Posted on 12/04/2007 8:52:33 AM PST by Between the Lines
A controversial children's movie described as anti-Christian is set for release in South African cinemas on Friday, prompting an outcry from Christians, and email circulars warning people against taking their children to see the film.
The Golden Compass is based on the book Northern Lights, the first of a trilogy entitled His Dark Materials by British author Philip Pullman.
Pullman has described himself in the European and American press as both an agnostic and an atheist.
He was quoted saying that to his knowledge, there was not the "slightest evidence" that God existed.
He added that he loathed The Chronicles of Narnia books by C S Lewis.
Pullman has also been quoted as saying: "It is my goal to go after Christianity. I want God to be dead in my works. I want to undermine Christianity."
Critics of the books have drawn parallels between Pullman's stories and the Narnia books, but say their underlying ideologies are very different.
The film is about a 12-year-old girl, Lyra, who hides in a wardrobe. She is then transported into a fictional universe similar to that of Narnia and given a truth-telling device called an alethiometer.
Lyra learns that children are disappearing and that the church is trying to learn about a substance called Dust, which is believed to be connected to original sin.
The church's investigation involves experiments on children to separate them from their demons, which are animal spirits.
The film has apparently been sanitised so as not to offend Christian viewers, but it is also alleged to be the milder of the three books, the last of which, The Amber Spyglass, sees God dying.
Pullman said in an interview: "Of course I don't say: 'There is no God.' I say: 'There is a God and here he is dying,' and he goes with a sigh of the most profound and exhausted relief."
-snip-
He may get what he wishes here.
God will be the judge.
Only a fool says in his heart, there is no God.
I am acquainted with some Albanian Orthodox Christians who grew up under Enver Hoxha's regime, when all religious activity was outlawed and all houses of worship closed. They are some of the most pious, observant and knowledgeable Christians I know, and they got that way while they were still living in Albania and Hoxha was still alive.
Christianity -- and God -- have faced much greater opponents than what's his name and his books and movie.
Poor sap. Part of me hopes his films do well, because unless his spiritual eyes are opened, that’s as good as it will ever get for him.
‘Pullman has also been quoted as saying: “It is my goal to go after Christianity. I want God to be dead in my works. I want to undermine Christianity.”
Badeye, I think you were saying something on a previous thread about how you could possibly judge something without reading it. Here’s your answer.’
Until I see the movie, I will reserve judgement about its content.
Sorry, its a common sense approach based on what Hollywood routinely does to books made into movies.
YIKES! Simply not believeing is his decision...but wanting to undermine Christianity is pure evil.....
Wannabet he has a conversion prior to death?
Will he make the same claim about Islam?
I’ll decide for myself, thanks.
You’re choice, of course. I’m sure the purveyors of propaganda will appreciate your money.
Maybe when it comes around onto cable TV I’ll give it a peek. At least I’m not spending any money, and I can change the channel if I don’t like it.
This is what I don't understand about these atheies and aggies. If they are so convinced that they are right and God doesn't exist or you can't ever know that He exists, why do they spend so much of their time so zealously trying to destroy belief in Him? I mean, if it doesn't exist, why bother? Just go about your business and live your life and leave others alone, whether they are mistaken (in your opinion) or not. That they spend so much time trying to tear down others' faith sends a message that they are either don't believe their own message, or they are afraid they are wrong and are desperately trying to convince themselves that they are right by ruining the faith of someone else.
Stuff like this is why I'm glad our side wins in the end.
"Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath generated it?...
Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?
Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?" -- Job 38:28-29, 35-36
The condemned are proud of their chains.
Its OK. You're "works" are dead to me.
Actually, those who love propaganda rely on those with your attitude, especially when they don’t want you to see something they oppose.
Information is power.
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