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Stop complaining about The Golden Compass Movie and get a life!
Friday, November 23, 2007 at 4:40PM 
Not too long ago, I received an email that was being forwarded to maybe thousands of people concerning The Golden Compass movie. Now, there is even more trouble surrounding the film. It has created the ever growing Golden Compass controversy.
Religious leaders and other individuals (from backgrounds of Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, etc.)are in an uproar about the storylines surrounding The Golden Compass movie. Many claim that this upcoming film starring actress Nicole Kidman places subliminal messages in the movie to make children turn against God. While there is a valid reason for some religious or spiritual parents and other adults to be concerned about influences that The Golden Compass movie might have on children, the controversy surrounding it is overrated. This film looks like it is going to be fun for children and adults alike to watch. The imagery is extraordinary and it could be a better alternative to some corny films being released this season.
The Golden Compass Controversy has gone so far as to become an example of how people want others to follow in their beliefs without question. The Golden Compass Movie is said to be based on popular childrens books written by an Athiest. When I became familiar with The Golden Compass movie, I saw it as a "film" that may be interesting and nothing more. That is exactly what those who are trying to bash this film should do. It is just entertainment. If you are so concerned with your child being influenced by "subliminal messages" in The Golden Compass, do not take your kid(s) to go see it. Is it really that difficult to ignore a movie that you do not want to see? No, there isn't. That is exactly why dozens of films bomb at the box office every year. People who do not want to see them opt for other movies of interest.
Not taking your kids(s) to the movie theater is one simple solution that does not seem to be registering with everyone who is rallying against The Golden Compass. Men and women feel so strongly about the "messages" that the movie sends to children who watch it. Now as silly as it may sound, if one movie can completely convert your child into an athiest or turn them against God, then The Golden Compass is the least of your problems. Children who are brought up under certain beliefs or ways of life will continue to grow into those beliefs until they question them or become adults and decide to change them. While you cannot do much about someone who is an adult, the questions that MAY (Keyword "may" here because you're not going to be able to pre-determine what a child will get out of this movie) arise out of children seeing this movie may actually be why some people are against it.
Those who are not in support of The Golden Compass due to religious reasons may indeed be afraid of the questions that their children may ask them. This fear may come from them not thinking that they can provided adequate answers for these questions which MAY in turn, cause the children to questions their beliefs and move toward other ways of thinking when it comes to morals and spirituality. However, that remains a biased reason to keep your kids from seeing The Golden Compass movie and even going so far as to encourage others to do the same and skip this film when it comes out.
Every movie is not suited for all individuals or their children and The Golden Compass may just be one of those movies. What makes The Golden Compass controversy so annoying is that many of the people in an uproar about this film do not plan on seeing it and will not go to see it because they know that they have that option yet continue to stir up trouble for the movie. It isn't just about them. Instead, they make it about everyone else too. These people do not just want to skip the movie, but they want you and I to do the same. That is where it becomes a matter of imposing your religious and moral beliefs onto others.
The email that I received included information stating "what's REALLY behind the story" and how we must "read between the lines" about The Golden Compass movie and do not go to see it. Much like some other chain emails, I could also forward it to other people that I knew, to let them know what is really going on with this movie so they could "think twice" before taking their children to see The Golden Compass. I could easily dismiss such an email, but it was not very bothersome. What came after made me realize how strongly people feel about The Golden Compass movie and how far many will go to stop others from seeing it. There are discussions about it on the internet and even stories on the news about how "bad" this movie is for children.
One recent news story included a school principal who is sending out letters to parents "warning" them about The Golden Compass. This principal is not only against the movie herself, but she wants other parents to follow suit. There is something wrong with that picture.
The Golden Compass will be in Theaters on December 7, 2007.
Are you going to see this movie?
Do you think that it will have a negative influence on children?
Leave your comments below.
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Reader Comments (7)
I think this presents a very distorted view of religious opposition to this movie--as would any statement based on the content of one of those bizarre emails that makes the rounds.
It is true that the Catholic League has recommended against taking children to the movie, not because of any subliminal messages or other conspiracy-theory nonsense and not because of anything we might find when "reading between the lines", but because of the content of the associated series of books--the warning is simply intended to keep unsuspecting parents from buying the books for their children without knowing what's in them.
Personally, as a Catholic mother whose child brought the book home from school after a strong recommendation from one of her teachers, I've offered to read it with her. I don't know what's in it, and it may be simply an opportunity to read together--we do that every night, anyway. If it turns out there are messages in the book that concern me, we'll talk about them as they arise...and no, I don't have any fear that I "might not have good answers" if that occurs.
It's always funny to see these religious leaders complaining about something they don't know.
Especially the catholic church is so narrowminded. I guess thats why i left the roman catholic church some 10 years ago.
This is just pure propaganda and i thought that things would be different in the 21st century.
I remember the BC discussion about this...
I do not believe in banning movies or books. As you said if it goes against what you perceive as your beliefs, stay away from the movie and don't buy the book.
Look at all the books that groups have attempted to have banned for one reason or another including Huckleberry Finn.
I suppose where I draw the line is when revisionists try to foist obvious lies on the public. But even then banning books is a dangerous practice for any democracy to engage in.
Rockstories,
The Catholic League's recommendations and the chain emails are two different things that both play a part in trying to get people to stop seeing the movie. I checked out a report on this uproar and you are right, the warnings are so that unsuspecting parents won't buy the books for their children without being familiar with the content.
It is fantastic that you are able to talk to your children and are not worried about having to give them answers to questions that they may have. However, I think many people are trying to keep others from seeing this movie and do not want their children to see it because they are indeed worried about having to answer questions and justify things that they would not have to otherwise if their children did not see the movie and then want the books.
Sasha,
There are some things are different these days and have made it much better in our society, but not all things different even in the 21st Century so I agree in that respect. The Roman Catholic Church may not be for everyone, which is why it is great to have an open mind. Catholic beliefs and opinions usually tend to be on the positive side of things, so that is still better than some other cults and religious groups who really impose their beliefs onto others.
I guess it all comes down to what works for each person. Thanks a lot for your feedback on this blog.
rolly and Purple Angel,
Thanks for your feedback.