golden compass?

Question

why does the catholic church hacve a problem with this movie? from a news report, if i understood correctlly they do not want people watching it...why?

Answer 1

From everything I've read, the author, Philip Pullman, has said in a great number of interviews he's done over the years that he doesn't believe in God and doesn't understand how anyone else can believe in Him. His books point toward that conclusion, but they don't say it outright. Instead, they paint a picture of a senile, helpless, disinterested God. If He really was that way, why WOULD anyone believe in Him? On top of that, the ruling body in the film is the "Magisterium" -- which is the exact name the Catholic Church has given its teaching authority. It's no coincidence -- Pullman really does see the Church as a hindrance and a threat to people's lives.

As for the movie itself, I went to see "The Golden Compass" on its opening night, and it's wrapped in very dark themes that are very intense for children -- the very ones who are the most likely to see it over and over, if it's worth seeing over and over. Right as the world gets ready for Christmas, Pullman and New Line have kids delving into witches, child abduction, medical experiments (on the abducted children), etc. Before I went (to see the movie for the purpose of reviewing it) I described the movie as gently as I could to my daughter, and even tried to make it sound appealing. She said she'd "maybe" want to see it. I have a feeling that will be the case for a lot of kids, especially in the United States, where most people still believe in God in one form or another. "Killing God" won't go over too well here, but I suspect that in countries where religion has receded more, the reception to the film will be a bit warmer.

Still, at a reported $180 million, "The Golden Compass" is basically in the tank. The opening weekend take was about 1/3 of what it needed to be to put itself in the blockbuster category. For comparison, consider that "Alvin and the Chipmunks" did more than $40 in the U.S. on its opening weekend, and it was ahead of what the "Golden Compass" took in for two weekends. I sincerely think that some investors were willing to fund this movie out of principles, as they saw this as a movie everyone "should" see in order to be enlightened. But Hollywood is still, at its core, a business, and no one will take too well to losing millions of dollars on principle. Those concerned about the movie warping the minds of susceptible young ones may not have to worry much; it's turning out to be a film without a core audience, which may make "The Golden Compass" one of the biggest busts in recent history.

You can read my review at:

http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=6107

Answer 2

Because the Catholic church is portrayed very poorly in the books, thinly veiled and renamed as the Magisterium.

However, all the things done by the Magisterium in the books have been done over and over by the Catholic church.

I guess they are not proud of their past.


Edit:
All those that say that God is killed in the end are wrong.

In the books the angel that has set itself up as a false god is artificially kept alive in a crystal prison. In a honest attempt to free it from this prison the main characters inadvertently allow it to die, something that the books make clear it is happy to finally be allowed to do.

Answer 3

As a matter of fact, the US Catholic Bishop's Conference Office of Film and Broadcasting at http://www.usccb.org/movies/index.shtml has not done a review of this movie.

The Catholic Leage is NOT associated with the heirarcy of the Catholic Church.

Answer 4

needless to say if people carry to a cheished perception and it extremely is attacked then they does not be vulnerable to assist it. people who're announcing it incredibly is purely a action picture in all probability are actually not protecting stable perspectives of Christianity. If some thing they have been into became into attacked they'd in all probability not decide directly to assist it the two. i desperate this week that i does not spend money to work out the Golden Compass. no one informed me to try this it became into my very own decision. If yet another Christian is going to work out the action picture this is as much as him or her. i does not tell them they shouldn't see it. i'd in simple terms tell them what i understand approximately it. this could be a topic remember for a guy or woman's very own conviction as a results of fact the Bible does not limit a beliver from seeing video clips in many cases. they could evaluate extra. I even have study quite a few articles approximately it and considered the promo (the 1st 5 minutes) and that i understand adequate to appreciate what it extremely is approximately. Animals are noted as demons interior the hollow intro of the action picture. Animals that are depicted as pets or buddies are being surpassed as as a demon which might make youthful childern extra accepting of the belief of demons. If there is an prepared boycott so what? Is there not freedom of the clicking and freedom to not partake in a number of that press additionally? If this action picture isn't a huge financially grossing image then it incredibly is going to convince some action picture manufacturers to not make those varieties of movies. I in simple terms wish people who boycott have their very own pesonal understand-how on the subject of the action picture in any different case they won't look that rational to protest some thing they could not comprehend.

Answer 5

Censorship is bad. A work should stand or fall based on its merit not the opinions and fears of any organization.

I've read the book (with my 8 y/o mind you) It is a work which weaves both good and bad aspects of spirituality throughout. It is based in a parallel universe of talking bears and flying witches and souls which are external to their humans and take the form of an animal.
It is pretty obvious this is fiction, even to a child. However it is often easier to consider the fallacies in out own thinking by examining the extremes you can explore in literature. Perhaps therein lies the danger of reading and education in general.

Answer 6

Because the movie is anti-organised religion, which is what Catholicism is, and in the end of book 3, two children kill an angel who claims to be the Creator (but is not) who is also trying to remove free will from all people everywhere.

The books encourage thinking and questioning, and the rejection of an 'ultimate' authority.

Answer 7

The usuraly strict religous folks out there are saying it's sinful and such.
Same crap like in the Di Vinchi Code.
I personaly don't think the Pope himself cares or is going to take the time away from much more important matters to talk about a fiction movie based on a fiction book.

Answer 8

Don't really know, i saw it a little while ago and it doesn't make any real reference to the CHRISTIAN CHURCH, although the people whom are supposedly symbolising christianity do state that they believe in God during the film.

I guess that the catholic church just doesn't want to be seen as the bad guy by little kids.

Answer 9

Because of virulent propaganda and intolerance on the part of a noisy element of the Christian Right Wing.
The film has already been neutered beyond recognition, removing all but the slightest sliver of criticism of authority in general.
The church is claiming that it's atheist propaganda, but so what if it was? Does freedom of speech only apply to christians in America?

Answer 10

I should imagine the author and the film company are laughing all the way to the bank.
All the extra free publicity that has been created for this film by some members of the christian community calling for it to be boycotted has probably only caused more people to go and see it.