The Golden Compass

[freaky4tiki]

family of 5... we don't eat out and we rarely see movies. too dang expensive.

[flyboy55]

Well if I was a Catholic (and I'm not anymore) I'd find out what the Pope had to say about it and then let that be my guide.

Seriously, I probably won't see the movie, but only because I don't go out to see movies in theaters very much anymore. Between the gum-smacking, cud-chewing, incessant talking and generally rude behavior, I just don't enjoy the experience as much as I used to.

One thing I don't understand is why people use the term 'atheist' like they would use terms like 'wife-swapper' or 'pornographer'?

The most compassionate, intelligent, loving and gentle people I know are all atheists.

[Dutch Harbor PH]

http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

I read this a while back about it, I have no interest in the movie so it doesn't matter much to me. But if you want some more information about it.

Yeah, I've read the Snopes bit as well.

I guess overall I don't have a problem with an athiest producing movies that my children will see. It's PG-13 so it's not like I'll be taking my 3 year old. My daughter is 10 and is more philosophically adept than most grown-ups.

Seems like folks have their panties in a megabunch over this one--but I really am waiting for a good argument on why this movie shouldn't be seen.

Wow....
We are just about 1/2 way through thte book now...... my "keets love it and I have to admit that it is very engaging. It (so far) has some dark and gruesome moments (physically) as well as a point of terrible betrayal/recognition. As to my kids seeing it...absolutly. They each have a very clear understanding of fantasy and reality as well as entertainment and reality.
I find it interesting the reactions of "faithful" parents (and am perplexed by the reaction) that they forbid their kids to see movies such as this genre (Harry Potter, Narnia, etc). I have always felt that it is a reaction of fear that if a movie (or a story or a book or a piece of music or whatever) could cause you to question your faith then perhaps you need to re-assess your faith.... What is too fear but a different look at things?

Dutch,

As I said earlier, It's not my faith I'm worried about. A 7-year old may see things differently. Is Joe Camel real or fantasy? But there are scientific studies showing he influenced children's perceptions.

A good point. And probaly one that didn't really need the study to come up with the answer (about Joe Camel). I think if you were to poll anybody who deals with children, they will tell you that kids are Sponges when it comes to ideas (good or bad), experiences, etc. What makes the difference in what they do with that information has a lot to do with what they see as modeled/accepted behavior. The nonverbal cues that we give our children are often far more influential than the spoken ones and often have a more deep set. Coupled with experience about the non verbal and you wind up with practical beliefs sets that become engrained. (sorry.....on a soap box here.... ) Anyway...what the child does with that knowledge in large measure has do do with what is acceptable within their understanding. So in large measure if Joe Camel is percieved as "Cool" within the child's experience and acceptable understanding then is Joe and influence on the child or a reflection of the childs (or adults) beliefs?

To slice it perhaps, a little thinner, I have no problem with my 'keets understanding/perception/interpetation of this genre of film and book (We also read the books before we see the movies....kinda my chance to explain and guide them therough it , as needed). What I will not let them go see are things that are so closely mimiced or "sold" as reality (Hana Montana, Britney Spears, etc....). As everything about these supposedly "real" charaters is sold as reality, when there is virtually nothing real there, or of any redemeing substance.....IMHO of course.....

[big john]

So when the christians promote censorship because something offends their religion, it is just, but when the muslims do the same they are a bunch of crazy radicals?

the Catholic church is just advising people not to see it. When you
offend the Muslims they threaten you with imprisonment, amputation,
death, etc. Then they like to riot and bomb stuff. That's where you get
the "crazy radical" moniker. of course not all Muslims are involved, but
then you have the case of the teacher from England teaching in one of
those oil countries who was threatened with 40 years prison for allowing
her students to name a stuffed bear "Muhammed".
I got an email about the movie and the thing is it is based on a series of
books. The whole story starts out innocently but by the time it ends the
conclusion is that there is no God. That is why the church is concerned
about children watching it.

[bravedave]

by the time it ends the conclusion is that there is no God.

I have watched movies starring Bruce Willis and come to the same conclusion!

[Dezdmona]

But there are scientific studies showing he influenced children's perceptions.

Could you provide links to these studies please, who sponsored them, and the methodology used?

[thebeachbumm33]

I don't think it's any different than the zeitgeistmovie http://zeitgeistmovie.com/ does it question your faith maybe a little, some would view it more as propaganda then entertainment others see it as the truth.

[Lightning Bolt]

by the time it ends the conclusion is that there is no God.

I have watched movies starring Bruce Willis and come to the same conclusion!

...or anything by Steven Seagall

[buffettbride]

http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

I read this a while back about it, I have no interest in the movie so it doesn't matter much to me. But if you want some more information about it.

Yeah, I've read the Snopes bit as well.

I guess overall I don't have a problem with an athiest producing movies that my children will see. It's PG-13 so it's not like I'll be taking my 3 year old. My daughter is 10 and is more philosophically adept than most grown-ups.

Seems like folks have their panties in a megabunch over this one--but I really am waiting for a good argument on why this movie shouldn't be seen.

Wow....
We are just about 1/2 way through thte book now...... my "keets love it and I have to admit that it is very engaging. It (so far) has some dark and gruesome moments (physically) as well as a point of terrible betrayal/recognition. As to my kids seeing it...absolutly. They each have a very clear understanding of fantasy and reality as well as entertainment and reality.
I find it interesting the reactions of "faithful" parents (and am perplexed by the reaction) that they forbid their kids to see movies such as this genre (Harry Potter, Narnia, etc). I have always felt that it is a reaction of fear that if a movie (or a story or a book or a piece of music or whatever) could cause you to question your faith then perhaps you need to re-assess your faith.... What is too fear but a different look at things?

Dutch,

As I said earlier, It's not my faith I'm worried about. A 7-year old may see things differently. Is Joe Camel real or fantasy? But there are scientific studies showing he influenced children's perceptions.

I think the big ringer is that it is a PG-13 movie. It isn't designed for 7 year olds. Nor are the books. It is geared toward teen and adult viewers/readers.

[buffettbride]

The most compassionate, intelligent, loving and gentle people I know are all atheists.

So is the single biggest pr*ck I know.

I think generally people have a hard time grasping other people being OK with the belief that there is no god. Because of how most of us are raised, whether religious or non-religious, the idea of god is still present.

I am probably the hardest-core agnostic that has ever been.

[OystersandBeer]

I was always under the impression that questioning your faith was good. It strengthens your beliefs.

[springparrot]

Mal
I was talking to Ryan about the movie.
He sent me here

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.ph ... 0&id=45872

[SuperTrooper]

The most compassionate, intelligent, loving and gentle people I know are all atheists.

So is the single biggest pr*ck I know.

I think generally people have a hard time grasping other people being OK with the belief that there is no god. Because of how most of us are raised, whether religious or non-religious, the idea of god is still present.

I am probably the hardest-core agnostic that has ever been.

"hard-core agnostic" is a bit of an oxymoron. I don't think an agnostic would care one way or another how religion is treated in a movie if the existence of God is in question at all.

I assume you send Victoria to a Catholic school because you perceive it as a superior education, understanding that teaching of the faith is part of the bargain. How do you treat what she gets from school? It would seem confusing to most kids to get something specific from school and for the parents to be: yeah, whatever. You spoke about her "faith" earlier, but what is her take on things with God and what school is teaching her?

[moog]

I was always under the impression that questioning your faith was good. It strengthens your beliefs.

Apparently for some it's questioning everyone elses.

[ragtopW]

ABC NEWS QUOTE
" The Magisterium's objective, we learn early on, is to rid all of citizens of their free will."

HMMMM so I am guessing that the analogy of the Magisterium
and the Church is a little close for some people?

[Tequila Revenge]

ABC NEWS QUOTE
" The Magisterium's objective, we learn early on, is to rid all of citizens of their free will."

HMMMM so I am guessing that the analogy of the Magisterium
and the Church is a little close for some people?

That and , "fighting the war on terror...."

[popcornjack]

The most compassionate, intelligent, loving and gentle people I know are all atheists.

So is the single biggest pr*ck I know.

I think generally people have a hard time grasping other people being OK with the belief that there is no god. Because of how most of us are raised, whether religious or non-religious, the idea of god is still present.

I am probably the hardest-core agnostic that has ever been.

I'm a paranoid agnostic. I don't know what's out there, but I know it's out to get me.

[drunkpirate66]

Well if I was a Catholic (and I'm not anymore) I'd find out what the Pope had to say about it and then let that be my guide.

Seriously, I probably won't see the movie, but only because I don't go out to see movies in theaters very much anymore. Between the gum-smacking, cud-chewing, incessant talking and generally rude behavior, I just don't enjoy the experience as much as I used to.

One thing I don't understand is why people use the term 'atheist' like they would use terms like 'wife-swapper' or 'pornographer'?

The most compassionate, intelligent, loving and gentle people I know are all atheists.

Me too.

EDIT . . . not so much athesists but those who do not support organized religion . . . evil, evil organizations they are . . . (1 billion dollars in child rape cover ups is quite telling . . . .)

[moog]

If one has these so called strong family values that's tossed around in politics, then you should have "faith" that your child won't read these books or see this film. In other words, if you raised him, then don't worry about outside forces. Leave the rest of us alone.

PS, also leave the public schools alone. When was the last time a scientist went to a private school and demanded they teach evolution.

[tikiwoman]

I like Brad's take on it too- that was pretty much our church's take on the whole DaVinci Code thing. My then 9th grade daughter did a project on it and she interviewed our pastor and he was pretty open minded about the whole thing in that case. We are United Methodist. I do know the Catholic position as my sister in law has been going on about it. My kids actually read the books in school but they are both teenagers/young adults and I am not worried about them seeing any movie. For younger kids I might want to see it first and decide if it was ok. From what I understand the movie has been quite a bit toned down.

Val