Christian groups slam Golden Compass

[Tref]

Originally Posted by 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:

I rethought and changed some of my retort so your answer may seem out of context ... but for the record, I had said I think Alex is confusing two issues as one.

I still do, in fact.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Tref

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.

They certainly have the right to do so (and I'd still like to know if the Catholic Church has actually done so or if it is just The Catholic League doing so; the American bishops seem to think it is safe to expose your children to this one). I just don't think it is a good approach to take and not one I'd advocate.

I'll agree with you that "idiot" is overly strong for it, but I do think it is misguided in both its intent and likely result.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I can see some merit in a group not wanting to financially support a work that is openly trying to convince people that said group is evil.

[innerSpaceman]

I'm not planning on seeing the movie ... but I'm curious how it seems specificially anti-Catholic as opposed to generally anti-authoritarian. My understanding is that it's the latter case, but i'd like to hear from someone who's actually seen it.

Seems to me the anti-Catholic stuff is in the book, but not the movie. Am I wrong?

[Alex]

Steve, my comments on that are in my review linked above if you interested (it isn't until about halfway through an 1800 word reveiw that I actually start talking simply about the movie's qualities).

But you're essentially correct. It has been watered down to simple (and cinematically common) anti-authoritarianism.


GD: I agree with that (though organizing a big media oriented boycott would perhaps be overkill), but so far I haven't seen any protester against the film put it in those terms. They have all hooked it on the corrupting influence of the attacks/ideas presented in the movie (or, more accurately, in the books for which the fear is that the movies will be a gateway drug).

But I'd have no argument with anybody who says "Philip Pullman said mean things about me and so I don't like him and so I don't want him to have $0.18 of my money."

[JWBear]

I agree that if a movie or a book can harm your faith, then it was a faith built of tissue. Any organization, be it religious or otherwise, that can be threatened with new ideas is an organization that is built on very weak foundations.

I don’t see the books (and even less, the movie) as an attack on the Catholic Church, but as a commentary on the dangers of all-powerful, dogmatic, authoritarian organizations.

[Disneyphile]

Sister Act was considered bad too?

That's funny, because it had a positive impact on me to learn more about Catholicism, urging me to research their beliefs, and since then, I've had better respect for Catholicism. (Although, I will roll my eyes at boycott groups of all faiths, meanwhile acknowledging that they are not a full representation of the faith.)

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I think they're concerned about the "gateway drug" phenomenon, as Alex as mentioned above (I think) and elsewhere. Some kid who loves the movie is going to ask for the books and then question religion - or that's the fear.

And I do understand their concerns. It's true, it really DOES attempt to "kill God" in the series, and it can be very affronting to people who believe firmly in God (even if they're not overly dogmatic.) That doesn't mean one shouldn't see it (and for the record, it doesn't mean I agree with them.) But I can see why it would make them unhappy or uncomfortable taking their kids to a movie that would lead them to a series that would then insult their beliefs. It IS a parent's prerogative to teach them whatever dogma they choose and protect them as they see fit.

That said, I'm looking forward to seeing the movie this weekend (if there's time. And if I can first see Juno.)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

That said, I'm looking forward to seeing the movie this weekend (if there's time. And if I can first see Juno.)

Juno's out! Oooooooh

[Kevy Baby]

Simplified:

• Child Pornography: Illegal. Doesn't need to be seen to know what is there.
• Golden Compass: May or may not contain anti-Christian message. Needs to be seen to know if said message is within movie. According to reports; is not.
• Having anti-Christian message: Not illegal