The Golden Compass

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ACatholicThinkr said:
The following appeared on about.com:
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Many regard Philip Pullman’s trilogy as a sort of rebuttal to C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series, and Pullman has been very critical of the Narnia books. At the same time, though, even some Christians support some of the messages and ideas which Pullman’s stories communicate. Although Pullman himself is an atheist, the negative portrayal of the “Church” in his books focuses primarily on dogmatism, how religion is used to oppress, and the suppression of freedom. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, has even gone so far as to recommend the His Dark Materials trilogy for inclusion in religious education classes in schools.
Apparently it’s ok to make a fantasy movie like Narnia, which is absolutely soaked in religion, but not ok to make a movie which is rooted in the opposing viewpoint.*
That being said, I applaud your daughter for believing in God, and you for teaching her to believe. 👍 I too, believe in God, but I also believe in freedom to choose my form of entertainment. Personally, as I said, I probably won’t see the movie, or read the books because the genre isn’t my taste. However, I wouldn’t expect to have the movie banned or censored because I don’t like it.
Think about people of Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist or Hindu faith, or atheists around Christmas. They have a month of Christmas and religious programming to avoid. You may see a letter to the editor, or something, but they aren’t on all the talk shows wanting to have the programming changed. They don’t watch. They choose. They use their freedom.
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Hey CatholicThinkr, I respect your opinion, and your “live and let live” message is a good one; however, the Catholic church is often accused of oppression and suppression. There is no question that he is criticizing the Catholic church. It is his own lack of understanding of it that causes him to be so critical. That’s his opinion, and you are right, we simply don’t have to go see the movie.

As far as atheists, or people of other non-christian faiths, well, I think there are a lot more non-christian critics out there who allow such movies to be made, and we even have a few going around demanding that “under God” be taken out of the pledge. Prayer has already been removed from schools. When will “In God We Trust” be taken off the money.

You see, I am offended by those actions. But I have to say the pledge, I and my children have to go to school, and I have to use the currency available to me. So, who’s right? In my opinion, NOT the atheists!!! And certainly not an angry one who obviously has some specific goals in mind. There is a difference.

Just my $0.02.
 
Again, I go back to the Constitution…separation of church and state. If you want your children to pray in school, you have the freedom to choose a catholic or Christian school.
The pledge of allegiance is pledging your allegiance to the United States of America. The “Under God” wasn’t added until 1954. The phrase “Under God” has nothing to do with love of your country or flag.
It isn’t critics who allow movies to be made; producers, writers, directors, actors, etc get the movies made. Critics watch them, just like other people.
I think it would be difficult to get “In God We Trust” taken off of our currency. The most recent poll I know of taken in 2006 showed that 80% of Americans want to keep the phrase on our currency.
Again, I believe in God; I also believe in choices made for me, by me.
I am simply against ANY group telling me I can’t or shouldn’t see any movie, read any book because it isn’t what that group considers “proper” or “appropriate”. I’d be this passionate if this was a Wiccan site and they told me I shouldn’t be watching “The Wizard of Oz” because it portrays witches in a bad light.
The way to get your point across is with your pocketbook, not by trying to censor my entertainment.
 
ACatholicThinkr said:
I am simply against ANY group telling me I can’t or shouldn’t see any movie, read any book because it isn’t what that group considers “proper” or “appropriate”. I’d be this passionate if this was a Wiccan site and they told me I shouldn’t be watching “The Wizard of Oz” because it portrays witches in a bad light.
The way to get your point across is with your pocketbook, not by trying to censor my entertainment.
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And I agree that no one has the right to tell you what you can or cannot watch/read. You’re an adult. Totally different when it comes to a child though. Or do you think it’s ok to let them read/watch whatever they want?
Look all I know is that all I can do for now, is to get my point across by not paying to see/read things. There are numerous movies I won’t watch b/c of certain actors. I don’t believe in what they stand for. Simple as that. Same goes for these books…🤷
 
OK, it seems as though we have the same destination, we just took different highways to get there.
Personally, no, I wouldn’t let my kids watch anything that would confuse their faith until they are old enough to understand the difference between fiction and faith. Truthfully, my kids are 4 years and 18 months, so I really don’t let them watch much of anything. I’m not a fan of TV, and some movies they market for kids are just awful. My daughter discovered the world of “Veggie Tales” earlier this year, and I let my kids watch those DVD’s sometimes. But, still, I limit the TV/DVD time very strictly.
What I’m against is anyone taking the option away from ME to decide what’s best for me (and my kids).
I didn’t see any Harry Potter movies (or read the books), I didn’t see Narnia, or any of the Lord of the Rings movies (I had to read Tolkien in high school). It’s just a genre I don’t care for. But, I had the freedom to choose not to see them. From what I’ve read, this movie falls into the same group.
Anyway, keep up the faith, 👍 it’s so hard these days, especially with kids.
 
Catholic Thinkr, you make good points. You do. I am not arguing with you. I am thankful for my freedom. There was a time when people were killed for being Catholic.

I pray for a world that is one in Christ. I pray for every man, woman and child to be one in Christ. I go down the street and imagine all the protestant churches I pass being turned into Catholic churches. Even Jesus prayed for unity, for us all to be one as He and the Father are one. Certainly that idea of unity would be different to a Muslim or a Jew, but this is my idea of it because I believe what I believe so deeply. It may be idealistic, but I have faith.

Once that has happend, everything else should fall into place just fine. Catholicism would be the lens through which all the critics, producers, lawmakers, butchers, bakers, candle stick makers and indian chiefs would view life. Atheists would not be making books and movies like this one so easily.

As for “under God” in the pledge, yes I know it was added in 1954. I think it’s wonderful that it was added in 1954. But I disagree with one thing, I think it has everything to do with my country. This country was founded by deeply religious men who acknowledged that we all have “certain unalienable rights endowed on us by our creator****…”

Do you know where in Washington DC the words “Laus Deo” are inscripted?

So I think the words “under God” are in order.
 
I’m in the middle of reading TGC for a book club. It’s horrid. Completely anti-God, anti-church, anti-everything I hold dear. I will not go see the movie with the book club when it comes out.
 
cathgal said:
You do know that kids don’t go to movie by themselves right ? 🤓
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No one is getting what I mean, the people who directed the movie watered down for profit, not neccesarily for people to buy the book. Many kids and parents would see the movie watered down or not watered down, so it doesn’t really matter.
 
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Mary, that’s from the Declaration of Independence, NOT the Constitution.
The Washington Monument has the Laus Deo inscription. What does that have to do with anything? Was that supposed to be a tie-in to the Pledge of Allegiance?
Some of the founding fathers were religious, but vehemently against any type of national religion. And a lot of them were Masons, so you know they couldn’t be Catholic.
Good luck with realizing your dream of an all-Catholic world. Let me tell you, if I weren’t already Catholic, none of your arguments would have gotten me to even visit with a priest.
Best of luck.
 
scapularkid8 said:
Has anyone read any of the series or is planning to see the movie?

Are they worth the read?
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Philip Pullman, the author of the this set of three books called the Dark Materials (which includes the Golden Compass), is a militant atheist who has openly stated that his goal is to indoctrinate children into the “truth” of atheism. The books increasingly expose an anti-Christian (and especially anti-Catholic) agenda and culminate in celebrating God’s death…and it’s not a death on the cross that he’s putting forth in the story. His agenda is less than subtle and becomes apparent right away. For example, the evil institution or force is called The Magisterium. The Golden Compass is the least offensive and blatent of the three books and apparently the movie softened some of Pullman’s story line to avoid offending people but it’s also a clever way to hook kids into reading the series and being influenced in a negative way.
 
ACatholicThinkr said:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Mary, that’s from the Declaration of Independence, NOT the Constitution.
The Washington Monument has the Laus Deo inscription. What does that have to do with anything? Was that supposed to be a tie-in to the Pledge of Allegiance?
Some of the founding fathers were religious, but vehemently against any type of national religion. And a lot of them were Masons, so you know they couldn’t be Catholic.
Good luck with realizing your dream of an all-Catholic world. Let me tell you, if I weren’t already Catholic, none of your arguments would have gotten me to even visit with a priest.
Best of luck.
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Who said anything about the constitution?

And two points for getting the washington monument.

I knew the founding fathers weren’t catholic but they did respect religion.

I thought we were conversing. I didn’t know we were arguing.

Am I supposed to be grateful you’re already Catholic?
 
There are many definitions for the word “argument”.
I was using the word as in definition number 4.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - ar•gu•ment ˈɑr gyə mənt -
Show Spelled Pronunciation[ahr-gyuh-muh nt]
Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation: a violent argument.
2.a discussion involving differing points of view; debate: They were deeply involved in an argument about inflation.
3.a process of reasoning; series of reasons: I couldn’t follow his argument.
4.a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point: This is a strong argument in favor of her theory.
5.an address or composition intended to convince or persuade; persuasive discourse.
6.subject matter; theme: The central argument of his paper was presented clearly.

I was talking about the Constitution. That was my whole point regarding this silly movie. I have no interest in seeing it, nor will I let my kids see it. What I have a problem with is other people deciding for me what I can watch or read.
You don’t have to be grateful I am Catholic; I am, and that’s enough for me. My point was that you pray for a day when the whole world is Catholic, but if I weren’t already Catholic and I was reading the posts here, I would be very afraid of Catholics.
Slightly off-topic, but not quite…I have relatives who are Christian Fundamentalists. Did you know that a lot of those sects think we (Catholics) worship Satan? Oh, let me tell you, some of the filth I saw at those websites, how they view Catholics, the Pope, and the crucifix, oh, Mary, I was so angry:mad: and hurt I sat here crying while reading it. Even as much as I love the Constitution, I wanted so badly to have someone shut down that website!!!
My point is: freedom…democracy…you have to take the vulgar (ignore it and let someone else watch) if you want the good and wonderful. Luckily, we do live in the United States and have the opportunity to ignore, watch, despise or love whatever we choose. We choose!
I didn’t mean to offend you; truly. I just get ***very ***worried when censorship starts to creep into entertainment.
 
ACatholicThinkr said:
There are many definitions for the word “argument”.
I was using the word as in definition number 4.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - ar•gu•ment ˈɑr gyə mənt -
Show Spelled Pronunciation[ahr-gyuh-muh nt]
Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation: a violent argument.
2.a discussion involving differing points of view; debate: They were deeply involved in an argument about inflation.
3.a process of reasoning; series of reasons: I couldn’t follow his argument.
4.a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point: This is a strong argument in favor of her theory.
5.an address or composition intended to convince or persuade; persuasive discourse.
6.subject matter; theme: The central argument of his paper was presented clearly.

I was talking about the Constitution. That was my whole point regarding this silly movie. I have no interest in seeing it, nor will I let my kids see it. What I have a problem with is other people deciding for me what I can watch or read.
You don’t have to be grateful I am Catholic; I am, and that’s enough for me. My point was that you pray for a day when the whole world is Catholic, but if I weren’t already Catholic and I was reading the posts here, I would be very afraid of Catholics.
Slightly off-topic, but not quite…I have relatives who are Christian Fundamentalists. Did you know that a lot of those sects think we (Catholics) worship Satan? Oh, let me tell you, some of the filth I saw at those websites, how they view Catholics, the Pope, and the crucifix, oh, Mary, I was so angry:mad: and hurt I sat here crying while reading it. Even as much as I love the Constitution, I wanted so badly to have someone shut down that website!!!
My point is: freedom…democracy…you have to take the vulgar (ignore it and let someone else watch) if you want the good and wonderful. Luckily, we do live in the United States and have the opportunity to ignore, watch, despise or love whatever we choose. We choose!
I didn’t mean to offend you; truly. I just get ***very ***worried when censorship starts to creep into entertainment.
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Condemning a movie for it’s immorality isn’t censoring anyone’s right to free speech.
 
Is capitalism, they have the right to make and show that movie, Catholics who found that offensive have the right not to see the movie or buy the book.
 
ACatholicThinkr said:
. I just get ***very ***worried when censorship starts to creep into entertainment.
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I understand your point, catholic thinkr, I’ve said that before. However, I maintain that if everyone was unified (as Christ prayed to the Father for) morally, we wouldn’t even have to have conversations like this one.
 
inthecloud said:
Is capitalism, they have the right to make and show that movie, Catholics who found that offensive have the right not to see the movie or buy the book.
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And we also have the right to tell people it’s immoral to watch it.
 
bones_IV said:
And we also have the right to tell people it’s immoral to watch it.
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Right. I agree. My point, albeit quite idealistic, is if every one of us were on the same page morally, then issues such as this would be few and far between.

While another poster pointed out that we can tell them with our wallets (by not seeing the movie and thus not lining their pockets), I think it’s a good idea to TELL them as well.
 
To anyone who’s read the book/trilogy:

Can somebody spoil the story for me? PM me if you want. I don’t really want to read the book. When and where do they kill god in the story? I just want to be armed, thank you.
 
CatholicSamurai said:
To anyone who’s read the book/trilogy:

Can somebody spoil the story for me? PM me if you want. I don’t really want to read the book. When and where do they kill god in the story? I just want to be armed, thank you.
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Its been a long time so I might be wrong on some things(i threw the book out so i am going by memory). Okay god is killed in the 3rd book(Amber Spyglass) somewhere towards the end. In the book there are angels, they can live forever but are usually very weak anyway one angel claimed to be the creator of everything and choose an area for the souls to go that wasn’t heaven(or hell), but no one really liked the place. He became very powerful, but I think was weakening and there was another angel who became really powerful and was going to take its place and somehow Ms. Coulter kills him or at least is involved in it. I forget how the first “god” dies.
 
Little_Mary said:
Right. I agree. My point, albeit quite idealistic, is if every one of us were on the same page morally, then issues such as this would be few and far between.

While another poster pointed out that we can tell them with our wallets (by not seeing the movie and thus not lining their pockets), I think it’s a good idea to TELL them as well.
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And to think that this filth and perversion is influencing kids these days. Even though I’m single I’m concerned about the American family. As they say IF YOU SCREAM IT LOUD ENOUGH AND LONG ENOUGH EVENTUALLY YOU’LL BELIEVE IT. I said this to my pastoral associate once and man I’ll tell you it was like holy water at an exorcism when I heard her answer back. But that’s the kind of stuff I run into all the time.
 
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