Does anyone find it odd that some people would tell others to boycott a movie without seeing it?

Question

This is in reference to The Golden Compass which was released last Friday.

Philip Pullman, the author of the book upon which the movie was based is an agnostic, not an atheist. In his own words from his official website:

"I don't know whether there's a God or not. Nobody does, no matter what they say."

Answer 1

Yes, and also the whole series is tagged as a fiction series so why would anyone believe what they know isn't true anyway? Most movies are made for entertainment and not to express beliefs, and if people think that it is threatening then just don't see it because if other people feel the same then it will happen that way without them having to hear it from other people.
The reason they wanted it boycotted was because they wanted the first movie to crash so the other two books wouldn't be made into cinematic productions. I have read all of them and I never have any thoughts of the series being atheistic, a bit unusual and unique but not expressing atheism or beliefs of it.

Answer 2

I find it odd. But it's been this way since the dawn of time....
People will rebuke something, they do not understand, just because. For no reason, other than....they just don't understand.

The only reason Jesus Christ was put to death....was, the leaders in the current Churches were affraid that Jesus would change everything for them and take all of there followers away from them and the Romans would have a greater power over them....Nothing more.

The Golden Compass is.....Just a movie.

Just as Mel Gibson's movie...

WHo really cares or makes a difference in this world.

Answer 3

No, that is not odd. There are all sorts of movies with all sorts of basis' that could cause someone to ask others not to watch. For religous or personal beliefs.

Personally I think it is silly to boycott a movie because someone in the creative side of it does not have an understanding of his creator, not that the rest of us really understand God either. The movie is fantasy like most are, even most historical movies or theological movies are 99% fill in the blanks. To boycott someone for having different beliefs you might as well refuse to shop at every store or get in a cab or be treated by a doctor or drive on a road that was built by someone thats different, after all this is a movie of fantasy and making movies or writing stories is what the man does for a living. Thats it.

Would you deny everyone the right to have a job or to speak publicly or write a book or make a movie that you dont agree with. Has your opinion ever changed in your life. Have you ever felt one way and later believed in something very different. Be careful it can happen again.

Answer 4

No, I find it very typical of narrow minded people that are normally of some specific religious bend. For example several years ago, many Christians boycotted Harry Potter since it had to do with Witchcraft and Wizardry. They didn't take in mind that the story was deeper than that. It taught many lessons including loyalty, good vs evil and responsibility. The main thing that the books did was to get kids to read. So when the movies came out, they tried to ban them too.
We are seeing this again with The Golden Compass. The people who wish to boycott this movie are reading too much into the tale which the normal child would completely miss. The bigger picture becomes: if they feel that something needs to be boycotted, then apparently their faith is very unstable that they must 'protect' those who still have imagination and yet to make up their mind as to what they believe.

Answer 5

Hi,
I know I will enjoy or hate a movie just by hearing the title or knowing who stars in the film. We all do this as a way of making quick judgements that actually serve a valuable purpose in our daily lives. We have learned over years of conditioning that our first impressions are often correct and we often need to make decisions based on first impressions such as when you are approached by someone obviously handing out pamplets. He or She may have that silly smile that says J.Freak or Mooney etc. and we stear clear of them, don't make eye contact and give clipped answers, "Not Now" or I often tried "I'm a Priest". The surprising thing is that I was approached at my home, air-port, hospitals and everywhere I went and I was wearing the standard Black clericals with white collar. I never once in at least a dozen encounters got the slightest acknowledgement of my apparant choice and knowledge of the subject.
I was asked at least 5 or 6 times if I was saved, or do you know Jesus is your lord and saviour? We all make judgements with little information and it often serves us well. I knew not to let them tell me about Jesus or why I should study to be a Mormon. The answer to your question is in the two types of peoples reasoning. The majority of us make use of our stereotyping as a survival strategy but we don't make grand statements and insult other people based on this thin information. The Witnesses are so caught in their own small world of absolutes that includes them and us (we are them and they are us). They are using retoric and pat pseudo-theology that they have memorized and there is no possible way to penetrate their cognitive shields. We are also much to worried about offending them and often find ourselves tolerating a half hour of statements from Mooney fortune cookies. The true believers or actually true joiners are the people who would boycott a film they have not seen. The true witness can not allow self or others to hear something that could threaten the belief set their group purports to know is truth. The real truth is that this is what Kholbert would consier stage 3 reasoning, the group defines the beliefs and should you move to a town without Snakehandlers, you can completely adopt a different set of beliefs in order to join the Catholic church. Membership is all important and if memorizing a creed is required it will be done and if it is opposite of the last church's creed the contradiction will not even be noticed. This is a level of thinking and reasoning that is typical of adolescents and is normal. It is a form of cognitive retardation for the same stage 3 resoning is found in a 45 year old man or woman with a silly smile and brochures.
doc Scotty retired forensic psychologist

Answer 6

you have asked a question does anyone find it odd that some people would tell others to boycott a movie without seeing it. i have read the answers that you have got from others some belive in God and others don't we talk about the rigths of others.we say we have a right to do are say what we want to.even to God will tell us in His word whats right and whats wrong.but God does not force anything on us.this choice is yours and only yours.everyday of my life i have to make a choice i say to myself should i do this or should i not.but i think that most of us know whats right and whats not.i'am not going to tell you not to see the movie are not to see any movie.but as a christian i can't go to that movie..but remeber i'am not in anyway telling you not to go to any movie just let God lead you then you can't go wrong. God bless you to make the right choice.

Answer 7

Not really. I do think that there needs to be a "first viewer" somewhere along the way, and people who respect that person can pass the word down the line.

To boycott a movie because you don't like the book would make sense, or if someone you know read the book and didn't like it.

How far down the line? He said she told him that she heard from someone whose cousin said.......

Answer 8

Not odd really because people do it all the time on what ever subject or event, etc that they "themselves" may disapprove of. Freedom of expression is one thing but trying to force others to do what they "personally" feel is the right thing is another. BUT, on another note; It seems to me that time would be better wasted boycotting something important that could at least get a voice out there and take the chance that it might have a positive affect on our economic crises.

Answer 9

Of course, the religious types in Lyra's alternate universe will be demanding that nobody goes to see that new film, 'The Passion of The Christ' - it's all made up blasphemy, and should not be seen, according to them.

Why are the Christians fine about going to see movies with bad guys and mumbo jumbo, until the bad guys are the religious ones in it?

Answer 10

I just got an email from a friend (who was forwarding it to everyone she knows) telling me not to see that very movie. I followed the email to it's source and guess what? A heavily Christian group disguised as "concerned parents"... surprise, surprise!!!

I sent them an email telling them to keep their own kids home if they weren't comfortable letting them watch The Golden Compass, but to mind their own business as far as the rest of us are concerned!!!

I don't find it odd that the zealots are once again trying to guide people away from enlightenment. It's par for the course!!! I think the religious fanatics are afraid that one of the "sheep" in their "flock" may wander off and have a mind of it's own and start making it's own decisions about what's "evil" and what's "good" or "rightous" if it's exposed to this movie without a pastor or priest nearby to direct it's thoughts and ward off the demons... GOD FORBID!!!