The Golden Compass, based on Philip Pullman's book "Northern Lights", has caused some ripples in our home. I heard a few months back some passing comment that this movie was "bad", but I paid no attention to it because I didn't care; the comment had no connection to my life. But, the other day I saw the movie in the video store and remembered my Good Wife expressing great interest in watching it; so I rented it. When I came home with the movie my eldest son says something like, "Oh, that's a bad movie. The girl in that movie tries to kill God!" Apparently, this movie has been maligned at his school. So, I have been doing some research (I have also seen the movie). In some circles the author of the book is accused of being anti-Christian and anit- Church and an atheist. Here is a link to an interview where he answers many of these questions. It's a long interview, but a good one.I will NOT at this time share my opinion of the movie and the author, but if you have seen the movie and have some comments, let me know.
8 comments:
Wow...the guy really is just a mumbled up jumble of confusion now, isn't he. Full of ignorant unwise bullsh*%. I can't even follow half of what he's saying but the message comes across LOUD and CLEAR that he enjoys being a misfit and likes to bathe in his own ignorance.
Funny how I stilled enjoyed the movie and agreed with the way it placed a wedge between the church and goodness.
I may be sorry I said that out loud...maybe one day I'll have to think differently...
Oh...and I talked to Josh on the phone about his thoughts...made sure to try and stress the difference between God and modern day religion...which I think would more accurately be the subject that the girl is against...not God.
I also explained that people read too much into movies that can just simply be there for our mature discretion and enjoyment...something we can do together as a family.
I talked with him too. When they mentioned that each person had a daemon he said, "See, that's bad". I explained to him, after I watched it (the kids fell asleep halfway through) that the daemon represents the soul (which he knew) and we all have souls (which he knew), but some people think that the soul is evil and needs to be done away with. But if you get rid of your soul you no longer have free will, and that is the point of the movie (as I see it): we all have the ability to make choices in life and we should not allow anyone or any organization (the church) to control us.
I'm assuming you read the interview that I linked to my blog. I didn't think he was ignorant; inconsistent in certain places. But he does preach the gospel: love your neighbor - do whatever you can to make the world a better place. He says this because he believes this world is all there is. There is no afterlife, so we better make this life as good as we can.
I agree with him when he talks of how religions that are monotheistic tend to be millitaristic (did I spell that right?) and end up oppressing those who do not agree with them. But that does not lead to the conclusiong that their is no ONE God. That just leads to the conclusion that people are idiots, which I think the interviewer was bringing across: even atheist do bad things.
I guess my assuming he is ignorant is that in other interviews he states so many other things...he is very jumbled. At least all of his collective interviews present him to be so...
Jumbled is a good word. I think too that he has many thoughts running through his head, but has not streamlined them all; and he admits that in the interview.
I really enjoyed the movie.
I don't remember a part where the girl tries to kill god, though..
See....
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