A movie based on a book that portrays the Church as the villain is not receiving much applause for its removal of religious references.
On the contrary, some Christian groups are upset over New Line Cinema’s concerted effort to keep religion and godless themes out of the upcoming movie, “The Golden Compass,” claiming it will encourage children to read a series that promotes atheism and “denigrates Christianity.”
“The movie is made for the books,” said Bill Donohue, president and CEO of the Catholic League. “Pullman (the author) is hoping his books will fly off the shelves at Christmastime.”
Actress Nicole Kidman and James Bond actor Daniel Craig star in the movie adapted from the first novel in a fantasy trilogy called "His Dark Materials" by self-described atheist author Philip Pullman.
The series focuses on a 12-year-old girl named Lyra who sets on a quest in search of answers after her best friend is kidnapped. She travels to a parallel universe where everyone’s soul is physically manifested into an alter ego, or “daemon,” in animal form.
In the story, a malevolent governing body called "the Church,” which answers to the "Vatican Council," is known to kidnap children for experimentation. With the help of a golden compass that reveals a coded answer to any question asked by the user, Lyra, by the trilogy’s end, gets to the bottom of the missing children and kills a character called “God.”
“These books denigrate Christianity, thrash the Catholic Church and sell the virtues of atheism,” asserted Donahue of Catholic League, who earlier this month called on Christians to boycott the movie.
In the movie, which has been marketed as a children’s fantasy film, many of the direct references to the Catholic Church have been relabeled. For instance, “the Church” is only referred to as “the Magisterium.”
"They’re intentionally watering down the most offensive element,” Donohue said in a FOX News report.
While Donahue said he’s not concerned about the movie, which he described as “fairly innocuous,” he charges movie makers for engaging in a “deceitful, stealth campaign” to promote the book.
Donahue’s organization has even published a brochure, entitled “The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked,” as part of a campaign aimed to expose atheist elements of the series similar to what many conservatives have done to witchcraft in J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” books.
While Christian groups have unanimously denounced the English writer’s books, some are waiting to see the “Compass” before taking a stance on the movie.
"I don't think a boycott will be effective. We have to see the film before we make that evaluation," Ted Baehr of The Christian Film and Television Commission said.
Other Christians think the book will inspire readers to search for a true higher power.
"It undoubtedly makes people question, but inspires them to look harder for more authentic religion," said Craig Detweiler, co-director of Reel Spirituality, a pop culture and religion think tank at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif, according to FOX News. "Pullman takes license in pointing out the scary, false gods and destructive idols we've created. In that sense, I think he's doing a great service."
Other critics of the movie also include fans of Pullman’s trilogy. Many say they were disappointed that anti-religious and anti-Church themes of the book were “castrated” from the movie to make it more marketable to audiences in the United States and United Kingdom.
“It was clear right from the start that the makers of this film intended to take out the anti-religious elements of Pullman's book. In doing that they are taking the heart out of it, losing the point of it, castrating it,” said Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society, a British organization that promotes secularism and which Pullman is an honorary associate of.
“It seems that religion has now completely conquered America's cultural life and it is much the poorer for it," she said in The Guardian newspaper earlier this month. "What a shame that we have to endure such censorship here too.”
Back in 2004, director Chris Weitz had told fans in an online posting that the removal of godless themes in the book was a high possibility since the "perceived anti-religiosity" would make the project financially “unviable."
Despite the changes, however, Pullman said in an interview with Western Mail, a Welsh newspaper, that he was “very happy” with the movie version of his story.
Pullman has revealed that his main contention is with those who “misuse religion, or any other kind of doctrine with a holy book” as means “to dominate and suppress human freedoms,” according to a 2004 posting on his website Philip-Pullman.com.
The author, who is an honorary associate at Britain's National Secular Society and supporter of the British Humanist Association, has also admitted that “His Dark Materials” is a response to Christian author C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia.”
"I loathe the 'Narnia' books," Pullman has said in previous press interviews. "I hate them with a deep and bitter passion, with their view of childhood as a golden age from which sexuality and adulthood are a falling away."
"The Golden Compass” is scheduled to hit U.S. theaters on Dec. 7, 2007.
Comments
This website has more info and answers to the idaes in the books/movie
www.pullmanwatch.com
Ok, I absolutely loved the "His Dark Materials" series of books. It's a genius idea that's superbly written by Philip Pullman. I am a Christian and am in no way offended by the books or the upcomming movie. I'll be first in line! Instead of "us Christians" boycotting it or judging it, read it. Watch it. The world is not perfect. All movies have themes that could be considered "anti-Christian" like violence, sex and drug use. Just look at what's on TV right now. But in the end it's our decision what we watch and what we read, and also what we believe. If you are firm in your Christian beliefs I don't see how any book or movie could change you.
~In the story, a malevolent governing body called "the Church,” which answers to the "Vatican Council,"
In this statement I think really needs to be type as it is ACTUALLY mentioned in the movie. CNN just had a segment on this "issue" and the movie does not state it is the Vatican out right. It states it the Magistal or something very close to that. The point is I feel you have put biased in this report by wording it the way you have, and that is shameful to put knowingly into any report. Though I do know at times it can be hard to be purely unbiased no matter how careful we are.
I think it is simply hilarious, the sort of deal you’re all making over this. Yes, the book is about killing God. Is it your God, maybe. Do they have a point, yes. In the eyes of Pullman and of his characters, the obsession over God has caused some serious issues for humanity, and has opressed free will and thought for far too long a time. Some people may agree with this, and just because you dont does not mean that the people who do enjoy and appreciate the quality of being powerfully human should be deprived of their chance to share these views with the world. If you can spread the Christian messages around the world with blood and war, why should you deprive Pullman and his beliefs from having an audience with our children in a much more intellectual and imaginative manner. Is Atheism not also a form of religion? Now, now… tolerance, shall we?
You forget also that it is only a story. The difference between fiction and reality is, however, a most troubling distinction to make. Which is why, it seems to me, you are so overly hostile towards all other ideas except your own to begin with.
wes: I'm sure you meant to say, "JUST LOOK AT THE STATE OF OUR WORLD TODAY AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE "AN EYE FOR AN EYE" HAS GOTTEN US SO FAR.
"Live and Let Live" hasn't caused as nearly as much trouble as the above quote... from the bible.
JUST LOOK AT THE STATE OF OUR WORLD TODAY AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE "LIVE AND LET LIVE" HAS GOTTEN US SO FAR.
Three cheers for Ronin's post! One of the core philosophies of this country is to grant equal protection to individuals of all religious persuasions, including those with none at all. There is no need to be frightened or angry about the expression of views contrary to yours. You don't have to listen, and you certainly don't have to agree. Further, you don't have to take the condescending view that others are incapable of defending their own philosophies and hence need 'protection' from potentially "subversive" messages. They are quite capable of making reasoned arguments of their own, and some people are open-minded enough to examine ideas before deciding against or in favor of them. What society needs is not censorship from one side or the other, but a healthy dose of "live and let live."
I respect the religious beliefes of ALL of the posters in this thread. That's because I live in the United States of America, a country that gives "freedom of religion" to everyone. It doesn't just protect the beliefs of christianity. To feel an artistic creation, such as a film, should be boycotted simply because it's beliefs might be contrary to your own is in direct opposition to the constitutional protection that allows you to worship as you see fit.
Chronicles of Narnia.. a thinly veiled christian message released at Christmas time with talking animals, targeted at children.
Golden Compass... a thinly veiled atheist message released at Christmas with talking animals, targeted at children
It's the same identical formula that is actually just trying to make money. It's not subversive, it's capitalism. If you don't want to see the film because of it's message, don't go. That's a choice we should all make for ourselves, not tell others not to do something because we personally believe it's wrong.
If you believe in the christian God, then you know he gave each individual free will. Don't you think he wants us to use it?
BTW, I am a christian too, and I still beilieve people ahould choose for themselves.
For Adelphe.......Thank you!!!! I could not have said it better!!!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!
It is true Christians are called to be "in the world, not of the world." We are called to live, serve and witness in the world – not escape from it. But we are also to avoid being contaminated by the world. The author's stated mission of the series this film is taken from is to contaminate people – and, more specifically, children.
http://therowdyone.blogspot.com/2007/11/why-is-golden-compass-more-dangerous.html
Pullman speaks about God, his atheism and the movie in video clips. Judge for yourself.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/idolchatter/2007/11/exclusive-video-philip-pulman.html
As for the Narnia books, I enjoy what I've read, and the whole family has seen the Chronicles of Narnia movie numerous times.
Please keep these verses in mind - 1Corinthians 1:18-19 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent". and - Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickednessin the heavenly places.
Ashley having said that I would invite you to consider this question - What is your purpose for existing? If you truly believe that you are just a byproduct of nature then you have to admit that you are part of the problem and therefore should not exist. survival of the fittest should allow anyone stronger than you to kill you without being punished. God loves you Ashley He has a plan for your life read the Bible for yourself and then decide if your life ruler will be Evolution or Jesus who died so that you Ashley could live .
to whom ever flagged ashley---that was really inconsiderate. there was nothing offensive in what she said. and i think it was really immature and unchristian like to do that.
This message is for asheychan and all the other atheist like her. Movies as such should be boycotted due to offending my Christianity. You say your offended???? Well, I was to when prayer was taken from the schools and how the Supreme Courts wants to remove everything that has anything to do with GOD. You people better open your eyes and believe that there is a GOD! A wonderful GOD that loves you though you chose NOT TO BELIEVE. I suggest you take a good look around and read the Bible. The answers are in there. I do hope you turn your life around before it is too late. I will be praying for you.
ashley--
You are right on! Christianity is not the sole source of good morals...its just the sole way to heaven. You can be a good person without God, but you cant be with God by just being a good person.