http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956 So there has a been a some hoopla over this movie. It's based on the books by Phillip Pullman, a proud atheist. Pullman paints the Catholic church as the enemy in his books and has gone on record saying he wants to turn children away from God. Filmmakers have downplayed that aspect of the books and said they have made adjustments in the big screen version, but that remains to be seen. I am interested in talking to folks for a story who have an opinion either way about the books/movie. I can be reached at 361-580-6535 or bjlewis@vicad.com   So there has a been a some hoopla over this movie. It's based on the books by Phillip Pullman, a proud atheist. Pullman paints the Catholic church as the enemy in his books and has gone on record saying he wants to turn children away from God. Filmmakers have downplayed that aspect of the books and said they have made adjustments in the big screen version, but that remains to be seen. I am interested in talking to folks for a story who have an opinion either way about the books/movie. I can be reached at 361-580-6535 or bjlewis@vicad.com   en-us Nicole Kidman was on Regis and Kelly during the Thanksgiving holiday.  I don't remember which day.  I was interested to see what would be said about The Golden Compass.  A  very brief mention was all it got, one or two sentences.  They focused on some movie she has coming out next summer.  Showed a clip of that,  I think.  But barely a mention of TGC.  I thought that was interesting. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27092 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27092 Nicole Kidman was on Regis and Kelly during the Thanksgiving holiday.  I don't remember which day.  I was interested to see what would be said about The Golden Compass.  A  very brief mention was all it got, one or two sentences.  They focused on some movie she has coming out next summer.  Showed a clip of that,  I think.  But barely a mention of TGC.  I thought that was interesting. I'm not here for the interview, but I don't believe this is a good movie. It's about the battle between good and evil, and in the end, as in the third book, God is killed and evil wins. Also, I have understood from a review that the movie's website offers children a personal profile answer checklist so that they can get their own personal "daemon" or as most people would call them, demons. These are described as talking animals, and the major character in the movie has her own personal demon that follows her around and helps her fight Christianity as well. Not exactly what I want my kid learning from a movie. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27093 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27093 I'm not here for the interview, but I don't believe this is a good movie. It's about the battle between good and evil, and in the end, as in the third book, God is killed and evil wins. Also, I have understood from a review that the movie's website offers children a personal profile answer checklist so that they can get their own personal "daemon" or as most people would call them, demons. These are described as talking animals, and the major character in the movie has her own personal demon that follows her around and helps her fight Christianity as well. Not exactly what I want my kid learning from a movie. BJ, I posted these last month (included are comments made about my posts): Add A New Post Parents Beware! Come December, there’ll be a new movie out starring Nicole Kidman called THE GOLDEN COMPASS, based on a book by Phillip Pullman.  He's  an acknowledged atheist, who admits he hates C.S. Lewis and wrote a trilogy in which God dies to counteract the Chronicles of Narnia .  The movie appears to be innocuous enough to fool parents and appeal to kids.  The hope is that there will be a demand for the books which get worse and worse (THE SUBTLE KNIFE and THE AMBER SPYGLASS are parts two and three).   In the end, the children heroes kill God and everyone is free to do whatever they want. You can plan seeing on lots of advertising for “This great show for kids for the holidays”, but you can bet you won’t hear any details about the books though.   Pullman is very open about his intentions, when he said in a 2003 interview with the Sidney Morning Herald that “My books are about killing God.” Conservative British columnist Peter Hichens labeled Pullman “The Most Dangerous Author in Britain” and described him as the “writer that atheists would have prayed to, if they prayed.” Talking about castration and female circumcision in a children’s book is way over the top.  I ‘m going to  boycott the movie and the books and suggest that you consider doing the same.  posted by ShureleeUJest on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 04:45 PM posted by CF on Nov 3, 2007 at 07:58 AM -  Have you read the books?  I just wanted to be sure your opinion was well founded on some sort of research before considering it.  Thanks My reply to CF: Just google the tilte of the book and a lot of sites pop up.  A number of the sites have rather detailed synopsis of all three books. My daughter lives out of state and she was able to get her hands ont he last two books in the series. She said they get worse and worse until at the end of the last book the protagonist kills God and then people are free to live anyway the want.  Our daughter is an educated, mature woman not given to hyperbole or wild emotional reactions.  I haven't read the books myself, but I I trust  her reaction to them.  She feels that the movie is rather mild and not as graphic as the book of the same name.  She feels that it was done that way in order to lure people into reading the other books in the trilogy. ******************************************************************************************* posted by Imagine on Nov 3, 2007 at 12:02 PM <Delete> Yeah and the last thing we would want is anyone especially our kids to learn to question and think for them selves.  Oh the horror of that. you can't kill something that never existed. even a supernatural being.... So saying anyone is killing a god is  saying the impossible. You can cause people to question and reject but not kill a supernatural being because they are imaginary. It is like someone saying they will kill the Tooth Fairy or Santa Clause.  makes no sense... AKA nonsense.. Just rouses the myth believers thats all.. Worthless ideas waisting  time.... Well they got to do Something when they aren't praying. Defending the myth gives them something to add to their prayer lists of telling god who He should kill... not me of course. I 'm going to heaven... because Jesus said I would.  Its all those other guys who won't Add A New Post A reply to imagine re: THE GOLDEN COMPASS   I must admit your post to my blog about the movie and book, THE GOLDEN COMPASS had me confused for a moment - if I understand you correctly when you say >”you can't kill something that never existed. even a supernatural being.... So saying anyone is killing a god is saying the impossible”<  etc., etc…. ad nauseum, you’re stating (albeit with excessive wordiness) that you simply don’t believe that God, singular and with a capital G, exists.   Fair enough.  I would point out, however, that the aim of Phillip Pullman, the author, is to kill the IDEA of God in the minds of children.  An understandable goal if one is an atheist. It appears to have happened to you.   I guess I should have titled my blog post ”Christian Parents Beware”, since appears that I’ve touched a nerve, based on your reaction.  I certainly wouldn’t want you to feel that I was trying to slyly stuff my belief in Christ down the throats of unsuspecting non-believers - >”Oh the horror of that!”<   It’s also worth noting, that no where in the Bible is it suggested or recommended to pray for the death of ones enemies – quite the opposite – Christians are called to love their enemies and pray that they will accept the saving grace of God. The benighted idea of praying for the death of enemies is  a derogatory remark all too typical of atheists. . I agree that children should be taught to question and think for themselves, but in order to do that successfully, they have to have a starting point and a framework of moral principles is necessary.  There’s no reason for Christians to fear having their beliefs questioned by their children or by non-believers for that matter.   In spite of your feelings, God loves you along with all the rest of us sinners. posted by ShureleeUJest on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 03:57 PM     http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27126 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27126 BJ, I posted these last month (included are comments made about my posts): Add A New Post Parents Beware! Come December, there’ll be a new movie out starring Nicole Kidman called THE GOLDEN COMPASS, based on a book by Phillip Pullman.  He's  an acknowledged atheist, who admits he hates C.S. Lewis and wrote a trilogy in which God dies to counteract the Chronicles of Narnia .  The movie appears to be innocuous enough to fool parents and appeal to kids.  The hope is that there will be a demand for the books which get worse and worse (THE SUBTLE KNIFE and THE AMBER SPYGLASS are parts two and three).   In the end, the children heroes kill God and everyone is free to do whatever they want. You can plan seeing on lots of advertising for “This great show for kids for the holidays”, but you can bet you won’t hear any details about the books though.   Pullman is very open about his intentions, when he said in a 2003 interview with the Sidney Morning Herald that “My books are about killing God.” Conservative British columnist Peter Hichens labeled Pullman “The Most Dangerous Author in Britain” and described him as the “writer that atheists would have prayed to, if they prayed.” Talking about castration and female circumcision in a children’s book is way over the top.  I ‘m going to  boycott the movie and the books and suggest that you consider doing the same.  posted by ShureleeUJest on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 04:45 PM posted by CF on Nov 3, 2007 at 07:58 AM -  Have you read the books?  I just wanted to be sure your opinion was well founded on some sort of research before considering it.  Thanks My reply to CF: Just google the tilte of the book and a lot of sites pop up.  A number of the sites have rather detailed synopsis of all three books. My daughter lives out of state and she was able to get her hands ont he last two books in the series. She said they get worse and worse until at the end of the last book the protagonist kills God and then people are free to live anyway the want.  Our daughter is an educated, mature woman not given to hyperbole or wild emotional reactions.  I haven't read the books myself, but I I trust  her reaction to them.  She feels that the movie is rather mild and not as graphic as the book of the same name.  She feels that it was done that way in order to lure people into reading the other books in the trilogy. ******************************************************************************************* posted by Imagine on Nov 3, 2007 at 12:02 PM <Delete> Yeah and the last thing we would want is anyone especially our kids to learn to question and think for them selves.  Oh the horror of that. you can't kill something that never existed. even a supernatural being.... So saying anyone is killing a god is  saying the impossible. You can cause people to question and reject but not kill a supernatural being because they are imaginary. It is like someone saying they will kill the Tooth Fairy or Santa Clause.  makes no sense... AKA nonsense.. Just rouses the myth believers thats all.. Worthless ideas waisting  time.... Well they got to do Something when they aren't praying. Defending the myth gives them something to add to their prayer lists of telling god who He should kill... not me of course. I 'm going to heaven... because Jesus said I would.  Its all those other guys who won't Add A New Post A reply to imagine re: THE GOLDEN COMPASS   I must admit your post to my blog about the movie and book, THE GOLDEN COMPASS had me confused for a moment - if I understand you correctly when you say >”you can't kill something that never existed. even a supernatural being.... So saying anyone is killing a god is saying the impossible”<  etc., etc…. ad nauseum, you’re stating (albeit with excessive wordiness) that you simply don’t believe that God, singular and with a capital G, exists.   Fair enough.  I would point out, however, that the aim of Phillip Pullman, the author, is to kill the IDEA of God in the minds of children.  An understandable goal if one is an atheist. It appears to have happened to you.   I guess I should have titled my blog post ”Christian Parents Beware”, since appears that I’ve touched a nerve, based on your reaction.  I certainly wouldn’t want you to feel that I was trying to slyly stuff my belief in Christ down the throats of unsuspecting non-believers - >”Oh the horror of that!”<   It’s also worth noting, that no where in the Bible is it suggested or recommended to pray for the death of ones enemies – quite the opposite – Christians are called to love their enemies and pray that they will accept the saving grace of God. The benighted idea of praying for the death of enemies is  a derogatory remark all too typical of atheists. . I agree that children should be taught to question and think for themselves, but in order to do that successfully, they have to have a starting point and a framework of moral principles is necessary.  There’s no reason for Christians to fear having their beliefs questioned by their children or by non-believers for that matter.   In spite of your feelings, God loves you along with all the rest of us sinners. posted by ShureleeUJest on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 03:57 PM     I planned on taking my son to this movie before I heard any of the hub-bub about religion. We want to see it because it looks like an entertaining movie. We also watched The Chronicles of Narnia together and I plan on having him read the books when he's a little older. I don't expect to be run over by an athiest message mainly because I completely missed Christianity in reading the Chronicles of Narnia, even though it is alledgedly a great Christian work. I saw alternate realms and talking animals, not exactly Sunday school in my book. People have said that the themes of sacrifice and redemption was were the Christian message was, but those themes are far from the exclusive domain of Christianity. Same with Lord of the Rings. Supposedly it is very Catholic, but I didn't see it. I saw simple good vs. evil, which is a concept that predates Christianity. For the people that disagree with this movie: What did you think when Disney released Hercules? It's pretty easy to argue that Mickey Mouse was pushing a pagan agenda on that one by glorifiying the religion of the ancient Greeks. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27145 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27145 I planned on taking my son to this movie before I heard any of the hub-bub about religion. We want to see it because it looks like an entertaining movie. We also watched The Chronicles of Narnia together and I plan on having him read the books when he's a little older. I don't expect to be run over by an athiest message mainly because I completely missed Christianity in reading the Chronicles of Narnia, even though it is alledgedly a great Christian work. I saw alternate realms and talking animals, not exactly Sunday school in my book. People have said that the themes of sacrifice and redemption was were the Christian message was, but those themes are far from the exclusive domain of Christianity. Same with Lord of the Rings. Supposedly it is very Catholic, but I didn't see it. I saw simple good vs. evil, which is a concept that predates Christianity. For the people that disagree with this movie: What did you think when Disney released Hercules? It's pretty easy to argue that Mickey Mouse was pushing a pagan agenda on that one by glorifiying the religion of the ancient Greeks. I haven't seen the movie or read the book.  I want to see an interview with someone who read the book BEFORE the warnings about the movie came out.  That would be an honest reaction.  One person that read the book said that it actually strengthened their faith, so go figure!  I normally don't like kid movies, but this one is getting me curious.  Well, the "warnings" are.  I have an idea.  I'm going to take my children and then ask them what THEY THINK about the movie.  I'll tell you all their honest reactions.  What a wonderful discussion starter for the family. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27147 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27147 I haven't seen the movie or read the book.  I want to see an interview with someone who read the book BEFORE the warnings about the movie came out.  That would be an honest reaction.  One person that read the book said that it actually strengthened their faith, so go figure!  I normally don't like kid movies, but this one is getting me curious.  Well, the "warnings" are.  I have an idea.  I'm going to take my children and then ask them what THEY THINK about the movie.  I'll tell you all their honest reactions.  What a wonderful discussion starter for the family. From the AP movie review: Oh yes, and about that tizzy that Pullman's writings are anti-Christian, and that "The Golden Compass" foists atheism on malleable, unsuspecting children — any reference to religion is totally vague and up for interpretation. The evil body trying to manipulate young minds isn't any specific church but rather the broadly imposing Magesterium. Tickle Me Elmo is more subversive. This is pretty much what I'm expecting from this movie. The out and out anti-God stuff that certain groups would protest rarely makes it into a wide theatrical release.  Most people go to a movie to be entertain, not informed. That's something like likely bothers people at both ends of this debate. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27154 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27154 From the AP movie review: Oh yes, and about that tizzy that Pullman's writings are anti-Christian, and that "The Golden Compass" foists atheism on malleable, unsuspecting children — any reference to religion is totally vague and up for interpretation. The evil body trying to manipulate young minds isn't any specific church but rather the broadly imposing Magesterium. Tickle Me Elmo is more subversive. This is pretty much what I'm expecting from this movie. The out and out anti-God stuff that certain groups would protest rarely makes it into a wide theatrical release.  Most people go to a movie to be entertain, not informed. That's something like likely bothers people at both ends of this debate. I won''t take my children.  They are not guinea pigs that I experiment with, then ask them how things went. I'm the adult in the situation, and I don't plan on exposing my kids to an author who hates C.S. Lewis and said that his books are the anti-thesis to these Christian-themed books. My children can certainly think for themselves, but they ARE children. If some show is questionable about sex or violence, I won't let them tell me their review, I'll take care of it beforehand. Religious tomfoolery or mocking God is still my call as a parent. Instead of good winning, evil will win, especially when kids start clamoring for the books behind the movie. Above all, there are enough good movies out there, and I won't contribute to the coffers of this guy. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27156 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27156 I won''t take my children.  They are not guinea pigs that I experiment with, then ask them how things went. I'm the adult in the situation, and I don't plan on exposing my kids to an author who hates C.S. Lewis and said that his books are the anti-thesis to these Christian-themed books. My children can certainly think for themselves, but they ARE children. If some show is questionable about sex or violence, I won't let them tell me their review, I'll take care of it beforehand. Religious tomfoolery or mocking God is still my call as a parent. Instead of good winning, evil will win, especially when kids start clamoring for the books behind the movie. Above all, there are enough good movies out there, and I won't contribute to the coffers of this guy. One more comment- the "Christians" have been asleep and lukewarm in this country for the last generation. Responses in cases like these show that we just lay down and let the godless have their way.  They don't even have to TRY to seduce our young, we bring them to them. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27159 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27159 One more comment- the "Christians" have been asleep and lukewarm in this country for the last generation. Responses in cases like these show that we just lay down and let the godless have their way.  They don't even have to TRY to seduce our young, we bring them to them. It's a movie.  If you don't want to take your kids.....ummm...then don't take your kids.  If you don't want to see an "anti Christian" movie....ummmm...then don't go see the movie.  Seriously....it's a movie, not a constitutional ammendent.  What is this?  Russia? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27162 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27162 It's a movie.  If you don't want to take your kids.....ummm...then don't take your kids.  If you don't want to see an "anti Christian" movie....ummmm...then don't go see the movie.  Seriously....it's a movie, not a constitutional ammendent.  What is this?  Russia? If there were problem reviews with a movie or book, I would NEVER, NEVER take my children to experiment if it was good or bad.  They are not educated scientist, they are sponges. If I thought that it would be something they might be okay with and all the reviews were a bunch of hoopla then I would take them later because I, the parent, had done my job and run the blocking first. I was not and am not my childrens best friend. I am the father, the parent, and we have a responsiblity to them to act like it. People are so worried about spanking the kids nowadays because it may hurt them physically or make them feel bad that we overlook the mental, upright upbringing we are also responsible for. Whether people will admit it or not, there is good and evil in this world, right and wrong. And if you have been blessed with little ones to raise and get them on the right track in life then I think it is worth that little effort to do that. We should not be lazy in our parenting. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27166 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27166 If there were problem reviews with a movie or book, I would NEVER, NEVER take my children to experiment if it was good or bad.  They are not educated scientist, they are sponges. If I thought that it would be something they might be okay with and all the reviews were a bunch of hoopla then I would take them later because I, the parent, had done my job and run the blocking first. I was not and am not my childrens best friend. I am the father, the parent, and we have a responsiblity to them to act like it. People are so worried about spanking the kids nowadays because it may hurt them physically or make them feel bad that we overlook the mental, upright upbringing we are also responsible for. Whether people will admit it or not, there is good and evil in this world, right and wrong. And if you have been blessed with little ones to raise and get them on the right track in life then I think it is worth that little effort to do that. We should not be lazy in our parenting. If as a parent someone's been raising ther child under certain beliefs and those beliefs are eradicated by viewing one movie, I'd say that person failed as a parent.  Besides, if it wasn't for all of the media hoopla, this movie would have been forgotten within a few months of its release as are most films.  And how many children (again, without the aid of the media sensationalism) would be able to pick up on the symbolism in the film and relate it to religion?   http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27201 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27201 If as a parent someone's been raising ther child under certain beliefs and those beliefs are eradicated by viewing one movie, I'd say that person failed as a parent.  Besides, if it wasn't for all of the media hoopla, this movie would have been forgotten within a few months of its release as are most films.  And how many children (again, without the aid of the media sensationalism) would be able to pick up on the symbolism in the film and relate it to religion?   The movie is being warned about because the "bad guy" in the movie is a corrupt ruling church-like organization.  I doubt children would think that this corrupt ruling government is actually THEIR church or Christianity in America.  I bet some wouldn't think that even if you told them to!  That's how my kids are, "Uh uh, that's not anything like our church!"  I think issues that could be discussed after viewing the film would be "democracy vs tyranny" "not aligning yourself with a corrupt church or group" "could a church become corrupt" "have churches ever been corrupt in our history" "How is your God different from the god in this movie?"  "What would you do if you were in ::main character's:: place"  Just some ideas.  All we know about the movie is the offense that people have taken after hearing that it is anti-Christian.  We haven't even seen the movie.  The author of the books is an atheist and a rude one at that.  That is what people feel so strongly about. I challenge a few brave parents to view the movie together and give Mr. Lewis an interview with their honest intelligent reactions.  Would it shake your faith to watch a movie where the ruling bad guys are a corrupt church?  Did you really think the church in the movie was your church or Christianity?  Would you take your children to see this movie?  Were the warnings about the movie accurate?  Do you think you would have taken offense to the movie if you were told that the bad church was symbolic of false religion?  Also, if these brave parents take their children, maybe Mr. Lewis could interview the children?  He could even ask them if they think the bad-guy in the movie was similar to their church.  I bet it isn't. ;) http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27212 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27212 The movie is being warned about because the "bad guy" in the movie is a corrupt ruling church-like organization.  I doubt children would think that this corrupt ruling government is actually THEIR church or Christianity in America.  I bet some wouldn't think that even if you told them to!  That's how my kids are, "Uh uh, that's not anything like our church!"  I think issues that could be discussed after viewing the film would be "democracy vs tyranny" "not aligning yourself with a corrupt church or group" "could a church become corrupt" "have churches ever been corrupt in our history" "How is your God different from the god in this movie?"  "What would you do if you were in ::main character's:: place"  Just some ideas.  All we know about the movie is the offense that people have taken after hearing that it is anti-Christian.  We haven't even seen the movie.  The author of the books is an atheist and a rude one at that.  That is what people feel so strongly about. I challenge a few brave parents to view the movie together and give Mr. Lewis an interview with their honest intelligent reactions.  Would it shake your faith to watch a movie where the ruling bad guys are a corrupt church?  Did you really think the church in the movie was your church or Christianity?  Would you take your children to see this movie?  Were the warnings about the movie accurate?  Do you think you would have taken offense to the movie if you were told that the bad church was symbolic of false religion?  Also, if these brave parents take their children, maybe Mr. Lewis could interview the children?  He could even ask them if they think the bad-guy in the movie was similar to their church.  I bet it isn't. ;) This reminds me of the drama surrounding Harry Potter.  Remember that?  All of our children were going to turn to witchcraft and become magicians.  If people are so insecure about their religion, then they should not see the movie.  If you are secure in your faith, a movie isn't going to shake it.  Besides, from what I've seen of this movie, it's not worth the price anyway.  Cool down.  http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27216 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27216 This reminds me of the drama surrounding Harry Potter.  Remember that?  All of our children were going to turn to witchcraft and become magicians.  If people are so insecure about their religion, then they should not see the movie.  If you are secure in your faith, a movie isn't going to shake it.  Besides, from what I've seen of this movie, it's not worth the price anyway.  Cool down.  Before Harry Potter there were warnings against Cabbage Patch dolls, Smurfs, and even home interior.  When I was a child, back in the 70s, people decorated their homes in frogs and mushrooms.  Remember that?  You know, like in the 80s people decorated with paisleys.  This decor (frogs and mushrooms) was warned about by a few Christians.  I remember as a child I thought these people were crazy.  Frogs were considered satanic because the string of logic went something like: frogs come out at night, frogs are creatures of the night, night is dark, dark is satan.  I'm serious!  When people put these types of issues before relationships and the way they treat and interact with others they are doing more harm than any movie ever could.  You and I do more damage to "the church" than any movie ever could.  Having experienced these many warnings as a child it makes me more skeptical as an adult.  I don't believe everything I hear, in fact, it makes me want to "find out for myself."  Maybe this negative publicity is actually clever advertising!  I didn't give the movie a thought until all the hoopla. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27220 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27220 Before Harry Potter there were warnings against Cabbage Patch dolls, Smurfs, and even home interior.  When I was a child, back in the 70s, people decorated their homes in frogs and mushrooms.  Remember that?  You know, like in the 80s people decorated with paisleys.  This decor (frogs and mushrooms) was warned about by a few Christians.  I remember as a child I thought these people were crazy.  Frogs were considered satanic because the string of logic went something like: frogs come out at night, frogs are creatures of the night, night is dark, dark is satan.  I'm serious!  When people put these types of issues before relationships and the way they treat and interact with others they are doing more harm than any movie ever could.  You and I do more damage to "the church" than any movie ever could.  Having experienced these many warnings as a child it makes me more skeptical as an adult.  I don't believe everything I hear, in fact, it makes me want to "find out for myself."  Maybe this negative publicity is actually clever advertising!  I didn't give the movie a thought until all the hoopla. I did not say to not take them, I said to go see it yourself FIRST. Then instead of letting someone else say to not take your kids, you make the decision to take the kids. If you decide that the reviewers were 8 up you can take them and enjoy it together, watching the reactions of them and have an answer if they hit you with a "why are they doing that" question. I am speaking about young children here.     You people take things way out of context. And like was said, it may not be worth the money to take them after you see it. Boy, have we seen so many movies that just are not worth the ticket price nowadays. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27234 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27234 I did not say to not take them, I said to go see it yourself FIRST. Then instead of letting someone else say to not take your kids, you make the decision to take the kids. If you decide that the reviewers were 8 up you can take them and enjoy it together, watching the reactions of them and have an answer if they hit you with a "why are they doing that" question. I am speaking about young children here.     You people take things way out of context. And like was said, it may not be worth the money to take them after you see it. Boy, have we seen so many movies that just are not worth the ticket price nowadays. A movie that is based upon books that attack Christianity and in the last book "kill off God" because he's supposedly old and uselss doesn't deserve my family's patronage.  Fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, even biography, some things are still sacred, like moms :-} , and should be respected. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27248 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27248 A movie that is based upon books that attack Christianity and in the last book "kill off God" because he's supposedly old and uselss doesn't deserve my family's patronage.  Fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, even biography, some things are still sacred, like moms :-} , and should be respected. Triangle, I'm sure Mr. Pullman KNOWS that not many children are secure in their faith and are very impressionable. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27250 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27250 Triangle, I'm sure Mr. Pullman KNOWS that not many children are secure in their faith and are very impressionable. What's being missed here is, yes, the movie is relatively innocuous and entertaining - that's the point!  The concern is that children will be curious about the books and want to read them.  The first book, THE GOLDEN COMPASS is basically as innocuous as the film but subtly different.  The second and third books, THE SUBTLE KNIFE and THE AMBER SPYGLASS however, get worse and worse.   THE AMBER SPYGLASS has children killing God so everyone is free to  do anything they want.  Throughout the trilogy the theme is that religion (God) is oppressive and evil - an historical claim made by atheists.  In an interview, Pullman, an avowed atheist, said he wants to "kill the idea  of God in children."   The film is an attempt to draw the children in.  There are detailed reviews of each book online to check it out as well as interviews with Pullman.  People can laugh and claim that this is silly hysteria; all I'm suggesting is  that parents spend some time researching the books instead of listening to the Hollywood hype about this "wonderful childrens' film."  http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27252 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27252 What's being missed here is, yes, the movie is relatively innocuous and entertaining - that's the point!  The concern is that children will be curious about the books and want to read them.  The first book, THE GOLDEN COMPASS is basically as innocuous as the film but subtly different.  The second and third books, THE SUBTLE KNIFE and THE AMBER SPYGLASS however, get worse and worse.   THE AMBER SPYGLASS has children killing God so everyone is free to  do anything they want.  Throughout the trilogy the theme is that religion (God) is oppressive and evil - an historical claim made by atheists.  In an interview, Pullman, an avowed atheist, said he wants to "kill the idea  of God in children."   The film is an attempt to draw the children in.  There are detailed reviews of each book online to check it out as well as interviews with Pullman.  People can laugh and claim that this is silly hysteria; all I'm suggesting is  that parents spend some time researching the books instead of listening to the Hollywood hype about this "wonderful childrens' film."  Is the movie rated PG-13?  If so, the movie is geared towards teens and adults.  I just talked with a friend of mine who is a pastor's wife and whose opinion I really value and she said that she just doesn't want her money going to such an openly anti-Christian person.  That logic and reasoning actually makes more sense than the "throwing children to the godless" or the "lazy parent" reasoning.  My 15 year old might think the movie is too silly looking anyway.  But, I am still curious and I wonder:  If someone told me "that the corrupted church in the movie was symbolic of a false religion" would I see the movie in the same way compared to if someone told me the movie was anti-Christian and that the church in the movie was our church.  http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27268 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27268 Is the movie rated PG-13?  If so, the movie is geared towards teens and adults.  I just talked with a friend of mine who is a pastor's wife and whose opinion I really value and she said that she just doesn't want her money going to such an openly anti-Christian person.  That logic and reasoning actually makes more sense than the "throwing children to the godless" or the "lazy parent" reasoning.  My 15 year old might think the movie is too silly looking anyway.  But, I am still curious and I wonder:  If someone told me "that the corrupted church in the movie was symbolic of a false religion" would I see the movie in the same way compared to if someone told me the movie was anti-Christian and that the church in the movie was our church.  Rebecca,    You would see the movie as you have learned to look at things and should be able to tell if it is good or not, real or not. That is what a parent or adult has over a young child, that life time of learning to tell the difference. Like one of my sons was trying to get me to allow him to do something he told me about, acting like nothing was going on. I told him no because there was going to be this and that. He looked carzy at me and asked how did you know. My wife told him because your dad had been there and done or seen that. That is called guiding your children.   Again, all I am saying is that when a warning sign is up you do the foot work to make the decision to let your child do something or not. I am not calling anybody a bad parent, just I belief the kids are worth a little effort to help keep them in the road. Let them explore and learn, but help in guiding them. No, Harry Potter, Halloween, and all does not bother me.  But there is evil, of that I am sure. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27449 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/BjLewis/5956/#c_27449 Rebecca,    You would see the movie as you have learned to look at things and should be able to tell if it is good or not, real or not. That is what a parent or adult has over a young child, that life time of learning to tell the difference. Like one of my sons was trying to get me to allow him to do something he told me about, acting like nothing was going on. I told him no because there was going to be this and that. He looked carzy at me and asked how did you know. My wife told him because your dad had been there and done or seen that. That is called guiding your children.   Again, all I am saying is that when a warning sign is up you do the foot work to make the decision to let your child do something or not. I am not calling anybody a bad parent, just I belief the kids are worth a little effort to help keep them in the road. Let them explore and learn, but help in guiding them. No, Harry Potter, Halloween, and all does not bother me.  But there is evil, of that I am sure.