I have probably received twenty or more emails about the upcoming movie, “The Golden Compass”. None of them have been good. Now, I rarely let reviews deter me from seeing a movie I am interested in seeing, whether those reviews are from Fandango or from friends. But because I have gotten such a huge amount of negative press about this movie, I decided to do a little research of my own.
All of the information I’ve received has come from conservative Christians. Now, I am Christian, but I absolutely refuse to buy into what I call “Fear-Based Theology”. I have learned that many very well-meaning Christians do way more harm than good by trying to convince folks that there is a demon hiding behind every bush and beneath every rock, or in every non-Christian book, movie or song lyric.
So, when I started reading about The Golden Compass, I proceeded with caution. And I started checking out secular sources, who tend not to be quite so paranoid and freaked out about films and authors. Well, according the inerview I read on The New Yorker Magazine’s website with Philip Pullman, the author of the book, The Golden Compass, everything I had read about him and his books was true. And then some.
Basically, Philip Pullman is an atheist, and is very blatant about it, both in his writings and his interviews. He feels that “childhood innoncence” is best lost as soon as possible, and the ultimate goal of his books is to kill God. “The Golden Compass” is reportedly a watered down version of the book, and it is Mr. Pullman’s hope that kids will love the movie, and want the books.
We will not be going to see this movie. And I’m rather disappointed, because the previews looked amazing. But, for what it’s worth, we will not be seeing the movie because I don’t care to put money in someone’s pocket who blatantly stands against everything I passionately stand for. Do I think the movie or book(s) would cause me or my children to question our faith, our religion or our God? Absolutely not. But I’m not going to pay to see those things maligned.
I’m not going to go into the whole thing here, because I’m not interested in re-inventing the wheel. However, I am posting a couple of links to sites that you can check out. Please do check them out. Don’t believe everything you hear or read. Take the time to research issues yourselves, and find the facts. Knee-jerk reactions are not the correct response for rational, thinking people of faith.
New Yorker Magazine Online Article/Interview
Yeah, having read these books, really its for the best. They’re really well written…and the last book is one of the most awful anti-god/anti-religion (particularly the catholic churc) things I’ve ever read in my life. I picked them up when I was thirteen not realizing what they were, the problem is it sucks you in with a great story and then turns it around to become this weird/disturbing image of God and morals and faith and such. Bah. It sucks cuz so many people probably will read them now.