Catholic League anounces boycott of "Golden Compass"

[ttaylor]

Jediliz. I read the article and I have to disagree with it. As far as sexuality, violence, euthenasia and cannabilism go thetse books are no worse than harry potter 7 except with far more of the emotion we call love. There is one point in the third novel where the two main characters kiss, but that is all that is said in the books. The probable readon that there isn’t a Pope is that the story is set in an alternate universe and starts with a religion that isn’t Catholicism. As for your statement that anyone who believes in the church is killed, the opposite is actually true, the church in the books is generally the one that does the killing, which in my opinion would be a far better argument on your part for why not to read the books. God as the creator we belive in never makes an appearance in the novels, although there is an angel that sets himself up as the creator. The article itself misnames one of the two main characters, calling him bill insetead of will. I do agree with you on the idea that the Narnia books are wonderful. I read them at about the same time I read His Dark Materials. THey are very similar in that both series are beautiful and thought provoking reads. Before you criticise these books again though I suggest you read them.

Baptista–congradulations! you have actually read these novels and present a reasoned argument against them. I don’t believe that Pullman ever denies the existence of a creator in the books, no matter how much he may do so in person. All he says is that this “Authority,” the first angel to be formed of dust is definently not the creator.

Yay, great statement!

 

[jediliz]

I don’t read anti religion books written by Atheists. I gave up on Harry Potter 6 (once I read the spoiler) am stuck about 1/3 through Deathly Hallows, and lost my place in the 5th book (but refused to finish it since I read the spoiler). I can reread LWTW dozens of times. I’ll reread Magician’s nephew, too.

I will not read books that degrade Christianity. Thanks for more information on what happens in the books, Baptista. I’ve already warned my sister about the movie (because its being touted as an adventure movie sort of like Narnia or LOTR. Not that she’d take my oldest niece to a PG-13 movie).

Enchanted is a much better movie that deserves our entertainment $. Besides, I am going to Mass for the Holy Day tomorrow evening, so I have a much better place to spend an hour - with GOD.

 

[jthiel]

I don’t read anti religion books written by Atheists. I gave up on Harry Potter 6 (once I read the spoiler) am stuck about 1/3 through Deathly Hallows, and lost my place in the 5th book (but refused to finish it since I read the spoiler). I can reread LWTW dozens of times. I’ll reread Magician’s nephew, too.

I will not read books that degrade Christianity. Thanks for more information on what happens in the books, Baptista. I’ve already warned my sister about the movie (because its being touted as an adventure movie sort of like Narnia or LOTR. Not that she’d take my oldest niece to a PG-13 movie).

Enchanted is a much better movie that deserves our entertainment $. Besides, I am going to Mass for the Holy Day tomorrow evening, so I have a much better place to spend an hour - with GOD.

Hey, I love the Narnia books too. I just don’t think we should hide from Pullman’s ideas. Just because he’s atheist doesn’t mean he’s wrong about everything, nor does it mean he’s a horrible writer. I’ll be the first to admit that Pullman’s books are anti-organized religion, but it is far better for us to confront his ideas, understand them and understand why they are wrong than to ignore them altogether. Also, if we refused to read all authors that presented anti religous attitudes we would lose such great writers as Voltaire and Mark Twain. If our faith is truly strong then it shouldn’t be threatened by a simple work of fiction. In my opinion, instead of shunning every alternate viewpoint, we should learn about opposing opinions and prove for ourselves why they are wrong. Doing so could only improve the strength of our church and our knowledge of our faith. I have seen enchanted, and I liked it, although it isn’t quite up my alley. As for the Holy Day of Obligation, I’ll be there too.

p.s.–It always makes me chuckle when I think of an atheist parent forbidding their children to read the Chronicles of Narnia because it contains Christian propaganda.

 

[jthiel]

Also, a nice little tidbit. Did you know that Aslan from TCON was apparently named after St. Anselm, who was an early Christian philosopher that was the first to develope the an ontological proof of God’s existence. Just something I heard and found interesting.

 

[jediliz]

That’s interesting about Aslan. Wikipedia says Aslan was turkish for LION.

I’m sad that these books are promoting atheism because the Golden Compass trailer when I first saw it a few months ago, looked really cool. Glad I did my research. I think tomorrow after Holy Day Vigil Mass I’ll watch Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe to further prepare for Christmas.

Gotta go to bed since I will probably be praying the rosary tomorrow at the abortuary here in town.