Boycotting 'The Golden Compass'

[bicker]

I don't think the boycott really was an issue. This was an almost unheard of series, and if it hadn't been for people getting their undies in a bunch about it, might have gone completely unnoticed. All the people knocking it gave it more name recognition than it would have received other wise.

The same thing happened with KID NATION. It probably would have been canceled early in the season, before the Writers' Strike even became a consideration, just because how boring it was, and how low its ratings would have been. EXCEPT that some folks decided to make a point about its content, trying to prevent others from being able to decide for themselves. The result: KID NATION is still on the air, and may even be renewed for another season, if they can find a suitable locale to shoot it.

 

[sha_lyn]

You are more than welcome to share your views and beliefs.....as I am as well. I just don't understand those that do it with hate and anger toward those that don't agree with them.

So you don't undertand yourself and your fellow Christains who are full of hate, anger and fear about a fictional movie. OK got it.

 

[bicker]

Okay, okay, folks -- calm down or you know who will do you know what.

 

[TLSnell1981]

So you don't undertand yourself and your fellow Christains who are full of hate, anger and fear about a fictional movie. OK got it.

Every word a writer writes....every word spoken in a movie has a purpose. I neither fear, nor hate...or am I angry over this trilogy of books...or this dismal movie. I choose to disagree with Pullman's viewpoint and find it inappropriate for children.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Okay, okay, folks -- calm down or you know who will do you know what.

You are always sooooo level-headed!!

 

[Texa]

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.

And it doesn't have to be either /or (not that that's what this particular poster is implying). I am a Christian, believe in God, etc. and read the books about a year ago before all the huff and puff about the movie. When my son is older (currently 10) he can read the books if he choses to do so. He loves mythology, Harry Potter, and most fantasy. He asked my why people are boycotting the movie and I told him, in my opinion, it's because some people fear that children will confuse what goes on in fiction with what they are taught in their faith. His answer is then most people underestimate a child's faith.

In my opinion, historically (ironically including Phillip Pullman) that it is many (not all) of those children who are banned from "outside information", who aren't allowed to read, study and think about views other than their own, who will turn on the faith that they are raised with in the end.

 

[sha_lyn]

Person 3 answers: I have no desire to see or take my children to a movie that is based on a trilogy that is anti-God. The movie has been watered down and many unsuspecting parents may purchase a series of books they have no idea what the message truly is. Yes, we have a right to expose our children to whatever beliefs we so choose. I so choose no to support The "GODLESS" Compass.

Do you even understand what Pullman is saying in these books...and why he wrote them? He isn't ashamed to spell it out. Sorry, I didn't save the paper to give you an exact quote. Did you read the article that you posted?
Do you know what "radical" (extreme, drastic, fanatical) and "subversive" (destructive, seditious, threacherous) mean?

You are more than welcome to share your views and beliefs.....as I am as well. I just don't understand those that do it with hate and anger toward those that don't agree with them.

Oh, BTW, I thought you understood that person 3 is ME.

Oh my. Yes I understand what Pullman is saying, but aparently you do not. The triliogy is not anti-God. You can repeat lies that have been told to you ten fold, but that does not make it true.
The NYT archive is online. No need for you to have saved a paper.
Yes I read the article. The words you like to throw around are one person's opinion (the writer of the article) who BTW called them children's books, when even Pullman and his publishing company catagorize them as young adult.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Oh my. Yes I understand what Pullman is saying, but aparently you do not. The triliogy is not anti-God. You can repeat lies that have been told to you ten fold, but that does not make it true.
The NYT archive is online. No need for you to have saved a paper.
Yes I read the article. The words you like to throw around are one person's opinion (the writer of the article) who BTW called them children's books, when even Pullman and his publishing company catagorize them as young adult.

If you think you understand...then so be it. You are entitled to your opinion. The books are what they are....and this is the article you posted.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

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.

Point? The point simply was that GC is not the unabashed success the PP inferred that it was. Nothing more; nothing less. The blog I linked to broke it down pretty thoroughly as to why.

I don't have any hidden agenda against the movie. It'll take a lot more than Phil Pullman to divest me of my beliefs, and also anyone but the most simple-minded among us.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

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.

Facing the Giants! Terrific movie.

 

[jamimb]

Everyone keeps saying "its just a movie whats the harm" but all (or at least most) parents feel it is their duty to shield their children from themes or lifestyles contrary to their own . If that was not the case we would have all taken our children to see "Natural born killers" or "Saw". those movies are in fact fiction and a child would surely know that but that is not the point at all. The point is I will not let my children watch those movies (even though they are scared of nothing)because I dont want to glorify those things. If we fill our bodies with garbage it will show and the same goes for our minds!!! The simple truth of the matter is the books are anti-God , anti-religion or the filmakers would have seen no need to "water" down the book so much as not to offend others. (this fact was admitted to by the studio itself). So if it is infact so harmless why did they have to omit certain elements??????

 

[Diva of Dragons]

And it doesn't have to be either /or (not that that's what this particular poster is implying). I am a Christian, believe in God, etc. and read the books about a year ago before all the huff and puff about the movie. When my son is older (currently 10) he can read the books if he choses to do so. He loves mythology, Harry Potter, and most fantasy. He asked my why people are boycotting the movie and I told him, in my opinion, it's because some people fear that children will confuse what goes on in fiction with what they are taught in their faith. His answer is then most people underestimate a child's faith.

In my opinion, historically (ironically including Phillip Pullman) that it is many (not all) of those children who are banned from "outside information", who aren't allowed to read, study and think about views other than their own, who will turn on the faith that they are raised with in the end.

Agreed 100%

You have very smart son!!

 

[Holly]

The Golden Compass Vs. The Holy Bible!
A handy tip sheet provided by The Landover Baptist Church.

 

[sha_lyn]

ROFLMAO...... I love it

 

[Charade]

The Golden Compass Vs. The Holy Bible!
A handy tip sheet provided by The Landover Baptist Church.

WTH was that??!?!?!

 

[Fitswimmer]

WTH was that??!?!?!

It's one of the funnier spoof sites out there.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

It's one of the funnier spoof sites out there.

One person's funny is another person's.... ummm, not so funny.

 

[Fitswimmer]

One person's funny is another person's.... ummm, not so funny.

What's not so funny to me is that there are people who either believe that site is real or worse yet-want to join that "church"

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

To answer this thread YES I WILL boycotte it (until it comes out on DVD and I can get it through Netflix!! hehehe)

AND

I'm going to Outback and eat fried potatos and fried onions dipped in ranch dressing!!

(pg 2 or 3)

Did anyone every think that the producers might have purposly set the movie up to be "banned" to increase talk of it, best publicity IS word of mouth (or discussion board!)

I know J.K. Rowlings was slammed for promoting witchcraft, and boy did they show her!! (wait..isn't she really rich? Hmmmm)

COME ON PEOPLE, its a MOVIE, and a fantasy at that!

 

[billysotherdad]

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!

Excellent point! Go ahead, boycott it and you'll make it the largest grossing box office movie of the winter season. Happens all the time. So, please, boycott it.

I read all three books. I thoroughly enjoyed them. I was not offended by them nor did I feel that Phillip Pullman (the Author) was writing something so incredibly hateful. He wrote a fantasy trilogy. He combined some amazing scenes and wonderful characters into a story that he based upon Milton's poem "Paradise Lost". He does inject some of his religious belief, but for the most part, his inspiration was Milton. And when you read the books themselves, you find you are captivated. They are really that amazing simply as stories.

Sure, if you are reading them with only one eye (the religious eye), you will see only what you are looking for. Then, you will not enjoy them. Read them with the sensibility that they are novels and you will find a rich story with intricate characters and fascinating plotting.

Try it. See if I'm wrong.