Boycotting 'The Golden Compass'

[PixieDust32]

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?

OMG!! No kiddind! Boycott it?? Why??

Is you faith that weak?

Come people is just another MOVIE!!

My faith and my children's faith is not weak at all, a movie would change my believes and my faith.

Yes, people have the right to see it and make their on judgement.

Another Da Vinci Code freak show.......

 

[Crankyshank]

That's interesting because I didn't see anything overt (Christian) in Narnia. IMO, it was a fantasy about good versus evil. It's pretty much the same (from what I've read (and I plan to see the movie)) with Golden Compass. Apparently there is a relgious background to Narnia and an atheistic one to Golden Compass. It's good versus evil only in Compass, the Magerium (sp?) (who wants to rule the world) is "religion" which is bad and those fighting against it are good. Role reversal IMO.

*shrug* It's entirely subjective imho. It's something that stayed with me from reading it as a child. I don't know how I would feel if I read the series as an adult. I found the crucifixion of Aslan to be over the top Christian imagery, and I also had issues with Susan being too old to go to Narnia. Then again, I'm someone who detests symbolism in books.
I completely agree that it's role reversal. That's why I don't understand why Narnia is adored by many in the same circles who are calling for a boycott of TCG.

 

[PixieDust32]

We're so ready to go see it.

 

[eliza61]

Nope, don't plan to boycott it. I've been able to seperate fantasy from faith for a long time now. Now if I can only find a way to boycott $3.10 gallon gasoline

 

[maddiemouse]

The Catholic Church has a tradition called the Stations of the Cross, which was started back before people could read. Churches had images of events surrounding the death of Jesus on the walls and people could walk along and review the story. What Mel Gibson did essentially was make a movie of the Stations of the Cross and yes, it was violent-but the Romans weren't known for their gentleness back then. Jesus was flogged and crucified like many other criminals of the time were, and it was bloody and violent for all of them.

The meditation is viewing the events from the perspective that Jesus went through this willingly for me. It's a personal religious devotional.

Mel has his own issues and the way I look at it they're between him, his God and his Confessor.

This is a beautiful statement. I admire your belief. I am personally in the position of "Oh God I believe, help thou my unbelief!" I put that in quotes, but I'm not sure if it's correct, or even who said it. I think St. Augustine.

I read the books, and I have to admit that they got me to thinking, because the premise seems plausible, but who knows? Not me, that's for sure.
Oh, and I would never "boycott" a movie, mainly because I'm only one person, and that's not much of a boycott.

 

[6TimeMomma]

That is what I don't get? What is the difference?

We only go to 4 or 5 movies at the theater each year. So, we pick movies that look interesting to us. Maybe I am missing the whole boycott thing!

I don't guess I understand the difference either.

 

[staley7580]

That's interesting because I didn't see anything overt (Christian) in Narnia. IMO, it was a fantasy about good versus evil. It's pretty much the same (from what I've read (and I plan to see the movie)) with Golden Compass. Apparently there is a relgious background to Narnia and an atheistic one to Golden Compass. It's good versus evil only in Compass, the Magerium (sp?) (who wants to rule the world) is "religion" which is bad and those fighting against it are good. Role reversal IMO.

I didnt see it either, but then I have never read the books. Dh did when he was a child, and was very excited to see the movie. He is not religious AT ALL. When I told him what was going on with Golden compass, and Narnia, he had no idea that there was a religious connotation to either one. But then, neither of us are known to really try to read into things. The only movie that I have seen recently that I have noticed a message in was Happy Feet.. Only because it was so obvious that it came out and slapped me in the face!

 

[Chloe'sMom]

The Catholic Church has a tradition called the Stations of the Cross, which was started back before people could read. Churches had images of events surrounding the death of Jesus on the walls and people could walk along and review the story. What Mel Gibson did essentially was make a movie of the Stations of the Cross and yes, it was violent-but the Romans weren't known for their gentleness back then. Jesus was flogged and crucified like many other criminals of the time were, and it was bloody and violent for all of them.

The meditation is viewing the events from the perspective that Jesus went through this willingly for me. It's a personal religious devotional.

Mel has his own issues and the way I look at it they're between him, his God and his Confessor.

I'm familiar with the stations of the cross - 12 years of Catholic School will do that to ya Our little polish church use to do a mass where we would "act" out the stations of the cross. Which meant to stand like statues when it was your turn. I was always Victoria and held the cloth out w/Jesus face after wiping it.

I would find it very hard to meditate to that - but if you can do it then more power to you.

~Amanda

 

[Buckalew11]

Never seen the movie - didn't want to support Mel Gibson.

~Amanda

That's why I won't be seeing this movie. I do not want to support Pullman. I'm not afraid of the message in books or do not consider my faith to be weak, however, I work hard for my money and will choose how I will spend it, just as you did with Gibson. From what I hear the movie is nothing for anyone to be alarmed about.

I'm not one to boycott and I'm not one to say "hey, that makes me want to see the movie, read the book" or whatever. I'm sure Pullman's feelings about organized religion are probably founded. man screws stuff like that up and others never get over it and then possibly hold it against God.

 

[kaygela]

We saw the movie this past weekend and thought it was one of the best fantasy movies we have ever seen. I honestly did not find it to be anti-christian, but rather anti anything that takes power to an extreme point and misuses it. I did not read the books so I don't know if they were anti religion or not, but I found the movie to be rather harmless.

 

[Axel]

I plan on seeing it. I don't subscribe to the Christian faith, or anything remotely resembling it, but seeing a movie with the values associated with it doesn't bother me, so seeing a movie that supposedly has atheistic values won't bother me either. I loved all three books (my favorite was The Amber Spyglass, then The Subtle Knife, with the Golden Compass pulling third), and I'm sure I'll love the movie. I'd go see it even if I hated the books simply because Daniel Craig is in it and he's a great piece of eye-candy.

 

[ASFCurly]

First of all, I will admit the reason the author, Pullman wrote the books is said to be in a sort of protest to the overt religious tones in Narnia, he was an atheist. I have no problem with either series.

The problem is not everything is what it seems. Some of the things from the book were cut from the movie. Some of the things might be in later movies if it happens, but it is totally taken out of context, if you haven't read them, that is very easy to do. They are the type of book that you really have to either read, or know someone that really understands them.

A general statement about them can make them sound really bad. But if you look into what is really going on, the facts are something totally different.

 

[TLSnell1981]

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?

Your faith may not be so weak, but what about impressionable young children who's parents, unknowingly take them to see this?

If you read any interviews with the author....you would see exactly what he is trying to do. He hates C.S. Lewis' Narnia...calling him "a dangerous man". He also despises religion. I have no desire to support this man or his books.

I love fantasy books and movies, but this one has an ulterior motive. Free speech? Nothing is free!

With bad reviews and poor revenue....this looks like it will be the last movie of the trilogy.

 

[sha_lyn]

Your faith may not be so weak, but what about impressionable young children who's parents, unknowingly take them to see this?

If you read any interviews with the author....you would see exactly what he is trying to do. He hates C.S. Lewis' Narnia...calling him "a dangerous man". He also despises religion. I have no desire to support this man or his books.

I love fantasy books and movies, but this one has an ulterior motive. Free speech? Nothing is free!

With bad reviews and poor revenue....this looks like it will be the last movie of the trilogy.

You mean read the misquotes and outright lies that one man (yes the Catholic league or what ever he calls himself is one man)is spreading?

What ulterior motive? To not blindly follow corupt leadership?
How is that motive/lesson a bad thing?

 

[lovemygoofy]

Your faith may not be so weak, but what about impressionable young children who's parents, unknowingly take them to see this?

If you read any interviews with the author....you would see exactly what he is trying to do. He hates C.S. Lewis' Narnia...calling him "a dangerous man". He also despises religion. I have no desire to support this man or his books.

I love fantasy books and movies, but this one has an ulterior motive. Free speech? Nothing is free!

With bad reviews and poor revenue....this looks like it will be the last movie of the trilogy.

I saw the movie this weekend and I haven't read the books. I'd heard the uproar about the movie and still didn't care to see it but it was my husband's movie night choice.

First, this movie IS NOT for young children. It's PG13 and there is no way I'd take a child under the age of 10 to see it. Not because it can warp their mind but because it's just so dark with some violent scenes that could be disturbing.

I'm a Christian and continue to be one after the movie. I found the movie undertones interesting because it wasn't even about religion; it's about gov't control over free will/free thinkers. Just from this movie I can see where the movies will end up.

Personally, I think the movies/books are going to be about not just mindless following someone to say that they are Christians. It's about free will and appreciating all people for who they are and that includes what or if that person believes in anything or nothing. Yes I'm sure some are going to say it's about the destruction of Christianity but it's about not pushy or afriad of others not like you.

 

[momof2inPA]

That's interesting because I didn't see anything overt (Christian) in Narnia. IMO, it was a fantasy about good versus evil. It's pretty much the same (from what I've read (and I plan to see the movie)) with Golden Compass. Apparently there is a relgious background to Narnia and an atheistic one to Golden Compass. It's good versus evil only in Compass, the Magerium (sp?) (who wants to rule the world) is "religion" which is bad and those fighting against it are good. Role reversal IMO.

Alert: Spoiler in this post.

Saw the movie but didn't read the book. Are the daemons then supposed to be the kids' souls that the magesterium is trying to separate them from?

I found the whole movie dull, predictable, and disjointed. Maybe that should be the basis of the boycott. The special effects were good, but as a movie taken from a novel, it was nowhere close to on par with Narnia or any of the Harry Potters.

 

[ConcKahuna]

That's interesting because I didn't see anything overt (Christian) in Narnia. IMO, it was a fantasy about good versus evil. It's pretty much the same (from what I've read (and I plan to see the movie)) with Golden Compass. Apparently there is a relgious background to Narnia and an atheistic one to Golden Compass. It's good versus evil only in Compass, the Magerium (sp?) (who wants to rule the world) is "religion" which is bad and those fighting against it are good. Role reversal IMO.

**Mild Spoilers**

Did you read the Narnia books? In the final book the children (who are now adults) die, and find that Narnia is really heavan, and that Aslan is really Jesus/God.

Alert: Spoiler in this post.

Saw the movie but didn't read the book. Are the daemons then supposed to be the kids' souls that the magesterium is trying to separate them from?

I found the whole movie dull, predictable, and disjointed. Maybe that should be the basis of the boycott. The special effects were good, but as a movie taken from a novel, it was nowhere close to on par with Narnia or any of the Harry Potters.

I havent read the trilogy (yet) and while it was meant to be a story of the corruption of the church (not against the religion, just the church) it actually has fairly religious themes as well. I see "The Dust" as God, and the Magesterium as a sect corrupted by evil but claiming to work the will of God.

And yes, the Daemons are the souls of the people in that world. The souls are ever-changing in children, who are innocents. Once they commit their first sin, the Daemons choose a shape that fits the person.

 

[ford family]

Alert: Spoiler in this post.

Saw the movie but didn't read the book. Are the daemons then supposed to be the kids' souls that the magesterium is trying to separate them from?

I found the whole movie dull, predictable, and disjointed. Maybe that should be the basis of the boycott. The special effects were good, but as a movie taken from a novel, it was nowhere close to on par with Narnia or any of the Harry Potters.

Interesting comments because I found Narnia "dull, predictable, and disjointed" probably because I had read the book. Have not seen or read any Harry Potters and haven't read Golden Compass but all the publicity whipped up the religious zealots makes it a must-see now.

ford family

 

[sha_lyn]

I don't guess I understand the difference either

So let's say in conversation someone ask "are you going to see Godlen Compass"
Person 1 answers "no, I'm not interested in seeing it"
Person 2 answers "I refuse to go see any move that attacks God and so should you. If you take your children, you will corpt their souls"

See the difference?

 

[sweetandsassyfl]

I'm familiar with the stations of the cross - 12 years of Catholic School will do that to ya Our little polish church use to do a mass where we would "act" out the stations of the cross. Which meant to stand like statues when it was your turn. I was always Victoria and held the cloth out w/Jesus face after wiping it.

I would find it very hard to meditate to that - but if you can do it then more power to you.

~Amanda

I think it's Veronica (another Catholic school girl who did Stations of the Cross.....I was the narrator in 8th grade.)