Boycotting 'The Golden Compass'

[Saphire]

Was there are a thread here on the Community Board about this movie? If anyone has a link, I would appreciate it.

Is anyone planning on boycotting this movie? Just heard an awful description of the content.

 

[Mayl]

Take 2 minutes and look.. There are about 5 threads talking about this dead horse..

But why boycott it?

My faith is not so weak that some movie would change or shake it..

I also believe in free speech and that people have every right to legally express this. A movie is one way they can do it .

Boycott it?

 

[LadyShiva]

Yes, there was a thread already.

I would encourage you to read the trilogy. I just picked it a compilation containing all three books for $13.57 from Sam's Club this weekend and am starting the 2nd book today.

I would call this an adult fantasy novel, and I will treat it as such. I resent all "fantasy" movies being classified as children's movies. I don't treat Ursula Le Guin's novels as children's books, and I appreciate the adult content because it makes me think about what I believe.

I think without reading the book, the protests lack credibility. YMMV. I know that I read the Bible myself, versus having someone tell me what the Bible says, because I'm wired that way. I do the same thing with most emails forwarded to me--if I don't know the subject matter, I go look up the facts in the emails for myself. Nine times out of ten, I find the facts to be twisted, altered, or emotionally edited.

Good luck with your research.

Brandie

 

[DVCLiz]

No, I'd never boycott something based on content I disagreed with. I'd go see it, then I'd know exactly for myself what I did or didn't think, and I'd be better able to discuss it intelligently. I'd never make my opinions based on someone else's thoughts or reviews.

I don't think as a Christian there's anything wrong with seeing something that has an anti-Christian bias. It's not going to change my belief system, so it's not threatening to me. I suppose if we felt, as a society, that peoplel only made their decisions about their faith based on books and movies, it would be more problematic for me, but since I don't think books and movies have anything to do with how I made my faith decisions, or how my children made theirs, I'm not in the least worried about it.

Generally I think people who boycott things like this are not smart enough to think for themselves.

 

[Sir Ron]

There is nothing anti-religious in the movie. The books yes.

Here is a review of the movie.

http://www.cinemablend.com/reviews/His-Dark-Materials-The-Golden-Compass-2752.html

 

[Fitswimmer]

No, I'd never boycott something based on content I disagreed with. I'd go see it, then I'd know exactly for myself what I did or didn't think, and I'd be better able to discuss it intelligently. I'd never make my opinions based on someone else's thoughts or reviews.

I don't think as a Christian there's anything wrong with seeing something that has an anti-Christian bias. It's not going to change my belief system, so it's not threatening to me. I suppose if we felt, as a society, that peoplel only made their decisions about their faith based on books and movies, it would be more problematic for me, but since I don't think books and movies have anything to do with how I made my faith decisions, or how my children made theirs, I'm not in the least worried about it.

Generally I think people who boycott things like this are not smart enough to think for themselves.

Starting a boycott on a movie is a fast track to getting me to go see it, same with books-try banning it and I'm going to RUN to Borders to get a copy. If someone is offended by it, there must be something to think about in there.

I like seeing movies and reading books don't mirror my religious values. They help me strengthen my faith, to understand the values and journey of others, and some are just plain fun!

 

[Malificient Tater]

I have a friend who saw it this weekend and said it was wonderful and she really enjoyed the movie.

 

[Crankyshank]

The books weren't even a blip on my radar, and I was pretty much eh about seeing the movie, until I heard there was a boycott of the movie. I went out and bought the compilation book to see what the fuss was all about and I'm hooked. I adored the first book, and I'm about 3/4 through the 2nd. I can't wait to see the movie now.

I really was unhappy with the overt Christian themes and some other things in the Narnia series, but I am glad I didn't boycott the movie due to it being too Christian because I loved the latest movie. I would hope those on the opposite end would give the Golden Compass the same chance.

 

[Holly]

Starting a boycott on a movie is a fast track to getting me to go see it, same with books-try banning it and I'm going to RUN to Borders to get a copy. If someone is offended by it, there must be something to think about in there.

I like seeing movies and reading books don't mirror my religious values. They help me strengthen my faith, to understand the values and journey of others, and some are just plain fun!

Great post, Fitswimmer.

Just look what a ban did for The da Vinci Code.

I have a friend who saw it this weekend and said it was wonderful and she really enjoyed the movie.

I saw it on Saturday night. There are no overt anti-religious themes. What there is, is an illustration of how people in power abuse it and why it is important to look at the WHY of things instead of just following orders blindly. If Christians or other religious groups are threatened by that, maybe they should take a closer look at why.

The books weren't even a blip on my radar, and I was pretty much eh about seeing the movie, until I heard there was a boycott of the movie. I went out and bought the compilation book to see what the fuss was all about and I'm hooked. I adored the first book, and I'm about 3/4 through the 2nd. I can't wait to see the movie now.

I really was unhappy with the overt Christian themes and some other things in the Narnia series, but I am glad I didn't boycott the movie due to it being too Christian because I loved the latest movie. I would hope those on the opposite end would give the Golden Compass the same chance.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Great post, Fitswimmer.

Just look what a ban did for The da Vinci Code.



I saw it on Saturday night. There are no overt anti-religious themes. What there is, is an illustration of how people in power abuse it and why it is important to look at the WHY of things instead of just following orders blindly. If Christians or other religious groups are threatened by that, maybe they should take a closer look at why.

I really thought DaVinci Code was a weak thriller-if the subject matter interests you, I would recommend Holy Blood, Holy Grail. It's the same premise, without the drama. I read it YEARS ago and I'm still wondering how the authors lost the case they had against Dan Brown-he lifted the whole background from that book.

 

[Camicar]

I have no real opinion on Golden Compass bec it's a fantasy-style and I don't like that style.

That said--
To be honest, since I am well-informed on what the 'other' side thinks, I'm not going to waste my time or money going to see a movie I don't think I'd like.

I'm also not going to watch something that will just get me aggravated -- I have enough crap in my life to raise my blood pressure.

I don't intend to try and convince others not to see a movie nor do I intend to participate in some public boycott of it either.

Lastly, I don't need to see the movie to bolster my point in discussions, bec I try really hard not to get involved in political/religious discussions which usually descend pretty quickly into name-calling and precious little if any illumination of the topic.

And that is why I didn't see Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ.

 

[kinntj]

Well, the nice thing about living in this country is that you are not forced to see a movie you don't want to see. Now, have you looked into different sources for reviews?

I don't think someone can't think for themselves because they decide not to see a movie based on reviews. That's just a silly comment. I choose to or not to buy toys and other things all the time based on reviews of other people. Most of the time I'm very pleased with the decision I've made in that regard. I don't think that others thought for me.

I won't see this move, but not because of content, but because I don't like fantasy movies. The characters give me the heebie jeebie's. The faces of the creatures are usually nasty. I was planning on reading the book though.

Everyone has their reasons for not seeing the movie or seeing it. I think they can all be valid to that particular person, so I'm not going to judge them.

It's up to you what you want to do. If you've done enough research on the content, then you made the best decision for you.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I have no real opinion on Golden Compass bec it's a fantasy-style and I don't like that style.

That said--
To be honest, since I am well-informed on what the 'other' side thinks, I'm not going to waste my time or money going to see a movie I don't think I'd like.

I'm also not going to watch something that will just get me aggravated -- I have enough crap in my life to raise my blood pressure.

I don't intend to try and convince others not to see a movie nor do I intend to participate in some public boycott of it either.

Lastly, I don't need to see the movie to bolster my point in discussions, bec I try really hard not to get involved in political/religious discussions which usually descend pretty quickly into name-calling and precious little if any illumination of the topic.

And that is why I didn't see Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ.

I don't see movies I know I won't like either-which is why I've never seen Meet the Parents, any American Pie movies, Knocked Up or anything else of that genre. Not my thing.

I don't think that anyone has to read the book or see the movie to discuss it, but they should at least read a review from someone who has. Basing a choice on an email from someone else who hasn't seen the movie or read the book either seems to me to be a bit limiting.

I own Passion of the Christ, I use it for a meditation on Good Friday. For that use, I think it was well done. For a mass market movie, not so much.

 

[DVCLiz]

Well, the nice thing about living in this country is that you are not forced to see a movie you don't want to see. Now, have you looked into different sources for reviews?

I don't think someone can't think for themselves because they decide not to see a movie based on reviews. That's just a silly comment. I choose to or not to buy toys and other things all the time based on reviews of other people. Most of the time I'm very pleased with the decision I've made in that regard. I don't think that others thought for me.

I won't see this move, but not because of content, but because I don't like fantasy movies. The characters give me the heebie jeebie's. The faces of the creatures are usually nasty. I was planning on reading the book though.

Everyone has their reasons for not seeing the movie or seeing it. I think they can all be valid to that particular person, so I'm not going to judge them.

It's up to you what you want to do. If you've done enough research on the content, then you made the best decision for you.

Yes, but I'll bet you buy things based on reviews that are in turn based on some realistic criteria, like age appropriateness, safety, value, etc. If you wouldn't buy a Slinky because you thought it was unsafe, too expensive or boring, I could see your point. But to not buy a Slinky because the only source you checked was the "Slinkys are an evil toy from hell" site seems to me to be pretty much the same thing. My point was just that if it's an opinion I like to have formed mine from the original source.

 

[sha_lyn]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1628250

 

[LadyShiva]

"Slinkys are an evil toy from hell"

You realize that would be an awesome tag, right? It would be sooooo taken out of context, but man!!!

Brandie

 

[Holly]

I really thought DaVinci Code was a weak thriller-if the subject matter interests you, I would recommend Holy Blood, Holy Grail. It's the same premise, without the drama. I read it YEARS ago and I'm still wondering how the authors lost the case they had against Dan Brown-he lifted the whole background from that book.

I agree with you, as I've read both books as well.

Dan Brown even scrambled the letters of the authors of Holy Blood, Holy Grail to create the name for the character Sir Leigh Teabing.

 

[Saphire]

I never heard of this movie until today. My mother, who is Catholic, told me that her church is encouraging people, including parents, to boycott this movie because of its anti-Christian/pro-atheist theme. I did a liitle bit of looking around online and what I read was disturbing, in my opinion.
Then I came here and asked if anyone could provide a link to this topic, as I vaguely remember seeing something here about it. I apologize I couldn't find anything in the last six pages, Mayl.
I have never boycotted anything in my life (except the Nestle company). Please don't make assumptions about me and my intelligence, my faith or lack thereof. I was only asking a question.

 

[sha_lyn]

I never heard of this movie until today. My mother, who is Catholic, told me that her church is encouraging people, including parents, to boycott this movie because of its anti-Christian/pro-atheist theme. I did a liitle bit of looking around online and what I read was disturbing, in my opinion.
Then I came here and asked if anyone

Her church is asking people to boycott the movie based on lies

 

[Fitswimmer]

The Catholic Church as a whole is not boycotting the movie, only the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights which is an independent organization. Bill Donahue, the leader of that group, freely admitted that he hadn't read the book or seen the movie before calling for the boycott. To me, that's ignorant. If you're going to lead a boycott, then you owe it to the people who read your recommendations to make informed choices.