Boycotting 'The Golden Compass'

[Fitswimmer]

Who didn't like the religious aspects of these movies? I must have missed the memo because I'm a big old atheist with a big group of big old atheist friends and I work in a field filled with big old atheists and I never heard a bad word said about Narnia. In fact GF (another big old atheist) and I were excited to go and see it, which we did.

As far as I know (and as far as google is telling me) there were no calls for boycotts about Narnia. I can't remember a peep of criticism on the disboards either. So who are these people you think disliked Narnia?

I know there was more controversy around The Passion, but as far as I remember it all had to do with accusations of anti-semitism--not any objection to religious content of the movie itself. Maybe once again I missed the atheist memo.

I'd love to know what the memo could possibly say though, since there are lots of movies made with obvious religious content. Even the movies that tend to cause offense among some religious groups tend to still be quite supportive of religion (e.g. The Passion of the Christ, The DaVinci Code, Dogma--all of them are very clear about the fact that there is a God and that faith is a good thing). Then there are the non-controversial movies with a theistic view: Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty, Narnia, The Nativity Story. How come you don't see atheists calling for boycotts of all of those movies, but there's one movie that is based on a book trilogy with an atheistic viewpoint, and some religious folks are up in arms and calling for boycotts? Why exactly is it okay that atheism is routinely ignored/looked down upon/portrayed as false in movies and that's okay, but it's not okay for a movie to look down on or portray religion as false?

Now, there you go again-being all full of common sense, and fairness for everyone. You KNOW that isn't important!! "MY view is the ONLY view and there is NO ROOM for anything else!!" (insert sound of stomping feet)

I still don't understand why people can't just let a movie be a movie. I know non-Christians that didn't get one bit of the Christian imagery in Narnia-they just had fun with the fantasy aspect. I'm sure with the money that movie made that there were a good many viewers that experienced it that way. Sure, some of us did get the parallels, but you could enjoy it either way.

I'm going to see Compass, and will probably read the books. From what I've heard from those that have read them, they're great fantasy stories. I'll send the Catholic League a Thank you note afterwards for bringing them to my attention. Without the boycott I probably would have missed them.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Who didn't like the religious aspects of these movies? I must have missed the memo because I'm a big old atheist with a big group of big old atheist friends and I work in a field filled with big old atheists and I never heard a bad word said about Narnia. In fact GF (another big old atheist) and I were excited to go and see it, which we did.

As far as I know (and as far as google is telling me) there were no calls for boycotts about Narnia. I can't remember a peep of criticism on the disboards either. So who are these people you think disliked Narnia?

I know there was more controversy around The Passion, but as far as I remember it all had to do with accusations of anti-semitism--not any objection to religious content of the movie itself. Maybe once again I missed the atheist memo.

I'd love to know what the memo could possibly say though, since there are lots of movies made with obvious religious content. Even the movies that tend to cause offense among some religious groups tend to still be quite supportive of religion (e.g. The Passion of the Christ, The DaVinci Code, Dogma--all of them are very clear about the fact that there is a God and that faith is a good thing). Then there are the non-controversial movies with a theistic view: Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty, Narnia, The Nativity Story. How come you don't see atheists calling for boycotts of all of those movies, but there's one movie that is based on a book trilogy with an atheistic viewpoint, and some religious folks are up in arms and calling for boycotts? Why exactly is it okay that atheism is routinely ignored/looked down upon/portrayed as false in movies and that's okay, but it's not okay for a movie to look down on or portray religion as false?

The Hollywood "left" has become engaged in Christian bashing. This is only the second movie I have discussed on the Dis, so I can't reference anything else...wasn't implying so either. The reason Narnia has been brought up is because Pullman has said he has written this series in response to Narnia. This wouldn't be the least bit controversial in my eyes if this did not target children. I believe a parent should be informed and make the choice for their child in seeing this movie or reading these books.

 

[profdsny]

When you're finished laughing at "them", perhaps this objective article can shed light on why GC's numbers actually were "disastrous" (linked from imdb.com)
http://news.fantasymoguls.com/originalcontent/2007/12/story-to-follow.html?utm_source=IMDb&utm_medium=IMDbiframe

Interesting. But what's the point? Boycotting hurt it or it simply wasn't that well known, or that interesting a movie to people. Again, who ever heard of the book or series before? Did McDonalds or BK do a tie in with it? Are there licensed products in TRU or KB? These are all factors.
I've never read the books, or basically ever heard about them before, but then, I really don't care how the movie did. After all, ITS JUST A MOVIE.

 

[profdsny]

The Hollywood "left" has become engaged in Christian bashing.

Oh, please.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

My DD has been pestering me to take her to see this - but I wasn't too sure. Now I know it'll 'indoctrinate' her into aetheism I DEFINITLY be taking her!!!!

I'm a bit fed up with the diet of Christianity at this time of year so I think a nice healthy dose of anti-religion is the perfect antidote!

And YEP I'm deadly serious!!!!!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Oh, please.

Thank you?? You're welcome??

 

[profdsny]

My DD has been pestering me to take her to see this - but I wasn't too sure. Now I know it'll 'indoctrinate' her into aetheism I DEFINITLY be taking her!!!!

I'm a bit fed up with the diet of Christianity at this time of year so I think a nice healthy dose of anti-religion is the perfect antidote!

And YEP I'm deadly serious!!!!!

Well, god bless you! Oops, wait, that's not right. May the gods be with you. Is that better?

 

[va32h]

I'm not comfortable with Philip Pullman's viewpoint on a lot of things. I have no interest in reading his books or seeing the film made from them. So I won't. I don't care what other people do.

As for my kids - I'm not going to be buying these books for them, but if my 12 year old brought them home from the library, I wouldn't forbid her to read them. All three of my kids have expressed interest in the movie, but from the preview alone, I think it looks too violent and intense for their particular sensibilities. The 12 year old---maybe.

I don't agree with an organized boycott, but I also don't think it's terrible or close-minded to find Pullman's books personally objectionable.

 

[Nynaeve]

The Hollywood "left" has become engaged in Christian bashing. This is only the second movie I have discussed on the Dis, so I can't reference anything else...wasn't implying so either. The reason Narnia has been brought up is because Pullman has said he has written this series in response to Narnia. This wouldn't be the least bit controversial in my eyes if this did not target children. I believe a parent should be informed and make the choice for their child in seeing this movie or reading these books.

The ones I see doing all the bashing IS the Christians.

 

[Fitswimmer]

The Hollywood "left" has become engaged in Christian bashing. This is only the second movie I have discussed on the Dis, so I can't reference anything else...wasn't implying so either. The reason Narnia has been brought up is because Pullman has said he has written this series in response to Narnia. This wouldn't be the least bit controversial in my eyes if this did not target children. I believe a parent should be informed and make the choice for their child in seeing this movie or reading these books.

What I've seen since the huge $$ Passion made is that Hollywood is doing just the opposite. There's money to be made from those Christians and Hollywood is going to do anything it can to get their hands on it!!

 

[profdsny]

What I've seen since the huge $$ Passion made is that Hollywood is doing just the opposite. There's money to be made from those Christians and Hollywood is going to do anything it can to get their hands on it!!

Our old church had bus tours to see Passion. I haven't heard of any organized trips to see Compass. Go ahead and name another, actually, any, anti-Christian film.

 

[TLSnell1981]

What I've seen since the huge $$ Passion made is that Hollywood is doing just the opposite. There's money to be made from those Christians and Hollywood is going to do anything it can to get their hands on it!!

Hollywood really didn't have anything to do with Passion. Mel put up his own money and was ridiculed for it.....until he made big bank from it.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

Hollywood really didn't have anything to to with Passion. Mel put up his own money and was ridiculed for it.....until he made big bank from it.......

....because all the churches had organised trips to see it!

 

[TLSnell1981]

....because all the churches had organised trips to see it!

I guess they wanted to see the movie.

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

That'd be it then!

 

[Fitswimmer]

Hollywood really didn't have anything to to with Passion. Mel put up his own money and was ridiculed for it.....until he made big bank from it.

but that's my point! Hollywood had written off the Christian audience-and then it saw the money that Mel made. Anyone remember "The Nativity Story"? That was the most obvious grab for Christian cash. Fox even created a division of their company called "Fox Faith" to distribute films to cater to the Christian audience. I've seen a few on DVD that were made from Frank Peretti novels and there was that one about the missionary that died and his son went back to the same tribe....I can't recall the name.

So if ONE movie comes out that is "anti-God" is that really such a huge damaging impact??

 

[lovemygoofy]

but that's my point! Hollywood had written off the Christian audience-and then it saw the money that Mel made. Anyone remember "The Nativity Story"? That was the most obvious grab for Christian cash. Fox even created a division of their company called "Fox Faith" to distribute films to cater to the Christian audience. I've seen a few on DVD that were made from Frank Peretti novels and there was that one about the missionary that died and his son went back to the same tribe....I can't recall the name.

So if ONE movie comes out that is "anti-God" is that really such a huge damaging impact??

Didn't some church produce a movie earlier this year or late last year? Something like The Giants or close to that. It was about I believe a football team and using faith to get through things. Obviously since I don't even know the name I didn't see it.

 

[goofygirl]

The only person I have seen in the press ranting about this movie is Bill Donahue the head of the Catholic League. (BTW, is there really a "league" or is it "just a guy with a computer" as comedian Kathy Griffin says?) He made an appearance on EWTN's World Over (Catholic network's news show) and he was so over the top that host Raymond Arroyo was snickering at him! You could tell he thought Donahue was a joke. And this is the die-hard Catholic channel we are talking about! Donahue seemed to use his old script from his DaVinci Code rantings only he changed the title of the movie.

 

[jekajekalynn]

Ok everyone, let's lighten up a bit ..... ain't anyone going to take a gander at my gc thread? http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1658258

 

[TLSnell1981]

I think it boils down to, we can support or not support what we want. I've stated my reasons for not taking my children to this movie or not buying the books. I also don't like horror movies, but that doesn't mean they have to stop making them. It's your choice whether you believe in God or organized religion or not. I'm sorry if anyone is offended by someone stating a belief they do not share...I'm not. We are responsible for ourselves and our children and raise them as we see fit. We live in a diverse nation and are allowed to express how we think and feel. I think most can do it in a respectful way...we might even learn something from each other....but it doesn't mean we have to agree.