"Golden Compass" film criticized, defended

Actress Nicole Kidman, who stars in "The Golden Compass," says she was raised Catholic and wouldn't be involved in an anti-religious film.

[Linda]

The books and the movie are fiction. If your faith is so weak that it is threatened by a novel or a movie, perhaps you need to spend more time reading the Bible instead of novels.

[Mr Green Jeans]

I have yet to meet a Baptist who didn't have an opinion about everything,or one that was worth listenting to.
I smell a publicity ploy here..and it got this guy's name in the news.

[Hanna]

he talks about atheism like it's a bad thing. it's better than having deep religious themes in the movie.

[Beth]

How can killling God be mistaken? At the end of the trilogy the kids kill God so they can do what they want to do. If you ask me he is not an atheist he is just scared of God if he was atheist he would have no need to try and steer people else where. Please do not let you children get involved in these movies. He is a very evil man and needs to be put in his place and shown that we will not fall for anything. I think he believe very much in God and is just running away from him and wants to take as many as possiable with him to Hell.

[LCD]

Mr Green Jeans wrote:

I have yet to meet a Baptist who didn't have an opinion about everything,or one that was worth listenting to.
I smell a publicity ploy here..and it got this guy's name in the news.

It seems to me you also have an opinion, are you a baptist? In my way if thinking, everyone has the right to have an opinion.

[ASummers]

Atheism is a bad thing. This movie has a very bad underlying anit-God theme, and it is aimed at kids.

[NightSerf]

Reverend Mohler may be right about Pullman's atheism, and he is certainly justified in advising those under his influence to either view the film with a healthy sense of skepticism or to avoid it altogether. I do hope, though, that he is not suggesting that the book should never have been allowed publication or the film to be made. But I've noticed that many religious people try to extend the restrictions of their various sects to all of the faithful or to humanity as a whole.

None of the theocracies of the past have been societies that most of us would want to inhabit, and Americans would be wise to continue resisting the various attempts of religious organizations to extend their control beyond their own adherents.

[ray jay]

To quote the article about the movie...."in a sophisticated motion picture directed primarily toward children."

Sophisticated and children in the same sentence? Don't think so. Children will appreciate the polar bears attacking each other more than they will the atheist undertones.

I'm a big movie buff but after doesn't look like it can even compare to the production value and appeal of other fantasy movies such as matrix and LOTR

[ray jay]

* but it doesn't look like it can even compare to the production value and appeal of other fantasy movies such as matrix and LOTR

**where's the edit function**??

[Linda]

I'm Baptist and there is nothing wrong with having an opinion. Everyone does. It doesn't matter what religion you are, you still have an opinion.
You might want to check out snopes.com regarding this movie.

[Austin]

Linda wrote:

The books and the movie are fiction. If your faith is so weak that it is threatened by a novel or a movie, perhaps you need to spend more time reading the Bible instead of novels.

To the faithful I presume this film will be dismissed as fiction. To those who question religion based on faith it will be justification to deny legitimacy to religious beliefs. Those lost soles desperately seek justification to condemn religion and even works of fiction are used to this end.
The vicar should strengthen the resolve of his flock, and welcome curious outsiders rather than condemn works of fiction by those in denial (i.e.... catch more flies with honey than vinegar). I do see his concern as todays youth spend less time reading and focus on cinema/TV for more than mere entertainment. Just look at how many believe the myth in the DaVinci Code to be fact.
Must be the Global Warming.

[Chris]

I didn't hear about this until it showed up on Fox News a few weeks ago. You would think that if you didn't want people to see it, why bother mentioning it? I don't plan to see it (for a number of years now Hollywood movies have lacked imagination or plot).

My faith in Christ is already strong in spite of whatever circumstances may occur, so this movie wouldn't be providing me with any new information.

[Seymour]

God is to be worshiped. God is to be feared. God is NOT to be dismissed and placed in a position of ridicule.

While we were yet sinners He saved us from the damnation we all so rightly deserve.

Films and books such as the one being discussed here are protected by our first amendment and are therefore lawful, but still morally wrong.

The day will approach and then the moment will come when every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

Yes even those who profane Him today.

[Lala]

If its true that the children are battling a "corrupt church" and a "corrupt god" I would think that would be a good message. Also, if the author doesn't believe in God then why would he try to brainwash children to think its a good idea to kill a God that doesn't exist? A. You can't kill God. B. As Christians we are taught that we serve a good and loving God. This "god" is not good.
I understand that killing God could be interpreted as a metaphor for killing your own faith or disregarding the teachings of the Christian church. However, we are taught some things in church that may or may not be true. Of course we as Christians believe the Bible is the true and living word of God, but the humans who teach the word are falible and can teach misinterpretations. We should be taught to question our beliefs. God wants us to ask questions. What is wrong with a film that prompts questions of that nature?

[NightSerf]

Austin wrote:

<quoted text>
To the faithful I presume this film will be dismissed as fiction. To those who question religion based on faith it will be justification to deny legitimacy to religious beliefs. Those lost soles desperately seek justification to condemn religion and even works of fiction are used to this end.
The vicar should strengthen the resolve of his flock, and welcome curious outsiders rather than condemn works of fiction by those in denial (i.e.... catch more flies with honey than vinegar). I do see his concern as todays youth spend less time reading and focus on cinema/TV for more than mere entertainment. Just look at how many believe the myth in the DaVinci Code to be fact.
Must be the Global Warming.

Austin, you really do crack me up. It must amuse you enormously when people take your global warming satire seriously. Love it!

[Hanna]

Seymour wrote:

God is to be worshiped. God is to be feared. God is NOT to be dismissed and placed in a position of ridicule.
While we were yet sinners He saved us from the damnation we all so rightly deserve.
Films and books such as the one being discussed here are protected by our first amendment and are therefore lawful, but still morally wrong.
The day will approach and then the moment will come when every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord.
Yes even those who profane Him today.

Go back to church.

[whatzacallit]

This is nothing more than than Hollywood at its best, making every attempt to take the capital G out of God, This writer must have been related to Shirley McClain, out we go on to the broken limb in thinking that we are smarter than God. Guess what? Were not, wise up to the Hollywood left with there liberal agenda. If some body were smart they would get the message that we Conservative Christians want entertainment that does not attack our faith with filth and Godless sub culture. Make good movies and we will come. Make trash and we will not.

[Chris]

If God didn't want us to think for ourselves, why were we given a brain?

This is also the time of the year when Christmas is celebrated, but I don't. Why? I am not a pagan. So it is funny when Christians get all sweep up along with everyone else in celebrating Christmas. They may be celebrating trees, but I doubt Jesus would have anything to do with it.

[Walker Johnson]

have yet to meet a Baptist who didn't have an opinion about everything,or one that was worth listenting to."

As Mike Huckabuck (the next President of the United States) said this morning on Imus..
"get two baptists together and you will have 7 opinions."

Best see the movie before we bring out the flaming pine knots.

So far Hollyweird has yet to turn out much this year worth paying to see.

[TheDevil]

I endorse this Film... by the way, Rev Mohler also works for me!!!