Catholic League anounces boycott of "Golden Compass"

[deb1]

I totally agree with what you are saying…there will ALWAYS be movies and books that challenge our Faith. It is our responsibility to raise our children warning them of such, but if we raise them correctly and explain these things to them, they wil stay safe. Banning will certainly make this book and or movie all the more enticing.

I am not for a outright bann because it will just draw more attention to this movie. Instead we should just quietly get the word out to other Christians about the books.

Just to prove that the big, bad, Catholic Church can’t tell them what to do, many people will flock to the movie if there is a bann.

 

[maria29]

Personally I’d never even heard of these books until it was posted on here, so of course I checked out the Golden Compass from the library just to see what all the fuss is about.

I can tell you right now though that i’d proably never of read the book if people weren’t all for boycotting it. But I feel the need to read something and be informed so I don’t just make blanket assumptions about a book that I’ve never even read.

 

[deb1]

Personally I’d never even heard of these books until it was posted on here, so of course I checked out the Golden Compass from the library just to see what all the fuss is about.

I can tell you right now though that i’d proably never of read the book if people weren’t all for boycotting it. But I feel the need to read something and be informed so I don’t just make blanket assumptions about a book that I’ve never even read.

Good for you for getting it from the library. I plan to do the same thing myself. It isn’t that I don’t trust the people on this forum’s opinion. I certainly believe that these are atheistic propagandic books written in an entertaining manner.

But how can I witness to another about what is wrong with these books without reading them first.

I have heard that the first book is not so bad. It is the second and third book that are supposed to be antiCatholic.

 

[Dandelion_Wine]

Personally I’d never even heard of these books until it was posted on here, so of course I checked out the Golden Compass from the library just to see what all the fuss is about.

I can tell you right now though that i’d proably never of read the book if people weren’t all for boycotting it. But I feel the need to read something and be informed so I don’t just make blanket assumptions about a book that I’ve never even read.

A kindred spirit => I first heard about it on Relevant Radio and did the same - checked it out from the library.

I remember reading a book in high school called “House of Usher 2205” or something like that. It was about a cocktail party where, long story short, people who banned Edgar Allen Poe’s books get murdered one by one. And if they had read the books before banning them, they would have know what was coming.

That’s not saying I need to look at Madonna’s book entitled “Sex” to know it’s bad. But it’s easier to read something like The Golden Compass or the Da Vinci Code when one is strong enough in their faith.

 

[hecd2]

hecd2
Your post gave me several good chuckles. I do believe we are simply going to have to agree to disagree on this.

I am sorry that you are unwilling to engage further on this. Perhaps you could share the joke with us. By the way, have you looked up that definition of authoritarianism yet?

Alec
evolutionpages.com

 

[psteichen]

Personally I’d never even heard of these books until it was posted on here, so of course I checked out the Golden Compass from the library just to see what all the fuss is about.

I can tell you right now though that i’d proably never of read the book if people weren’t all for boycotting it. But I feel the need to read something and be informed so I don’t just make blanket assumptions about a book that I’ve never even read.

Maria: I have no problem with you checking out the book from the library and reading it. I assume being you’re posting on this site that you are an adult and capable of reading fiction without being influenced by the atheism within. Heck, I read the New York Times now and then, and I’m okay.

The problem is that these books and the movie are being marketed to KIDS! Kids will be influenced, Pullman knows it, and he has stated as much in interviews. Yet New Line and Schoolastic are forging ahead with their marketing because they know they can make boat loads of money off of kids. The boycott is intended to get the word out to parents so that they don’t unwittingly expose their children to atheist propaganda.

 

[Conservative]

I got an early warning from Catholic League about this, as well as their pamphlet detailing it. One of our priests outlined it with a Warning NOT to allow children see it, etc.

If you’re having trouble with Wikipedia, which I understand can be edited by others, then here’s a thought. Why not go to the web sites of Nicole Kidman and any other or the film’s stars - and post your comments there?

Based on the pamphlet - **and particularly ANYTHING that ever results in anti-Catholic issues **- we should be making a very big noise, as Catholics. ***NO OTHER faith would permit it ***- you’d have every newscast reporting on it as anti-this or that. Have you heard anything reported about this film?

I can understand if a few become apathetic at various issues, various times. But as a group, we Catholics have been dreadfully quiet - dreadfully walked on - and Our Lord horribly insulted. This is our Faith. Other faiths would take this to the media and make demands of apology, appeasement, etc. It’s no wonder they walk all over us !

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I suppose that if God hadn’t banned the apple Adam and Eve would never have tasted it.

 

[wildleafblower]

I suppose that if God hadn’t banned the apple Adam and Eve would never have tasted it.

Hi Joe, you made me chuckle. I wrote a SHORT poem long ago for children about Adam and Eve explaining to them figureratively speaking, through Adam and Eve we can tell a story about the first human couple and their discovery of "Forgiveness".

Adam eventually forgave Eve
for giving him the apple.
Eve eventually forgave Adam
for taking a bite of that apple.
God forgave them both.
Forgiveness began in the Garden!

PLANT A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN IN YOUR HEART

 

[alessandro]

Many of you may have heard about the militant atheistic agenda laden in the book series, His Dark Materials, upon which the upcoming children’s fantasy movie The Golden Compass is based.

I recently posted two articles on this dangerous series: Interested parties should check out “A warning for parents” (from Steve Wood) and “The Atheistic Compass.”

I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.

 

[Viki59]

Absolutely have to agree with you.
I read the first two books and enjoyed them, but learning that the third was an attack on God, I passed. Life is too short and there are too many good books to read.
My children will not go anywhere near these movies or books. We should pray for Nicole Kidman, who may not know what she’s gotten involved in.

 

[Exordium]

The problem is that these books and the movie are being marketed to KIDS! Kids will be influenced, Pullman knows it, and he has stated as much in interviews. Yet New Line and Schoolastic are forging ahead with their marketing because they know they can make boat loads of money off of kids. The boycott is intended to get the word out to parents so that they don’t unwittingly expose their children to atheist propaganda.

Oh, please. Why are we getting so worked up about all this? Is your faith in your faith so weak that a kids’ book will forever shatter its moorings within your child’s soul? I don’t know about you, but I sincerely hope that my son applies a reasonably degree of critical thought to *anything * I tell him, comes to his own conclusions about this world and the one beyond, including his religion. To do otherwise is to shackle his intellect, atrophy his critical faculties before they’ve even begun to develop. My son will watch this film should he choose to do so (in actual fact, he’s more interested in dinosaurs than high fantasy, but no matter). Should he also choose to read the books, he can do that too. Honestly, the overreaction I’m seeing from some of my fellow Christians is beyond belief (so to speak).

Let me ask you this: what is it exactly that you’re scared of? It won’t shatter his faith. It won’t turn him atheist overnight (if you think it will, I’d seriously question your confidence in the strength of your faith - one which could be so easily rendered impotent is one I don’t recognize as the one I hold in my heart and my soul). And if it merely encourages him to ask questions about the universe around him, well, all the better. But I suspect it’ll be none of the above, and he’ll simply file it alongside the Narnia books as a decent enough childhood read.

So shame on you all for giving in to hysteria. Shame on you all for confirming the worst prejudices people have about Catholics, and for making the rest of our lives that little bit harder.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[stbruno]

I disagree with the above reply completely. Attacks on our faith need always to be defended. The problem is they are not outright, they are insidious & manipulative disguised like the snake in the tree in the garden of Eden. We all must work together to save souls and if it means boycotting a movie, count me in.

We get so immune to attacks that we don’t even realize that we are the midst of them. Just like the story of the two frogs who leaped into a basin filled with nice water…it feltt so relaxing to be there, and the water slowly seemed to be more soothing, and they soon fell asleep…trouble was the basin was really a cooking pot on a slow flame, and the water temperature rose, and the frogs were now soup…

We need to be alert to all the attacks against our faith in a loving and merciful God. St.Michael defend us in our battle against the devil!

 

[estesbob]

I disagree with the above reply completely. Attacks on our faith need always to be defended. The problem is they are not outright, they are insidious & manipulative disguised like the snake in the tree in the garden of Eden. We all must work together to save souls and if it means boycotting a movie, count me in.

We get so immune to attacks that we don’t even realize that we are the midst of them. Just like the story of the two frogs who leaped into a basin filled with nice water…it feltt so relaxing to be there, and the water slowly seemed to be more soothing, and they soon fell asleep…trouble was the basin was really a cooking pot on a slow flame, and the water temperature rose, and the frogs were now soup…

We need to be alert to all the attacks against our faith in a loving and merciful God. St.Michael defend us in our battle against the devil!

As I have said before I refuse to beleive anything i read in the press or in these forums about the suitability of movies or books. Having seen the nonsense posted about the Potter series i know they can not be trusted.

 

[Exordium]

As I have said before I refuse to beleive anything i read in the press or in these forums about the suitability of movies or books. Having seen the nonsense posted about the Potter series i know they can not be trusted.

Indeed. “Explicit sex” I think was mentioned in relation to this series.

Utterly ludicrous.

 

[WSD]

A lot of this comes down to were the responsability of parents for their children ends and were the children assume responsability for their faith. For me this line is drawn in corralation to their abilities to stand up for the faith.
The other major point comes into play over the question of evil. It is not doubt evil to try and pull children away from Jesus nand his church. Therefore if this movie and book series seeks to do so (and the writer of the books says it is why he wrote them), they are evil. We then need to refrain from doing things to support this evil, to push for the light of Christ in the world.
Peace be with you

 

[pfoos]

I have to say that I am always disturbed when I read about boycotts on books and the movies made that are based on books. As a teacher, I think that banning books is patently wrong. As a Catholic, I have always been proud of my upbringing and my faith, specifically that the main message I received growing up is that it is not my place to judge others. My parents and grandparents were Catholic and also teachers. They taught me that if my faith is strong and if they (my family) and my priests have done their job, then nothing that anyone writes or says about Catholics or our beliefs should in any way change what I believe. I have read these books, and while I admit it has been several years, I was not overwhelmed by an anti-catholic message. My mom and I read these books together. We certainly discussed the anti-organized religion themes, and that is one great thing about books like this. Parents should ALWAYS read the books their children are reading, and what better way to strengthen a child’s faith then to talk about a book or a movie and how it reflects or attacks their personal faith. The strongest memories I have of Philip Pullman’s series, and he is an exceptional writer, is how he showed the beauty and sanctity of a child’s pure soul and the presence of God in every part of the universe. Perhaps it isn’t what he intended, but it’s certainly what I saw in the story. I think that instead of banning and boycotting we should embrace the opportunity for discussion and enlightenment while always keeping in mind that we are talking about a work of FICTION, and in this way teach our children to think for themselves.

Good grief, please tell me you do not teach in Catholic schools.

 

[Exordium]

Good grief, please tell me you do not teach in Catholic schools.

Yes, God forbid that we encourage our children to use their brains to exercise a bit of free will, that we discuss matters of faith with them in order to help them better understand, instead of imposing forcibly these seemingly-incomprehensible (to them) rules, risking their utter rejection of the faith and an opposite effect to the one intended.

 

[cockatoo]

As I have said before I refuse to beleive anything i read in the press or in these forums about the suitability of movies or books. Having seen the nonsense posted about the Potter series i know they can not be trusted.

While I kinda agree with you. These are not really child appropriate books. They do have sex in them, but it more of mentioned, and before anyone misreads it is not Lyra or Will, its adult characters. These books should be for 13 or older and would be best read if the children who read them can discuss them with someone(like read with a parent).

However, they still do have a lot of anti-religion.

I read the books in 6th and 7th grade, that was during a difficult time where many start to question their faith. Even though I liked the books they obviously didn’t help and I would have liked to discuss it with someone. I don’t suggest reading it, but I don’t exactly regret reading them.

 

[Dandelion_Wine]

Yes, God forbid that we encourage our children to use their brains to exercise a bit of free will, that we discuss matters of faith with them in order to help them better understand, instead of imposing forcibly these seemingly-incomprehensible (to them) rules, risking their utter rejection of the faith and an opposite effect to the one intended.

Yeah, I think I’ll give my 8 yr old a playboy and let him excercise his brain and free will.