Catholic bishops give thumbs-up to 'Golden Compass'

“Pullman's fanciful universe has a patchwork feel, with elements culled from other fantasy-adventure stories -- most especially The Chronicles of Narnia (a work Pullman disdains)”

'The Golden Compass' -- and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy of novels on which it is based -- has been criticized in some quarters for being anti-religious and specifically anti-Catholic.

But the U.S. Conference of Bishops recently issued its official review of the film, and it's a rave.

Writing for the Catholic News Service (catholicnews .com), critics Harry Forbes and John Mulderig call the movie 'lavish, well-acted and fast-paced.'

'The good news,' they write, 'is that the first book's explicit references to this church have been completely excised, with only the term Magisterium retained. Read more

[Shannon]

This is ridiculous. We spend so much time fighting what is wrong and what clouds the minds of our children. For a religious sect to condone this is disheartening. This is not just an attack of Catholics but for Christians of all religious beliefs. We fight so hard to take back some dignity that our government strips away from us daily and then this. However, that is how the Catholic church has always rolled, in favor of whatever the government wants from the very begining of time.

I am sad that God is used as a social front for the Bishop instead of that personal relationship and truly taking time to know him. I am not saying we need to riot or be ugly but I don't think we should support what is wrong. Go into a prostetutes house to witness and reach out but you don't have to partake in the action.

[TOB]

http://www.decentfilms.com/sections/reviews/g...

These reviewers are not Bishops, and in this case they are flat out wrong in their ranking of the film. No Catholic should give money to this film as it will go towards anti-Christian purposes.

I have attached a more Catholic view point of the film above. The ranking of movies by Harry Forbes and Mulderig miss the point, as although a film may be well made, the message is wrong. And to OK an attack on the Teaching Office of the Church is an attack on the Holy Spirit.

Sirs you are WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!! And you do not speak for Catholics!!!!

[Rob]

The USCCB should fire these reviewers since they can not discern between the quality of the film making and the diabolical intent of the film itself. When the "Magisterium" is the evil and all powerful villan in the film, the message is obviously anti-Catholic. If I were a bishop I would be ashamed to be associated with the publication of this review. Bad bishops and crazy film critics aside, the attacks on the Holy Catholic Church are one mark of the truth of her infallable teachings on faith and morals which run contrary to the secular culture of the world.

[Mark]

Archbishop Dr. Rowan Williams has said that His Dark Materials trilogy should be part of the UK's religious education curriculum. Clearly not all christians share these feelings.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml...

[Mark]

I meant not all christians share the feelings of Shannon, TOB and Rob above.

[Rob]

Mark, I wonder if you also meant to say the UK's "anti-religious education" curriculum?
Why else would you study the promotional propaganda of an admitted athiest. The only possible justification would be to know your enemy. But this would be better achieved by studying the athiests arguments alongside the Christian answers to them. Not by reading a fictional book to involve people emotionally against the dreaded evil "magisterium".

[Nicholas F - Canada]

Do they not realize that this is part 1 of 3? That in part 3 God is killed? Don't be fooled by an innocent first showing; that is exactly what the producers have in mind, as well as making unsuspecting moviegoers get hooked on the books for the real one-two blow. Sheesh!

[TOB]

Mark wrote:

Archbishop Dr. Rowan Williams has said that His Dark Materials trilogy should be part of the UK's religious education curriculum. Clearly not all christians share these feelings.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml...

Well not all Christians Churches are directly attack by the trilogy - The Catholic Church is. I would hope that you are not saying it is okay to attack the Catholic Church.

[Nicholas F - Canada]

FYI - the original review was written by Harry Forbes, director of the USCCB Film and Broadcasting Office. He can be contacted at [e-mail]. You can be sure I will be writing to him...

[Joe webster]

Do they not know that in this saga, the children try to kill God. They even use God's name, "Yahwe".(Jehovah)(En g), This is a horrible story and any good person would never allow their children to see such filth.

[Joe webster]

sodomites to God killers the Catholic church once again show's her deep dark evil side yep evil Oh did I offend you hhmm not sorry! when you considder world history and see the muder,rape,robery,genocide,.Th eCatholic chuches approval of mass muder in Africa,Germany,Amricas, where has this church not touched the inosent?

[Chaz]

Anybody who thinks a ten year old can pick out the negative comments about the church in both the books and movie and actually comprehend what they mean when they are struggling to do long division is crazy. Not to mention most people who will see the movie or read the books would even know what atheism is without all of the publicity it is given

[Chaz]

Even if one is knowledgeable enough to comprehend what is going on in the story and actually recognize it, if they are true Christians and are raised in a good Christian family, then that person should have a strong enough of a mind and faith to reject the insinuations in the story and not be swayed.

[TOB]

Chaz wrote:

Even if one is knowledgeable enough to comprehend what is going on in the story and actually recognize it, if they are true Christians and are raised in a good Christian family, then that person should have a strong enough of a mind and faith to reject the insinuations in the story and not be swayed.

Chaz are you saying we should support this film, by giving money to it? Would this not confirm this man in his beliefs, and spread those beliefs?

Also, to a point about 10 year olds. My son is very astute as to matters of faith, and he is a very intelligent kids who makes connections. I do not hid atheism from him, as we discuss this, but I tell him not to spend money on things that aren't right.

Peace

[Mark]

I think the point I was trying to make was that not all christians view the 'His Dark Materials' books as a full frontal assault on christianity. If you think Pullman is attacking *your* beliefs, then you must view your beliefs as being similar to the "Magisterium" in his stories. I personally did not feel attacked, because I did not recognise the christianity I would defend reflected in his villains.

Sure, Philip Pullman is an aetheist. I don't disrespect people who have different views to me. This trilogy certainly is critical of some very disfunctional aspects of religion (I think you'll agree that Christ also criticised some very disfunctional aspects of religion). But Pullman's work did nothing to undermine my faith, or the faith of young people I know who have read them.

If you have read the books through, you'll know that they are set in an alternative universe and hardly touch on ours at all. The "god" that is killed in the last book is not actually God at all. That's the whole point of the story. "God" is a puppet that has been set up by the authorities to exert control. This is how an aethiest like Pullman might view God. I don't share Pullman's view, but I was reminded of lots of other false gods and idols that our society sets up to control us with. Money, fame, beauty, etc.

But, no matter how much you disagree with my take on this, are you really worried that the God of Creation who calls all people to Himself is going to be stumped by a bunch of films and books? Where is your faith?!

[TOB]

Mark wrote:

But, no matter how much you disagree with my take on this, are you really worried that the God of Creation who calls all people to Himself is going to be stumped by a bunch of films and books? Where is your faith?!

Who said he would be stumped? What do you mean where is your faith? God calls us to go and spread the Good News, part of that is pointing out non-Truth.

God challenged us to a great commission, I live out my faith in part by how I respond to the great commission. I do not think it is charitable to allow others to be confirmed in a lie. God places us in situations to speak his truth to others, no just to be quiet and let others be lead away from the truth. God inspires us to speak out against lies.

Peace

[Wills Girl]

Mark wrote:

I think the point I was trying to make was that not all christians view the 'His Dark Materials' books as a full frontal assault on christianity. If you think Pullman is attacking *your* beliefs, then you must view your beliefs as being similar to the "Magisterium" in his stories. I personally did not feel attacked, because I did not recognise the christianity I would defend reflected in his villains.
Sure, Philip Pullman is an aetheist. I don't disrespect people who have different views to me. This trilogy certainly is critical of some very disfunctional aspects of religion (I think you'll agree that Christ also criticised some very disfunctional aspects of religion). But Pullman's work did nothing to undermine my faith, or the faith of young people I know who have read them.
If you have read the books through, you'll know that they are set in an alternative universe and hardly touch on ours at all. The "god" that is killed in the last book is not actually God at all. That's the whole point of the story. "God" is a puppet that has been set up by the authorities to exert control. This is how an aethiest like Pullman might view God. I don't share Pullman's view, but I was reminded of lots of other false gods and idols that our society sets up to control us with. Money, fame, beauty, etc.
But, no matter how much you disagree with my take on this, are you really worried that the God of Creation who calls all people to Himself is going to be stumped by a bunch of films and books? Where is your faith?!

The bottom line is that this movie and the books are FICTION and FANTASY. If your child doesn't understand what make believe and reality are (and the differances between the 2) you have a lot more to worry about then this movie. I loved the book and will go see the movie but I like Harry best.

[Lori Drew]

Nicholas F - Canada wrote:

Do they not realize that this is part 1 of 3? That in part 3 God is killed? Don't be fooled by an innocent first showing; that is exactly what the producers have in mind, as well as making unsuspecting moviegoers get hooked on the books for the real one-two blow. Sheesh!

Your God can be killed by a 12 year old girl? Sorrt to hear that. My God's stronger than a book and a movie.

[Lori Drew]

TOB wrote:

<quoted text>
Chaz are you saying we should support this film, by giving money to it? Would this not confirm this man in his beliefs, and spread those beliefs?
Also, to a point about 10 year olds. My son is very astute as to matters of faith, and he is a very intelligent kids who makes connections. I do not hid atheism from him, as we discuss this, but I tell him not to spend money on things that aren't right.
Peace

But this movie could counteract all of your training?

[Lori Drew]

TOB wrote:

<quoted text>
Who said he would be stumped? What do you mean where is your faith? God calls us to go and spread the Good News, part of that is pointing out non-Truth.
God challenged us to a great commission, I live out my faith in part by how I respond to the great commission. I do not think it is charitable to allow others to be confirmed in a lie. God places us in situations to speak his truth to others, not just to be quiet and let others be lead away from the truth. God inspires us to speak out against lies.
Peace

That's what a lot of religious fundamentalists think and that's what the book was getting at. Everything the Magisterium did was for the people's own good. Pullman's point was be very careful around people who ask you to do things you don't understand, things that don't make sense to you, things that seem cruel, because God told them to tell you.