Golden Compass – Bishops like it, Catholic League doesn’t
The USCCB Film and Broadcasting Office has given “The Golden Compass” a pass. “The Golden Compass” is a movie version of a series of books written by militant atheist Philip Pullman. Pullman himself has stated that he wants to destroy the Church, religion, God, et al., and his books are written in a style so as to attract the young reader (get ‘em while they’re young, eh?) In typical fashion, the USCCB misses the point with this statement:
Whatever author Pullman’s putative motives in writing the story, writer-director Chris Weitz’s film, taken purely on its own cinematic terms, can be viewed as an exciting adventure story with, at its core, a traditional struggle between good and evil, and a generalized rejection of authoritarianism.
A few points here. First, in the story line, the good is those fighting against God/the Church, and evil is God/the Church. The authoritarianism is the Church. The film ends with the protagonists killing God as I understand it. So you can see how reality is turned on its ear (though Pullman has stated in interviews that the Church he depicts is how he perceives the real Church to be – in other words he doesn’t think it’s fictionalized.) On top of that, perhaps the “putative motives” aren’t visible in the movie, but if the movie’s successful, people are going to go out and start buying the books, in which the “putative motives” are blatant from what I have heard. Therein lies the danger.
For some sanity, let’s turn to the Catholic League…they seem to be the ones approaching this with due caution.
Posted in Catholic Moral Teaching, In the news... | 
5 Comments »
December 5th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
As I understand it ‘God’ is not killed until the 3rd book. Still the Magisterium is the enemy in the book. In Britain where the books have been available several years the Anglican Bishops fought against the book. I wish our Bishops had shown more forsight.
December 9th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
Granted, I am not a parent but I view this as an opportunity, not a threat. This worldview is represented in a creative and entertaining format. Instead of blacklisting it and sticking our heads in the sand like fearful children, we should meet the intellectual challenge of these films.
This would be a great opportunity for children to have a discussion and be told why what we believe is better than the reasons atheists believe what they believe.
Also, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn about a different worldview with the purpose of having open minded, intelligent discussion with those who are not of the Christian persuasion.
Finally, these films are from a logical perspective. If someone does not believe in God and knows not His love and grace, I expect them to misunderstand Him. Many valid points are also raised, because many atrocities have been committed in the name of religion and authority, and not just Christianity.
There were also some anti-Nazi symbols, namely the brusque, militaristic manner of the soldiers as well as the Germanic language they spoke.
December 10th, 2007 at 9:48 am
[...] http://romancatholicbychoice.stblogs.com/2007/12/03/golden-c ompass-bishops-like-it-catholic-league-doesnt/ from Roman Catholic by Choice, 12/03/07 [...]
December 10th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
First, let’s point out that today the Bishops pulled their positive review.
Will, I’ve not seen it, nor have I watched any previews, but let’s remember that it’s a favorite tactic of the anti-Christian types to claim the Nazi government was backed by the Pope. And, I respect and agree with your point about not sticking our heads in the sand, and viewing it was an opportunity – to an extent. What’s insidious about this is that it’s marketed toward children. Adults of various persuasions could watch it and have a rational discussion afterward. The child’s mind is still trying to assimilate all the inbound information and cement worldviews and such, and it seems a bit scary to put in the pollution that present priests, nuns, and the Magisterium in the way that this movie allegedly does.
I can cite an example from your own life – you’re a college student, and I know you’ve heard the stats on how many college students enter college professing Christianity, vs. how many graduate still professing their faith. Even at the college age, when you’re young and idealistic, as Limbaugh says, in a lot of cases, the head is still “full of mush” which is often scrambled up and eaten for breakfast by far left professors.
I may allow my own kid to watch this movie once she’s been Confirmed and I am satisfied that she has received strong catechesis, so that we can then watch the move together in the context that this is something that was put together to try to turn people away from their faith – let’s watch it and talk about the content.
December 11th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
Yes that is the context that I meant. An opportunity for growth but you still have to be strong enough to grow and not be hurt.
I did not say that the Catholic church backed the Nazis but the Nazis CLAIMED that they did, thus committing atrocities in the name of Christ. To a secular world that is enough.