I hadn’t heard about this movie until I got my periodic email from Snopes, but apparently there’s a big controversy surrounding this movie “The Golden Compass”. Apparently the movie is the first in a trilogy, sort of an atheist answer to the Chronicles of Narnia and uses a pretty thinly-veiled anti-Christian message.
And here’s where our controversy arises. On the secular/atheist side of things, people are unhappy because the movie is getting stripped down to be less controversial. This annoys me but doesn’t surprise me, nor does it give me particularly big headaches. What also doesn’t surprise me, but both annoys me and gives me headaches is the Christian reaction. The Catholic League in particular has gone berserk.
We are launching a major educational campaign designed to alert the public to Pullman’s game plan. To that end, we have prepared a booklet, “The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked.” It contains snippets of what reviewers have said about the film and the books, as well as revealing comments made by Pullman himself; it also contains a synopsis of the trilogy. In short, the booklet is not what we are saying about Pullman’s work—it is what he and others have said about it.
Pullman represents the new face of atheism: it is aggressive, dogmatic and unrelenting. It is also fueled by hate—by a crusading hatred of all religions, but most especially of ours. His side is counting on our side to lie down and die. He may have experienced little resistance in England, but it’s a different story here.
I find it amusing that the “new face of atheism” is considered to have those three traits, given that the trio is a pretty perfect encapsulation of religion over the page few… thousand years. Anyway, let’s just take a moment to reflect upon the hilarity of the Catholic Church pissing and moaning over an atheist-themed movie.
First off, I don’t really care whether or not their criticisms are legit. Maybe The Golden Compass is a viciously anti-Christian movie and it’s all a supremely thinly-veiled attack on the church. I heavily doubt that given that supporters and fans are pissed that it’s been “watered down” or whatever, but that’s besides the point.
The point is that we have the Catholic League losing their birds over a movie and protesting it because they don’t like its “hidden atheism”, or maybe its “overt atheism”. Really it seems that they just don’t like the idea of atheism in a movie at all, and they act like a vocally atheist production is this giant affront, certainly nothing they’d ever do.
Aggressive, dogmatic, and unrelenting are practically the motto of the Christian church. I’m not talking about looking at the Inquisition or Emperor Constantine. If you doubt that, think about the War on Christmas. From the “offensive” side, it doesn’t exist. The ACLU isn’t trying to stop Wal-Mart or Toys R Us from saying Merry Christmas. At worst, they want to pull religious symbols out from government owned buildings. It’s the religious groups that are trying to force business TO say “Merry Christmas” and put up Christmas trees.
Aggressive, dogmatic, and unrelenting? I’d say a group that launches protests against a movie falls into that category.
They might have a point if it weren’t for the fact that pro-Christian movies come out constantly. Remember Prince of Egypt, from the story of Moses? How about the aforementioned Chronicles of Narnia? What about Bruce and Evan Almighty? Hollywood is positively inundated with pro-Christian, or at the very least pro-God, films. Even the also-protested Kevin Smith film Dogma had a pro-Christian message at its core.
So is the Catholic League complaining that movies are coming out that trash their faith but they don’t get represented? No, they’re complaining that they don’t have complete dominance over the market. If a store doesn’t say “Merry Christmas” it’s time for a boycott. If a movie is anti-religious, time to launch protests. These people want their religion not only isolated from criticism (think about how often they’ve complained about South Park despite its undeniable pro-God message), but forced into prominence whenever possible.
You don’t see atheists pulling these stunts. As far as I know, there were no throngs of ACLU members trying to get people not to go see Evan Almighty because of its pro-God message. I saw The Chronicles of Narnia and liked it. For that matter, I don’t care when a store owner tells me Merry Christmas. Heck, I’ll say it back. It’s only the Christian crowd that gets so offended at these things.
And you know what? I’m going to go see this twice, even if it’s crap, just on principle.
25 responses so far ↓
tennyomelime // October 24, 2007 at 7:27 am
You keep mentioning the Catholic League specifically, but then you also seem to generalize and make it sound as if this group speaks for all of Christianity. I bet the vast majority of Christians really couldn’t give two flips about this movie one way or the other. My best friend read and loved these books and she is Catholic. I’m Lutheran and I’ve been meaning to read them myself. I don’t know if I’ll see the movie because I want to read the book first.
verdeverdad // October 24, 2007 at 8:57 am
I’m pretty sure they get so uptight about these things because they think if uber-Christian Walmart doesn’t even say Christmas, well the before you know it pre-teen girls will be swallowing birth control by the handful and “the gays” will be teaching sex ed in all the schools.
inmate1972 // October 24, 2007 at 10:22 am
You simply can’t win with the Catholic League. I remember the job they pulled on the movie “Dogma” and that movie was so pro-God and faith, you have to wonder what their problem is…
davidlittle // October 24, 2007 at 10:30 am
Quotes like this make atheists sound as uneducated and fundamentalist as Christian fundamentals:
“I find it amusing that the “new face of atheism” is considered to have those three traits [aggressive, dogmatic, and unrelenting], given that the trio is a pretty perfect encapsulation of religion over the page few… thousand years. ”
It is entirely fair to Christians have been guilty of all of these things, but it is just simply inaccurate to say these words accurately describe religious history as a whole. It would be much more accurate to say these words describe human behavior as the result of unchecked power rather than as a result of religion. It is entirely fair to say Christians have been guilty of all of these things, but it is just simply inaccurate to say these words accurately describe religious history as a whole. It would be much more accurate to say these words describe human behavior as the result of unchecked power rather than as a result of religion.
Daniel // October 24, 2007 at 3:05 pm
“I remember the job they pulled on the movie “Dogma” and that movie was so pro-God and faith, you have to wonder what their problem is…”
Why? Don’t you believe in God?
CatholicMinister // November 5, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I’m a devout Catholic -actually work in fulltime ministry, but I agree with Inmate1972: “You simply can’t win with the Catholic League. I remember the job they pulled on the movie “Dogma” and that movie was so pro-God and faith, you have to wonder what their problem is…” I’m sure I’ll see the movie. Have read the book, and can separate my own faith life and living from fiction! DUH?!
Cody // November 6, 2007 at 5:28 am
Overreacting is a hallmark of more extreme Christian groups. They did it with Harry Potter (despite the clear good vs. evil story and the bit about dying to save everyone else) so it’s natural they’d do it with a book and movie with such clear criticism of organized religion.
Of course, it’s still pretty silly and doesn’t exactly put the Catholic League in a good light. The very fact that they’re worried about people becoming atheists is going to set certain folks on edge. In opposing “aggressive, dogmatic and unrelenting” atheism, they are exhibiting those same exact traits.
Whatever the case, it’s not as if a boycott will do much good. The only people who will refuse to see it are the people who would not be likely to see it anyways. No one else particularly cares.
Hanlon // November 6, 2007 at 9:02 pm
“Of course, it’s still pretty silly and doesn’t exactly put the Catholic League in a good light.”
I think more groups should consider this. Not just Catholics, but everyone. Sometimes, even if you’re right, you only make yourself look worse by raising a stink (see: the big hullabaloo over the Super Bowl Snickers ad).
Pamela // November 12, 2007 at 5:38 pm
I must tell you that I disagree with you about Christmas. Though Christ was not born that day-it is a Christian celebration of HIS life. The reason for gifts is because gifts were given to HIM. “It is better to give than receive.” They do not call other holidays of meaning by other names. Furthermore, this country was created upon God and Christian principles. Those who do not believe in GOD are not forced to celebrate Christmas or any other Christian holiday. Does it ever occur to atheists that we did not get here by osmosis? If you do not believe in GOD, I feel sorry for you and I can only pray for your soul. It is high time that people accept God and the English language-as that is AMERICA.
We do not have to see the movies nor read the books but getting the word out helps our Christians and other believers of GOD who are not aware. I will not conciously support an atheist.
Lydia // November 14, 2007 at 2:49 am
“I will not consciously support an atheist” How do you know that you aren’t? we support far worst things than atheists: Slave labor and sweat shop, deforestation etc. I would love to see a comprehensively conscious Christian community. If we were more concerned about things that matter than someone expressing a contrary opinion. And yes, to get back to the subject, I enjoyed all three books and can’t wait to see the movie. They were the most imaginative thing i have read for a long time. AN to me they are fiction and comment on some of the things that have gone very wrong in the church.
Tonnenator // November 17, 2007 at 3:17 am
Oh, boo hoo hoo. You’re just as big of a whiner as they are. Tell me that atheists aren’t guilty of being just as hateful, if not more, than Christians. I’m a christian and I have an atheist sleeping on my couch right now, spending the night with my son (his friend). So I guess I’m just so dogmatic and hateful. I buy that kid and all their friends pizza every Saturday night and drive to go get them and take them home. Those kids love me and some call me Aunt Tonnie, and they know I’m always there for them to offer a hug or a listening ear. I do that because Jesus Christ commands me to. I don’t see any atheists doing that. Yes, I and others like me, are just so hateful and dogmatic. Tell that to all the kids whose lives I’ve made a difference in. Tell that to those same kids, whose lives GOD has made a difference in, the ones who were suicidal or on drugs, and now ARENT. I don’t see any atheists jumping up to snatch anybody away from addiction or suicide, and I’ve never met anybody who said “I was heading down the wrong path, and atheism saved my life”. So they made movies about God. So what. So somebody in Hollywood decided to stop offering this generation blood, sex and violence and offer them hope instead, and all you people can do is whine and cry about it, and then here’s this guy wanting to kill any hope those kids have. Shame on anybody with that attitude. Think about the kids, those who have no hope, those who are abused and unloved, and what they need. Think about them for a change instead of your own selfish wants and desires. Why? Because it’s what JESUS would do. Oh, that’s just so hateful.
PaulM // November 20, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Tonnie – would you do it if Jesus hadn’t “commanded” you to do it? Would you do it out of your own free will, or are you doing it out of fear that you won’t go to heaven? Salvation by works rather than by faith?
You know, the Bible says “He who exalts himself shall be humbled” (Matt 23:12) and “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3).
I was born and raised Catholic, from which I am recovering nicely. Keep your religion to yourself, practice it as you see fit, but stay the hell out of everybody else’s face about it.
Freedom OF religion also means freedom FROM religion.
Tim Spears // November 22, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Pardon my ignorance, but could someone please enlighten me and post a comment on how many school massacres, rapes, or related violence occurred pre-1962? How does that compare with the number of school related violence post-1962? I think that answer along with a court ruling in 1962 might shed some light on why Christians are so infuriated with this flick. To remove God out of one’s life, is to remove absolute truth out of one’s life, is to remove “personal accountability” out of one’s life. If I am the captain of my soul w/ no accountability for my actions, what I deem truth is truth. If I feel a white lie is fine, it is okey. I deem it truth. There is no one to hold me accountable for my decision. If I deem adultery w/ my neighbor’s wife okey, it’s fine and even noble. After all, I love her and she loves me. There is no God, there is no one to hold me accountable for my action. I have yet to meet a person who comes to the end of their life wishing they hadn’t believed in God. I have however met plenty of individuals wishing they had spent more of their life believing in God. If you are truly ready for a Godless society where “man does what is right in his OWN eyes” then support the movie.
Phil Paine // November 22, 2007 at 11:21 pm
I read the book a few years ago. It happens to be a masterpiece of modern literature, written from a civilized and human atheist, joining the Narnia books, written by a civilized and humane Anglican, and The Lord of the Rings, written by a civilized and humane Catholic. What these authors shared is what the Catholic League and it’s ilk obviously really hate more than anything: civilization and humanity.
balei wagner // November 24, 2007 at 12:56 am
I’m a Christian. But please don’t label me as religious what-so-ever. I love God and want to serve Him and do right by Him and his rules..I’m no religious, that’s where America get’s into trouble. I do not approve of this movie. I just went to see August Rush and saw 3 previews on Golden Compass just before that movie began. It’s ridiculous. I’m only 17 and I still can see the hatred of God pouring from the screen. People need to understand..America was FOUNDED on the basis of God and the fact that it’s only through Him that we are able to live and breathe. It’s sad that people are trying to destroy the foundation of faith that our country has. I plan to protest this movie loudly and offensively. Anyone else like to join? You can start it yourself outside of the movie theaters on Dec. 7th. Take a stand of faith…I dare you.
PaulM // November 26, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Balei -
“[I]t’s only through Him that we are able to live and breathe” – that’s your opinion. Mine’s different. I’ll be seeing the movie, and thanks for your review. Try to stand in my way, I’ll knock your ass over. Maybe your God will keep you from hitting the ground.
Phil // November 26, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I have read all 3 books of the “His Dark Materials” trilogy recently, and I can attest to its very negative and demeaning portrayal of both God and Christianity, particularly in the 2nd and especially in the 3rd book. Because of this, and because of my firm belief in God and in traditional Christianity, I cannot in good conscience recommend this series to anyone. I will grant that Mr. Pullmann is a talented writer, and can weave an interesting story, but his overall anti-Christian philosophy pervades the story. I found it very depressing, as well as disrespectful and demeaning to things which I hold sacred, kind of like “religious pornography”, or the twisting & perversion of something good by its portrayal in a demeaning and trashy manner, and to make good appear bad, and bad appear good. His modernist atheistic philosophy shines clear in the book: “take all the negatives which wicked people have done in the name of Christianity and paint the entire religion with this brush. Ignore all the good in Christianity and focus only on the bad.”
All good religions are a tool, which, when properly used, help us become better people and to help us draw closer to our Creator. The fact that some have used it as a vehicle to promote themselves to unrighteous dominion over others doesn’t mean the tool is bad, just the wielder of the tool, in many instances. Other wielders have used this tool in its proper function, yielding good fruit instead of bad. I can understand why Christians would be offended by this trilogy and I don’t blame them for that. They are perfectly justified in recommending people not to see it. I personally will not see the movie(s) simply because I don’t want to support Mr. Pullman since I strongly disagree with his views and motives. My daughter purchased the books a few years ago before we knew anything about them. I read them recently, simply to be informed as to the controversy surrounding them and to be able to understand it more fully. Unlike the Narnia series, I found this trilogy very dark, depressing, and negative. The story line was interesting but was ruined by the underlying message and agenda of the author. One can have an “alternative viewpoint” without seriously offending the other party by demeaning things they hold as sacred. Any time a book is “anti” something, the group that book is “anti” of will be offended. Who can blame them for that? To me, it is the same as if someone were to write a slanderous story about a loved one dear to you, using distortions, half-truths, and lies to paint them as an awful person. Wouldn’t you be offended and wish to clear their reputation by warning others as to the prejudiced, biased views of the author? There is a difference between informative, positive portrayals which are meant to build up, and negative portrayals which are meant to tear down, particularly on subjects which many millions or even billions of people hold dear.
Allegra // November 28, 2007 at 1:13 am
“I’ve never met anybody who said “I was heading down the wrong path, and atheism saved my life”. So they made movies about God. So what. So somebody in Hollywood decided to stop offering this generation blood, sex and violence and offer them hope instead, and all you people can do is whine and cry about it, and then here’s this guy wanting to kill any hope those kids have. Shame on anybody with that attitude. Think about the kids, those who have no hope, those who are abused and unloved, and what they need. Think about them for a change instead of your own selfish wants and desires. Why? Because it’s what JESUS would do. Oh, that’s just so hateful.”
Are you kidding me?
Lets put it this way. My mom is christian. Devoutly christian. So christian that at my first suicide attempt, she simply told me i was going to hell because i tried to die. and i wanted to die. Tonnenator? Have you talked to any kids like me? that ARE depressed? that ARE suicidal? that ARE abused and unloved? Our family kicked out my gay cousin for being gay. they said that he was against their morals, and just kicked him out. I may be christian, but I’m barely christian. My family is Split Up because we’re christian. Kids that have no hope turn to jesus. yeah right. Talk to kids that ARE depressed and hopeless and suicidal before you say anything like that. Contrary to what you adults say, we aren’t poor little struggling puppies. We make our own choices. We don’t necessarily need God leading the way or anything like that. I’m really insulted that you basically called kids like me hopeless. because we can make our own decisions without God and Jesus.
The Golden Compass didn’t do anything to my being generally confused about religion. It’s a great series, with really well written books- Even if it promotes something you’re against, [which i think is shit], Its a really well written series nonetheless.
Don’t take this awesome series away from your children because it’s “against your ideas.” Let them read it. The only way to win a war is to know your enemy.
[yours truly, Allegra.]
Phil Paine // December 7, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I have no trouble attacking, with extreme negativity, the views of Karl Marx and Adolf Hitler, because I consider them profoundly immoral. They preach racism, genocide and tyranny as being good. I certainly don’t hesitate to do so for fear of offending what Communists and Nazis consider their most deeply held beliefs. Pullman’s trilogy is a strong and profoundly moral attack on the activities of organized political bodies which commit crimes, and substitute arbitrary authority for the individual moral conscience. Organizations like the Catholic Church have committed countless abuses of human rights, and continue to do so. They are not individuals, they are ideological organizations. Their abuses are not isolated exceptions, but their systematic and declared policies. It is the moral duty of decent people to oppose them. One can do this from a theist position (as Thomas Paine did), pointing out that these organizations cannot possibly represent the intentions of a just God, or from an athiest position, pointing out that fundamental violations by such organizations negate any claims they have to moral authority, as Pullman does. Actually, Pullman’s anti-Catholocism is hardly any different from the positions that many Protestant Christians have held, denouncing the Catholic Church as an irreligious, authoritarian body. I don’t share that view, in that I have not noticed many Protestant Churches to be any less prone to authoritarian abuses.
N~NU // December 10, 2007 at 2:19 pm
damn. thanks to these neo-nazi catholics who don’t want anyone to see a point of view other than theirs, i am reluctant to tell anyone that i am catholic anymore. these bastards, who are obveously all on PMS for eternety, have ruined the christian name. i may convert to protestant now that i know i am in a group with people who are making a huge fucking deal over a fucking book. and no, the movie isn’t trying to transform into atheists. athiest is just a point of view, it dosn’t make them evil. i have many frends that are athiest, and they still have better morals than most catholics i have met. and i go to a catholic school. lul.
Erik // July 19, 2008 at 8:20 pm
ooh many of you guys are afraid? But wait, it has non-pro-christian messages in it! But then i cant support it because then the content must be rubish! Well i cant be good, since its pro-atheism, well can it?
Some of you guys need to check if your heads are screwed firmly in your necks because you are killing me with you hypocrisy..
And whats with Tim Spears “no remove accountability from ones life” dont you ever get tired of preaching subjects into an arguement it doesnt belong to?
ffs, i dont even want to write more, you guys are hopeless..
bolvangar // August 23, 2008 at 5:53 pm
What’s all this about Christianity? At no point in the books does Philip Pullman even hint at Jesus. He talks about the Authority, who originally may have been a jehovah-like being, violent, ruthless and bigoted, but never mentions any figure who may represent a saintly man like jesus.
I am not a christian, nor am I an atheist but I can see that people have done great evils in the name of most religions (except maybe Buddhism, which doesn’t have a god).
I think Pullman is trying to hint that it is Power that corrupts and that when humans lust for power over others, to control what they think, even in the name of god, then that is evil.
I think the scriptwriters of the GC did an amazing job of keeping the storyline but diluting the anti-church sentiment. The magisterium could easily be Stalinism in the film (which most ‘christian’ americans would probably agree was evil).
Anyway, there’s probably no point in arguing further, a country that voted for someone like GWB is obviously not rational and sometimes, looking at the USA redneck area (most of it except for the coasts) I am frightened for the human race. At least the rest of the world liked the film and I hope they make the sequels, though how they will dilute The Amber Spyglass, I can’t imagine.
Stereomanic // December 22, 2008 at 9:09 pm
man i’m a christian and i couldn’t (even if i wanted to) give a rat’s ass about this movie. I’m a christian and what you’ve describe contradicts who i am and some of us are (okay, i actually get you), haha…but hey, can’t you americans be a bit less anal over this politically correct business..geez, like Christmas, it’s CHRISTMAS not happy holidays..i mean i heard you americans actually place a crescent moon on the christmas tree( i mean holiday tree, sorry) instead of a star..now i seriously dont give a damn, whatever right but what the fuck, why is another religion doing in another religion’s holiday? do you see christians placing jesus picture in a muslim holiday on their doorstep?(besides those crazy ones okay). America, you already got a war, do you really want to fight over a holiday…you guys are weird..i thought the british were weird..i thought the japanese were weird, i thought the french were weird, but America, you took the whole shabam…it’s football not soccer..haha..sorry, i had to add that in..yes, i give a damn..and i don’t know why.
Stereomanic // December 22, 2008 at 9:14 pm
P.S: i’m not anti-american either.
Schnig // January 3, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Stereo…if u were a Christian u wouldn’t be using the language you’re using