Comments on: More on the Golden Compass Controversy

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:05:21 +0000

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.

By: Damien Riley

Damien Riley — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:58:49 +0000

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

By: Rose

Rose — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:01:13 +0000

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.

By: Damien Riley

Damien Riley — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:58:30 +0000

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.

By: Marcia

Marcia — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:00:15 +0000

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.

By: Damien Riley

Damien Riley — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:59:46 +0000

@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....

By: Rose

Rose — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:30:59 +0000

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.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:33:47 +0000

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.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:28:15 +0000

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.

By: Damien Riley

Damien Riley — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:17:35 +0000

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.