So much in love with movies


Nov 28

‘Golden Compass’ Finds Faith?

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A friend of mine told me about the book The Golden Compass, and now it’s coming out as a movie. At the premiere day of “Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix,” I overheard a woman speak very highly of the “The Golden Compass.” Like “Compass” fills the void of “not enough Harry.”

Some folks aren’t too happy about “Compass,” though, because of the book’s anti-Catholic message. Author Philip Pullman’s book, apparently, is more direct in the “anti-” stuff than the film, which opens December 7th.

No matter, Nicole Kidman who stars in the film says she doesn’t feel there is any anti-Catholic message.

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6 Responses to “‘Golden Compass’ Finds Faith?”

  1.  Chris Says:

    Actually, I don’t know if it’s being labelled as anti-Catholic inasmuch as generally anti-Christian. The book’s author has a pretty black and white history of pro-atheism and anti-Christianity, and in fact there are some Atheist groups who are vocally upset about the movie because the studio is trying to do damage control and say that all of “those elements” have been removed from the film.

    Chris

  2.  Sandy Says:

    I think Nicole is right. I disagree with the people toting an anti-God message. I have read the novel—The Golden Compass. I don’t see the blasphemy despite the fact that the author is allegedly an atheist. On the surface this book looks like a children’s book, but I think it is more adult than Harry Potter. And the novel is breathtaking and compelling. The fantasy elements are so well-developed that they feel like science. I found this novel with a good price here: http://dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=70047 , I think those who want to see the upcoming movie can read it.

  3.  Leza Says:

    You are correct–the real danger is in the *books*. And not necessarily in the first book of the trilogy, but definitely in the second and third.

    While reading the second book in the series, “The Subtle Knife”, I had wondered how a book which is so violent and defiant in nature could possibly translate into a movie. There would have to be a lot of modifying.

    Some defiant messages it sends–”it’s okay if you do something bad (like beat people up if you think they deserve it) as long as you don’t get caught”, or “you can pretend to be sorry and still plan on doing something violent, again”–are awful teachings. In these books, good is evil, and evil is good.

    I was totally shocked and disgusted with this book’s content which also speaks of castrating boys and girls; Lyra calling a murderer a “worthy companion”; a witch implying “if you were older, you’d understand and accept why I killed my lover and am killing myself”; etc.

    These books are geared toward children, and are found in many elementary schools which, as the parent of young children, believe should not be.

    On my blog, I have parts of this book quoted for anyone interested: http://naturemom.blogspot.com/

    As for who The Authority is in the books, also allegedly referred to as Yahweh (YHWH–a sacred name for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) in the third book, it’s quite clear. And with Pullman’s own admission that his books are about killing God, there is no question.

    Anyone can have their own opinion, but if the author says he’s killing God, in reality, that’s what he’s doing. So Nicole Kidman is wrong, but maybe because she hasn’t *read* these books.

  4.  Kenna McHugh Says:

    These are great points. I would love to read some more posts because about a month ago I received an email via a friend that said to stay away from “The Golden Compass” because of the “anti-” message. I am not in favor of censure of art, and therefore not in favor of staying away. But, I must admit. The story does not intrigue me like Harry Potter.

    Let’s have some more posts about this.

  5.  Leza Says:

    When someone in our society displays any deviant behaviors(”it’s okay if you do something bad (like beat people up if you think they deserve it) as long as you don’t get caught”, or “you can pretend to be sorry and still plan on doing something violent, again”), we either seek counseling for them, have them put behind bars, or have them placed in a mental institution.

    This is okay to expose young children to them??? Pullman doesn’t care, even though he aims at writing for them. He is *not* a responsible writer–but then again, that’s not his true agenda. And, anyway, he’s said he writes like no one but himself will read it, and criticism doesn’t bother him.

    In these books, good is evil, and evil is good, in spite of Pullman denying this and criticizing journalists for coming to this same conclusion. However, Pullman thinks that if one or two of his characters show love or concern for each other, the above statement can’t be true. That’s how he tried to disprove that statement in an interview with Christianity Today–found on the long interview the author blogged about Pullman.

    He also is now saying he’s not killing God because God doesn’t exist! So the Authority is “someone else” even though he clearly talks about the OT scripture, and uses YHWH in the third book (I recently confirmed its use after my 1st comment. :-))

    Pullman is also working on a book he says is about Jesus. In the same interview with Christianity Today, he stated that he has plenty to say about Him. I doubt it is anything reverent.

  6.  The Daily Wrap Up - Nov 29th, 2007 - Specs, reviews and prices. Says:

    [...] ‘Golden Compass’ Finds Faith? [...]

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