Is the Golden Compass right about the Catholic Church?

Question

I just saw this movie and it really seems to say that the Catholic Church wants to rob the souls of the young before they have learned to think intelligently and independently. Do you think the writer of the books is correct about this?

Answer 1

I think that every religion and church tends to do this. While not exactly stealing their souls, they brainwash you into a way of thinking before you actually get to the age where you can think intelligently, and by that time, it's too late for most people.

Answer 2

As with all works of fiction, the themes and parallels of the secondary to the primary world must be taken not as carbon copies but as inspirations. Even Pullman's notion of "killing God" in "His Dark Materials" is merely the freeing of a long-cloistered usurper whose regent, Metatron, wields the real power. It would be SO easy for a parent to explain this to a child as being the comeuppance of presumptious angels to the throne of God, who, by the way, is NOT the Authority and that is left a mystery, as it should be. (Agnostic, not Atheist). Just because the Magisterium is similar in structure to the Catholic Church does not make it Pullman's portrait of the REAL Catholic Church. The Magisterium reigns in a functional theocracy wherein science is "experimental theology" or something like that (been awhile since I read these) and comes under the authority of the Church. The power is not merely dictated as requisite to the faith, it is law. That's different.

As another answerer said, the church is not the only offender in the war to capture children's minds. The important element is parental guidance. If you care about your child, you'll explain concepts fairly and openly and allow the child to learn critical thinking skills. There are many parts of the "Dark Materials" trilogy (including the name) that were taken from Milton's "Paradise Lost." In effect, the story of Will and Lyra is an alternate story of Adam and Eve across myriad universes. I remember being unsatisfied with the ending when I read them at the time. I will have to read them again to determine wherefrom this restlessness arises. But it had nothing to do with the Magisterium, but rather the idea of Dust and how it flows.

Answer 3

Just like to point out that the author Philip Pullman has previously stated in interviews that he has no problem with people expressing certain beliefs or faiths just with organized religion.

The simple fact is that children are more impressionable at a young age and it is not only religious communities that take advantage of that. Television, junk food, computer games, etc are all aimed at kids. Shame less and less people seem concerned with simple lessons like good manners and moral standards in the future generations.

Answer 4

I think they would consider it "save" the souls . . .

The church is inclined to suppose that the souls are already robbed (fallen from grace) and the Catholics consider
*some* time in Purgatory likely for *everyone* who dies. Knowledge of salvation reduces this time and makes a trip to heaven more likely.

Answer 5

Most religions want to get you before you have learned to think intelligently and independently. Without education, people will believe anything that's taught to them. With proper education, you can add religion into your life later if you still find you are missing some sort of spiritual need.

Answer 6

LOL....that's not true at all.

Maybe that's why the Catholic Church was having a problem with this movie.....some people don't know that this only a movie.

Very funny and also says something very sad about how some people think.

Answer 7

I haven't seen the movie, but I expected someone would come out with some accusatory thing.
No.
This is not true. What you have seen is a movie that has a story line written by an atheist, and as such, it will obviously carry with it his own mistaken ideas.
He is not correct.
I'm a Non-denominational Protestant, and I can still see this is wrong.

Answer 8

Please tell me that you do not believe everything you read? Talk to some of us Catholics, visit our Churches, attend a Mass or two, and talk to a priest. You can read ALL of our beliefs and reasons for them in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Answer 9

All religious cults want to 'get them while their young', because if people reach maturity without having been indoctrinated into a religious cult, they are more likely not to join any cult. Same goes for smoking, people rarely start smoking after 21.

Answer 10

I don't think its is necessarily specific to the Catholic Church, but to all churches.