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Last weekend we released a new video on YouTube giving the reasons why former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is "Chuck Norris approved" for president.
This upcoming weekend I'm giving the worldwide release (Dec. 7) of the children's movie, "The Golden Compass," a definite "Chuck Norris disapproval."
I normally don't critique others' movies, but this one not only warrants critiquing but condemning. The reasons are it will very subtly push agnosticism, atheism, secularism and anti-Christian thoughts upon youthful minds and hearts.
There is hot debate right now about this movie all over the Internet. And liberal news agencies and publications are waging war to assure its global proliferation, viewing and success.
Is this for real?
When I first heard about the movie via e-mail, I thought it was another Internet-perpetuated urban legend. I was shocked to discover it was real, and the books upon which it is based have already gained some award-winning acclaim. (They are a trilogy from Philip Pullman called "His Dark Materials.")
On the surface, "The Golden Compass" comes across as another fantasy-filled movie like "Harry Potter" or "Chronicles of Narnia." What lies beneath, however, is a tale spun with intention of promoting antagonism against the church and Christian belief.
The surface story The story is fairly simple: "In a parallel universe, young [12-year old] Lyra Belacqua journeys to the far North to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from terrible experiments by a mysterious organization [which just happens to parallel a church-like organization]." Explained further:
Lyra Belaqua, living in Oxford's Jordan College, is not but a young girl living among scholars. Her world may seem diverse, from physical embodiments of souls that take the shape of an animal, but similar with people around you to become friends and enemies. She is thrown into a perilous adventure when she overhears a conversation of an extraordinary microscopic particle, dust. This particle is said to unite different worlds, and is feared by many who want to destroy it forever. As Lyra is flung into the middle of this horrible struggle, she meets wondrous creatures both big and small, and villains who are not what they seem. Gobblers, that kidnap children, will turn out in the most unexpected places. And a magical compass of gold that will answer any question if one is skilled enough to read it. Lyra's adventure continues throughout these three books, and the first is about to be told [via "The Golden Compass"].
(Column continues below)
What lies beneath
The problems with the movie lies not in imagination or ingenuity, but in authorship and analogy.
I strongly urge everyone to read the Focus on the Family review of "The Golden Compass." Suffice it for me to highlight these few points from it.
Though Philip Pullman looks with disdain upon the works of C.S. Lewis saying, "I hate the 'Narnia' books, and I hate them with a deep and bitter passion,"
There [is]no shortage of parallels between His Dark Materials and C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia series. Lyra instead of Lucy. A wardrobe. Alternate worlds. Talking animals. Cosmic consequences linked to a final battle. Oh, and witches – this time on the side of so-called good rather than evil.
As to whether or not a real Creator is responsible for everything, however, another character says simply, "There may have been a creator, or there may not: We don't know."
"The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake, that's all," says an influential character named Mary Malone, who then goes on to relate her own "testimony" of why she abandoned her calling as a nun.
Other messages woven into this story exalt witchcraft, evolution, divination, homosexuality and premarital sex. Accompanying them are smoking, drinking, occasional mild profanity and moments of visceral violence.
[In the end] …"God" gets overthrown and the "fall" becomes the source of humankind's redemption, not failure.
Philip Pullman additionally states about his own belief and work,
"… if there is a God, and he is as the Christians describe him, then he deserves to be put down and rebelled against."
"I wanted to reach everyone," he says, "and the best way I could hope to do that was to write for children."
"My books are about killing God."
No surprise that Pullman has been called "the most dangerous author in Britain."
Children casualties in Christmas culture wars
"The Golden Compass" is more than enough proof to demonstrate the Christmas culture wars are alive and well. We've drifted so far way from the innocence of Christmas movies like Jimmy Stewart's "It's a Wonderful Life." We've shifted from celebrating a savior to crying out for more secularism.
I respect artistic ability and one's right to freedom of speech, religion and creativity, but that does not mean I or millions of others have to agree with or tolerate it. It is also my American right to say, "My name is Chuck Norris, and I disapprove of this movie." And it's also others' rights to not frequent a theater showing it.
There are plenty of other brighter and more joyous Christmas movies (past and present) than Philip Puller's "Dark Materials" to captivate our children's hearts. With our culture already walking in wayward ways of Christmas, I don't believe any young mind needs to fill his or her yuletide with any additional religious antagonism and resistance. Shouldn't we be encouraging the opposite?
I have a better, more positive idea for a movie. It starts with an angel declaring,
Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
__________________ God Bless Those Who Choose To Protect Our Freedom !
I havent read the book but i do know there is an attack on christianity.....just look at any store adds in the paper for 1 it says happy hollidays........now more merry christmas.........you know its funny to me that ppls would want to do away with christ when he is the reason for the season christmas wouldnt be is it werent for him tk T ill check the movie out. even tho i thought narnia was good
__________________ Cannabis will get you through the times of no money, better than money will get you through the times of no cannabis
So you have read the triology written by Pullman,on this particular movie ?
Pullman declares himself,that his books are about "killing God"..are ya saying that he isn't trying to do such ?
I trust Chuck Norris's opinion on this matter and if he says that this movie is an attack on God and Christianity,then I believe him.
I'd apreciate yer opinion on the rest of the triology.
Have a good one !
**Spoiler warning**
The quote isn't about the meaning of the book, so much as an extremely literal plot synopsis taken out of context. Simply put, the trilogy is a metaphor about questioning authority(something anyone who remembers WW2 and the Holocaust should advocate). As your own article points out, it doesn't prove or disprove a creator, but the main characters are presented with a being, who refers to himself as 'God', but is revealed through the plot to be a tyrant and a fraud. Its been a while since I read the books, but as I remember the first one wasn't very religious at all(though the antagonists were a section of a religious organization), and from what I've heard of the movie, the religious references have been all but removed.
On the religious points, your article seemed a bit misguided, but it was for the comparison to the Narnia books that I called it bullocks. Most of their comparisons are taken extremely out of context, and anyone whose read the books will tell you they have very little in common.
__________________
"You know what. . . I could blow up the whole goddamn world with this thing."
The quote isn't about the meaning of the book, so much as an extremely literal plot synopsis taken out of context. Simply put, the trilogy is a metaphor about questioning authority(something anyone who remembers WW2 and the Holocaust should advocate). As your own article points out, it doesn't prove or disprove a creator, but the main characters are presented with a being, who refers to himself as 'God', but is revealed through the plot to be a tyrant and a fraud. Its been a while since I read the books, but as I remember the first one wasn't very religious at all(though the antagonists were a section of a religious organization), and from what I've heard of the movie, the religious references have been all but removed.
On the religious points, your article seemed a bit misguided, but it was for the comparison to the Narnia books that I called it bullocks. Most of their comparisons are taken extremely out of context, and anyone whose read the books will tell you they have very little in common.
Howdy halffoot,
The author depicts God as he does,because he's an atheist and that's how he see's God as being like. Also,he freely admits that his intent is to kill God in the minds of children..in my opinion,Pullman is truly a minion of satan,as he both seeks to 'kill' God and he wants to do so in the minds of innocent children-another favorite target of satan.
Of course Narnia has very little if anything,in common with Pullman's trilogy,because Narnia is based on Christian values and Pullman's books are based on satanic values..lol.
Have a good one ...
__________________ God Bless Those Who Choose To Protect Our Freedom !
The author depicts God as he does,because he's an atheist and that's how he see's God as being like. Also,he freely admits that his intent is to kill God in the minds of children..in my opinion,Pullman is truly a minion of satan,as he both seeks to 'kill' God and he wants to do so in the minds of innocent children-another favorite target of satan.
I think your still missing the metaphorical meaning. The 'god' which is killed in the books is a false one, and this false god and his supporters are a metaphorical representation of authority figures, such as the church. The metaphor is intended to open peoples eyes to the fact that, just because you say you do something 'in gods name'(or in any other 'righteous' figures name) doesn't make it right.
You also seem to be ignoring the fact that in addition to Christianities mythical antagonist, children are also a favorite target of religious people. Presenting an opposing viewpoint isn't satanism or subversion, its just a different viewpoint. Also, as an atheist, Pullman is not seeking to literally 'kill' god, because he doesn't believe in one, obviously. It doesn't seem to me that he's trying to stamp out religion or bring down Christianity either, so much as he's trying to warn us of the dangers of unwavering obedience to human power structures.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Torog
Of course Narnia has very little if anything,in common with Pullman's trilogy,because Narnia is based on Christian values and Pullman's books are based on satanic values..lol.
Beyond the fact that no atheist would hold satanic values because thats a complete logical fuckup, thats not the difference between the books.
Besides basic plot differences(which are vast, far more so that your article insinuates), the Lewis' Narnia books are an idyllic fantasy series, and Pullmans 'His Dark Materials' are science fiction fantasy, cast in a semi-realistic universe. It has nothing to do with the values and everything to do with the literature.
__________________
"You know what. . . I could blow up the whole goddamn world with this thing."
sounds like u did ur homework on those books ,.I was told to read the lion,witch and the wardrobe in the 4th grade.i was an atheist from birth to 19 then had an awakening.Won,t bore u with the details ,but there is an attack on the true christians at every angle,as a fellow toker and a midnight smoker i,m a deciple of Christ 1st and for tha rest of my life .so all i can say is AMEN!!!
Torog!
The author depicts God as he does,because he's an atheist and that's how he see's God as being like. Also,he freely admits that his intent is to kill God in the minds of children..in my opinion,Pullman is truly a minion of satan,as he both seeks to 'kill' God and he wants to do so in the minds of innocent children-another favorite target of satan.
This is a funny quote coming from a man who thinks children shouldn't know about homosexuals, which seems to becoming a growing concern in todays society. Seems sort of hypocritical to me...
Anyways, ill im saying about the book, is I think people read way to deep into inferences they draw from the book, and not the actual print.
__________________
"Love the life you live, and live the life you love"--Robert Nesta Marley Serotonin, a molecule of happiness "Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride" -- Dr. Hunter S. Thompson May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars.
sounds like u did ur homework on those books ,.I was told to read the lion,witch and the wardrobe in the 4th grade.i was an atheist from birth to 19 then had an awakening.Won,t bore u with the details ,but there is an attack on the true christians at every angle,as a fellow toker and a midnight smoker i,m a deciple of Christ 1st and for tha rest of my life .so all i can say is AMEN!!!
Torog!
Howdy Jim,
Heck..I don't recall ever hearing about Narnia till they came out with the movie..but then my schooling was all in Texas and the text board may have thought it wasn't good for kids or something.
Children are under constant attack from atheists,homosexuals and left-leaners,all whom wish to side-step parents and exploit children directly,this is another front-line in the Culture War. Amen to being a disciple of Jesus Christ !
Have a good one !
__________________ God Bless Those Who Choose To Protect Our Freedom !
Last edited by Torog; 12-08-2007 at 11:37 AM.
Reason: spelling
No one's forcing you to read the book or watch the movie. My advice for the haters out there: If you are so against it, don't make such a fuss. You are only creating much wanted controversy that is probably generating more interest in the movie than you know.
As for my personal opinion on the contents of the movie (I haven;t seen it so I wouldn't know the quality), I think it's fine. Keep in mind that I myself am an atheist, but if organized religion and themes of God have their place in books and movies, why cant the opposition have it's opinions and views put into mainstream media? People can decide for them selfs based on the facts (or lack thereof) that they believe in, an animated fantasy movie isn't going to change any minds old enough to grasp the concept, I assure you.
No one's forcing you to read the book or watch the movie. My advice for the haters out there: If you are so against it, don't make such a fuss. You are only creating much wanted controversy that is probably generating more interest in the movie than you know.
As for my personal opinion on the contents of the movie (I haven;t seen it so I wouldn't know the quality), I think it's fine. Keep in mind that I myself am an atheist, but if organized religion and themes of God have their place in books and movies, why cant the opposition have it's opinions and views put into mainstream media? People can decide for them selfs based on the facts (or lack thereof) that they believe in, an animated fantasy movie isn't going to change any minds old enough to grasp the concept, I assure you.
Howdy Pitcard,
Well you got one thing right..this is about hate..the author's hatred towards God..is what we're talking about,and not only that-he seeks to ruin and infect,the minds of children with his hatred of God..that he don't believe in..lol.
It's because of the author's intent to spread his message of hate to the minds of innocent children,that he's being opposed by folks of faith. The author even freely admits that such is his intent.
Have a good one ...
__________________ God Bless Those Who Choose To Protect Our Freedom !
Children are under constant attack from atheists,homosexuals and left-leaners,all whom wish to side-step parents and exploit children directly,this is another front-line in the Culture War. Amen to being a disciple of Jesus Christ !
when most of civilization has been under attack from the forces of christianity for centuries, isn't it only fitting that we should fight back? these paranoid delusions that christians seem to have, that they are being persecuted from all sides by godless heathens, are beginning to wear a bit thin. after centuries of conquest y'all are finally being faced head on in the court of public opinion by those who see religion as the threat that it is and your only defense seems to be to hide behind your centuries of dogma, spewing venom on those who don't want to live in the dark ages. can't christianity's ongoing campaign to dominate western civilization stand the pressure of opposing viewpoints? are the fairy tales your faith is built on so transparent that you fear your children will flee from the oppression of religion over such a trivial thing as the merest whisper of dissent?
__________________ But what is Hope? Nothing but the paint on the face of Existence; the least touch of truth rubs it off, and then
'The Golden Compass' goes South - way South 
God Bless Those Who Choose To Protect Our Freedom ! 
