As the Office du Tourisme de Paris recovers from our last little war against popular fiction and Hollywood, we find ourselves embroiled in yet another cultural debate. Enter Philip Pullman and his "Golden Compass."
If you haven't heard, the movie is based on the first book in a trilogy called "His Dark Materials." Word on the street is that Pullman is a militant atheist who is bent on "bashing Christianity and promoting atheism." So says the opposition. I do not jump on bandwagons, but let us, for simplicity's sake, assume this is correct. (I believe it is...I did some poking around and all evidence points to it.)
I am, frustrated that believers are so....so...fearful. Why is it that Christians shy away from informing themselves? Say someone you know sees The Golden Compass. Say that person is not a Christian and wants to enter into a discussion about it. What are you going to say... I didn't see it because it differs from my belief system? It's a horrible movie by the Big Bad Atheist? So then that person is left alone with his impressions of the movie, and what could have been an opportunity to evangelize has instead, confirmed the opinion that Christians are narrow-minded and expect you to believe what they say simply because they said it. (or because the "bible says so")
As a Christian, I believe certain things. I believe those things to be true, good, and beautiful. I want to share those things with people who may have opposite beliefs. How can I do that if I don't allow myself exposure to opposing points of view.
I don't know if I'm going to see it or not. I'm not in favor of giving my money to diabolical anti-Christian movements. But I know the more the Church opposes it, the more people who want to thumb their nose in that direction will want to see it. And I know that we are much more equipped to engage in debate when we understand both sides of an argument. So what to do? I don't know. It's more complicated than a boycott I think.
Disclaimer:
I would not recommend this movie or these books for kids.
I would not recommend this movie or these books for people who think whatever appears on the big screen is real (critical thinking is a must here folks!!)
4 comments:
If someone sees the movie and wants to talk about it or find more information on it, he or she can simply find whatever it is he wants by doing a Google search. Whether or not I as a Catholic go see it so this person can discuss it with me is irrelevant. Pete Vere and Sandra Miesel have written a book about Phil Pullman. I haven't read it but from all I've heard he has actually stated that he intends to bring down Christianity. All I can say is, good luck, pal. I personally have no desire to see it, so I guess it ends there for me!
I am with you on this one, Lisa, as I'm sure you'd guess based on many other conversations we've had. Good points.
Now, I personally am not planning on seeing it because (A) I heard it's not very good, and (B) I heard that Daniel Craig is not in it very much, despite them attempting to capitalize on his Bond popularity by featuring him as much as possible in the ads.
But if he takes his shirt off, I'll consider it.
Ah, to see or not to see, that is the question. I was in a similar situation a few years ago when a "documentary" came out bashing the company I work for (which shall remain nameless). So I had to make the same decision: do I go and see the movie so that I can engage in intelligent debate and in doing so financially support the filmmaker, or do I stand by my principles, knowing that the content of the movie is not very well researched and in many cases outright lies?
I never saw the "documentary." As Tina suggested, I read reviews, blogs and even watched some interviews so that I could rebut the naysayers without actually having to give the guy my money. I've got my $7.50 in my pocket and don't regret it one bit.
In the case of the Golden Compass, I'd be more likely to see the movie, because I'm a lot more passionate about Christianity than my workplace. I realize that seems backward based on my earlier argument, but it's not. I care a lot more about having intelligent debate about my faith than I do if people partake in the product or service my company provides, so I'd probably want to speak from firsthand experience.
I would wait a few weeks though, so as to not inflate their position on the box office charts. :)
I actually read this entire trilogy a while back. I have some very definite ideas about Pullman and these stories.
First of all, I give any story the benefit of the doubt. If there are lovable characters who behave consistently according to their character and given their fictional circumstances, I can accept a lot...even if it differs from my own belief system.
"The Golden Compass", as the first book, really sucked me in. The main little girl is the underdog from the first paragraph and you truly embark on a quest with her to discover why the heck evil people are wanting to harm children and take away her best friend. In fact, the entire first book was fantastic.
But, alas, Pullman succumbs to the same temptation that Dan Brown did in "The DaVinci Code." He eventually neglects his own characters so that he may focus on conveying his politico-religious ideals. What started as a colorful, enjoyable story became preachy and flat.
As they say, he should have shown me what he feels, not told me all about it.
He tries, mind you. He tries to fit it all into the fiction (and does a far better job than Dan Brown did) but throughout the series, he is increasingly transparent about which thing he truly loves. And when the writer loses love for the characters, I do too.
All that being said, I would have no problem seeing this movie. And I don't regret reading the books before they became the next hot topic.
I have always said that censorship (or avoidance)is NEVER the answer. If you believe something to be untrue, counter it with truth. Respectfully disagree and provide others with your own arguments. But for goodness' sake, don't make yourself into an ignorant ass. Remember, it's much better to keep your enemies close...
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