The Golden Compass to premiere surrounded by controversy.
Let's break it down, shall we? The Golden Compass, starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, is based on a book written by Phillip Pullman, a self-proclaimed atheist. Many people, especially Catholics, feel that those parents who take their kids to see the movie will then go out and buy Pullman's Dark Trilogy book series, which will teach atheism to children.
We have to ask the question: Do the movies we take our kids to need to share our beliefs? Should religious parents avoid The Golden Compass in order to shield children from the "anti-religious" theme, or is it a perfect opportunity for important discussions about faith and your family's values? We want to hear from you!
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Email15 comments so far | Post a comment now >>
I think it is up to the parents as individuals. You may choose to shield your children from this movie, or you may want to have your children see it. Either way, I feel it is necessary to have a discussion about the controversy and the manner in which it ties in to your beliefs. Its always important to talk to your children no matter what.
- Denise
Religious parents need to expose their kids to the real world where everyone is not a member of an organized religion. I find it so hard to imagine that this movie or the books will “teach” atheism to kids.
- Jack
The religious fundies can keep their kids far away from this movie as far as I’m concerned. Less noisy kids in the theater on opening day, in my opinion.
- Anonymous
Is your God so weak that it must be protected from other points of view?
- Jim
I think that the more people “forbid” and “protest” the more often young people are drawn to the “forbidden”. They are always going to be looking for ways to rebel against the restraints set upon them by adults. I’m not arguing for “Free reign” but I think if we, as parents, approach moments like these with a clear mind and a level head (instead of the fired-up “NO WAY” attitude) we can usually avoid any real conflict. I think it’s a good way to open a dialogue with your child, you can really ask questions about their thoughts and feelings about a given subject or theme and get honest answers. If you’re really worried about the content, go see the movie first without the kids. You may find there aren’t as many objectionable moments as you think. Or read the story to your child, discussing various points of difference between its “message” and your beliefs. I guess that would take a little more effort than just saying “no, it’s against my religion” so most people won’t heed this advice, and that may sound cynical of me but I’m just calling a spade a spade. Just remember, this is America, and we all have the right to believe any way we so choose (so long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others). Just because the movie or the books do not fall into line with a specific religious affiliation does not give anyone the right to remove it from someone else’s grasp.
- Megan
It is up to the parents on what they want to expose their children to and when. My chief problem with this movie (and it’s more a problem with Hollywood) is that they have intentionally watered down this movie by removing the religious content in hopes of getting big box office to make the sequels. Those sequels will be far lessed watered down. That is from the director himself. So in other words, dupe the public into thinking they are getting something else and then hit them with the other stuff. It’s the 2 follow ups that have been the main concern. The Golden Compass is tame compared to the last book in the series. I wouldn’t worry about taking the kids to this movie because the movie isn’t the real concern. But it’s definately not for the younger kids. They are advertising this as Narnia-like. The books, per the authur himself, are the Anti-Narnia.
- Janey
It is up to the parents on what they want to expose their children to and when. My chief problem with this movie (and it’s more a problem with Hollywood) is that they have intentionally watered down this movie by removing the religious content in hopes of getting big box office to make the sequels. Those sequels will be far lessed watered down. That is from the director himself. So in other words, dupe the public into thinking they are getting something else and then hit them with the other stuff. It’s the 2 follow ups that have been the main concern. The Golden Compass is tame compared to the last book in the series. I wouldn’t worry about taking the kids to this movie because the movie isn’t the real concern. But it’s definately not for the younger kids. They are advertising this as Narnia-like. The books, per the authur himself, are the Anti-Narnia.
- Janey
To offer a different perspective—why would I WANT to go see a movie that *purposefully* tears down my religion? No. I won’t be seeing it. Nor will my preschool aged child. He doesn’t need to see a movie the deliberately ridicules our faith in order to learn about other religions and be tolerant of OTHERS having different opinions. I’m glad that in our country, you can choose your religion. But I’m also glad that I can choose NOT to engage in activities that degrade mine. ;)
- FirstTimePoster
I find it funny that we are afraid that this will “teach kids atheism” when that is our natural view when we are born. Faith has to be “taught” to children for them to believe in religion.
- really?!
By keeping kids away from this film the ‘fundies’ just prove Pullman’s point: that religion is often used as an excuse for an abuse of power. It’s the power that counts not the doctrine. Exercising one’s free will is the best way to resist & if you believe in God, free will is his greatest gift. ‘Kids’ should be respected enough to make up their own minds or their mental & emotional growth will be stunted to their detriment later in life.
- fawkesey
“The Golden Compass” was first published in 1996, in the U.S. The last book in the series was published seven years ago. Has there been a noticeable fall-off in Christian faith believers? Why no protests when these books first appeared? When was the last time a film launched a real sea change in morality? The only one I can think of in recent years is “An Inconvenient Truth” - completely grounded in the real world. I suppose you could consider Martin Luther’s recasting of the Bible as world-changing. Of course, the Catholic Church protested that.
- maurie
It’s not a matter of free will, religious suppression or anything else. It’s a matter of maturity. Would you let your kid have sex at 10?, would you let your daughter get married at 12?, would you allow your 15 year old to hang around a group of 25 year olds who are drinking or doing drugs? Would you allow your children to play with a snake? A book or a movie that is opposite to our belief in itself can teach us many things and could straighten our faith and moral value system, but to a child, this could lead to greater confusion, harm and some cases, the loss of their souls. Guard your children’s innocence with your lives. Do not shelter them but be wise in your decisions to when and how you expose them to the world; to take the next step. Keep, ALWAYS, dialog and let them say what they think; only then you can help them build a moral conscience that has GOD as a guide.
- Ivan
I find it amusing that so many people are against this movie and these books when they haven’t read them and know nothing more about them than the author is an atheist and intends to kill the idea of God. Here’s the deal: Harry Potter was condemned for years and JK Rowling was thought to be a pagan/atheist/horrible person only for her to end with “DUH! There’s Christian symbolism all through the books! Yes I’m a Christian.” Now, if you actually read these books, you’ll find that it’s actually more pro-Intelligent Design than anti-God. The main character does NOT set out to kill God. She finds the real creator of all things. Yes, the books point out some of the faults that have plagued organized religion for centuries, and with good cause. You think organized religion hasn’t created many atheists because of its missteps? Then your feet must be wet. (Think rivers in Egypt) I’m not saying that everyone will like the movie. As a Baptist Preacher’s Kid and English major, I loved the books, but doubt the movies will do them justice. I applaud anyone who says they will see the movies / read the books before allowing their children to do so. That’s called good parenting. However, I have nothing for scorn for people who condemn anything outright without knowing anything more than one sentence from one interview and the fear mongering of other blind and foolish folk.
- Jessica
P.S. Philip Pullman is actually agnostic. This is from his website: “I don’t know whether there’s a God or not. Nobody does, no matter what they say. I think it’s perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing God into it, but I don’t know everything, and there may well be a God somewhere, hiding away.”
- Jessica
honestly, if it weren’t for all uproar and the press around it, I don’t know that kids would read that deeply into this movie. I obviously haven’t seen the movie since it’s not yet released, but for comparison, I know for a fact that my kids did not read a deep religious message into the movie adaptation of CS Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” I doubt children will leave the movie theater discussing the theological merits of film, but rather about the talking, fighting polar bears.
- Tim
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