what confuses me the most is that by calling for boycotts and bans, the Catholic Church is playing that role of opressor and censor "knowing what is right for a people that needs to be told." they are playing the role presented in the movie. it seems rather hypocritical and ironic to me...

Malena,

Please don't be confused. The movie is under attack from "Wild Bill" Donahue, a self-appointed spokesperson for Catholics through his organization, the Catholic League. He does not speak for the institutional church or for any institution formally affiliated with the institutional church. Most Catholics I know don't give him or his group any credence, but the media (CNN, Fox, etc) love to roll him out whenever they can uncork another Catholic-related fake controversy. He is a dependably closed-minded and outrageous quote machine, so they can't wait to get him on the tube. Just be clear, he, in no capacity except in his own imagination, speaks for the church.

The Catholic Church's official teachings don't impact things like movies and books (look at the whole Harry Potter thing) but I can see that there are elements of the story that are definitely anti-Catholic and anti-Christianity. I've read the books and found them boring so the movie isn't for me, but others may enjoy it, as long as they are aware of the author's agenda.

Do people really have such a low opinion of individual intelligence that they feel we have to be protected from any information that doesn't support their beliefs? I heard many people saying that Harry Potter was anti-religion. Now I have no idea of what JK Rowling was thinking when she wrote the books (I certainly never got the feeling that Dumbledoor was a homosexual) but I can see no anti religion message. Heck, the kids celebrate Christmas in every book.

On the other hand, a well considered argument against religion is long overdue in America. What the heck are we doing listening to presidential candidates answering questions about if they believe in a literal interpretation of the bible? First of all it should have no bearing on their candidacy, and secondly we should seriously wonder about the sanity of anyone who literally believes in the stories in the bible.

Give people information and let them decide. We are much more likely to have a productive society based on knowledge, then one based on blind faith and obedience.

The warning that some Catholics and Christians are sending out about The Golden Compass is simply for other Christian parents to be cautious about what they let their children watch if their intention is to raise them as Christians. The author, Philip Pullman, has stated very clearly that his intention as an aetheist is "to undermine the basis of Christian belief." (2/19/2001 Wash.Post) In this day and age, parents all too frequently are ignorant to the content of the books, movies, TV shows, video games, etc that their children watch, listen to, play with, and read. Then they scratch their heads as to why there's such a lack of morals in today's youth leading to dramatic increases in teen suicide, pregnancy, depression, drug use, violence, vandalism, murders, drop-out rate, etc.

Pullman has an agenda that he's clearly stated to the public. The groups speaking out about the book are not "censoring" it or "oppressing" anyone, just informing parents who wouldn't want their children exposed to Pullman's subversive tactics (i.e. watch the "fun" movie, then buy the book to find the real aetheist propaganda).

Now I personally don't particularly care if the Church says that this book and/or movie is bad for young Christians, frankly the only way i would label something like that would be if god himself revealed to me or someone that i trust that this is a not a good thing. The Church has to let the youth of our time to make a decision based upon their beliefs and information presented to them. I think we all would agree that no matter how much we shield them and protect them there will one day be a time that they will have to take on the torch and become the leaders of the new world.

Steve-
It's funny that you should mention 'lack of morals' in the same breath as Atheist propaganda. Funnily enough, very few people in the American prison system are Atheist or Agnostic. Although you didn't mention abortion, it's important to note that there is strong statistical evidence linking Roe v. Wade to the '90s crime drop. Nevertheless, I must commend your effective use of scare quotes and weasel words.

p.s.- Proud Atheist. Never done drugs. Never shoplifted. Knows a bunch of Christian kids doing both.

I think we should remember the differences between theology and bureauocracy. The comments that most offend Christian leaders (as said bureaucrats) would be those against the magisterium. Sometimes people become inflamed when they see themselves. There is a big difference, as others have pointed out in this forum, between the common believer and those in positions of power. Free will, souls, dust, are not really the issue as much as the niggling feeling that they are being poked fun at and perhaps see themselves as the evil ones since they would relate to the magisterium? As was said previously and so well, our children have to take up the torch and lead on when we are not here. They are intelligent enough to make choices, and by seeing the movie together or reading the books together, these issues of religious theology versus religious group organization can be discussed and understood. Defensive behavior never put church leaders or followers in a position of strength.

The devil himself speaks through those such as Pullman, as well as captbilly. We're talking about influencing children's minds here, folks, with movies such as these being aimed directly towards them.

Funny that movie critics will oppose The Golden Compass. And then they turn around to appraise the film Juno ( teen pregnacy film ). Now were's the morals!

Furthermore, The Golden Compass is a fantasy film. Keyword " fantasy ". Each person who chooses to see this film should be the judge for themselves.

If this first issue has success the following could be still much mor dangerous because would come from the worse antichristian books by this author. So boycott right now, from the very beginning!. No money for antichristians activities!

FYI - The review has been retracted by the USCCB. The common theme of "the Catholic church has got to get with the times" is what is causing such confusion. To be truly relevant the Catholic church must stand in stark contrast to "the times" - as they say "even a dead body goes with the flow in a river". It takes no courage to "get with the times" but real courage to clearly lead people out of the darkness and sin that permeates our society.

I find it funny that so many atheists are angry that Christian are not going to see a movie by an openly anti-Christian author. To say that in order to be open minded we must see films by people who 's stated purpose is the undermine our faith is the same as me saying that you have to go to church.

Actually, I am surprise that more reasonable and open minded secular people are not speaking up about the bigotry and hatred that Philip Pullman has in his books.

The movie is very watered down so that it is very hard to see Pullman's antichristian agenda, but the next two books will not make since without the hate.

If he makes the books, do you atheist feel I should be obligated to pay money to see the opinions of those who hate, me and what I hold most dear in the world?

Kudos to the Catholic League and other groups (including atheists) who speak out and follow their own muse in critiquing the Kultur!

Hollywood , publishing, academia and media must be constantly monitored by individuals and groups---not government. That is the essence of free expression and free exercise of religion. Keep up the good work Bill!

Um, a little late buddy:

http://www.americanpapist.com/2007/12/flash-usccb-withdraws-its-golden.html

The review has been withdrawn. Also, it wasn't issued by CNS - it was issued by the USCCB's Office for Film and Broadcasting. Try to keep informed.

"Actually, I am surprise that more reasonable and open minded secular people are not speaking up about the bigotry and hatred that Philip Pullman has in his books." - poetsong

Have YOU read the books? I have read all three of them and I don't see any promotion of hate. A question of a corrupted authority, but no hate. Instead I see lots of themes of love - between Lyra and Roger (Roger is the whole reason for Lyra going to the North) Lyra and Will (Will stops at nothing to save Lyra) the angels, Will's love for his mother. What hate can you point out - and I mean real hate (not fabricated hate from which you spin legitimate commentary)?

the last part of my last post was muddled - sorry about that. what I meant to say was that I challenge anyone to point out any real messages of hate found in the books. do not use any commentary against the church organizations as an example because questioning an authoritive organization does not equate hate. that is merely a commentary - and a fair one at that. so for those who are pushing for a boycott, or are simply spouting off ridicule based on blind ignorance, I simply ask for you to support your arguements from the source (not from some figurehead of a church organization that has told you what to think)

The CNS is not an official congregation of the Faith. It is a pulpit for people who want to direct what the news is.I do not like Bill Donahue, but I agree with his assessment here. The movie must be boycotted. Censorship in the Church is NOT a bad thing, it is a necessary thing. It's a good thing. And yes, there are people appointed who are expected to be wise and spend their time deciding what is good for us, and what is not good for us. We are expected to follow their wisdom.

If you have problems with that, the door is open.