[NYer]

[NYer]

Watch a video of the Catholic League's Bill Donohue discussing this issue here.

A film called "The Golden Compass" opens December 7. It is based on the first book of a trilogy titled His Dark Materials. The author of this children's fantasy is Philip Pullman, a noted English atheist. It is his objective to bash Christianity and promote atheism. To kids. "The Golden Compass" is a film version of the book by that name, and it is being toned down so that Catholics, as well as Protestants, are not enraged.

The second book of the trilogy, The Subtle Knife, is more overt in its hatred of Christianity than the first book, and the third entry, The Amber Spyglass, is even more blatant. Because "The Golden Compass" is based on the least offensive of the three books, and because it is being further watered down for the big screen, some might wonder why parents should be wary of the film.

The Catholic League wants Christians to stay away from this movie precisely because it knows that the film is bait for the books: unsuspecting parents who take their children to see the movie may be impelled to buy the three books as a Christmas present. And no parent who wants to bring their children up in the faith will want any part of these books.

"The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked" is the Catholic League's response. It provides information about the film, "The Golden Compass," and details what book reviewers have said about Pullman's books; a synopsis of his trilogy is also included.

If you would like to order copies, you can do so by sending $5 (includes shipping and handling) to:
 
Catholic League
Publications Dept.
450 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10123

Or order using our online form. (If you choose an electronic copy, a pdf will me emailed to you.)
 
On orders of 10 or more, the cost is $3 per copy.
 
It is important that all Christians, especially those with children or grandchildren, read this booklet. Anyone who does will be armed with all the ammo they need to convince friends and family members that there is nothing innocent about Pullman's agenda. Though the movie promises to be fairly non-controversial, it may very well act as an inducement to buy Pullman's trilogy, His Dark Materials. And remember, his twin goals are to promote atheism and denigrate Christianity. To kids.
 
Please get the word out.

---

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[Disambiguator]

The ACLU should sue the movie producers for not being Anti-Christian enough.

[gridlock]

I have not read the books, and will admit that I was looking forward to the movie. I may have to reconsider.

[Biblebelter]

The expected blockbuster,

I would take the other side of the bet. Niclole Kidman has been on losing streak lately picking films and husbands for that matter.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

“It seems that religion has now completely conquered America's cultural life and it is much the poorer for it," she said in The Guardian newspaper Sunday.

This would be news.

I think the producers are just trying to make some money.

[chae]

Thanks for posting this. I was planning on taking my 12 year-old to see this movie, and a couple days ago nearly bought him the book. Yikes.
On a different note, does anyone know anything about the Spiderwick movie?

[ikka]

Philip Pullman is also the nimrod who wrote several columns attacking CS Lewis when the Narnia films came out.

[G8 Diplomat]

I saw the preview for this movie. It looked like one of the stupidest things I’ve ever seen. With the talking animals I thought it looked like a ripoff of Narnia. And if it’s anti-Catholic I definitely wouldn’t pay to see it (I am a Catholic). Go see The Kingdom instead. It’s definitely worth your time.

[Tijeras_Slim]

What gives? I thought global warming killed all the polar bears.

[aruanan]

The original children’s novel, part of Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” series, rejects organized religion – in particular, the Catholic Church – and critics of the movie version say the anti-religious elements of the book have been taken out of the storyline so as not to offend faithful moviegoers in the United Kingdom and United States.

It really doesn't, as anyone who has actually read the books will understand. Given the worldview of the books, the parts of the organization being slammed and the reasons for which they are slammed are all legitimate.

[gridlock]

...Pullman has found support from some Christians – most notably Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams.

Let's not jump to any conclusions about Dr. Williams...

[Psycho_Bunny]

Didn't hear all these complaints when the Islamic, Palestinian villains in Clancy's Sum of All Fears were replaced with white, right-wingers.....................

[VOA]

“Critics Slam ‘Golden Compass’ Movie for ‘Castrating’ Anti-Church Themes “

This sounds like the argument of Himmler (who spent a load of money
looking for ancient Aryans) with Hitler, who was afraid that the German masses
would figure out the long-range Nazi plan was to destroy Jews...
then to wipe out Christianity.
Hitler feared that Himmler might “tip their hand” too early!

For the movie critics, the film makers aren’t being “pure enough” with
the atheist themes in the source novels...but the director of the
movie is wise enough to know that incrementalism is the way to go
in “killing G-d”.

Heck, why should a film-maker give away the real agenda and suffer at
the box-office?!
Better to water down the deicide and amp it up in the sequel films!!!

Source on the Himmler/Hitler intersection is from the FIVE-STAR
rated book listed below:

The Master Plan: Himmler’s Scholars and the Holocaust
by Heather Pringle
http://www.amazon.com/Master-Plan-Himmlers-Scholars-Holocaust/dp/B000RG1E2U/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-6331327-2071827?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193697834&sr=1-1

[fgoodwin]

Please ping the Anglican List; relevant quote follows:

Although he is a self-professed atheist and a supporter of the British Humanist Association, Pullman has found support from some Christians – most notably Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams. They point out that the English writer’s negative portrayal of the "Church" in “His Dark Materials” amounts to an attack on dogmatism and the use of religion to oppress, not on Christianity itself. Williams has gone so far as to propose that “His Dark Materials” be taught as part of religious education in schools.

Others, however, view the “His Dark Materials” series as a direct rebuttal of C. S. Lewis' series “The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” as both feature children facing adult moral choices, talking animals, religious allegories, parallel worlds, and concern the ultimate fate of those worlds. Furthermore, the first published book from “Narnia” begins with a young girl hiding in a wardrobe, as does the first “His Dark Materials” book.

[Peanut Gallery]

Although he is a self-professed atheist and a supporter of the British Humanist Association, Pullman has found support from some Christians – most notably Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams. They point out that the English writer’s negative portrayal of the "Church" in “His Dark Materials” amounts to an attack on dogmatism and the use of religion to oppress, not on Christianity itself. Williams has gone so far as to propose that “His Dark Materials” be taught as part of religious education in schools.

Interesting. Mr. Williams wants children to read these books to learn about Christianity.

I have read the first book. I wanted to screen it before letting my son read it. It was pretty harmless as far as relating to real life religion. The book was written very well, and was quite clever in bringing in innocent readers (not unlike the General Oblation Board, LOL).

My sincere opinion is that if it's read strictly as fiction, and not as (anti-)religious symbolism, then this is a great book. I understand that the next books are not as subtle, so reading them in this manner may not be possible. If I let my children read these books at all, I would definitely want to monitor and discuss the books with them - not just allow them to read the books indiscriminately.

[Terriergal]

I’m torn over this too — of course I don’t like it but...

Isn’t Star Trek essentially the same kind of thing? Religious folk are often portrayed as narrow minded, political and bigoted, the gospel of Gene Roddenberry was that we are constantly evolving upward etc. etc...

Same basic principle isn’t it?

[HarleyD]

Personally I don’t get worked up over movies or books-of just about any type. People should read and think, regardless of the message. We’re far too sensitive these days. The world is full of deceptive trappings much more subtle than this. God’s light always shines through and His will will be done.

Would I go and see this movie? Probably not. As one person stated it looks boring and from what I saw in the previews, the special effects look chinzy. This hype is simply free publicity.

[Little Ray]

My family is not going to watch it. Period.