Postcards from the Funny Farm

You know, people were screaming about The Da Vinci code, too, and I have to be honest, it was one of the best STORIES I have ever read. Yes, fiction. Just like this movie.

Like we both said, see it if you think you’ll enjoy it and then use it as a conversation tool with the kids about what they believe vs. something they saw in the movie.

And..just my opinion..I am Catholic and I think there are some things the Church needs to be worrying about and correcting before they become movie critics. Just my snarky opinion, of course.

Jessica

But a welcome and respected snarky opinion it is! I just got a free pass from one of my wife’s friends so I am sure a review will be up and coming.  I have many Catholic friends so I go to a lot of mass weddings.  I share much in common with Catholics.  I myself am protestant, but my sister recently converted to Catholicism so I see it all as pretty much the same.

What bothers me is the people who have a problem with the book have probably not even read it.  It is purely fiction and for crying out loud, it takes place in another world.  I haven’t seen anyone running around with animals attached to them.  When I see that then I’ll worry.

I agree Karen.  I’ll be seeing this one soon and reporting what I think.  So far, it looks like a lot of fun!

I have no intention of reading the book in which the author, a well-known atheist, has been quoted on many occasions stating the purpose of his books are to "kill God." The focus of the books, and therefore the movie, have been blatently laid out by the author, even if it is "ficiton."

Also, I have been told the first movie is very enticing and reels children in, and two sequels that follow contain much more anti-religous themes.

Hi Mark.  I heard that as well.  I’m always leery of atheist logic, but I have read much to the effect of his message being anti-religion.  I myself am not a fan of religion, and neither was Jesus.  Just something to think about.  I’m wondering what that third sequel will hold myself.

hi, I’m christian but i believe that if your faith is truly solid, nothing can change that, even more something that’s fiction. I’m planning to see the movie with an open mind and it doesn’t mean I support the author. just find the story interesting, but my faith in Jesus will not be moved ’cause I know my God and how real he is in my life

Very well said there Sol.

Hello,
I am a member of a Christian church and I do believe that this movie shouldn’t be watched. Yes, people can say that their faith in God exists and is strong, but yet, you are going against God by giving the author of the book credit for killing God. He did state that his books are meant to "kill God." Why would you pay money to support a guy that is leading poeple away from God.

I am not here to judge anyone. That is my GOd’s job. I am not a religious person either. I just have a lot of love and passion for God.

As I said before I am a devout Christian, and even though I can understand not watching the movie to not put any extra money in the author’s pocket, I do believe it is helpful to be informed of what this is about, and possibly provides a good opportunity to introduce somebody to Christ. It is very similar to the Da Vinci Code, even though it could possibly turn somebody against being a Christian, somebody who is educated in the subject and the story’s historical flaws, you can possibly keep somebody from becoming a non-believer simply by knowing what the flaws or inconsistencies are with the movie.

Art is art, whether it is by a lost atheist or a believer.  I’m into human ideas.  The notion of killing God is just ridiculous.  God doesn’t need us to defend him.

I’m going to weigh the story on whether it is good or not.  Frankly I think this Christian outcry is ill founded.

That is a totally valid statement. God doesn’t need us to defend him. He, the Bible, Jesus, etc. has survived 2000  years with many vowing to "kill"  our God. I do think that sometimes when Christians as a whole try to voice their opinion or discontent with something and it only adds fire to the situation, possibly causing more people to watch the movie.

I am a Christian who has an open mind about religion but i find your comments very disturbing.  The world is headed towards a religious world war that could end life as we know it.  Muslim extremists want to kill every living Christian  on the planet and you think that literature or fantasy films made with the intent to "kill God" are harmless??  Do you think that cigarette promotion to children is harmless?  If everyone knows cigarettes are deadly, including kids, then why do more kids try smoking every day?  Kids love to rebel against the establishment.  Christian’s cannot support planting seeds of doubt to the impressionable mind’s of our youth by encouraging people to see this movie. 

If the author had said this was much ado about nothing then i might have a different opinion but he said that this is the anti Narnia trilogy.  He is an atheist and wants to bring down the church.  I am appalled by his attitude and i will not pay to see this and i will encourage others to boycott it as well.

It is odd how he said he hates the Narnia series.  That troubles me.  In general I have found atheists to be sarcastic and biting toward faith.  The polar bears look cool though and I have a feeling the hoopla is just that.  I will judge the story for what it is.  You may want to check back to read my review after I see it.  If you are right about the content of this movie, I’ll be the first to announce that.

How many of you bible thumping Christians who aren’t going to see it and won’t let your children see it, watched the Harry Potter movies with your children? What’s the difference? Stop getting all bent out of shape over a movie and go with your family to see it! Then maybe you might use it as a tool to teach your children the difference between beliefs and fantasy!

I think the whole thing is a load of crap. If you don’t like the message the movie sends, the solution is a simple one: DON’T GO SEE IT. People really need to be more open minded and realize what fiction is. If we banned everything that was offensive to someone, we wouldn’t have any movies or books! And if we start banning fiction because a few people don’t like it, then what other freedoms will we start to sacrifice so that others aren’t offended?

I agree with some that if your faith is solid, then no movie or book with change how you feel, however, the younger generation can be swayed.  Take a good look at al Quida, they poison children’s minds from the time they are about 4-5 years old, they get drilled into their heads that it’s a good thing to blow yourself up for your country, if you say it enough to them, they will believe it.  As a parent, I would try and think "out of the box" and see how I can put a different point across about what not to do.

It is reasonable to not see a movie because you don’t like the author.  I understand that coming from some Chrstians.  At the same time, if the movie looks interesting, you shouldn’t deprive yourself the chance to see a cool movie just because the writer is an atheist and has been quoted as saying outlandish things about God.  Mathematicians, founders of our country, very key thinkers through time have been atheists.  I think you all should accept that every human mind has value.  I don’t personally think the author of the Golden Compass is trying to indoctrinate children based on the interviews I have read.  It seems the third book is the one that has the theme of "killing God."  But that may be a metaphor for something valuable to us all, Christian and non-Christian.  For example: killing "bookburning" or overt censorship which is what "God" represents to many atheists.

wow-all of these comments are very interesting to me. I admit, I had no desire to see the movie at all until I heard all the controversy about it. Now I am anxious to see if it’s another Da Vinci Code. (which I still stand by as being one of the best books I have ever read, by the way). 

I find it funny that churches/religions are willing to protest a movie, because it’s against religion.  If it even is, have any of you seen the movie?  I’m an Atheist and I went to see The Chronicles of Narnia, that movie has religious undertones.   You don’t see Atheists going out and protesting religious themed, or movies with religious undertones.  Atheists/Agnostics make up about 20% of the United States population and we are growing every year.   People who don’t see a fictional movie because it pokes fun at religion, are the same people who give the FCC so much power.  It’s simple, if you don’t like something you see on televison, or hear on the radio…SHUT IT OFF.  If you don’t agree with a movie, don’t go see it.  There’s no need for this public outcry, it makes the Catholic Church look like a bunch of whining babies.

Hi Scott.  I disagree with the notion of Atheism but I respect your right to believe and think however you want for you and your family.  I agree that the people probably targeted by the book are Catholics.  The Magisterium might be the Vatican.  But any form of religious power can be abused and so I can relate with a "take down" message on that level.  There’s never a need to assault belief though and unfortunately in my life experiences that is what a lot of atheists do.  Make no mistake however: I am excited about seeing this movie apparently written by a notorious atheist writer and reporting my reflections here in a review.

I’m attacked all the time by Christians, I think it’s more obviously the other way around.  I can understand why Atheists get annoyed and angry at times.  People have told me, since I am an Atheist, I am unpatriotic.  Funny, I served 4 years in the Navy, I have an American flag sticker on the back of my vehicles.  Most Christians tell me I have no morals, because Atheists have no morals.  I work for a Law Enforcement agency and I see where the morals aren’t on a daily basis.  Atheists are the least of your worries when it comes to being unethical and immoral. 

I wasn’t even going to see this movie, I didn’t even know it was based on a book written by an Atheist.  Now that I have seen all of this opposition on the news, I am going and taking 10 or so family members along with me.  I think all of this publicity from the Catholic Church is going to make this movie larger than it already was. 

I have started reading the book and although it is brilliant writing, it really is not appropriate for the younger generation.  It is depicted as being a family film.  I don’t have a problem with other people’s religion, or lack thereof, I have a problem with people forcing their beliefs down our throats, which is what this book/movie can do.  Narnia, in my opinion, is subtle, this is not.

@Scott: Well, getting "10 people" in a van to go is kind of gauche isn’t it?  Reminds me of what churches did with the Gibson movie a few years back.  Sorry you feel attacked by Christians.  I do too, and I’m a Christian!  All atheists are not perfect reasonable individuals either though.

@Rose:  Thank you so much for your comment regarding the book.  I’m going to try and get a copy before I see the movie because of what you’ve said.

@all: I found the Spark Notes online:

SparkNotes: His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass

My advice: ignore the summaries and read the chapter analysis interspersed. For me in a word? Troubling. Especially the final chapters summary. I am reconsidering my decision to see it.

Also very helpful reading: Review and many comments from people who have seen....

Knowledge is power.  However, children already have more knowledge than their emotional growth levels can handle, yet adults continually allow their children and teenagers to see things they really don’t think they should.

As for adults, other than that religion is such an emotional issue, how different is watching this movie as entertainment than watching people shoot, maim, and gore each other, both in the name of justice or in the name of evil? Shouldn’t that be equally emotional?

We are all different, we will not all be one religion, ever, any more than we will all be vegetarians or married or have the same work ethic. Humans are different. There is good and bad in that fact, but it is as it is.

I’ve decided that I am seeing the movie for sure.  I’ve done my homework, read most of the book and read countless reviews.  I give my reasoning for why I, as a Christian, am seeing this movie in a post you can read here.

I am just about finished reading the book.  I too plan on seeing the movie.  This movie was given a PG-13 rating which I believe is correct due to the nature of the book. (unless you have a younger child that is mature for their age).

This is a brilliantly written book.

Thanks for that Rose.  My wife bought tix online for tomorrow’s show so tune in for my review after that!