So what does everyone think about the religious controversy over the movie The Golden Compass? Any religious people have an opinion?

Yes. I think that Northern Lights is a better name :p


On a serious note, I don't think it's a problem really. I can see where some of the hardline christians might have a problem, but personally I think it's a good story, well written, and I hope the movie will be as good. It's good to see Daniel Craig in a lead role, showing it hasn't been completely Americanised. I don't think it's any more offensive than Harry Potter or the Da Vinci Code (much less than the Da Vinci Code, in fact, because that was a really badly written book...).

I am on part 2 of the book.
To be honest it is the first book that has held my interest in quite a while.
I am enjoying it. I can't figure out the good guys or the bad guys so I keep reading just so I will eventually get it straight.
I am far from religious but even when I went to church I don't think this would have been taken away from me.
It so far has been a great story.

I have neither read it nor watched it... I've had the book on my shelf for around 4 years... and I still haven't gotten around to reading...

I'm a Christian, but not one of those "shove Jesus down your throat" Christians. I don't really like the fact that this movie is aimed for children audiences. It would be different if it were a movie for adults, because most adults don't try to copy things they watch in movies. On the other hand, children usually try to imitate things they see on television or on movies. That was just my opinion.

But equally, I don't think kids will read so deeply into it.

If there is any controversy over The Golden Compass, there should also be controversy over Narnia, the Bible, the Origin of Species, and any other work ever published by humans. No text, no matter how subtle and concealed it may be, is completely free of bias.

Too true, Cicero.

I knew this would happen. From the minute I heard that they were making this book into a movie, I knew that the Christian right would make a fuss over it.

I've been a huge fan of the books since I was a kid. And really, I'm scared I'm going to be disappointed in the movie. But I want to see it anyway. (And Banzai, I think we had this argument before. The Golden Compass is more consistent with the titles of the other two books, each of them referring to an important artifact in the story).

It's true, Pullman is an atheist, and that really comes through in his books. However, the director for this movie has put in an effort to make it as religiously ambiguous as possible, so I don't know what the fuss is about. If kids are at the age where they would be that impressionable from a movie, then they probably aren't old enough to read the books.

Furthermore, the story is fantasy. It has talking armored bears and witches that fly on brooms. And people are honestly afraid of this? If you have to be up-in-arms about something, protest something that matters. There's plenty of things. The war, gay marriage, illegal wire tapping by the government, the war, abortion, reality TV, the war, health care, the decline of the public education system, and of course the war. A fantasy novel/movie is really the worst of our worries. And all this is going to do is bring more publicity to the movie anyway.

I knew this would happen. From the minute I heard that they were making this book into a movie, I knew that the Christian right would make a fuss over it.

Screw the Christian right! I'm the Christian left! (And a sociopath- I really am a walking contradiction :p)

(And Banzai, I think we had this argument before. The Golden Compass is more consistent with the titles of the other two books, each of them referring to an important artifact in the story).

Entirely possible that we have- my memory isn't brilliant when it comes to that sort of thing. I see what you mean, but I feel that Northern Lights as a title was more exciting, less childish and patronising, and of closer philosophical importance to the book itself. Plus, it seems to me to make light of an item which is complex and central to the plot- and is more than just a golden compass. Or perhaps I'm just being too anal... I don't know. I'll go watch it anyway, no matter the title. I guess I'm just picking a fight really :p Same as with the first Harry Potter book's title change.

Entirely possible that we have- my memory isn't brilliant when it comes to that sort of thing. I see what you mean, but I feel that Northern Lights as a title was more exciting, less childish and patronising, and of closer philosophical importance to the book itself. Plus, it seems to me to make light of an item which is complex and central to the plot- and is more than just a golden compass. Or perhaps I'm just being too anal... I don't know. I'll go watch it anyway, no matter the title. I guess I'm just picking a fight really :p Same as with the first Harry Potter book's title change.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you made a comment about it when I initially posted a thread about the release of the movie.

I can understand where you're coming from, though. However, a rose by any other name, right?

Yeah, it's a pointless argument, which most likely exists only because I'm tired and argumentative :)

I thought this looked familiar. I don't think I've read the books at all. But hey, I'm willing to watch it. I'll eventually see it in the video store and go ahhhhh; that's what the guys in the Forum were talking about. I might get it!

If there is any controversy over The Golden Compass, there should also be controversy over Narnia, the Bible, the Origin of Species, and any other work ever published by humans. No text, no matter how subtle and concealed it may be, is completely free of bias.

It's not biased if it is in agreement with THE RIGHT beliefs! ;)

*Crowd murmurs furiously*

I don't get it... I read the books a long time agao, and I don't remember seeing something that ought to spark religious controversy... Maybe my memory is just bad from me being so old...

I'm a buddist.
And to be frank... I don't know what all the fuss is about.
I just see it as a good story.

If you have to be up-in-arms about something, protest something that matters. There's plenty of things. The war, gay marriage, illegal wire tapping by the government, the war, abortion, reality TV, the war, health care, the decline of the public education system, and of course the war. A fantasy novel/movie is really the worst of our worries. And all this is going to do is bring more publicity to the movie anyway.

I absolutely agree with this. People are willing to argue about things like this, which to be perfectly honest seem trivial to me, but then they don't take a stance when it comes to the more important issues.

I honestly think people are being stupid in arguing that this book or film will incite any sort of problem. Yes, I haven't read it. But if you're going to argue that then you may as well remove most films, books, videogames etc from our shelves.

Any book centered around magic currently raises the hackles of conservative Christians, among others. People, it is fiction!

I don't get it... I read the books a long time agao, and I don't remember seeing something that ought to spark religious controversy... Maybe my memory is just bad from me being so old...

In the last book of the series, the two children kill God so they can do what they want.

But it wasn't actually God that was killed. It was simply the figurehead of the Multidimensional church.
The books are very anti-organized religion. But they didn't actually say that there was no supreme being, just that the ones pulling the strings were a bunch of bastards.

Cat among the pigeons here.
I have never heard of the books until last week. They were in the house but I had never picked them up except to put them away.
Now the movie is coming out and the controversy is really going strong.
It got me thinking that the movie makers may have started something to get people interested in the subject and boost their ratings and therefore their profits.

Or maybe they didn't go after the books because they figure nobody reads much any more anyway.

In the last book of the series, the two children kill God so they can do what they want.

Did you read the books?

Love the new avi :D

Although I have not read the book, seen the movie, or know details, I will not attempt to have an opinion on the plotline itself.

However, I do have an opinion about all the controversy.

(Side note: What I do know is that it happens to be anti-God, or anti-Christian, in some way and, correct me if I'm wrong, for I'm not entirely sure of this, that the characters 'kill' God in the story. If I am wrong, please inform me on the matter. I honestly would like to know.)

By the way: I am a Catholic, and the theme of 'killing God' would upset me.

However, I feel that the 'boycotting' against the book and movie is just silly. Anyone with half a brain knows that drawing attention to the 'bad' things about the story will only make more people want to learn about it. It has for me; I plan on reading the book soon, just so I can have an educated opinion about the whole thing, regardless of the plot.

Plus, the majority of the people who are saying that this book should not be read, that this movie should not be viewed, probably don't know much about the story in the first place, except that it is anti-Christianity book. Don't make judgements about something you know nothing about.

Furthermore, I feel that the whole 'banning' is just ridiculous. It infuritates me because I believe very strongly in the freedom of speech. I dont know how it works for those of you who aren't American, but in America we (are supposed)have the right to say what we want, read what we want, and see what we want without fear. To ban this book, that is proof that what this country stands for is malleable, and that would indeed upset me. (Note: I'd probably leave the country. That is not acceptable.) And what would happen after banning? Burning? Hello, Farenheit 451, anybody?

You have the right to believe what you want. So does everybody else, including the author, cinematographers, and actors associated with this story. You dont have to like it, but you better accept it.

There is a line between fiction and nonfiction. This book is fiction. If you have a problem with it, fine. Don't associate yourself with it. Leave it well alone.

(Personally, I have a suspicion that this author is looking for a little controversy. I read an interview with him, and he just seemed to want to start something. Adding to this publicity does nothing more than put money in his pocket, which is probably, ultimately, what he wants. By adding to this fire, you are just helping him along.)

Alright. Rant over. :p It just really infuriates me when people dont have any evidence to back their opinions up. My boyfriend and I are actually talking about this; we're in quite a debate. He believes that it should be banned (He too, is a strong Catholic.), and I, as you well know by now, couldn't disagree more. And honestly, he doesn't have any evidence to back it up, either.

::applauds::

Good to see someone with her head on straight.

I don't really think that Pullman was "looking to start trouble." He is an atheist, and that definitely comes out in his books. However, even with fans of the book saying that the movie is too watered-down and that the director is destroying the meaning of it by attempting to make it religiously ambiguous, Pullman himself has said that he is happy with the film.

"I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief," says Pullman. "Mr. Lewis would think I was doing the Devil's work."

"My books are about killing God."

Quotes from interviews conducted with Pullman. I've also heard that he's publically said his goal is to lure children away from Christianity. I could not, however, find any facts to back this up.

While I do not like the concept of killing God, I recognize that it's a work of fiction. If people want to consider it controversial, so be it; however, there is an abundance of other things that (from a Christian perspective) should be equally controversial, but are not. I'm fine with the movie myself aside for the fact that it is a children's movie, and thus targeting them. Even if it is not Pullman's goal to "lure children from Christianity," showing atheistic beliefs and killing God in a movie for children is certainly a gray area. However, that's were parental discretion comes in.

I'd never heard of the books or the author until the recent announcement of the movie. With that said, I know nothing about the story and won't be doing any research on it. The reason for this has nothing to do with the controversy. It's because I'm not interested. Movies based on "childrens" books have never been my thing. I'm an adult and prefer adult things.

As far as this movie as a children's movie, that is false. Here in the States it was given a PG-13 rating. In other terms there are scenes and themes geared at the teenage and older crowd.

I'd never heard of the books or the author until the recent announcement of the movie. With that said, I know nothing about the story and won't be doing any research on it. The reason for this has nothing to do with the controversy. It's because I'm not interested. Movies based on "childrens" books have never been my thing. I'm an adult and prefer adult things.

As far as this movie as a children's movie, that is false. Here in the States it was given a PG-13 rating. In other terms there are scenes and themes geared at the teenage and older crowd.

So you don't want to see it because it's based off a children's book even though you yourself claim it's not a children's movie? That doesn't make much sense. If it's a children's book, logically the movie would seek to pull in a younger audience.

I always thought that if a piece of fiction is enough to shake your faith then you might want to give up on religion right now. When the whole Da Vinci Code thing started I was baffled. That book is so full of historical and factual inaccuracies I don't understand how anyone with half a brain can feel their faith is threatened by it.

Furthur more, its labled fiction. Hence, not true. Even if Dan Brown claims it is true, ten to one bets that he is only sparking controversy for one reasion. Controversy sells well, very very very well. Hundreds of people I know, never even heard of the book or Dan Brown before Christians began complaining. Heck I think the christian protests were practically free advertisement.

These days, the Christians are a little too defensive for my tastes. If you don't like something, then stay away from it and if you don't want your kids around it keep them away from it. There is no need to go on a rant about the whole thing.

I've never read the Golden Compass, though my interest has certainly been sparked. I want to see the bears in armor. That looks freaking AWESOME!

They looked so cute on the advert! Lmao. Bears in armour :D

There was something about it on the newstonight too. It has Nicole Kidman in it.. am I right? I think she is. But anyways, I wanna see the movie! :p

I think so. I want to see it too...

They looked so cute on the advert! Lmao. Bears in armour :D

Lol!

Should not bears be bare?
Fur what it's worth...

Talking of bears, i just adore polar bears...

How is the book 'The Golden Compass?' I have never read it, though i have heard about it.

It's a good book. I found it a bit slow to get started, but once it did it had me hooked. Not the best of the trilogy, but a superb lead in.

I am reading the first book and I find it really good.
I usually have a hard time getting a book to hold my interest but this one has it.
Have to find the second as I have the third one here as well.
The only reason I don't want to see the movie is Nicole Kidman.
But I guess I can put up with her when it comes out in DVD.
I loved the look of the polar bears when I saw them on the ad.

I'd never heard of the books or the author until the recent announcement of the movie. With that said, I know nothing about the story and won't be doing any research on it. The reason for this has nothing to do with the controversy. It's because I'm not interested. Movies based on "childrens" books have never been my thing. I'm an adult and prefer adult things.

"Adult" things? Like porn?

I think being an adult is more about being responsible for oneself and one's actions than it is about one's taste in movies. Forgive me, but that has to be one of the worst comments I've seen on these boards. If you give up childlike pleasures in favor of being "adult," then your life must not be very happy.

Disclaimer: In judgment of your post, not of you personally or your character.

Should not bears be bare?
Fur what it's worth...

Nice play on words.

The armored bears, or panserbjØrne, are large intelligent bears, comparable in appearance to polar bears, but bigger. They can talk, and are renowned for their skill in metal working. They are wary of humans, though some will allow themselves to be employed as blacksmiths or mercenaries. They can see through human deceit as easily as you or I could see through a window.

A bear's armor is its soul. Each bear creates his own armor out of the strongest metals on Earth, and it is a part of him as much as his claws or his teeth. A bear that is separated from its armor will be depressed and lost, without much of a will to do anything...unless it involves getting his armor back.

Most armored bears live on the frozen island fortress of Svalbard in the far North.

[/geek]

Man, what will i do with all this information about bears?

Man, what will i do with all this information about bears?

Write a spin-off book about what happens to the bear after the movie lol.

I suggest using this information against the bears. According to Stephen Colbert, bears are the #1 threat to America. Everyone knows that if its on the Colbert Report, it must be true!

I personally think if Jesus himself was alive today he wouldn't mind, so why are christians bothered 2000 years later!!!

Actually Jesus would probably disapprove but he would take the high road and as the saying goes "Turn the other cheek."

I think Jesus would have a sense of humour, personally.

I also think he would have thought that the bears were a nice touch.