People seem to be in an uproar about the book turned movie. The Golden Compass shows children killing God...or so I have heard I haven't actually seen the movie yet.
The Catholic League has been overly critical of this. Now to me that is just hypocritical. Maybe the Catholic League should have been so critical when it came to their priests molesting alter boys.
Take a look at your bible. It contains more pornography and references to acts like beastiality and adultry but yet is revered by the same people that are so critical of works of fiction.
Why is this?
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 140
As for the Catholic priests, I agree that those who turned their heads and looked the other way were beyond wrong. That is something I will never understand.
What's the moral lesson in the story of Jacob and Esau?
For gosh sakes, the Book of Job is about a bet between God and the Devil.
The bible is very graphic in parts I would have a bigger problem with my 10 year old reading about the things in the bible...which is supposed to be NON fiction than reading about killing a god in a known fiction book.
What is the bible supposed to teach our kids ? The proper way to mount a cow and the neighbors wife?
It's just hypocritical (surprise!) for super-religious people to boycott the movie and book because of the message - that's what they do ANY time they encounter ANYONE OR ANYTHING that doesn't follow their interpretation. If you're not a sheep, you may as well be slaughtered.
I say ban it all or ban nothing. You can't have it both ways.
As for the upcoming movie, the book isn't about killing -the- God that so many people worship, but killing -a- god- a rogue god who is attacking the world.
I think that many people who have an opinion based on what the Catholics have said to be true should probably take a look at the book themselves before forming an opinion, because it's an uneducated opinion without doing so.
With God, all things are possible
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Lights_(novel)
and read the summary for yourself.
Christene I dont knock people for what they believe but I have a hard time understanding why something like the bible that is full of pornography is acceptable but yet things like this book and sex education are a sin.
If it is true that the bible has all the references to porn to teach a lesson then the same thing can be said about sex ed but yet its not.
I am so glad that my children were trained to think for themselves. Just because your pastor, priest, teacher or government says one thing, does that make it right, true and just?
Questioning is critical. THanks for questioning.
I think the reason these fundamental crazy types have a problem with the movie is because the author of the book is an Atheist (so i have heard). I didn't see anyone freaking out over Narnia and that is what I have heard this movie/book series compared to.
The bible has some pretty disturbing and disgusting parts to it (*puts on the flame proof suit*), and I will also admit it may have a few good moral lessons in it. But it is a story book, nothing more nothing less. People need to stop being so anal about creative works of any nature.
I don't think children should read the bible or any religious indoctrination. Let them be kids, they have plenty of time to decide what they believe when they are older and capable of making that judgment call on their own.
Doesn't it make you all so happy that Hollywood cowers to your dollar and censors its movies so that you will not be offended? Of course, banish the thought that this might be reciprocated by your lot - I don't think Mel Gibson sidestepped any sensitive issues while making The Passion of Christ.
Aren't you happy that we can live in a society where you are free to stomp on the rights of atheists, yet scream to the bloody devil himself if something is published or created that may conflict with your views?
Of course, if you really wanted to enlighten your children, read The Golden Compass with them and have an open discussion about what the author is REALLY trying to say.
The BEST press for it.
Ron the bible was written by man not Jesus.
Heather very good points.
Juan you are right so let each to his own. We should all remember that.
Sheryl wow....bet ya people will be beating their bibles for joy tonight. They accomplished their desire. Censorship. So much for the judge not bruhaha.
Judi you are right.
Monkey love it. Now thats logic.
Lynn that is the great thing about this...you can choose to ignore all they hype and not see the movie...of course the drawback is you wont be able to form your own opinion but will have to rely on someone elses bias.
There's no reason why they should not present their arguments as they do, other issues within the church notwithstanding, this movie (to them) is an affront to their beliefs.
I, personally, don't think small children will 'get' the message of 'kill God'. Adults seem to forget that children think like children, and to them this movie will simply be a fantasy extravaganza.
Any parent who thinks their child shouldn't see this movie can just stay away.
All this talk of censorship is ridiculous, and an affront to my sense of fair play. :-)
A true Christian probably would see the movie. Whereas the rest just judge and condemn.
Seems like the ultimate act of hypocrisy and ignorance when it comes to raising your kids. Just shelter them from all the knowledge that people TELL you might be harmful, and not even have any knowledge of it yourself. Seems to me that good parents should be capable of making up their own minds, not following some talking head on TV like some kind of sheep.
Better start going out and canvassing your local stores and service providers - doctors, dentists, nurses, police, etc. Wouldn't want to accept any kind of service, or read any kind of writing, or look at any kind of art that an atheist produced.
It takes real concentrated effort to kill a human being's interest in science and the world around them. I fear that we will have a goodly portion of the next generation of American kids who can't even think for themselves or solve a problem without checking the bible and asking their minister. We'll be overwhelmed with ministers, crusading politicians and lawyers. Where will we get the engineers, scientists, and medical professionals?
I truly fear that we are re-creating the downfall that the Muslim world experienced in the past. They used to have the largest libraries in the world, the most advanced scientists. Then the fundamentalists gained control and shoved them all back into Dark Ages huts and tents. This is what we are going to come to unless this is reversed.
It wouldn't cost you a cent to borrow the book from your library and you just may end up liking it. Basically, like any good novel, it has likable, strong characters and a fantastic plot - lots of action and character development. Plus, it takes place in another world, not ours. It's pure fantasy - and they really are great books for both children and adults, as most great children's literature turns out to be.
Really - the story can be enjoyed at so many different levels, as most good literature is. And, as Joe points out, good fantasy can be enjoyed by adults as well.
Well done, Lori
Thanks Richard.
As for your article..good job, I see there are many different opinions on this matter, see what I mean, ? (FoS)
I do like the fact that Constantine did not worship as he proposed all his kingdom to....(control!!!)
I have a problem with organized religious factories anyway, money machines anymore.
But I do have Faith in my God, Freedom of Religion is important too I guess... ,-)
Really, the Banned Book people REALLY need to get a life.
This movie spoken of seems to be more or less "fantasy".
I do not understand why one would criticize any person or group for advocating a boycott of something they see as harmful or misleading. How can one both be for and against freedom of speech?
I am not sure if their movement in modern times have damaged anyone and I look at the good practical things about them and their belief.
As a reminder even people with no belief in a 'God ' have idols and their "religion" they live by.
Believers speak of "humanism" in very derogatory words without even knowing anything about it or understanding exactly what it is. They simply parrot what their religious leaders tell them. I do not parrot what anyone tells me, unless I can comprehend the subject and form my own opinion. This is what I basically believe Catholics and other believers are doing when they hear a "leader" denounce something, but don't even understand what it is or try to make up their own minds about it. It is that sense of blind following without knowledge or understanding that bothers me most about religion. It has nothing to do with freedom of speech....more to do with having the freedom over your own thoughts to determine your own actions.
I didn't say I wasn't going to see the film. Truth is, I probably will. It looks lush and beautiful from the previews, and my faith will be unaffected by a movie of this kind.
A true believer will be unmoved by the movie's message.
It's a non-issue. I was simply pointing out that for the Catholic church it is HUGE issue, and they've every right to voice their concerns.
Or isn't it allowed? Do we only allow these protestations so long as the ones being attacked are the Christians? Hmm?
Of course the leaders of any church have the right to say whatever they feel. The bishops have a right to denounce presidential candidates and refuse them communion because of their actions and views. Again, my point is that the followers of these people should have the strength of conviction and reason to make up their own minds about things, not just follow. It appears, based on your comments, that you are doing just that and I applaud you.
And, speaking for myself, I do not try to get anybody to NOT believe in god or anything else. Most of the people with whom I associate have absolutely no idea that I am an atheist. It is a personal choice. There is no dictum among atheists that I know of that charges us with proselytizing, as there is with many other religions. I have had it stated to me many times on and off of Gather that it is a christian's DUTY to preach and spread the word of god and get other people to come into the faith.
However, just how this is accomplished is as hot a potato as any religious edict.
Personally, I don't think many would have followed Jesus if He had gone around beating people over the head with religious mumbo-jumbo, and promises of eternal damnation if they didn't convert.
We (and in this I mean ALL) Christians are told to "live a godly life, and lead by example" - sorry, don't remember the exact chapter and verse.
Very few, in my circle, know how devout a believer I am and that's a good thing. I can influence and direct without offending or scaring. There are lots and lots of Christians like me, but just like the loudmouths of any group it's the bad apples that get all the press.
What can I say, it sells newspapers and ad time on the nightly news.
It's one reason the bastids got away with their abuses for so long, IMO of course.
Chandra it seems that each person wants to try and get others to turn to their way of thinking.
George I didnt say all priests were child molesters. Did you even read what I wrote? My point was IF the Catholic church would have been as dillagent going after those priests that molest children as trying to ban a work of fiction then years of abuse might not have happened.
BTW George I am not much into labels....at least not as much as you are. You are free to say whatever you want and I am free to say whatever I want.
Sheryl hey.
And, I was an organist/choir director in Catholic Churches for many, many years. I think I can speak Catholic. I know how SOME Catholic are raised - to not question the priest, not question the nuns. Fortunately, both my parents are very intelligent people and raised us to question everything and not blindly accept authority. I have been good friends with a few priests with whom I have worked over the years....even they didn't blindly accept the BS that came down from on high. I guess I was very lucky to have parents with a great respect for knowledge and education....who taught us to respect authority, but to also question it respectfully.
My parents are still practicing Catholics, but can thankfully separate their faith from the human leaders of the church who are fallible and can and do abuse their positions of power and authority. They would never just take the word of a leader of any kind of institution without having first-hand knowledge of the subject. I have known both kinds of religious people in many denominations over the years - the sheep and the thinking humans.
George I am not singleing you out. And I said I am not much into labeling....you can do what you feel is best.
The fact of the matter is...This is a book of FICTION. Priests molesting alter boys is a FACT....see the difference?
As a church worker who was employed by a wide range of denominations over almost 30 years (I started very young at the age of 13 playing professionally), I was exposed to the inner workings of these churches and became very close to the clergy and leaders of these groups. Being so close to the "action" of the churches, and getting to know the leaders so well, offered me an in-depth look at what these churches stood for publicly, the work that they did, the dogma they proclaimed each week, and the way they actually did or did not live their faith. To put it bluntly, they all were a great disappointment. So, my first step was to denounce organized religion.
Simultaneously, I read and researched faith and the concept of "god" and just experienced life. Over time, I realized that this concept of "god" that forms the basis of most religions is, to me, a barrier to realizing what we (all life) really are and what we could become. To rely on an outside force to guide us, to put restrictions on us, to be there to reward and punish us.....it just stopped working for me. I feel I can be a much better person all around to myself, my family and friends, the entire world of all living creatures, without any belief in some "god" outside myself.
As you can see, this is difficult to put into words or condense into a meaningful short comment. Suffice it to say, that I now feel stronger, kinder, more able to love, more able to do good in the world around me with the belief that we are all a piece of this thing we call life, with no god to plead to or use as an excuse or a justification, with only each living thing as sacred, no better or worse than anything else. There is no more hierarchy of life - each stone, each ameoba, each human - is sacred. If there is such a thing as heaven, then it is something that we can and are obligated to/responsible for attaining NOW, through our connection and support of the world around us. I know there is such a thing as hell - I can see manifestations of it around me every day - when gay people are discriminated against, when women are lashed and stoned and made less human, when animals are mistreated, when we pollute our drinking water, when we steal resources from indigenous people's for our own economic gain.
When I see heaven and hell as this, the here and now, when I see the power of love and change as our and only our responsibilty, then I feel much more human, much more alive and much more a part of this earth. To me, religion and the idea of god bars me from my full responsibility and potential.
I hope this has given you some idea of how I came to be here without being preachy or boring. That is the last thing I want to be. : - )
Iowa is a big corn-growing state, right?
Making a conscious choice not to read or view it, or allow my child to see or read it, is another matter altogether.
Your choice are yours, mine are mine.
Again is there a problem....so I am not a christian.....one of my favorite people on gather is very devout....she know how I am and she accepts me and I her...so why do you have such a problem.
BTW I am not even sure what we are arguing about.
By the way--Job was mentioned. I've done a little studying on that, and it's an awesome story. So give me something besides that.
Is there something that you would be willing to sacrifice for? Give your life for? How do you deal with death? I think that would be super hard to have someone you love die and think that you'd never see them again. I don't think I would love people as much if I thought that, because it would hurt so much when they died. Why do you think we are we here? What do you think the purpose of life is?
Maybe I should start my own conversation, because I'm super interested in what people believe. But I don't know how, and I'm too lazy to try and figure it out. Anyone want to start it for me?