i just saw the previews on TV for this movie. My MIL sent this to me today. I don't know how true it is but thought I would pass it on.



Golden Compass "childrens" movie F.Y.I.


WE MUST BE INFORMED

Subject: NBBC Alert: Golden Compass "children's" movie
Importance: High
THE GOLDEN COMPASS, a new movie targeted at children, will be released December 7, 2007. This movie is based on a the first book of a trilogy by atheist Philip Pullman. In the final book a boy and girl kill God so they can do as they please. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "My books are about killing God."

The movie is a watered down version of the first book and is designed to be very attractive in the hope unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the the movie and that the children will want the books for Christmas.

The movie has a well known cast, including Nicole Kidman, Kevin Bacon, and Sam Elliott. It will probably be advertised extensively, so it is crucial that we get the word out to warn parents to avoid this movie.

You can research this for yourself. Start with this article on Snopes.com, then go to Google.

Urban Legends Reference Pages: The Golden Compass

I got the same email. I know I won't be seeing it. It is ashame they are trying to take God out of everything now.. And when we need him the most.

This is being passed around in Christian emails - I thank you for posting it on a public board.

I'm seeing the movie....maybe not in the theater, but when I can rent it.

I believe in being informed.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

I have very strong beliefs in God. That said I have read all 3 of the books and do plan to go to the movie. I might take my ds but he is 23 and also has read them. We both read tons of books. If I never read something that I disagreed with or had different views on I think I wouldn't understand others in this world. At the time I read them (it's been awhile) I really didn't think they were as bad as some people are saying though. You have to make your own choices about it for your children. I wouldn't take a little one unless I watched it first if I was concerned.

I read the first book...now I am going to have to re-read it and get the other 2. The author has strong beliefs that are anti-organized religion. I do not think he is trying to steal masses of Christian children over to the "dark side" as he is being portrayed. I bet Mr. Pullman has seen The Passion & Chronicles of Narnia. While he might not agree with their messages I would hope that he is willing to accept them as other points of view. Pullman really is not evil just like JK Rowling is not evil. They write stories from a different perspective and their views are worthy of listening to and discussing.

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TLJ ~ Women United in Spirit

I'll be seeing this in the theater. I think it looks amazing! Below, you will find a link to wikipedia regarding Philip Pullman and his views.

Philip Pullman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

My kids and most of the people I know IRL will not be seeing this movie or supporting it in anyway. For me it's not about being narrow minded, it's about supporting ( or not supporting) something I believe.

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"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ----Edmund Burke

Me too! Gotta stand up for what you believe in and I don't think this is as harmless as some people want to believe.

As an English teacher, I can respect the above comment from a book lover that enjoys reading and will see the movie. Lots of books, when they came out, were controversial back in the day and are now considered classics. I enjoy literature as much as the next person (probably more considering I received my degree in it!) but I do monitor what my children watch and how their consumerism mindset kicks in from different types of movies.

This was just a public service announcement for parents to be well-informed of what they are taking their kids to see. Thanks again for posting.

Don't forget, anyone can edit wikipedia.... Just an FYI.

Didn't a lot of people feel that Harry Potter was "bad" or "evil" when those were first released? I don't know, I haven't read an of these books, so I can't comment. But I would and will never base my decision on whether something was good/bad on what others say. I would want to read it myself. And make my own determination

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

ditto!!!!
I grew up just a few miles from teh broceliande forest(where merlin the wizard lived!!!)and for us it is real ,not just a fable....it is quite a magical place.you can still see teh tree where the "lady of the lake" imprisoned Merlin.but for some people this is evil ,the druids ,teh powers...teh legends of king arthur....

I am so intrigued by this movie,that we will be seeing it.

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By the time you make ends meet, they move the ends

oh yes preschool is already in an uproar about themovie..

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Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Rogers

This would not be a movie for preschoolers. Not sure I would let preschoolers watch Harry Potter and this should be way more intense than that. Not sure what grade levels read the books but I would think higher elementary and maybe middle school.

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TLJ ~ Women United in Spirit

I saw the commercials. It looks really good, and I'll most likely will see it.

I do understand why some would choose to not see it though.

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l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

I know nothing about the books or the movie. I didn't even google it yet. That being said, I'm not sure that I could be "entertained" by a movie or book that "killed" God. I don't think that is being narrowminded or not wanting to see other's points of view. I love to learn from points of view other than my own, there are just better ways to do that.

You can also go to snopes.com and search for "Golden Compass" - you will find out more than you want to know about Pullman's religous beliefs/philosophies here and at numerous other sites now coming up.

On doing other research, I read that Pullman actually detests the C.S. Lewis series of books, and was driven to put out such a trilogy of books (and now the 1st of a series of movies) as his response, in a sense.

To compare this movie and book trilogy with the "controversy" of the Harry Potter is moot. Many religious groups felt threatened by the witchcraft themes of Harry Potter. However, this is a different matter - making God the character that the audience turns against in this "family" movie -- and right during the heart of Christmas season, when most families would be assuming that it would be a harmless 'feel good' movie - that is really bold.

It will be interesting to see how well this movie does. I just hope that there is enough buzz about the real themes of this movie and its book trilogy, that people don't end up taking their children to see it without being aware of its real themes.

have you read it?

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

No, Marilyn.

I am not one of those people who feel that they have to read something that they believe will make them sick just to prove that it WAS that bad. Just like if someone says that root canals are the worst type of pain, I'm happpy to take their word for it...

BTW, it's not like there is any mystery here - Pullman is very open about the topic of his movie. Read the articles.

I am perfectly content with the research I have done, and to make my informed decision based on that. For others, who are curious and want to experience it firsthand, I say go for it. But I'm not wasting my time, and more than that -- I'm not giving Pullman ANY of my money in royalties to confirm what I've already found out.

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If it looks like a duck, and acts like a duck...

*sigh* I have read the articles.....I guess my point is: You are going to base your opinion on what others are saying.

I'll give you an example: A church that we attended (briefly) said some very derogatory remarks about the Mormon church and the Book of Mormon. When asked if they actually had any personal experiences w/ the LDS church or had read the Book of Mormon the answer was NO...they trusted the Pastor who had told them all about it. Now, I having read the Book of Mormon and having experience w/ the LDS could not understand why these seemingly intelligent people would allow themselves to not research the matter themselves. I suggested that they actually read the Book of Mormon and then come back and we could discuss. Well, that was as if I had suggested they go and kill a fatted calf and worship the god of red mud! I actually had one tell me that by reading the Book of Mormon he would condemn himself to hell! Needless to say--We no longer attend that church. I am not a sheep to be herded and told what to think or believe.

I guess I am too independent of a thinker! There is no way I would base my opinion on a book or a song or a group of people based strictly on what others have said. I have no issue reading this book or any other book for that matter--regardless of what the author professes to believe or what the author says the book is about. With FICTION especially you get out of the book what you put into it.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

*sigh* I have read the articles.....I guess my point is: You are going to base your opinion on what others are saying.


Yes, Marilyn, - that is exactly what I'm doing.

And you're pulled in enough by the whole concept that you will invest your valuable time and resources into coming to your own conclusion. Exactly the kind of consumer Pullman is looking for.

So we agree to disagree, then?

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If it looks like a duck, and acts like a duck...

devinmom....then it must be a duck???

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

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yes, we can agree to disagree...
I'm not pulled in by any concept other than I do not let others dictate my beliefs. I prefer to make my own decisions about what to believe based on my own personal experience. I have never read any book w/ the preconceived notion that it was evil--nor have I read any book w/ the preconceived notion that it was the best piece of literary work I could ever lay my hands on. It's called having an open mind....
I've read the Necronominom (and I know I've misspelled that...) and various other "bad/evil" books if for no other reason than to KNOW for my self what is contained in the book so I can understand maybe not WHY someone believes something, but what it is they believe in. It doesn't mean I agree or that I will suddenly go to a Satanic ritual--it just means that the more knowledge I have, the more I can "fight" what is wrong in the world.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Sometimes the very people who profess to be the most open-minded end up making the best target audience for any new book/product/trend that comes down the pike.

I'm not falling for it. And instead of considering it closed-mindedness, let's call it an informed decision to just say no. Life is far too short to read books just so I can claim that I did - it isn't as impressive as it may seem - there are no score-keepers. I'm a voracious reader - but because my time is precious to me, I require that my books be more than simply controversial.

I hope you enjoy your reading, though, M. I'm assuming you will read it, right?

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If it looks like a duck and acts like a duck...

Honestly? I'm not sure that I'll read it...I'm more of aDean Koontz or James Patterson or Tami Hoag or Patricia Cornwell, girl.
But until I *do* read it--I won't judge

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I don't consider myself a misguided consumer at all...

I have read the articles, not the book, not sure if I will... If someone is interested/curious but does not want to contribute to royalties, there is always the public library...

I do think that sometimes the opposing views/opinions can be a learning experience.... and especially an open invitation to discussion, which can and does lead, most of the time, reaffirmation of one's own beliefs...

JMTCW

I am almost through the third book in the trilogy. I started reading them because I knew the mmovie was coming out, and I love to tell everyone how bad the movie was compared to the book....that being said, when I finished "the Golden Compass", the first book in the trilogy, I thought it was kind of a poor man's Narnia. After reading the second, (the Subtle Knife ) and almost finishing the last book (the Amber Spyglass) I can tell you the forces the child in the book are fighting against are the Church, and the Authority (who is an angel risen to godliness, but not the creator himself). seemed anti God to me, no matter what your beliefs are. I am in the last thid of the final book, and the children are entering the land of the dead (after being informed by an angel the concept of paradise in heaven is not true). I will post again after I have finished the series.
I can tell you the first book, Golden Compass, does not delve into the God is evil bit much, more a hint of corruption in the church.
To ell you the truth, the books are not nearly as good as the really great fanasy stories like Narnia, Lord of the Rings , the Earthsea Trilogy or Star Wars for that matter....JMO