[Seiblybiozy]

I just got this from a friend.

This is for real. If you have or know those who have children that could attend this movie, please pass this on to them.

You may already know about this, but I just learned about a kids' movie coming out in December 2007 starring Nicole Kidman. It's called "The Golden Compass", and while it will be a watered down version, it is based on a series of children's books about killing God (It is the anti-Narnia).

Please follow this link, and then pass it on. From what I understand, the hope is to get a lot of kids to see the movie - which won't seem too bad - and then get the parents to buy the books for their kids for Christmas.

The quotes from the author sum it all up. I'm going to tell everyone about this movie.

"SNOPES" verifies the above.

http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp Paul

[Freeptube]

Thank you Paul! This message ties with the prayer request from Mary about children.

[ronaldasten]

Greetings from Satan, the war goes on!

God help us be brave in the hour of temptation!

Christos voskrese! Nicolaj

[Kokomoxddcvcv]

I just got this from a friend.



Paul

I think this is an interesting topic, fiction that has religious (or in this case, anti-religious) overtones within the text. I've heard of this series and it was actually recommended to me by a Catholic friend. I haven't read the books and don't know much about the movie, but I think it's important to note that such pieces of literature should be looked at from a purely subjective point of view. If you don't read something, you'll never know if what other people say about it is true. It may be true that these books are anti-religious, I don't know - but I think that if I read them and had a reaction like that to them, it would just strengthen my faith in God and would influence me to spread the goodness and forgiveness of God. As far as young children reading the literature, if I were a parent - which I'm not - I would definitely read into it before I let my children read it just to be sure it wasn't a bad influence - but then again, that goes for any piece of literature.

[romalama]

The Golden Compass
Claim: The 2007 film The Golden Compass is based on a series of books with anti-religious themes.

Status:True.Examples:

[Collected via e-mail, October 2007]

There will be a new Children's movie out in December called THE GOLDEN COMPASS. It is written by Phillip Pullman, a proud athiest who belongs to secular humanist societies. He hates C. S. Lewis's Chronical's of Narnia and has written a trilogy to show the other side. The movie has been dumbed down to fool kids and their parents in the hope that they will buy his trilogy where in the end the children kill God and everyone can do as they please. Nicole Kidman stars in the movie so it will probably be advertised a lot. This is just a friendly warning that you sure won't hear on the regular TV.
[Collected via e-mail, October 2007]

I don't just generally dismiss a movie or book just because someone 'says' it's meant to be something else...but this is worth knowing if you plan to see it (or plan to take your kids).

"Hi! I just wanted to inform you what I just learned about a movie that is coming out December 7, during the Christmas season, which is entitled THE GOLDEN COMPASS. It stars Nicole Kidman and it is directed toward children. What is disturbing to me is that this movie is based on the first of a trilogy of books for children called HIS DARK MATERIALS written by Philip Pullman of England.

He's an atheist and his objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. I heard that he has made remarks that he wants to kill God in the minds of children, and that's what his books are all about. He despises C.S. Lewis and Narnia, etc. An article written about him said "this is the most dangerous author in Britain" and that Pullman would be the writer "the atheists would be praying for, if atheists prayed." Pullman said he doesn't think it is possible that there is a God and he has great difficulty understanding the words "spiritual" and "spirituality." What I thought was important to communicate is what part of the agenda is for making this picture. This movie is a watered down version of the first book, which is the least offensive of the three books. The second book of the trilogy is THE SUBTLE KNIFE and the third book is THE AMBER SPYGLASS. Each book gets worse and worse regarding Pullman's hatred of God. In the trilogy, a young girl becomes enmeshed in an epic struggle against a nefarious Church known as the Magisterium. Another character, an ex-nun, describes Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake." As I understand it, in the last book, a boy and girl are depicted representing Adam and Eve and they kill God, who at times is called YAHWEH (which is definitely not Allah). Since the movie would seem mild if you viewed it, that's been done on purpose.

They are hoping that unsuspecting parents will take their children to See the movie, that they will enjoy the movie and then the children will want the books for Christmas. That's the hook. Pullman says he wants the children to read the books and decide against God and the kingdom of heaven.

If you decide that you do not want to support something like this, I suggest that you boycott the movie and the books. I googled a synopsis of THE GOLDEN COMPASS. As I skimmed it, I couldn't believe that in a children's book part of the story is about castration and female circumcision.
Origins: The Golden Compass, a fantasy film starring Nicole Kidman that is scheduled to be released into theaters on 7 December 2007, has been drawing fire from concerned Christians. The film is based on Northern Lights (released in the U.S. as The Golden Compass), the first offering in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy of children's books, a series that follows the adventures of a streetwise girl who travels
through multiple worlds populated by witches, armor-plated bears, and sinister ecclesiastical assassins to defeat the oppressive forces of a senile God.

Books of the trilogy have sold more than 15 million copies around the world, with Northern Lights winning the Carnegie Medal for Children's Literature in 1995 and in 2007 being awarded the 'Carnegie of Carnegies' for the best children's book of the past 70 years. The Amber Spyglass, the final book of the series, won The Whitbread Prize in 2001, making it the first children's book to do so.

The series' author, Philip Pullman (who has described himself as both an agnostic and an atheist), has averred that "I don't profess any religion; I don't think it's possible that there is a God; I have the greatest difficulty in understanding what is meant by the words 'spiritual' or 'spirituality.'" Critics of Pullman's books (conservative British columnist Peter Hitchens in 2002 labeled Pullman "The Most Dangerous Author in Britain" and described him as the writer "the atheists would have been praying for, if atheists prayed") point to the strong anti-religion and anti-God themes they incorporate, and although literary works are subject to a variety of interpretations, Pullman has left little doubt about his books' intended thrust in discussions of his works, such as noting in a 2003 interview that "My books are about killing God" and in a 2001 interview that he was "trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief."

A Los Angeles Times article on the Golden Compass controversy noted that:
[Pullman]'s never hidden his skepticism about God or his rejection of organized religion. A quick Internet search turns up a 2004 essay he wrote deploring "theocracies" for a newspaper in his native Britain, and his own Web site states that he thinks it "perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing God into it." "His Dark Materials" features a sympathetic character, an ex-nun, who describes Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake," while "The Amber Spyglass" concludes with the two child heroes participating in the dissolution of "the Authority," a senile, pretender God who has falsely passed himself off as the creator of the universe.
Bill Donohue, president of The Catholic League, has condemned The Golden Compass as a "pernicious" effort to indoctrinate children into anti-Christian beliefs and has produced a 23-page pamphlet titled The Golden Compass: Unmasked in which he maintains that Pullman "sells atheism for kids." Donohoe told interviewer John Gibson on 9 October 2007 why he believes Christians should stay away from the film:
Look, the movie is based on the least offensive of the three books. And they have dumbed down the worst elements in the movie because they don't want to make Christians angry and they want to make money. Our concern is this, unsuspecting Christian parents may want to take their kid to the movie, it opens up December 7th and say, this wasn't troubling, then we'll buy the books. So the movie is the bait for the books which are profoundly anti-Catholic and at the same time selling atheism.
Other reviewers, however, have described Pullman's works as being more generally anti-religion rather than specifically anti-Christian or anti-Catholic:
In "His Dark Materials," Pullman's criticisms of organized religion come across as anti-authoritarian and anti-ascetic rather than anti-doctrinal. (Jesus isn't mentioned in any of the books, although Pullman has hinted that He might figure in a forthcoming sequel, "The Book of Dust.") His fundamental objection is to ideological tyranny and the rejection of this world in favor of an idealized afterlife, regardless of creed. As one of the novel's pagan characters puts it, "Every church is the same: control, destroy, obliterate every good feeling."
Last updated: 3 December 2007


The URL for this page is http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp


Urban Legends Reference Pages © 1995-2007
by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson
This material may not be reproduced without permission.

Sources:

Gibson, John. "The Big Story with John Gibson."
Fox News Network. 9 October 2007.
Hitchens, Peter. "This Is the Most Dangerous Author in Britain."
Mail on Sunday. 27 January 2002 (p. 63).
Hoyle, Ben. "Pullman Writes a Book That Will Shed Light on Darkness of His Beliefs."
The [London] Times. 1 August 2007 (p. 9).
Lurie, Alison. "His Dark Materials."
The Guardian. 3 December 2005 (Review; p. 12).
Meacham, Steve. "The Shed Where God Died."
The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 December 2003.
Miller, Laura. "Far from Narnia."
The New Yorker. 26 December 2005.
Miller, Laura. "The 'Golden' Rule."
Los Angeles Times. 2 December 2007 (p. R3).
Pauli, Michelle. "Pullman Wins 'Carnegie of Carnegies.'"
The Guardian. 21 June 2007.
Wartofsky, Alona. "Philip Pullman's Trilogy for Young Adults Ends with God's Death, and Remarkably Few Critics."
The Washington Post. 19 February 2001.
Sunday Mirror. "Kidman Movie Is 'Atheist.'"
21 October 2007 (p. 24).

[ronaldasten]

Well the trailer runs on TV every where.

I am bothered by the fact that it is a beautiful filmed story and it will transport the message of the enemies of Christ very good.

On the other hand, there is already so much evil on earth, this is not much more then the drip on the hot plate.

Fast, pray and repent, that are our weapons in these days!

Christos voskrese! Nicolaj

[gopsbousperie]

Upon entering several Orthodox churches in the past few weeks, at each entrance way there is a typed poster that reads:

"DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO WATCH THIS MOVIE" The Golden Compass
- followed by a brief description

Without doing any further research, this is plainly a NO NO directly from the Bishops. No matter how the kids pull at my legs for this one, its not happening.

(mean mommy )
Karena

[jeaccatty]

Upon entering several Orthodox churches in the past few weeks, at each entrance way there is a typed poster that reads:

"DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO WATCH THIS MOVIE" The Golden Compass
- followed by a brief description

Without doing any further research, this is plainly a NO NO directly from the Bishops.

The Scholar's Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia has adopted and endorsed the following review (this should appear soon on our official website):

The Golden Compass: “Not all is gold that glitters”

Priest James BAGLIEN

We have come to that time of the year when Hollywood presents its annual “Christmas” offerings, in the form of various films that open in December

Most are the usual action-adventure fare, but there are always one or two that are positioned, in advertising at least, as “family-friendly.” The most touted film of this type for the current holiday season is the “The Golden Compass,” which reportedly cost $180 million to produce. The early teaser ads suggest a spectacular visual adventure, a combination of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Adventures of Narnia.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, “The Golden Compass” is one of the most direct attacks on Christianity ever launched by Hollywood, if superficially less obvious than “The Last Temptation of Christ,” or “The DaVinci Code.”

The movie is based on the first of a trilogy of books for children called “His Dark Materials,” written by the English writer Philip Pullman. Pullman is a militant atheist, who has said quite frankly that he wants to “kill God” in the minds of children, and that’s what his books are about.

But let the author speak for himself. In one interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Pullman expressed amazement that the “Harry Potter” books took more flak than his own:

“I’ve been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God,” he explained.

As for his own beliefs: “If we’re talking on the scale of human life and the things we see around us, I’m an atheist. There’s no God there.”

Pullman greatly admires Milton’s 17th-century classic “Paradise Lost,” with its battles between good and evil to determine who will rule heaven. “His Dark Materials” trilogy covers similar territory, and tries to turn the tables through the triumph of two young adventurers, Will and Lyra. The goal is for this young couple – his new Adam and Eve – to eat forbidden fruit, and this time around, to destroy God.

Along the way, Pullman serves up clergy who kidnap and torture children, visitations from gay angels, fickle witches patrolling the skies, a wise shaman, warrior polar bears, a brilliant ex-nun and plenty of opportunities for children to get in touch with their inner “daemons,” the talking-animal spirits who represent their souls.

Meanwhile, evil incarnate has a name in Pullman’s books – the Church. In the movie, the word “Magisterium” is used instead of “Church,” but the ‘forces of evil’ are fond of Orthodox Christian iconography and Bible verses written in Latin. By the end of the trilogy, the ultimate villain has been identified: “The Authority, God, the Creator, the Lord, Yahweh, El, Adonai, the King, the Father, the Almighty.”

Archpriest David Moser, who has read Pullman’s work, comments as follows:

“This particular film is based on a fantasy book which is written and filmed in the same style as “Narnia” – however with a very different message. The Narnia tales, by C.S. Lewis, are a clear retelling of the Christian message of our Lord’s death and Resurrection, whereas the “Golden Compass” stories contain an equally clear anti-Christian, even atheist message. I have read a lot of science fiction/fantasy stories in my time, and while none of them (with the exception of Lewis’ books) really have any kind of Christian message, they all seem to be relatively harmless stories (even the Harry Potter books which seem to have generated so much attention). But there were some that deeply disturbed me when I read them, and the “Golden Compass” tales are among that group. These are not nice, harmless stories; these are stories written with an aggressive anti-Christian agenda/message which even as an adult was disturbing to me. With the movie production, this anti-Christian message is packaged in a wonderful cinematic package that can easily speak to the heart of a child and bypasses the usual questioning, thus making a deep spiritual impression which may not be immediately obvious. This film is harmful to the spiritual health of our children (and to most adults as well), and thus we should avoid seeing it, or allowing our children to see it.

Fr David Moser
Member of the Scholar's Committee (Uchonaya Kommissia)

[ronaldasten]

Thank you Father for this clear statement!

Christos voskrese! Nicolaj

[temansertewek]

The fundamental message behind these books, the hubristic notion of building a "Republic of Heaven" in this impermanent world, is antichristic in character. As sensationalistic as it sounds, I think Mr Pullman had help from a "higher power"--but not God--when writing these books.

[Seiblybiozy]

The fundamental message behind these books, the hubristic notion of building a "Republic of Heaven" in this impermanent world, is antichristic in character. As sensationalistic as it sounds, I think Mr Pullman had help from a "higher power"--but not God--when writing these books.

You mean a "lower power"

[Aswdwdfg]

Like Rowling, Pullman will make millions - the devil looks after his own.

[gopsbousperie]

An update on the movie. After barely reaching the weekend $5 million mark it bombed in theaters taking a 6.6/10 Rating (Poor)

I didn't see it nor did I allow the kids see it for that matter. However, it appears Mr. Pullman didn't make his millions after all

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20164193,00.html

IC XC
Karena

[Seiblybiozy]

ok, let's see if my math is right. $5 million divided by 2 1/2 days (Friday pm-Sun pm) is $2 million per day divided by $8 ticket is still 250,000 people seeing this movie. That's alot of people and I dare say 1/2 are children that are not the better for seeing it. I hope that cesspool on the west coast I mean hollywood sees no interest in the sequel.

Paul

[Seiblybiozy]

As usual my math was wrong. I calculated it on the people per day and not the overall weekend of 625,000 poor souls exposed to this movie.

Paul

[Tuqofiw]

A 15 yr old girl, that we know as a family, is a big fan of the Pullman books and has probably gone to see the movie. My eldest daughter wrote a three page email/essay, in love, to her asking her to have nothing to do with the film and citing many reputable sources that quote Pullman's own words that prove that the books and movies are anti-Christian. The child lists her belief as Agnostic on a well known social networking site and is RC in upbringing, Orthodox by baptism.

[gopsbousperie]

This is very common Irene..nearly the norm these days with youngsters on the outside. We shouldn't worry though, it won't last long. The question Who am I? is round about everywhere. The good thing is by asking this question it can only bring His lost sheep closer to the Truth and quite possibly, just in time.

IC XC
Karen

[Seiblybiozy]

Raise a child in the way of the Lord and he will not depart from it, unless the guy with the millstone around his neck is active in his life then you might have to wait until the child really gets hurt and turns back to God as did the Prodigal Son.

I read somwhere there are torments in hell based on the after affects of causing others to sin. Such as a murder has one kind of torment as he only killed the guy once. But a porn writer has continual torments because he causes many people to sin even after he himself has died.

All we can do is pray for these little ones and the millstone wearers.

Paul

[Tuqofiw]

Re: Paul's post no. 18 and Karen's post no. 17:

The after effects of one person who falls into terrible sin multiplied by the people hurt and the people they in turn hurt. Doesn't bare thinking about. An author's work is around for as long as the reprints last.

Poor children, the teenage years can be so difficult and then all the information that they get through tv/films, books, magazines, no wonder they get mixed up. We'll keep on praying.

[Obenuearema]

This is very common Irene..nearly the norm these days with youngsters on the outside. We shouldn't worry though, it won't last long. The question Who am I? is round about everywhere. The good thing is by asking this question it can only bring His lost sheep closer to the Truth and quite possibly, just in time.

IC XC
Karen

Agreed. I used to be one of those kids as well. Glory be to God for saving me from the sinfulness -- and philosophical awkwardness -- of Agnosticism.

I did watch the movie a while ago, and, needless to say, it was better and more tame than the books. I will admit: I enjoyed the Pullman books when I was younger (they weren't what made me agnostic; I blame my secular upbringing and lame adolescent rebelliousness). It always struck me as more anti-Catholic than anything (the Magesterium, the idea of generational sin -- this is the "dust" they speak of, etc. etc.). I know Donahue is calling for a boycott, but, personally -- and speaking from recent pre-Orthodox experience -- it would just get them more money. Clark Carlson said roughly the same thing on "Faith and Philosophy" as well. But I can understand not wanting to take kids to see it.

Glory to God.