My husband came home from Blockbuster Sunday wit the movie The Golden Compass. He said with all the talk it peaked his interest... I was really mad so I told my husband that if he watched the Golden Compass he would have bad luck and I felt like a dark cloud would follow him... Basically, I told him he would be dammed... Do I think this really? Not sure! But I don't think it is a movie people that are Christians should watch.... Should I have let him watch it? Was I right to to get mad at him? Please share b/c I know sometimes I can be a little controlling. Thanks!!!
That movie makes me curious
That movie makes me curious too.
I also rented that movie because I was curious. I have heard so much about it, I wanted to know what the fuss was all about. I am a Christian, and I have been told that the movie is kinda anti-christ. I want to make my own opinion on it. I say let him watch it, if he finds out there is stuff in it he does not agree with, at least he can have the information he needs to logically debate someone who thinks the movie is great.
It is an Anti-Christian
It is an Anti-Christian work
Philip Pullman, the author of the Golden Compass, is an avowed atheist, and has written this trilogy (there are 3 stories ---- he patterened it after the "Narnia" Chronicles) is to push his philosophy to a young audience. He basically contends that the notion of God is "evil" because it impedes free will and creativity and the objective in the book is for the hero, a young girl, to 'kill God."
In the publisher's interview with Pullman, he says his books depict "the Temptation and Fall not as the source of all woe and misery, as in traditional Christian teaching, but as the beginning of true human freedom, something to be celebrated, not lamented." From there he goes on to rip Christianity in general and Catholicsm in particular.
Oddly enough, atheists ALSO find this movie offensive, because they say the film version 'watered down' the message of questioning and renouncing God and they wished the movie had followed the book more closely.
Either way, the movie bombed at the box office. We personally didn't go because 1) it didn't look that good to begin with and 2) I didn't want my money going into the pockets of some elitist who hates Christianity. But I don't think there's anything 'wrong' per se in seeing the movie --- just be warned that there IS in fact a hidden agenda to it and it is NOT complimentary towards religion.
Maybe it could serve as a good 'jumping off point' for you and your family to ask questions about faith, free will, the role of God in our lives, why some people don't believe the same things, etc.
I am glad to hear this
I am glad to hear this because the movie was coming in a couple weeks from my Netflix. It peaked my interest. The church paper we receive also has reviews of what not to watch. It is funny if they tell you not to watch it you want to see it even more!
I respectfully disagee. For
I respectfully disagee. For Christmas, I asked for and received, the books (on audio CD, so I can "read" everywhere), "God Is Not Great - How Religion Poisons Everything" by Christopher Hitchens, as well as a set of four books, namely "The Problem Of Pain" by C.S. Lewis. Our extensive library at home, is filled with such "contradictions". We have every Karen Armstrong book as well as more religious texts than you can shake a stick at. One of my all time favorites is M. Scott Peck. But, those books sit next to "The Psychology Of Magical Thinking" and Michael Shermer's, "Why People Believe Weird Things". My husband is currently pouring through Gurdjieff while I'm finsihing up, "The Spiritual Life Of The Child", yet we also subscribe to Skeptic magazine. We own many copies of The Bible, but also The Koran, many Budists texts. I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
I used to work with a Christian who followed the teachings of his church that everything in The Bible should be interpreted literally...not as alegory, but literally. We had many great discussions, like why he followed most of the teachings, but not all of them (i.e. wearing mixed blend fabric, cutting his hair, etc.) when The Bible specifically told him what was right to do. He often couldn't answer and asked for a few days to consult his Pastor. Then, he would come back with a reason - the reason that he was told to think. His church screened the movie, "The Passion Of Christ" after meeting to discuss what they would see and how they should think about it. The co-worker told me that the movie was not "accurate", because there is no Biblical reference to The Devil being present at the crucifixtion, when the movie clearly portrayed a "demon" tormenting Judas. He could not seem to understand the notion that the "demon" image was analogy, a representation of the internal conflict of the person. And really, "evil" was NOT present at the crucifixtion?!!! This troubled me very much. Frankly, up until this point, I had no idea that mainstream churches were telling their congregation exactly what to think...how to think (I mean, more then the obvious). Some people are apparently scared to explore the other philosophical positions, worldviews and perceptions out there. THINKING does not betray God.
I cringed when I heard about a new movie called, "Intelligence Denied" (or something like that), presummably about teaching "creation science" in public school science classes. I, personally believe that it SHOULD be taught in sociology, religion, philosophy, literature...class, just not science class. It is not science. But, as much as the movie might make me squirm, I can't wait to see it. Not to "bash" it, but to take yet another opportunity to UNDERSTAND an opposing viewpoint.
While religions around the world all believe and teach that they have the corner stone on the "truth", it just can't be so. We teach our children that there are many paths to the truth, that all religions converge on that truth, once stripped away of the particular rituals, specific to that region's history.
I feel that continually striving to question and challenge our behaviors, our motivations, our perceptions, our feelings, our reactions, etc., and embracing knowledge in all it's forms, is the only way to be educated.
As a silly example, I can't stand Rap music, but I sure made a point to listen to the week long series on it and the interviews with the Rap stars, on NPR. And you know what? I gained an apprecaition for it's poetry and cultural significance. I tried to get past the "Ebonics" and the stereotypes of them as idiotic thugs and I learned that so many of these Rap stars are shrewd, savy business men, sucessful with recording lables.
God gave us brains to think, wonder, explore, imagine, question and reason. It's in the best interest of churches to discourage that. We'd be better off, not to confuse the two.
Bravo to your husband! Join him on the couch with open eyes, and just see.
I just wanted to say I liked
I just wanted to say I liked your response. I would love to say "ditto", but I am not you, so I can not :(
A very thoughtful reply - thank you and thanks for posting again. It is nice to "see" you.
KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.
Well said!! Like your
Well said!! Like your thinking Optimist! Your book collections sounds much like ours!
Cheers
Agreed! How can we be sure
Agreed! How can we be sure what we believe if it is never questioned?
OPTIMIST, have you heard of a book called "A Year of Living Biblically" by A. Jacobs? I got it for my Dad and am waiting for him to finish so I can read it. It is written by a humorist writer (of Jewish heritage) who tried to live the Bible literally for a year, no mixed fibers, couldn't sit on a chair if a woman on her period sat on it, didn't cut his hair, threw stones at adulterers, etc. His other book was about when he read the entire encyclopedia, and my sister loved that book.
Divaballerina, I am going to say, go give your husband a kiss. A healthy, responsible, respectable grown man, should be able to decide what he wants to watch, without the threat of eternal damnation. WHO Needs that hanging over their head as they are eating their popcorn? :)
Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.
I have not heard of that
I have not heard of that book, but now it's on the list! Despite a subconscious vibe that I'm betraying all that is good and noble, by "reading" my books on audio CD, I realized that I am now at an age where I will no longer live long enough to read everything on my list! So, I've switched to audio books, in order to attempt to keep up. I can read while driving, while waiting in line, etc. I HOPE that book is on CD already! LOL. But, I digress....
I forgot to mention that, the co-worker of mine was also a trained mechanical engineer with several advanced degrees. He also used to smack his 9 month old baby's hand whenever the baby crawled on tile in the house. He was only allowed on carpet to begin his training. They seemed to take the notion of setting boundaries for children, literally too. Just proves that you can have lots of education and still be uneducated.
But, I love the evangelicals...we always have the best conversations. I can't tell you how many sweet people are trying to save my soul, because I'm such a good person...if only I could see the light! Yet, they still don't really understand how it's possible to "not believe" without "disbelieving" or the notion that a person might very well believe in God and Christ, yet embrace alternate religions and perspectives....or, be a fundmentalist Christian, yet judge and condem everyone (even the color red and Santa Claus).
The human mind and spirit is complex and I wouldn't have it any other way (and I doubt that God would either!).
now you all have me curious.
now you all have me curious. I have not even heard of this movie (haven't been out to the movies much in the past 18 months), but i am adding it to my netflix now.
just~me
I agree with Optimist and
I agree with Optimist and Karilou. I call myself a Christian woman, but believe that your should let yourself be exposed to all different points of view. One thing this does for me is renew and strengthen my belief in God, but the other thing is does for me is allow me to have compassion and understanding for others who have separate(and equally important and passionate) beliefs as well. I truly don't believe that being open-minded about different beliefs and agreeing with them are the same thing.
I'm a little concerned with
I'm a little concerned with your post -- about "letting" or "not letting" your husband do things. That in itself sounds a bit controlling in my eyes. . . . Not trying to be rude, it's just something to think about . . . .
I agree with that.....why
I agree with that.....why the need to control what someone else watches.
Personally - I have no interest in seeing this movie, but I certainly don't think that anyone is going to Hell for seeing it, that is just plain ignorant. It isn't about what you watch or what yoiu read, it's about how you live your life, waht you value and what is in your heart.
One day when my son(who is one of the most Christian people I know, he lives the values every single day) was about six, he and I were praying before going to bed, and after we were done he asked me "Mom, is God real?"........and I told him indeed he is..........and he said "how do we know for sure? We can't see him...".....................I think many Christian parents would have been angry at such questions, but I wasn't, I was pleased to hear he pondered such intellectual questions and was using his brain...I think to fully understand something you must look at it from all angles......so I asked him " Is love real?"....ans he said "yes, of course"...and I explained that we cannot see love, we cannot hold it in our hands, but we know very much that it is real becuase we feel it in our hearts......so it is the same with God.
He was very pleased with my response, and I think our discussion served to deepen his faith.
Well said, Katy! I never put
Well said, Katy! I never put that correlation together - that is a PERFECT way of explaining it to a child. Thank you!
Thanks.....I was a little
Thanks.....I was a little suprised I was able to think on my feet so well, as I did not grow up in a Christian home(as a matter of fact, I was raised to beleive there was no God and religion is a crutch for weak minded people, but I became a Christian after meeting my husband)..............I guess that God must have been there that day and He gave me the right words to explain in a way that my son would accept it.
That really is a great way
That really is a great way to explain it. I myself am not religious, and was raised in a non-religious home. However, my daughter, who is only 6, has taken a great liking to religion, faith, and God, just from what she has learned from other family members and kids at school. Since she's so interested in it, and because I want her to choose her own path on her own free will, without my or my husband's influences, I've been trying to explain the particulars of faith and God, etc.; however, I've found it difficult because I myself was never taught. So even this little explanation will definitely help a lot! :)
Not to get all
Not to get all evangelical...........but maybe He is reaching out to you through her. :)
I have thought about
I have thought about that--especially because she's only 6, and has come to me about it (not me teaching her). I am keeping an open mind :)
:) My son's teacher is
:)
My son's teacher is always telling me "Your son is very special, I know that God has great plans for him" and it warms my heart because indeed He does.......I have learned so much from my boy already.
Our church recommened we not
Our church recommened we not watch it or allow our children to watch it either. And we haven't. As for my husband, I don't think I could "tell" him if he could or not. I could tell him that I do not want our children watching it so if he wanted to please do it while they are asleep or at school. I wouldn't have gotten "mad" at him but I would have stated my opinion.
There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one!
We just watched the Golden
We just watched the Golden Compass the other night. I am happy to say no bad luck has hit my house. Of course, it is just a movie. We quite enjoyed it, though it was a bit intense for my 5 year old and couldn't hold her attention.
Susan & Neil Hampton have three spectacular children, Alexander, Isabel and David, plus one amazing teenager, Eric. Susan does community outreach for arizonamoms.com.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” - Margaret Atwood
Wow this is an interesting
Wow this is an interesting subject. This is honestly what I don't understand about people using religion as a power, and remember just an opinion. It's a movie, and who are we to condemn or damn people for wanting to watch a movie? Who are we to damn anyone? As a person of faith I do NOT have the authority to damn anyone. As a person of faith the only one who can judge anyone is God himself. I am not casting any stones here in this life because I have not the inclination or the authority to do so. If you truely believe in the faith that you believe as well as your husband you will accept and understand that not everything that you see or hear is real. I stick to my faith, love it, understand it, embrace it, but I do not use it as a crutch to damn people for making a decision to watch a movie, or for anything else for that matter. Bottom line embrace your faith, and understand that no matter what we see or hear in this lifetime it should never sway our true beliefs and understandings of where we come from or what we believe. Sorry touchy subject matter.
Lisa - Mom to her spunky little Scarlette
Yes, the whole control thing
Yes, the whole control thing is a little questionable to me as well. I personally can't believe your husband wouldn't have watched the movie just because you forbid him to. As Katy said, no one (including your husband) is going to go to hell for watching a movie regardless of what the movie is ...
I wouldn't tell my husband
I wouldn't tell my husband whether or not he could watch a movie.
jesshod is an arizonamoms.com discussion leader living in Surprise.
I do think it's a good idea
I do think it's a good idea to sample 'what's out there' then discuss it.
I just don't want my money going to people whose views I find offensive, the same way I wouldn't buy a book written by a Neo-Nazi or an advocate for the legalization of heroin.
I think to allow any entity
I think to allow any entity to tell you what you can or cannot read, watch, etc is completely ignorant and shows a lack of the ability to think for yourself.
I am Agnostic, I was raised Catholic but escaped almost entirely unscathed (that's a joke). I tried to read the Golden Compass and quite frankly I just found it tedious. Not due to any religious content or lack thereof, but because it got ridiculously descriptive. I am an intelligent person, I don't need an author to describe everything to me, I have a wonderful imagination and I like to use it.
I did watch the movie and it was not bad. It's not one I'll buy, but it was entertaining enough.
I think people forget that these books and movies are NOT REAL. They are fictional and are intended for entertainment purposes only, not as a means to base your life on.
I'm betting that people who get their undies in a twist about these things are the same people who try to blame, TV, video games, and music for the bad things kids do (i.e. Columbine, et al). They'd never think to first look to themselves to see if they failed their children somewhere....nope, couldn't possibly be their fault, someone else is always to blame.
But that's JMO.
It is better to be hated for what you are, than to be loved for what you are not.