Monroe Chat

I was just talking about this with my friends last night and then my brother sent the following email. I'm curious to read the books now, but definitely not my children!

Dear Friends and Family,


I do not send this email without investigating its content. For verification and further exploration please read the Snopes article on the following link:


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


You may already know about the kids movie coming out in December 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.)


xx, mm


Subject: Caution with this Movie...


There will be a new children's movie out in December called "The Golden Compass". The movie has been described as "atheism for kids" and is based on the first book of a trilogy entitled "His Dark Materials" that was written by Phillip Pullman. Pullman is a militant atheist and secular humanist who despises C. S. Lewis and the "Chronicles of Narnia". His motivation for writing this trilogy was specifically to counteract Lewis' symbolisms of Christ that are portrayed in the Narnia series.



Clearly, Pullman's main objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "my books are about killing God."


He has even stated that he wants to "kill God in the minds of children". It has been said of Pullman that he is "the writer the atheists would be praying for, if atheists prayed."


While "The Golden Compass" movie itself may seem mild and innocent, the books are a much different story. In the trilogy, a young streetwise girl becomes enmeshed in an epic struggle to ultimately defeat the oppressive forces of a senile God. Another character, an ex-nun, describes Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake."

In the final book, characters representing Adam and Eve eventually kill God, who at times is called YAHWEH. Each book in the trilogy gets progressively worse regarding Pullman's hatred of Jesus Christ.

My friends just told me about this movie last night and then my brother emailed the following to me this afternoon. Basically, it is exactly what my friends told us.

I'm curious to read the books now, but they are definitely not for my children.

**********************************


"The Golden Compass" is set to premier on December 7, during the Christmas season, and will probably be heavily advertised. Promoters hope that unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the movie, that they will enjoy the movie, and that the children will want the books for Christmas.



Please consider whether or not you will see this movie or buy the books. Also consider passing this information along. This will help to educate

parents, so that they will know the agenda of the movie.

Thank You Ellie !

After reading your post I googled for info - honestly after reading the Movie synopsis I would say that for sure this would be a Movie that my Husband and Children would adore .... then I looked further and read on - Good Golly !!

Thank you for the heads up - I feel rather sad that the movie is described as fantasy when obviously based upon and written with such an intention.

In truth, I don't care too awful much about reading 'fantasy' (Harry Potter aside ) so I wouldn't necessarily feel the draw to read, however, seeing the cast in the Movie would probably go to the Movies to see it .... not anymore ....

I recall the 'Bridge to Terabithia" (Sp ?) my Children went to see that Movie and were so distraught - I so wished that someone had offered a heads up - I sincerely would have avoided it at all costs ...

Again, Thank you - I will pass along the info ... it is a personal preference but I really believe that Parents should have an opportunity to decide if it is 'okay' or not .......

Interestingly, from what I can gather, the movie is being dumbed down. Religious aspects in the book are being played down in the movie. The fear is that parents and children will fall in love with the movie and clamber to read the books. From what I can gather, the movie will not be such a bad thing to see. Also, books one and two draw the reader in, but it's the ending of the third book that is really bad.

Now I'm very curious to read this series.

I have since read the first book and am part way through the second. I would highly recommend to all my adult friends that they read it. However, I still say it is not a good book for children. On the other hand, if a child is old enough to understand the complexities and have the attention span for the material, than that child is probably old enough to handle the content. I personally find it fascinating. It's one of those books that makes you say "huh."

Now granted, I have not finished book 2 and nothing has really happened yet that is at all impressive. Supposedly that changes, so my opinion may as well. But at this point, the books make you question life as humans, not as people of any particular faith.

I will go see the movie, but I will not be taking my children, for two reasons. 1. We have a rule that if you know a movie is based on a book, you must read the book first. 2. I know what's to come and I think they need to be older to be able to intellectually think hard about the content.

Also, this book really turns morality upside down and inside out. It's a wonderful look at childhood from an adult's perspective, but not so much from a child's.

Ellie wrote:I have since read the first book and am part way through the second. I would highly recommend to all my adult friends that they read it. However, I still say it is not a good book for children. On the other hand, if a child is old enough to understand the complexities and have the attention span for the material, than that child is probably old enough to handle the content. I personally find it fascinating. It's one of those books that makes you say "huh."

Now granted, I have not finished book 2 and nothing has really happened yet that is at all impressive. Supposedly that changes, so my opinion may as well. But at this point, the books make you question life as humans, not as people of any particular faith.

I will go see the movie, but I will not be taking my children, for two reasons. 1. We have a rule that if you know a movie is based on a book, you must read the book first. 2. I know what's to come and I think they need to be older to be able to intellectually think hard about the content.

Also, this book really turns morality upside down and inside out. It's a wonderful look at childhood from an adult's perspective, but not so much from a child's.

Good rules!

I'd also like to commend you for following up on your posts and concerns. I know many who don't bother to read or view what they readily condemn based on the things they hear from others. It's nice to see that not everyone is like that.

Thanks! That's one thing I love and hate about message boards. I learn so much from the view points of others. I'm generally open to a change of opinion. Depends on the issue I suppose.

I'm very glad I didn't listen to all the hype about Harry Potter! Goodness! We had videos shoved down our throats about what a horrible series that was! I loved every minute of every book! Well almost...I didn't particularly enjoy poor Hedwig's fate.

Ellie wrote:I have since read the first book and am part way through the second. I would highly recommend to all my adult friends that they read it. However, I still say it is not a good book for children. On the other hand, if a child is old enough to understand the complexities and have the attention span for the material, than that child is probably old enough to handle the content. I personally find it fascinating. It's one of those books that makes you say "huh."

Now granted, I have not finished book 2 and nothing has really happened yet that is at all impressive. Supposedly that changes, so my opinion may as well. But at this point, the books make you question life as humans, not as people of any particular faith.

I will go see the movie, but I will not be taking my children, for two reasons. 1. We have a rule that if you know a movie is based on a book, you must read the book first. 2. I know what's to come and I think they need to be older to be able to intellectually think hard about the content.

Also, this book really turns morality upside down and inside out. It's a wonderful look at childhood from an adult's perspective, but not so much from a child's.

I read this thread back when it started and refrained from responding because I really didn't know how I felt about it. But I have since decided that I am open to reading the books and open to my child seeing the movie. For a long time I have felt the need to be open and objective about all religious beliefs, open and accepting of others right to believe it, and open to learning as much as I can about those ideas and beliefs, for myself. I want to instill that in my son as well. So, if he wants to go see the movie, I won't bias it. I agree with you, Ellie, I don't think I would encourage his reading the books at this tender age when they are so easily influenced. I think that's something he can decide for himself when he's ready. But I am thinking about getting the books and reading them for myself. I did that with DaVinci Code too. Everyone was freaking out about those books. You don't have to buy into everything you read for it to make you think.

I tend to agree with you. I think the first movie is certainly fine to see and would probably allow my kids to see it, except that they haven't and won't read the book.

I'm finished with book 2 now and I can tell you it's disturbing. It's actually quite gory and I would classify it as sort of horror fiction. There are some horrifying things that happen with the children in the book. It's very gruesome.

I don't want to say too much because I know a few people may wish to read the series. I think books are great BECAUSE they offer up a new way of thinking for all of us, just like you said. I just think these books would give my kids nightmares.

And worst of all, I think the books really draw the reader in, in such a way that by the time the reader reaches the end of book 2, their is a sense of investment with the characters and a desire for them to do well. Then everything turns upside down and you learn that you've been rooting for evil. As an adult, I jerk my head and gasp. I'm not sure how a child would react.