"The Golden Compass" attacks - more thought police and Nazi book burners?

Question

The religious thought police are back on the streets, this time aping jackbooted Nazi book-burners. They are spreading lies about the Philip Pullman books and the new movie, “The Golden Compass.” And for the most part none of these little church robots has ever read any of the books or seen the film.

The stories themselves are magnificently imaginative, the writing of the books is superb. There is everything to recommend in the tales of love, self-sacrifice, triumph of good over evil, and much more – and of the empowerment of children.

“The Golden Compass” as a film contains NOTHING controversial. Stupid thought police and proto-Nazis are completely wrong and won’t ever know it because THEY don’t think.

As for complaints that the book series promotes atheism – that is debatable. At what point do the religious thought police believe they can prevent people learning other ideas? Wouldn’t this instead be a great way to get into meaningful conversation with children?

"SARA" posted this answer to a different question (by another member) about the movie - I thank her for posting the answer she gave:

Golden Compass (actually, the whole HDM trilogy) is one of my favorite books, and has been since I was a child. I NEVER read into it as being anti-Christian. I read it as anti-authoritarianism, anti-dogmatic, and certainly in favor of free thinking. Granted, I myself am not Christian, although I have a lot of respect for that faith, so it may be that I'm missing the anti-Christian undertones I keep hearing about.

As for the "killing god" thing, which gets mentioned a lot by people who haven't read the books-- in the third book, Lyra and Will, the protagonists, kill--accidentally; they were just trying to STOP him--a despotic angel who tricked people into THINKING he was God. In essense, a false idol."

I respect many people who answer here. But I must give Sarah points and then some for being a GOOD writer. What a pleasure!

Answer 1

I think most people on the street who are saying negative things about the Golden Compass have never read it--just like most people who spread false rumors about Harry Potter-eg my mother in law, who is very sweet but believes everything she hears--who had never read it but was absolutely sure that it was about the devil and evil witches and teaching children to worship the devil, because the preacher at her church, who had never read it either, said so.

I was in Walmart the other day, with this same lady who was looking at it as a Christmas present for a teenager, and woman came up to her and said she didn't want it, it was about children killing God. So that was that.

I bought the trilogy right then and there, I haven't read it yet but I will soon. I prefer to make up my own mind and I can't if I don't know what it is about. And I do not believe all those rumors for a minute because I know where they usually come
from.

I think any book that gets kids reading is a good thing, and a great opportunity to have conversations with them. Any way to open up communication, and also to teach them about independent thinking, and that blind faith is not always a good thing. And that your elders are not always right.

I plan to see the movie on Christmas day, for our traditional Christmas movie outing.

Answer 2

w00t, I got quoted!

On the subject of your question, though--While some religious people are being a little nutsy about the movie, there are others who really are genuinely using it as a learning tool. Christian bookstores in my area have been advertising reading groups about the whole HDM trilogy for a few months. These are the Christians who have nothing to fear from the movie, or the books, because their faith is strong. They would rather have someone enter their church and share their faith with open eyes and open hearts--not prostitute their dogma to others, attempting to obliterate all knowledge of other beliefs, so that people will cower at the foot of their god in blind obedience.

Ironic, then--or perhaps just eerily fitting--that those who want to keep people from seeing this movie are making themselves similar to the Church as it is depicted in the books...

Answer 3

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is, I hear, the Golden Rule found in a Religious book.? And, its an Excellent Rule to live by...undoubtedly!!! ~~~ Actually, very doubtedly! That is a mistranslation, and poor enough to make it meaningless! What if I enjoyed pain? That says that I can inflict it on others! The original translation is; "Do not do to others what you don't want done to you!" Think about it, there is a world of difference between the two! But, does the Good Book tell us how to get over our disappointment if 'others' choose to disobey or ignore it?!? ~~~ What "good book"? The Xtian Book of the Dead? Us? (Multiple personality disorder?) If you are disappointed that others do not return your 'kindnesses', then you are doing them for the 'wrong' reasons, being dishonest and proud/vain/sinful. Also true if you expect others to behave or think the way that you, with your problem with judgement/pride/sin, think that they should! What right have you to 'expect' anything, o vain sinful human? There's your answer, difficult as it is to chew; get over yourself, and you won't have to concern yourself with (and be disappointed in) 'others'! That! is what religion, whichever, attempts to facilitate. Your problem is NOT with others, leave them alone! When your 'light' is shining brightly, others will come to you to find out why!

Answer 4

my opinion, don't say anything about the movie unless you have seen it and know what ur saying. Previews for movies never do them any justice. Sometimes movies are worse than they appear and sometimes they are better. I agree that by trying to persuade citizens not to watch or let their children watch this movie they are only sparking their interest. And the further they go, they keep adding fuel to the fire. That said, I haven't watched the movie so I am not going to say that it is bad or good. My opinion would be worthless.

Answer 5

I read that book and honestly have been trying to figure out what they are talking about. Unless I have a really horrible memory, not bloody likely, those kids kill no one. The children are the ones in danger.

I agree with you, I have a feeling they have never read the book. Just heard about it, and drew very wrong conclusions.

Answer 6

What these people do not realize is that this is generating a ton of free press and advertisement for the movie. The attempts at shutting it down will result in more people wanting to see it.

The same thing happened with the Harry Potter books and movies. Look where they are now.

Answer 7

i agree totally, people in the world want children to think, and ask questions but then some of those same people, do not want the kids to think or ask questions about things they do not believe in. i have family members that are like that, but i refused to listen to them and have always had thoughts and questions about everything in the world...i feel sorry for some of those children because they will never be able to develop to be able to question the world around them figure out life for themselves.

let me note: i am using the word SOME..not all so do not jump

Answer 8

Why is "The Golden Compass" cosidered controversial?....

Answer 9

yeah everyone complaining about this movie should shut up......it has Polar Bears in armor fighting, why whould they hold there kids back from that