Don't know if any of you have had the chance to see "The Golden Compass" yet. I've been reading with great curiosity all the reviews, especially the reviews from Christian telling other Christians not to see it. I even heard some prominent local pastors speak out against the movie (I wonder if they actually saw it.) I haven't seen it yet and after reading this review am considering it. I'd love to hear your thoughts on either this review and/or the movie. Is this one of those movies that is a stretch to find a good theological message?
"The Golden Compass" prompted pandemic paranoia among Christians who see the movie as an elaborate vehicle for the atheist message of its writer, Philip Pullman. However, a careful review of the film reveals its attacks are on the abuse of power, not the love of God. The movie casts an unflattering light on the “Magisterium,” a church body that strives to control thought and manipulate free will. By trying to censor the movie because of its anti-Christian overtones, overzealous Christians feed into Pullman’s stereotype.
Pullman is not against Christianity when it's properly executed. Rather, he opposes organized religions that persecute people who do not fall in line with their belief system. He and Christians are on the same side of this fight; they just arrive there from contrasting places. "The Golden Compass" is the least religiously motivated installment in Pullman’s three-part series, "His Dark Materials." Even in the controversial final installment, "The Amber Spyglass," Pullman does not purport to kill the God of Christianity. Instead, it attacks a vindictive and judgmental deity that motivates the persecution of non-followers.Pullman’s stories will not erode the faith of young moviegoers. If anything, they will raise questions that Christian parents should use as an opportunity to solidify their children’s understanding of their faith. God granted free will so that His people would choose to follow Him; eliminating all non-Christian perspectives renders that privilege moot.Christian parents are often reluctant to expose their children to fantastical works of magic and wizardry. But what is the harm in permitting such ventures into the realm of imagination? Will children exchange a life of faith for a life of sorcery? Will they rebel against the church and start jumping off rooftops with broomsticks between their legs? The reason that billions of Christian parents raise their children to believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny is that imagination is a pivotal element of childhood. If parents teach their children the real meaning of the holidays—or the real intent of the church—then neither Santa Claus nor the Golden Compass can do any harm. -Michael Lombardo
2 comments:
I've read all three books and think they are a great adventure and a critisism of religion that has been so harmful to people's lifes. I don't see the books as anti-God but anti-religion with a very creative way of expressing those ideas. The movie itself was a little harder to see what the point of the story was about...I think the whole series has a lot to say but the movie just can't cover it all. I think the movie is a great complement to the books (the casting and computer animation was spectacular)--but I think the books were far better and worth a read and a good discussion starter.
Like you said Evan, I don't think a large portion preaching against the movie really have seen it or read the books but are likely just firing off what they heard from other Christians. I can respect those who have read the books and have a problem with it. But it angers me to have multiple emails from people (forwarded from another source) telling me that the movie is supporting atheism and they haven't a clue what the story is really about. Christians need to stop judging our world by what other Christians tell them. If you want to protect your children from something you don't agree with, do so. But we can't make snap judgements of books, music, art, movies and the like out of ignorance and hate of something that we hasn't even attempted to engage with. If we do, we might as well build some walls around a community and not let anything in, keep the gospel as a secret to ourselves and let everyone else fend for themselves.
Shannon B.
Is it me, or are children's stories becoming way more deep than what they used to be?
I've never seen the movie, so I can't really comment on the aspect of anti-God or not.
But the point about speaking out against churches/sects of Christians or other religions condemning people for not following their doctrine is very interesting.
I have a friend who had a rough life and then became a Christian and found his way to going to a pentecostal church. He started out very well there and made lots of friends within the church...long story short, my friend had some questions and didn't quite agree with everything the church did. More or less, my friend was basically outcasted and has now basically fallen away from the Lord and was pretty hurt by it all.
I suppose the thing to think about going in to this movie is being on our guard. I don't think any author/film maker is going to out right say that their work is anti-God. They would have to be crazy for that and would get shunned. Often times, the underlying messages tend to be very powerful than the superficial one.
I can't make any judgement against this story, but I think it's important to remember that we're in end times and we are told to beware of deception.
Hopefully this story is harmless and families can actually enjoy something without being threatened.
"The way you kill a rat is with 98% healthy substance and 2% deadly poison"
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