SHJIHM :: Passion of The Christ :: The Golden Compass ~ Runboard
"There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church, which is, of course, quite a different thing." -Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Placating terrorists, meeting with dictators, compassion for murderers... but no humanity for the unborn... incredible.
OOT
Re: The Golden Compass I will qualify my comments first by saying that I have not read these or the Harry Potter books, nor seen the films....
I think the danger with people dismissing these things as simple fantasy or fiction is that this is precisely how the devil does his work. If everything evil were obviously bad, or at least completely unattractive, I imagine that many well-meaning souls would not fall so easily. The best way for evil to work in this world is to do so in a stealth way, and from within those places it wishes to destroy rather than attack it from the outside. The disorientation in the Catholic Church is a prime example, and as Pope Paul VI had said, through a small crack the smoke of Satan has entered the Sanctuary. How often Catholics dismiss novelties in the Church that harm her because it came from within the Church herself. The danger is in complacency and letting one's guard down. You don't have to hit someone over the head with evil to indoctrinate them. In fact, I'd say it works better the other way. Years of "harmless" fantasy will warp children's minds. I don't understand what the big deal is about staying away from it, the same way you'd keep your children from other forms of bad influences. There are plenty of other very good books and films out there for our children to enjoy.
Although, this film (and the book it's based on) has apparently been admittedly anti-God by the author himself, so I'd say that's actually a pretty in-your-face reason not to read or see it. I don't see how being "fictional" has any bearing on the merit of something that blasphemes God. Why would I want to see something with that message no matter how it is presented???
Re: The Golden Compass While I applaud the good intentions, I really don't think censorship and stifling creativity are the answer...
All things told, should we categorically bar and condemn anything we don't agree with, or should we prepare the young for true spiritual combat, and ensure that they know the difference.
If someone never sees evil, and never sees the other side for what it is, never has that temptation, are they truly so much better off? What is to say that, by not knowing of these things, and having them explained properly, that they will be ill prepared in the future with instances that they cannot avoid...?
I think all people, Christians AND those of other faiths, should know as much as they can about all faiths and outlooks, so they can truly make the choice for themselves, and in the end, be that much stronger in their faith for the exploration.
Free will, given by God, implies that this is a high priority on our list of 'things to do while alive', I would say.
I really don't think censorship and stifling creativity are the answer...
Not patronizing negative or spiritually harmful movies or reading the books is not censorship, it's good judgment. Rest assured, all manner of filth and blasphemy will still come rolling out of Hollywood for your enjoyment whether some people object to it or not. Gone are the days when Hollywood listened to the Pope. Our personal creativity or enjoyment of particular media is not of paramount importance anyway. That's more of the modernistic, human-centered thinking that turns our world upside down. If God is not first, nothing else matters. Certainly not whether one prefers to produce or see a blasphemous movie because the special effects are great, or whatever. Try offering that explanation out loud to God as if it were your judgment day and see how it sounds. Even if watching it is not enough, one should consider that he is giving these people his money.
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If someone never sees evil, and never sees the other side for what it is, never has that temptation, are they truly so much better off? What is to say that, by not knowing of these things, and having them explained properly, that they will be ill prepared in the future with instances that they cannot avoid...?
To believe that keeping a child from particular movies or books is going to protect them from seeing all evil is naive. Unless you have no television, radio, or contact with the outside world, then you know that it is everywhere....on magazines in the checkout lanes, on billboards, in the music piped into stores, on television commercials....you're kidding yourself if you think that protecting them from a movie or book is too much.
Re: The Golden Compass How protective is over-protective is an old argument that will probably never have an answer. Not allowing your children to see this movie hardly seems to be overprotective.
I am just making a general comment about modern movies now. I don't have the free sneak preview connections I once had so I don't see many movies anymore, but I have noticed in many of the previews of recent films coming out of Hollywood, a large number of very dark, violent images. It seems that movies are becoming more overtly satanic in their presentation. Has anyone else noticed this?
Re: The Golden Compass Well, I admit that I am on the fence on a few aspects of what is being discussed here. I have read the HP novels and seen all the films. And I really enjoy them for what they are. Fiction and fantasy. I have seen Narnia and LOTR. And I enjoyed them both. I believe that as long as films such as these are kept in perspective, I don't see a problem. Now comes the double standard. I do not agree with films or books such as The Golden Compass or Da Vinci Code because they portray our faith with deception and lies. It is something I struggle with and question many times. As an adult, I know the difference and can make judgment on them. With that said, I would not allow my daughter to read HP or see LOTR, or Narnia, or much of anything that I judge improper and immoral. Another double standard I guess.
--- "My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Re: The Golden Compass I think one of the issues today is that Hollywood can produce some very realistic films. I mean I grew playing a knight who rescued a fair maiden from the terrible dragon. I also loved Halloween as a child often looking for stories on werewolves. Why? I was entertained. I never once thought they were real or made them the center of my life. My parents were very careful in what I read or watched. I was not allowed to watch 3's company! Tame by today's standards.
I guess my point is is that I believe we are lumping all subjects into one. When I read HP, I don't for once believe what I am reading. To me, it is simply an entertaining story told over the span of 7 books. However, I can see the danger it may present to children.
I also remember as a child, my mom reading books I was interested in first. If she did not like them, I could not read them. Today more than ever, it is up to the parents to keep more than 2 eyes on their child, and know what they are viewing and reading and listening to.
--- "My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Re: The Golden Compass Young boys are drawn to stories of heroes, monsters, and magic. I have a hard time believing that is bad. The concern with the HP books was that it might create an unhealthy and real interest in incantations in children which could open a doorway to spiritual darkness. Probably not as big a deal as was originally feared.
I'd hate to think that young boys can no longer dream about being heroic. It is what makes a young boy want to grow up.
The GC did a twist though. How significant is it that the hero is a young girl? I think more than we realize.
Re: The Golden Compass Precisely my point Michael. (Have I said how great it is to have you back?).
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The concern with the HP books was that it might create an unhealthy and real interest in incantations in children which could open a doorway to spiritual darkness. Probably not as big a deal as was originally feared.
Agreed. There is a danger of course, but to me no more or less than books I grew up reading.
--- "My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
