Why My Family and I Are Not Watching “The Golden Compass”
By Jim Willis on Dec 7, 2007 in Movies, Reviews, Society & Culture | Printable Version
I suppose the headline lets you know what I think of The Golden Compass, out in theaters today. I would like to explain why. Before you prejudge me as “right-wing wacko fundamentalist Christian,” please hear me out.
A few prefatory comments before I explain my opposition to this movie. First, I am not in favor of censorship and I am not telling other Christians not to see this movie. I am simply giving you my reasoning. Second, I am a big supporter of fantasy, science fiction and “the arts” in general. I love a good movie and in particular, a good story (see my review of August Rush).
Perhaps it will be surprising for other conservative Christians to learn I was not opposed to the Harry Potter movies or books (as many were). I evaluated the early books and movies and found them to contain a classic struggle between good and evil, excellent writing, and a rollicking good story, especially for kids. I was not put off by witches and warlocks. I know this sets me apart from a number of conservative Christians—but from the very beginning I thought they were fine and could not fathom the fuss and calls of boycotting the film and books.
So why would I object to this movie? In short, because of it’s worldview. Although I love movies and reading and the arts in general, when the arts are turned into tools and weapons that take aim at undermining and misrepresenting God, I have an issue with it. This film, and the children’s book series from which it came, clearly do just that.
The children’s book trilogy on which this movie is based is called His Dark Materials and is written by British author (and atheist) Philip Pullman. I had never even heard of him nor his books before this movie came along—so no doubt he’ll gain a new following from the publicity. Mr. Pullman has set out to create an atheistic “counter story” to C.S. Lewis’ series The Chronicles of Narnia and J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, two works that (for me) define the very best fiction available.
There are plenty of metaphors throughout Mr. Pullman’s work as there are in Lewis and Tolkein (full disclosure: I have not read Pullman’s work so I base my analysis on both Christian and secular sources). Perhaps the most prominent metaphor (and ultimate villain) in Mr. Pullman’s trilogy of books is the Magisterium, which represents the church of Jesus Christ. There are also stand-ins for angels and demons in the form of animal companions for each human–the animal representing that person’s soul. The basic plot line is that the Magisterium (i.e. church) wants to control everyone and everything and suppress the “free will” of all people, but most particularly the children.
Essentially, Mr. Pullman attempts to make white black and black white, which can be confusing for young people. He wraps lies in metaphors in order to make them palatable and believable. Make no mistake, liberals and leftists recognize they can’t win in the arena of ideas with adults—so they go after the kids and try to “turn them when they’re young” as Mr. Pullman is attempting to do with his trilogy. The movie and the books are atheistic propaganda, plain and simple.
The makers of the film (New Line Cinema, which also did The Lord of the Rings movies), and the movie’s director Chris Weitz, have intentionally watered down the anti-church/anti-Christian themes of this first of three movies in order to not incur the ire of Christians. That is, they want to make big bucks on this one so they can build a fan base and make the second and third ones without having to water down the message. Here’s what Mr. Weitz said:
How does one go about adapting a book that has controversial elements into a film that a very wide variety of people can enjoy, without betraying the original? One tries to be clever about it. I realized that the overt stating of some of the themes in … The Golden Compass would never—this is important to make clear—never ever get across the goal line. There isn’t a wide enough audience for that—yet. If I wanted to popularize this series of extraordinary books and open them to a wider reading public than ever before, I was going to have to make some compromises.
Mr. Weitz then goes on to say:
Whereas The Golden Compass had to be introduced to the public carefully, the religious themes in the second and third books can’t be minimized without destroying the spirit of these books. … I will not be involved with any ‘watering down’ of books two and three.
I simply will not support this movie, nor the ones that follow, with my money. I know myself well enough to know if I went and saw it, I would be bothered the entire time because what I would be watching is untruth being shoveled out in metaphors as truth. I’m not going because I would not enjoy it!
In case you can’t yet tell from reading this blog, I have no problem with opposing viewpoints. I’m not the type to cover my ears and hum “la la la” when someone says something that is counter to my beliefs. It will not destroy my worldview to hear an alternative viewpoint. Christians, of all people, have nothing to fear from engaging with and hearing other viewpoints. We should welcome debate because it is only through that debate and opposition we will know if our faith and beliefs are built on a foundation of truth, or a foundation of lies. We know we stand on God’s truth and have absolutely nothing to fear. We keep an open mind, and we (should) always keep a big heart and not “smash” those who oppose us. Truth is to be delivered in love, not hate.
On the other hand, there is no requirement that we support those who deal in falsehoods, as does Mr. Pullman. I do not speak for all Christians and will leave it to them to decide whether or not to spend money seeing this movie. I don’t advocate boycotts nor pickets at theaters…I’m simply telling you what I have decided for myself and for my family. We will not give one penny to support this kind of misrepresentation of our God. I suspect many others will not either, and I predict the makers of this movie will be disappointed with revenues from this movie.
How about you? Are you going? Do you have a different viewpoint on this? Whether you agree or disagree, leave a comment.
Technorati Tags: The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman, Chris Weitz, movies, culture, Christian worldview, Christianity, atheism
William | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
Dude,
It’s just a movie.
You said “Christians, of all people, have nothing to fear from engaging with and hearing other viewpoints. We should welcome debate because it is only through that debate and opposition we will know if our faith and beliefs are built on a foundation of truth, or a foundation of lies.”
Nothing to fear? You sound pretty threatened to me. This movie is fiction, right?
Why do you associate liberals with atheists?
You wouldn’t be the first. And talk about indoctrination:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CgvgjfwyPs
Jim Willis | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for the comment William. Not threatened at all! If I were threatened, I would demand others not watch it–and I am not doing that. Like I said, I chose not to go because (primarily) I wouldn’t enjoy it–and I chose not to support something that insults my God. But to each his own. If you go, perhaps you can give us a brief review?
Jim Willis | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
Oh, and one more thing about your comment “it’s just a movie.” In one sense you’re right…you can say “lighten up it’s no big deal.” But, movies, like other forms of the arts, have a powerful influence over our culture. Francis Schaeffer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Schaeffer), whom I once had the pleasure of hearing in person, has written much about the arts, philosophy and theology.
Schaeffer once wrote (going from memory here so it may not be quite right), that there is a progression of how ideas are adopted by society or “the common man”. It starts with philosophers and thinkers. An idea then is adopted by artists of various kinds. It then makes it way into popular entertainment, and finally the idea is accepted by the culture.
It is just one movie…but I find its message troubling. And movies do have a powerful role in our society.
William | Dec 8, 2007 | Reply
Arts will always run the gamut from ‘fine art’ to pop art. The ‘common man’ generally has a limited appreciation of ‘fine art’ and is more touched by pop art. Artists have often been on the vanguard of progressive thought and represent change, new ways of thinking.
The number of secular Americans has nearly doubled between 1990 and 2001 to 14.2% while the number of Christians has declined from 86% to 76%.
Interestingly, Finland, Belgium, and Sweden, whose educational systems far outshine and outrank Ammerica have the largest non-religious populations. Only 34% of Dutch citizens, 41% of Swedes believe in God.
This trend toward secularization and better education can only serve to breakdown the division and conflict religion has brought, creating a higher degree of reason, rational thought and cooperation. Religion has been the cause for conflict in human history and if artists perhaps reflect the trend away from religion toward secularization.
Mitt Romney’s speech stoked the divisiveness of politics and religion, pitting the ‘bad secularists’ against the so-called ‘people with faith’ - citing the dubious notion that founding fathers built America based on ‘religious faith.’
Faith is not a mere failure of reason: Faith is the willful abdication of reason.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have a president making decisions based on reason and rational thought over ‘faith’.
Charlie | Dec 8, 2007 | Reply
I too have made the conscious decision not to go see this movie, although I love fantasy movies (even Harry Potter). For me, I would still like to see this film, and be all the more aware of my culture and relevant when I talk to people, but I can’t justify my few dollars going to line some guy’s pockets who is unabashedly trying to tear into and unroot the things I believe in and hold very dear. I don’t feel threatened at all. This is simply capitalism at its best. He’s got a product that I don’t like, so why would I buy it?
Jim Willis | Dec 8, 2007 | Reply
Charlie, great comments and on the mark. Perhaps once this movie is out on DVD I’ll rent it via Netflix and watch it, just to be informed. As I’ve said, I also am in no way threatened. Like you, I don’t want to support their “cause”.
William, you always make interesting comments. Although you’re being somewhat dishonest with the history of our country, and also trying to slip through an argument that doesn’t hold water. To say that there is a direct correlation between the rise of atheism and “better” education is a non sequitur. First, how are you defining better educational systems? By whose standards and definitions? Second, it was religious people who championed education in this country from the start–so people would know how to read the Bible! Christians have always been pro-education, not anti-education.
With regard to Mitt Romney, he was directly quoting a Founding Father of this country–John Adams. They were Adams’ own words about religion and its role in a free country like ours. I thought Mitt’s speech was rather brilliant. (Perhaps you’re overdosing on the DailyKos?)
We’ve had a discussion of faith elsewhere, so I won’t repeat it here. I will say this briefly: You have faith every day. Faith that the car you ride in will not crash. Faith that the chair you sit in will not break and fall. Etc. Faith is a reasonable expectation based on evidence. I would never advocate suspending reason or taking a “blind leap” of faith. That is not what Christianity is based on. It is based on evidence. In short, it is a reasonable faith (expectation).
Organized religion, as you point out, has had it’s checkered past. There are many things Christians are not proud of in our history (e.g. the Crusades of the Middle Ages). However, when I look at history, some of the most obscene atrocities were committed by atheists–like Stalin (Communism), Mussolini (Fascism) and Hitler (Nazism). I believe you’re view that atheism, if only adopted by the masses would somehow put the world right, is naive at best.
Roger Thornhill | Dec 9, 2007 | Reply
Everyone has to believe in something.
I believe I’ll have another beer.
Jim Willis | Dec 9, 2007 | Reply
You’re too much Roger! Never hurts to add a little levity to the mix.
By the way… an update on this movie. It has basically bombed at the theater. Its opening weekend take in the U.S. was $26.1M, which is below even the worst-case scenario by New Line Cinema, hoping for at least $30M. By comparison, The Chronicles of Narnia’s opening take in December 2005 was $65.6M. To add insult to injury, nearly 5,000 Yahoo reviewers have given it an average C+ rating. Revenue from international release (where it’s been out for 5 days) is $55M–for all other countries. It cost New Line $180M to make it! I doubt they’ll even break even on this one.
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