The Golden Compass

[LadiesMan217]

Has anybody seen the movie yet? I haven't gotten the chance to. From what i hear they changed it from the book, some say drastically. I don't know if it's true, and i would like to hear from someone who has seen it. And onward we go. I agree with a few statements above. The main one being that Christian Churches are terrified of anything new. I grew up a christian, and they always seemed to be afraid of anything that might put into question all the stuff they are trying to force everyone to believe. When something new comes along they always go out of their way to discredit it, or to make people see why it's not a good idea to see it, or whatever. It's frustrating to me that they preach about equality, and about acceptance, but they won't accept things equally. But whatever, that's just me.

First off, I wanted to say that I saw the movie before I knew anything about this controversy over the film and before I ever even knew that it was a book. I did not think that the movie was very good at all and it is no wonder it has bombed at the box office, but when I saw the movie I could not tell that it was really anti-church, it has really been watered down a lot, but now knowing what I know I can make the connections with the magisterium and all that.

Secondly, I wanted to offer my opinion on all the boycotting. I will always defend the right of freedom of speech, so I would be outraged if a movie were ever shut down because of ideas that were controversial, but is also our right to protest things we do not agree with. Christians have never been the target audience for this film so wouldn't you expect them to all agree to not see it? Another reason I think there is more controversy over this film than some other Christian films is because the Christian films like Narnia have simply been allegorical stories from the Bible that really have no underlying controversial message in them that would make them more offensive to other religions, so that is where I see a difference here. I am a Christian myself and I would not have seen this movie if I knew what it was truly about. Everyone has the choice of where their dollar will go and I try to make sure that my dollar does not support things and ideas that I do not agree with.

[Sillystarryeyes]

Quote by: LadiesMan217 First off, I wanted to say that I saw the movie before I knew anything about this controversy over the film and before I ever even knew that it was a book. I did not think that the movie was very good at all and it is no wonder it has bombed at the box office, but when I saw the movie I could not tell that it was really anti-church, it has really been watered down a lot, but now knowing what I know I can make the connections with the magisterium and all that.

FINALLY, someone who has seen the movie. I heard they watered it down a lot, and that's what i was afraid of. The books were really good to me, at least what i remember. And it's always frustrating to see a movie after reading the books. They're never as good as the books. I know i am still going to see it for myself. I have never been one to make a decision based on someone elses viewpoint, and i just wish other people were the same way.

Quote by: LadiesMan217 Secondly, I wanted to offer my opinion on all the boycotting. I will always defend the right of freedom of speech, so I would be outraged if a movie were ever shut down because of ideas that were controversial, but is also our right to protest things we do not agree with. Christians have never been the target audience for this film so wouldn't you expect them to all agree to not see it? Another reason I think there is more controversy over this film than some other Christian films is because the Christian films like Narnia have simply been allegorical stories from the Bible that really have no underlying controversial message in them that would make them more offensive to other religions, so that is where I see a difference here. I am a Christian myself and I would not have seen this movie if I knew what it was truly about. Everyone has the choice of where their dollar will go and I try to make sure that my dollar does not support things and ideas that I do not agree with.

I agree with some of that. Freedom of speech is something that we are all entitled to. I do not however believe that there is any reason to boycott something that is covered by the freedom of speech. It's not going to do anything. I feel like it's a waste of time and energy. It's not going to accomplish anything. The people that were going to see it are stll going to see it, the ones that weren't still aren't, and it's not going to stop the movie from playing. If it's going to do anything it's going to piss people off because they don't want to hear people walking around boycotting something. Seriously. And as far as i am concerned there really is no difference in this movie over any other. They are all movies, with some storyline that someone somewhere isn't going to like. There hasn't been a single movie that has been released since they started making movies that someone hasn't been against. It's just another thing that we all have to deal with. We are all entitled to our opinions. We just need to learn to keep them to ourselves when it comes to something like this.

[LadiesMan217]

I agree with some of that. Freedom of speech is something that we are all entitled to. I do not however believe that there is any reason to boycott something that is covered by the freedom of speech. It's not going to do anything. I feel like it's a waste of time and energy. It's not going to accomplish anything. The people that were going to see it are stll going to see it, the ones that weren't still aren't, and it's not going to stop the movie from playing. If it's going to do anything it's going to piss people off because they don't want to hear people walking around boycotting something. Seriously. And as far as i am concerned there really is no difference in this movie over any other. They are all movies, with some storyline that someone somewhere isn't going to like. There hasn't been a single movie that has been released since they started making movies that someone hasn't been against. It's just another thing that we all have to deal with. We are all entitled to our opinions. We just need to learn to keep them to ourselves when it comes to something like this.

I agree with some of what you said too. Personally boycotting and protesting things just really aren't my style, but I suspect people boycott this movie to educate others about what is really behind the story so that they can make an educated decision on whether or not to see it. If the boycotts of this movie would have gotten more media coverage then I probably would not have gone and saw it, but that is just me. I guess it is like protesting the war or something even though you know it is not going to do any good at all.

[Sillystarryeyes]

I'm pretty sure i came off totally wrong that last post.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and everyone is entitled to make an educated decision. I think my main problem is the fact that people have to be so forceful about it. They think that if they don't let EVERYONE know about it, they aren't doing their jobs, when the truth is that most of us really aren't listening anyway. And i think that everyone really should take their own choices into their own hands. If you want to know what's going on, go online and do some research. You can find out anything about anything online, and not have to force your opinion on other people. And honestly, i find that people are perfectly happy not knowing all the details. Sometimes if you know too much it takes the joy out of things. I have started to stop reading too much into things and just watching the movie, reading the book, etc. That way i don't feel obligated to do something because of someone elses opinion. But then again, i've always been a pretty free spirit, pushing against anything that tries to bind me into something i don't know if i truely believe or not.

[Becky14]

I actually found out that the theatre in my town refuses to show it. I hate it. I don't have money to go to the next town over.

There is no reason for Christians to complain.

We kept our mouths shut over the Passion fot he Christ, Narnia, The Nativity Story, and a LOT of other ones.

Stop whining, and learn to accept other beliefs.

[Sillystarryeyes]

oh, that makes me frustrated, and i'm not even there. I would so be all over that. I understand that if it's a private theatre that they have the right to decide what gets to play and what doesn't but that's infringing on peoples freedom of speech, and that's just WRONG!!!

GRRRR, but anyway. I'm hoping to get to see it soon. That way i can know a little more about what they freaking people are complaining about, and if it's not as bad as they are all making it seem, i'm going to be really upset. Although i'm going to have to be careful not to get upset too easily, because i'm kinda already biased you know?

[The Bacon Guy]

Quote by: sil That way i can know a little more about what they freaking people are complaining about,

You won't find that out from watching the film. Most of the folk who complain won't even have seen it.

[Sillystarryeyes]

I'm sure most people complaining about the film haven't ever seen it, and a lot of them haven't even so much as read the books. They are speaking out because someone else has said it's wrong, and they have to follow in their footsteps. That drives me crazy. Everyone was created with free will, and the ability to think things through and make decisions on their own. They need to stop taking everything that their preacher/paster/etc says at face value, and actually at least do a little more research about the topic before they go around stiring up trouble. If i don't fully know something i look it up, read everything i can find about it, and then, AND ONLY THEN, do i make a decision about it. I never judge a book by it's cover. And if there is something i don't like, i at least don't have to spread around to everyone that i don't like it. That's for them to decide.

So for those of you who haven't read the books, or seen the movie, and know nothing about the series, stop complaining for a little while and actually read the books or go see the movie. That way at least you will have something to back up your complaining instead of just blindly following someone else.

[Maryjane]

I have started to stop reading too much into things and just watching the movie, reading the book, etc. That way i don't feel obligated to do something because of someone elses opinion.

I read the Harry Potter and Lemony Snickett series to my son. The main characters were orphans. Some chapters hit too close to home so we would take a break. Those books spoke to him in a way someone who never lost a parent could ever comprehend. I don't care about others opinons either.

[Sillystarryeyes]

one of the things that mildly amuses me is the fact that the christians were all behind The Chronicals of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and in that book there are ALL KINDS of pagan refrences. Yet they supported it fully, taking all their children to see it and so forth.

This movie has some things that can be considered religious too, and they are ALL ABOUT not taking their family to see it, and they are doing their best to make sure everyone else doesn't go to see it either.

BLAH!!!

[Maryjane]

I have to laugh... I read CON to my older sons many years ago. I think they were around 12 & 14 when we stopped on book 4?

I suppose if they felt the books were that impressive they would have continued reading them on their own, but they didn't. They discovered the fantasy of Tolkien and from there moved on to nonfiction.

[Sillystarryeyes]

I think that's really what i've been trying to say lately.
It's not about what one group of people think. Everyone has the right to decide for themselves. Honestly, i get so sick and tired of hearing people say they aren't going to see it/read it/etc, but when you ask them why, they really don't know. They just heard it from someone else, and followed along with the crowd.

All i'm saying is that everyone needs to do a little more research, and stop listening to everything everyone else has to say.

I remember reading the books when they were first released, and i thought they were really good books. I'm going to read them again, but i'm sure i will feel the same way this time too. I'm not going to let someone elses opinion cause me not to enjoy a book because they think it's wrong.

[Chris the Chees]

Well, it also paints the Church as an evil, grasping organization that engages in all kinds of mutilations and likes to literally rip the souls from children for fun and profit.

Considering the history of several major churches, that isn't exactly unfair.

And as for the idea of religion it's self, the books have nothing to say. The books attack corruption within the Church, they do not attack the idea of religion at all. Oh and no one moaned, as far as i can recall, when they made the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe into a film. This is just another case of Christians making a fuss over nothing; boring.

[mark3748]

Quote by: Chris the Chees Oh and no one moaned, as far as i can recall, when they made the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe into a film. This is just another case of Christians making a fuss over nothing; boring.

That's because Narnia was pro-Christianity, pro-Church, and most atheists really don't care much about them making films that are pro-religion. It seems that Christians tend to be more intolerant of things that go against their views, even if it's just a stupid fantasy film. Just look at Harry Potter.

[Baarst]

I find it funny the church gets all uppity when someone has a go at it's belief's but the church finds it perfectly alright to demonise others belief's which differ from that of the church. If someone watches this movie and decides to not follow christianity because of it then maybe they weren't cut out for christianity anyway, although I find it hard to believe that a fictional film could really sway someones spiritual beliefs.

[Sillystarryeyes]

Quote by: Baarst If someone watches this movie and decides to not follow christianity because of it then maybe they weren't cut out for christianity anyway, although I find it hard to believe that a fictional film could really sway someones spiritual beliefs.

If someones views do sway because of a fictional film, then they were probably on the verge of changing anyway. But the churchs would blame it on the film, just like lawmakers are trying to blame violence on violent movies and games.

Quote by: mark3748 That's because Narnia was pro-Christianity, pro-Church, and most atheists really don't care much about them making films that are pro-religion.

Narnia is a great example of christians not truely seeing the whole picture. Narnia was a great movie, and even better books, but what the christians didn't see was all the pagan refrences that were made throughout both. If you know anything about pagan beliefs you would clearly see them, but since christians shun even learning about something that doesn't fit within their beliefs, they don't see that.

[Baarst]

To all the christians who oppose this movie... grow up, it's a fictional film, fictional means it is made up! It's a story that is not based on facts... hmmmm much like christianity when you think about it.

[Ken Carman]

They’re intentionally watering down the most offensive element,” Donohue said. “I'm not really concerned about the movie, [which] looks fairly innocuous. The movie is made for the books. ... It's a deceitful, stealth campaign. Pullman is hoping his books will fly off the shelves at Christmastime."

"Kills off a character known as God but isn't God at all?"


Damn, now I know I want to see this. So if they hadn't watered it down they'd be offended, and if they did they're offended? The "offense" here seems to be filming something other than what confirms someone's faith. It reminds me a little of the reaction to, Life of Brian.

Look, I went to the big whip-a-thon, Passion. I didn't care for it due to all the focus on the torture of Jesus, and the dilution of his message at the expense of more gore. I even found value in some of the slight variations within the plot compared to more traditional fare. While I found the concept of how much he suffered of value, I thought it so over the top if it were a steak it would have been well beyond charred.

So if I can tolerate, and even appreciate, propaganda from one side of the theological fence, I can tolerate another. Parents need to decide for their children, which they should be doing to begin with.

BTW, Harry Potter caused a similar reaction amongst those who object to anything being out there that doesn't agree with them... even when it's obviously FICTION.

I swear the way some cry at such sounds like the over the top tantrums a 10 year old has because he doesn't get his way every time.

[Sonart]

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Saw the film and enjoyed it, as I do most well produced Fantasy sagas. Whatever anti-religious message it may have contained, the film makers apparently toned way down. It was mostly anti-totalitarian so If anything, it was anti-CHURCH! If Catholics in particular want to take offense, so be it, but it's not like history isn't chock full of folks who took offense with the Catholic Church. And, while I'm not an expert on Catholocism, there's really nothing I'm aware of in the film that says Catholic over any other Evangelistic church... or Mosque.

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