Golden Compass controversy?

Question

First and foremost, I don't consider myself religious. I have been hearing a lot of controversy about the Golden Compass movie coming out. Some people are enraged because the movie supposedly has atheist undertones and may "promote" atheism to children. For those who take umbrage at this, why is promoting atheism wrong, and promoting Christianity right?

Answer 1

For the record, Jesus Christ isn't in the books.
Nor does the book promote atheism. In fact, it quite clearly does the opposite- if you read it real real closely, you might find that it, ah, depicts the existence of God. Hm. Also, one of the most fundamental themes in the trilogy is the concept of the soul, and how important and vital the soul is, how important to life and definitive of who we are it is. That's kinda at odds with the idea that it's atheistic, isn't it??
Oh, did anyone mention that the book is entirely fictional, a work of pure fantasy, and doesn't so much as claim to be founded in reality at all? It's fantasy characters involved in fantasy events in a bunch of fantasy worlds.
Now, it'd be a different issue if Pullman were saying "here's how things are," or maybe even "here's what I think," but he's not. As previously mentioned, it's a fiction novel. Who cares what he, as a person, thinks about faith? Are people completely unable to stretch their imaginations to that which is beyond what they, themselves, believe? The book could just as well have been written by a devout Christian. Or Hindu. Or whatever. Why? BECAUSE IT'S FICTION. A work of written art. Imagination. The point: do we concern ourselves about the political, or ethical, or religious views of the creators of every piece of writing, or film, or sculpture, or music, or other art? IT DOESN'T MATTER. And whoever else said it up there is right: a movie that seems more "pro-christianity" comes out and there's rejoicing, and oh it's so great, but a movie comes out that challenges that, or may seem to, and it's terrible, horrible, not worth seeing and should be trashed, hm? Yeah, better hide ideas that differ with our own. Better not let people decide for themselves... or even trust them to see that, once again, this is a work of FICTION!
Incidentally, I've read the trilogy a few times over now, and they don't, in fact, have anything negative to say about faith or the belief in God. Let me repeat: nothing negative to say about belief. They do have some negative things to say about some people's actions caused by narrow- and closed-minded fervor because of religion, which is an entirely different thing. But then again, I can think of a good many actual historical events that demonstrate horrible things about closed-minded fervor caused by religion. Oh, as well as the suppression of ideas.
And to respond to the ever-so-clever person up there who whined about it because atheism isn't a religion so it shouldn't be talked about or dealt with or respected, no, it isn't a religion, it's exactly the opposite, but it IS A BELIEF, just like anyone else has. Way to pose a horrible argument based merely on semantics. You're saying it's a horrible thing simply because it's different from your belief... which is the definition of closed-mindedness. Kudos.

To sum up: it doesn't promote atheism, it denounces horrible actions and closed-mindedness in the name of religion. Of course, that fact will be utterly invisible to the closed-minded, unfortunately.

And finally, to reiterate: why is it perfectly fine to direct christian-based movies at children and not atheist-based ones? You're the monstrous and immoral one, if you're saying "don't show society anything with which I disagree."

Answer 2

At face value, it's not. But I believe in being an informed person and I believe in supporting what I believe in and not supporting what is offensive to me. What I have learned is that the movie is based on a trilogy of books that is not only anti-Christianity, but also has strong sexual content and references female circumcision.

The fact that children are included in the target audience of both the books and the movie, in my opinion, causes me pause. These are not appropriate subjects for children (my 9 year-old daughter's class was reading this in school) and the movie happens to be the target of the people who don't like it.

Unfortunately, I think that a number of people who are upset about the movie are unaware that the books are being used in schools across the country (perhaps throughout the world?) and since the books contain more detail than the movie, I'm focused on them.

Back to your question, promoting atheism is fine, because I'm a Christian and I want the same right, to promote Christianity. But I would also like to retain the right to choose what is appropriate for my child until I feel she's old enough to decide for herself.

Answer 3

Because most people watch movies to escape, not to think. A movie that cuts across one's cherished belief system is uncomfortable to watch because of all the mental reframing that has to be done. One doesn't HAVE to be "brainwashed" by watching a movie, but it's dark in there and there's nothing else going on, so there's some fear about the possibilty, especially when there impressionable young minds.

Being able to comprehend two conflicting world views is a skill that some people never develop. There's no consideration that hearing an opposing idea might help you understand your own that much better.

Or maybe there is...

Answer 4

The reason for the controversy is over the fact that the movie is based on a series of books, which were written by a atheist. In the books, people can kill God and become god themselves, the author denounced Christianity and said that he hated Jesus Christ. Christians are just warning other Christians and Christian families about the movie.

Don't try to pull this "why is promoting atheism wrong, and promoting Christianity right" crap. You can believe what you want to believe and I can believe what I want to believe! But don't target atheistic movies at kids!

Answer 5

Well, I can only comment on what I have heard. It's not so much that the movie promotes atheism. It's that the writer has specifically said his intent is to convert children. Also, apparently in the books, the children end up killing God. So, Christians are suppose to stay away from appearances of evil and this would fit, if it's true.

God Bless.

Answer 6

For most purposes, our society accepts that parents should have some control over what ideologies their children are and aren't exposed to, at least for a certain amount of time.

Of course there are exceptions to this (for instance, we don't allow parents to significantly impair their children's education by 'shielding' them from common school topics), but for the most part, we seem to grant parents the right to insulate their children from unwanted political, religious, and sexual ideas, at least while they're very young. And I think I agree with that; I would be pretty steamed if I took my child to a movie that promoted racism that I wasn't aware of, and I had to spend a long time trying to explain complicated socioeconomic statistical rebuttals to a young child.

Of course, this doesn't mean that the movie should be banned or censored or anything. But if it contains strong religious (or political, or sexual, et cetera) messages, I think it's fair for parents to be warned.

Answer 7

I do not see that much controversy over it. I think the promoters are trying to gin up controversy so people will go see it. This is a common tactic, and tends to backfire. This same negative marketing campaign tried and failed with The Da Vinci Code. The only reason why it did well was because Ron Howard directed it, Tom Hanks starred in it, and those that read the book wanted to see it. However, in all time domestic sales, it ranked 65, which for its book, cast and director power, was pretty sad.

Hollywood is still scratching its head trying to figure out how The Passion of the Christ made it to the top 10. They still don't get it. Films that draw the Christian community make BIG bucks.

Answer 8

Christianity teaches that they are the only source of truth and/or salvation that exists.

Anything that disagrees with that teaching is considered blasphemy by them.

There is no why.

It is simply what Christianity is all about. It's just another cult, and they have fought tooth and nail for centuries to keep their members brainwashed.

Unfortunately for them, this is a downward spiral. They can't put people to the sword for pursuing alternative beliefs these days. So without that kind of threat, all they have to rely on is to show that their religion has some sort of merit.

And it has none. Therefore, the more they try to censor and blind their followers from alternative thinking, the more they prove that their cult cannot survive under the light of scrutiny.

Answer 9

Saying that a kid's movie with a talking bear is comparable to atheist beliefs is actually quite insulting and just goes to show how little is known about atheism from a Christian perspective.

Answer 10

The Christians opposing the movie are the same crocks saying that Harry Potter is witchcraft. They want to raise their kids in a box and destroy any viewpoint that does not meet their own.

The Golden Compass is entertainment. The movie already censored itself: The god figure doesn't get killed. The producers should have remained true to the texts.