-Christian message is DEFINITELY within the books. No, the anti-Christian message is not illegal, but it doesn't mean a parent has to choose to take their child to it, either. We're heading to see it (and Atonement, and Juno) today so I'll pop in later with a review.
	Submit to Quotes

12-10-2007, 10:45 AM	#8
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	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.
	Submit to Quotes

12-10-2007, 10:54 AM	#9
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	$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...
	Submit to Quotes