Ug -- why can't we just ENJOY an epic story?

[DrWahoo]

Re: Ug -- why can't we just ENJOY an epic story?

To me it really shouldn't be a controversy and this is more of a media concoction. Of course evangelical leaders are not going to encourage those who follow them to support a film that is against their beliefs. In fact I think it is their job and their mandate from those who support them to take a stance on cultural issues.

I agree with Oceanchild, knowing what others believe will only make you stronger in your faith and more comfortable in talking about your faith in an intelligent manner. The downfall of many Muslim nations is that they don't allow for such discourse or even the mere suggestion of other views, which to me promotes fanaticism. But I don't think at this juncture that there are any great fantasy books for children that explicitly espouse the Christian faith. Narnia is good but I think they are too metaphorical in their meaning, which is why non-Christians have no real problem with them. Sometimes dialog may not be enough when it comes to battling well produced material. In any case though, I think more time should be spent helping parents to talk about issues, rather than simply mandating that they avoid them.

Finally, what frustrates me most about such films as the Golden Compass is that non-Christians begin to think that these films give an accurate portrayal of all Christianity. Not to offend anyone, but the history of the Catholic church and the mistakes that they have made have nothing to do with Biblical Christianity, hence Martin Luther.

[locumtenenswife]

Re: Ug -- why can't we just ENJOY an epic story?

I haven't read the books, but I just saw the movie today and just read the info on the link and the postings on this thread. I walked into the theatre oblivious to the controversy, and just watched the movie for its entertainment value.

I admit I was surprised at the beginning of the movie where they describe a world where a human's soul (called the person's Demon) are embodied as animals that walk alongside the humans. Being a Christian raised in the Catholic church, I can see how some faithful followers of Christianity would find the movie offensive...but because I walked into the movie theatre oblivious to the controversy, I let my initial shock subside and found the movie well written with great character development and great special effects.

I am firm in my religious beliefs and I wouldn't be swayed to doubt my faith because of this movie, but there may be people out there who feel their children are vulnerable to the fantasy world that this movie may represent. I guess the fear is that children wouldn't be able to distinguish between the fictional world represented in the movie and the beliefs of the Catholic (or Christian) faith. But for those children that are mature enough to understand the difference between fiction vs. faith, I don't think the movie will make any difference.

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: Ug -- why can't we just ENJOY an epic story?

Well, I did ask Kate about the books. She really really loves them. She said, along with what the reviewers said, that the most overtly anti-Christian/anti-God book was the last one. I asked her initially if she thought the books were anti-Christian and she said, Yeah, duh... I guess I have to read them... But anyway, I asked her if they were anti-Christian or anti-Church, and she said probably more anti-Church, but that they did portray God to be weak and senile. I asked her what she thought- from a religious perspective. If she thought these types of books could sway her belief system (or the belief system she is forming, anyway, as I don't think an 11-year old is really *set* in a belief system), and she said, with a big roll of the eyes, Mom, these are fantasy books. They aren't real at all.

Anyway, all her friends have read these books, and even if I wanted to, I don't see how I could selectively *prohibit* her from reading a book, even if my pastor told me to do so. (Not to mention that I would still not appreciate being told to do so by a leader of the church.) She is a voracious reader- and when I say voracious I mean she reads for at least 2 hours a night, and if she doesn't have a new book she re-reads something else. She reads the paper, the teeny-bopper books when she is very bored, but she likes fantasy books. I don't worry about these books shaping her perception of God, either. But this is my child... I don't know about other kids out there and how they may be influenced by this book. She also reads books from decidedly Christian perspectives, and from Asian backgrounds, etc. Basically she reads everything.

[DrWahoo]

Re: Ug -- why can't we just ENJOY an epic story?

Personally I did like being informed of what the intentions of the author and the movie trilogy will be about instead of finding them out later. Overall I think children that already are exposed to Christianity won't turn away from it because of one book or movie. IMO, most people don't join or leave faiths because of ideas, but rather the kinds of relationships they develop with other believers. especially with in their families. Only time will tell the impact of such movies on the faith of children.

Re: Ug -- why can't we just ENJOY an epic story?

We just got home from the movie and I liked it alot. Oldest DD who is 10 understood it but my 7 year old did not follow it and fell asleep on my lap. The theater only had a few people in it and I was suprised. The remarks i heard were that it was a letdown. I don't think they knew it was a first of a series.

[Rapunzel]

Re: Ug -- why can't we just ENJOY an epic story?

I can see how this film would by highly offensive to Catholics - the books, too.

From what I understand the books basically define Christianity as "a mistake" (as one character relates) and Christianity is overwhelmingly and completely associated with Catholicism.

Now, as someone who is teaching my children that Christ has made it possible for them to live with their family together forever and progress through the eternities I take issue with that. And, why would I have someone else directly teach the opposite of what I am teaching my children? At the age where rhetoric becomes essential (mainly the later teen years) it is quite appropriate to present to children views that directly conflict with their own to help them understand their own beliefs. But, an eight year old is but a baby concerning religious beliefs. You do not teach, say, a six year old about Marx in order to teach that child about the U.S. Constitution.

All of that being said, my sister and I will be reading these books together in the next month. When Harry Potter came out I also received hysterical emails announcing the evil of this book series. I read them for myself and decided that others were seeing evil in places that I don't believe existed. It may be the same for the "His Dark Materials" series - it may not. I find it amusing and exhasperating that some atheist has decided to cloak himself in Milton's mantle and rewrite an atheist version of Paradise Lost. And, honestly, anyone who berates C.S. Lewis had BETTER be able to back up his claims because Lewis was a genius. And, the fact that Pullman claims Lewis was both sexist and racist in the Narnia chronicles makes me seriously consider his own reading comprehension skills.

Anyway, I'll be reading this trilogy and deciding as a parent what my children will and will not be exposed to at various stages in their childhood. That's simply my job as a parent. I've been told that the first book is simply fantastic, the second book is really good, and the third book falls into an abyss of bitter atheist rantings that overshadow the plot and bring the series to a rather pathetic and un-inspired ending. We shall see....