Wednesday, December 12, 2007

The Golden Compass

Is getting a lot of hype. It reminds me of the Harry Potter and DaVinci Code hysteria. I've heard people say that movies like this (promoting atheistic ideas) should not be made.

I think it's a bunch of crap. The story is fantasy. Yes, there are ideas that are presented that go against Christian teachings, but how is that any different from most other movies that are made, especially in this genre?

It frustrates me when I see Christians so afraid of ideas. Ideas are powerful things, yes, but they only have the power that we give them. I think it's important to know and understand what others believe. How else can we expose the Truth if we aren't aware of what lies they believe? How can we be like Paul in Acts 17, using the culture, the beliefs, the Truth around us to bring people to God if we ignore all of those things and just pretend they don't exist?

I plan on seeing the movie. It looks interesting. I've heard it's a bit violent for young kids, but that doesn't really apply to me. I might read the books too (if the movie interests me enough in the story). I am not threatened by ideas that I know are wrong.

10 comments:

Owen said...

I've done a bit of reaserch about the Dark Materials Trilogy. It is actually anti-God in it's content and intention. I've read quotes (from non-biased magazines like Time and the Atlantic) from the author saying that he wrote these books to be the anti-religious version of Narnia. I scoffed at the attitudes from the Potter fiasco, but I do feel this one is a bit more justified

That being said- it's still not an issue for you and me, we are grown-ups and will probobly be able to seperate Pullman's ideas from our own :) Also, many of the religious aspects of the antangonists have been replaced by a kind of authoritarian government type thing.

The movie is benign, but I think it might benifit you to read the books to form your own opinion as a Christian fantasy fan.

BTW- congrats on the new baby!

Unknown said...

I agree with both you and lindy. but i didn't like the books, except the witches, they were cool. but other then that the story was not so good in my opinion.

Kelly said...

I'm not threatened by ideas I know are wrong, but this guy is so outspoken with his athiesm and intent on these books "killing God" that he irritates me, and I don't want to give him my money.

Steph said...

Can God be killed? Seems like a pretty futile intent to me. He wants to promote an athiestic world view, yes. But really I think he's just being more honest about his intent than other writers etc. are. There are themes that go against God in a LOT of media, some much more dangerous than a work of fantasy if you ask me, and no one gets up in arms about those.

Mommy of Four said...

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

I feel, that by knowing this author's intentions, I am knowingly going against that scripture and I have to ask myself, "How would Jesus feel if I knew things ideas that were being put out there before going, and yet went to see it anyway?" Wouldn't that hurt Him? This author has said, "I hate The Chronicles of Narnia so terribly that it makes me sick." Basically, I agree with Kelly...I will not support, especially financially, anyone who so blantantly and boldy denies my God. Because to do so, I am just as guilty as he.

Anonymous said...

God told us to use our time wisely. If I know something is against what I believe, I am not going to pretend it doesn't exsits but I will not support it. I would rather spend my time reading my bible or things that keep my eyes focused on my God.

Steph said...

I just feel that not knowing what is actually said in the books or the movie can cause a lot of confusion and missed opportunities to correct wrong information that is put forth. I hope to have conversations with people about the themes presented, tos ee what they think of them, to offer a different oppinion, and that can't rightfully be done without first hand knowledge of the media itself.

But I'm also one who has read the Koran and the Tao of Pooh and other religious works. I see nothing wrong with the desire to understand the beliefs of another, especially since that understanding is so vital to exposing them to Truth.

Owen said...

To answer your question Steph, at the end of the trilgoy, God does in fact get killed. He throws a temper tamtrum like a spoiled child and the center character thinks how silly it was that she ever was afraid of Him.

I'm still going to see the movie and read the books. I think you are right in what you are saying about ideas. We can't take one proof text and use it to isolate ourselves- it is better for all adults to be informed and to take what is worth while out of the stories.

Tami said...

I'm not going to give money to see something that is by a "anti-God" guy.

Weavers said...

Steph, I know my reply is late to this post but I just wanted you to know that I agree with you. I dont think that we can do the job that God called us to do here by sticking our heads in the sand and ignoring anything that seems anti-Christian. It is my firm belief that we need to be a lot more involved in the culture we live in while still being different (that is having Christ in us.) I dont want to be a stereotypical ignorant Christian (so determined by Non-christians who have witnessed us - me included - fighting batles without having the prior knowledge needed to realistically debate such issues) who only fights battles that others have decided for me. rather I want to decide what I think and feel and believe. for me that means going first hand to see media that may be controversial to make a decision. after I have decided, I want to take what I have seen and apply it to my faith structure and use it to show my faith to others. I agree. and Thank you for taking this stand.