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"The Golden Compass" movie--offensive exposure?

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Contributed by: Catherine Bird on 11/9/2007

Warning: This blog entry is aimed specifically at true Christians, and does not intend any offense toward anyone who adheres to any other "religion" or belief system.

A movie titled " The Golden Compass" is due for release in American theaters December 7th. You may have seen the commercials promoting this "live animation" style film of the "fantasy" genre.

This film is geared toward children, and the commercials promoting it make the film appear similar to the films based on the " Chronicles of Narnia" series, penned by famous Christian author C.S. Lewis. However, there is a lot those commercials are not telling you about this film and the author of the book it is based upon.

I received quite a shock today, while browsing Snopes (urban legend debunking site), when I came across the following page about this upcoming film:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

According to the folks at Snopes, the rumors about " The Golden Compass"--based upon the book " Northern Lights,"--are true! Snopes cites an email that is being circulatedthat claims British author, and Atheist, Phillip Pullman's trilogy " His Dark Materials"--" NorthernLights" being the first book--is his answer to the C.S. Lewis series.

The email in question claims that Pullman "hates" C.S. Lewis and his " Chronicles of Narnia" series, so wrote his trilogy of childrens' books to "show the other side."

The trilogy has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, and the first book has won a couple of "best childrens' book" literature awards. The final book in the series, " The Amber Spyglass" -- which won The (British) Whitbread Prize for best children's book -- ends with the main characters killing God, allowing everyone to "do as they please," as a result.

From what I've read about these books, they appear to promote the erroneous idea that God is oppressive to "free will" (aka, Liberty), even though He's the Grantor of free will. America's Founding Fathers recognized this fact in the text of our Declaration of Independence!

Yes, America is currently a free country--especially of religious freedom--though I'm sure Christians have noticed their religious rights being whittled away, of late, by those who wish to remove God from all forms of public life.

Hollywood--and other entertainment outlets--create primarily anti-Christian products (movies, video games, television programs, etc.) and the News Media (TV and Print) promote such products; in their attempt to create a very anti-Christian culture. Such behavior is deteriorating the very fabric of our society; causing a myriad of social problems Americans seem reluctant to even face, much less solve.

Worse yet, our government--at least our Judicial and Legislative branches--is weakly buckling to pressure from Atheists (who comprise less than 1% of our population). These folks are bringing lawsuits, and demanding new laws of legislators, to remove every expression of religion from our society.

This, from a government FORMED BY CHRISTIANS, who were aiming to protect our God-given rights to "Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness."

Any American who is familiar with our primary Founding Documents--the " Declaration Of Independence" and " Constitution Of The United States"--knows that the Declaration asserts God's provision of free will (Liberty) to all peoples, and our Constitution intended to " secure the Blessings of Liberty" mentioned in that Declaration.

Unfortunately, our Constitution has not been followed by most members of our government for nearly a hundred years. If you're skeptical, perhaps watching director Aaron Russo's documentary, " America: Freedom To Fascism," will open your eyes to the facts.

Personally, I believe it's time 'We The People' woke up to reality and began to take action to preserve our Founders' intentions for our country. This not only includes voting our conscience at the polls, but also taking decisive action with our purchasing power as consumers.

Ah, but I digress. Let's get back to the topic, shall we?

It's all fine and dandy if you are an Athiest yourself--or member of a non-Christian religion--and don't mind your children being exposed to such material.

However, if you are a Christian, " The Golden Compass" may be offensive to your religious countenance, and you may want to spare your children's minds of Mr. Pullman's point of view.

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Submitted By: Michael Kilman

posted on 1/10/2008 @ 12:28:46 PM

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...If you look in the very foundation of the original constitution you will find that there are several laws that go against the teachings of Jesus, such as the institution of the Death Penalty. I hardly think you could say that this country is Anti-Christian. Look at the members of our government. Is there a single Non-Christian within it? Do our holidays not fall on Christian ones? One who is strong in their faith is not easily offended, nor are they easily swayed. If you are a Christian I would recommend reading these books before condemning them or forbidding your children to read them. Form your own point of view about what you feel or believe about these books just as the author has intended.

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Submitted By: Michael Kilman

posted on 1/10/2008 @ 12:27:50 PM

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Having read the books, I do not feel that Pullman is attaching the Christian Religion at all. I feel that he is simply promoting the idea of thinking about your beliefs for yourself. Pullman never mentions Jesus, nor does the main character actually kill God. The message that I took away from the trilogy was to live life for what it is. There is a reason they call God the Authority in the books. This book could also be interpreted as social commentary on politics. Might I also add that the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson, whom was a Unitarian not specifically a Christian. Might I say that this country was in fact very much founded by a Masonic Order, which is based on Hermetic Teaching, that while it has much in common with the idea of what Jesus said has many different view points on the subject. The founding fathers did not appear to have found a conflict in being a Christian and a Hermetic...

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Submitted By: Catherine Bird

posted on 12/17/2007 @ 1:13:48 PM

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Ms. Matanovich: The word "hearsay" means, "rumor, gossip"--according to Webster. I provided direct links to the actual quotes, proving I wasn't making anything up. Considering that Pullman himself made these claims about his books, to a British journalist in an interview, they cannot be rumor or gossip. The fact that folks such as yourself feel compelled to attack Christians says more about you than it does about your victims.

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Submitted By: Catherine Bird

posted on 12/17/2007 @ 1:06:43 PM

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Ms. Matanovich: Jesus Christ

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Submitted By: Margaret Matanovich

posted on 11/30/2007 @ 8:59:08 PM

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Ms. Bird: Who is the ultimate person/entity to define Christianity?

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Submitted By: Margaret Matanovich

posted on 11/30/2007 @ 8:55:51 PM

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Ms. Bird: many of your sources were things you read, not experienced personally, ergo, heresay. My lovely, intelligent, "Christian", kind, understanding son read these books, love them and still is a wonderful, intelligent, kind, understanding, "Christian" boy. (My son is "Christian" in his actions; he doesn't wear it as a badge on his sleeve.) I agree with Kristine: true Christians don't have to tell people they are Christian; it is known by their actions and way of life.

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Submitted By: Kristine Fazzi

posted on 11/27/2007 @ 7:19:51 PM

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I take offense at your statement re: "true Christians" perhaps Matthew 5 would be a good read for you. True Christians don't have to tell people they are Christian, it is known by their actions and way of life. This movie is a fantasy, a work of fiction and only has as much power as you give it.

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Submitted By: Catherine Bird

posted on 11/23/2007 @ 5:55:25 PM

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Margaret, are you saying that Mr. Pullman's claims of being an Atheist, hating C.S. Lewis, and why he wrote these booksare "heresay"? He provided this information himself in an interview, so how can you call it "heresay"?? Do your own research on this, and see for yourself.

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Submitted By: Margaret Matanovich

posted on 11/23/2007 @ 10:43:51 AM

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Don't go see the movie. A lot of these comments are based on heresay, not actual experience. Try reading one of the books you ojbect to and come to your own conclusions.

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Submitted By: Dean Tebbe

posted on 11/21/2007 @ 4:24:22 PM

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I question the thinking that one should "spare" their children's minds of points of view that differ with their own. Teaching children critical thinking skills requires that they get a chance to see multiple perspectives and ideas, then decide what they believe. Putting blinders on them when they are young will only make things harder to understand when they are older. If you're concerned that the propaganda will "brainwash" them, then teach them "media literacy": the ability to analyze the media rather than just consume it. A rational, thinking child will grow up to be a rational, thinking adult. While we would probably agree that Hollywood creates mostly garbage, I think labeling them "anti-Christian" is inaccurate. Creating non-religious programing is just secular, not anti-Christian. Creating sexist, violent, thoughtless content that sells to the largest possible audience (and makes the most $$) is really all they care about.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Catherine Bird

Castle Rock , CO

Catherine Bird has posted 4 blog entries and 25 comments since joining on 9/14/2006. Catherine Bird 's average blog rating is 3.28.

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