Nov 01 2007
Does “Golden Compass” Movie Promotes Pro-Atheism Books?
A movie based on a book that portrays the Church as the villain is not receiving much applause for its removal of religious references.
On the contrary, some Christian groups are upset over New Line Cinemaâs concerted effort to keep religion and godless themes out of the upcoming movie, âThe Golden Compass,â claiming it will encourage children to read a series that promotes atheism and âdenigrates Christianity.â
Read about it here.
[From me]
I haven’t read the book so I don’t know the answer. I do wish someone would make a movie that shows the church in a positive light for once.
What do you think?
24 responses so far
Kevin,
Do you think that “showing the Church in a positive light” is not appearing in recent movies because of the negative view that it seems many younger people have of Christians in general?
I think many of the issues you pointed out in your post “Study says Christianity No Longer Looks Like Jesus” are at play here. What do you think?
MIT,
Good point. I believe that may be some of the reasons. I’m reading UnChristian right now & it is disturbing. Thanks for making me think.
I haven’t read the books but I keep getting e-mail after e-mail about the movie being anti-Christian principles. Snopes.com (the great urban myth-debunking site) verifies that the movie is based on books by an athiest who wants to provide the opposite of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles series.
I don’t have kids so that’s not an issue for me and I’m too cheap to see movies in the theater. It doesn’t look like something I would be interested in but it is being marketed to children. I think most people should investigate the book series themselves before deciding whether or not to see the movie. In other words, be the parent.
I like your idea Kev. A movie that shows the church in a good light. Hmmm. It should also star Michael W. Smith or maybe Krik Cameron.
Hey Kevin
You just opened a can of worms on this topic. I’m with Angie about getting email after email about this movie. I believe that this is a opportunity to show God’s truth and light. However, if Christians begin jumping up and down making a HUGE issue out of this movie then it will just be Da Vinci Code all over. I don’t disregard Christian’s feelings but why don’t we use this movie to spread God love. Who’s up for the challenge?
“I do wish someone would make a movie that shows the church in a positive light for once.”
I’m not sure if some folks have been going to movies lately. We’re living in a Bible movie and Christian themed movie renaissance.
Amazing Grace — 2006
The Chronicles of Narnia — 2005
End of the Spear — 2005
The Exorcism of Emily Rose — 2005
Diary of a Mad Black Woman — 2005
Left Behind and Sequels
Facing the Giants — 2006
Flywheel — 2003
The Gospel — 2005
The Nativity — 2006
The Prince of Egypt — 1998
The Second Chance — 2006
Woman Thou art Loosed — 2004
Jonah — 2002
The Apostle — 1997
Bedazzled — 2000
Bruce Almighty — 2003
Evan Almighty — 2007
The Matrix — 1999
Because of Winn-Dixie — 2005
Nanny McPhee — 2006
Luther — 2003
To End all Wars — 2001
Mercy Streets — 2000
Signs — 2002 — My favorite on this list
Lord of the Rings Trilogy — I don’t see it, but plenty of Christians I know swear by it.
Two observations
1. Christians need to support movies they want to see. Movies need to turn a profit. Christians need to put their money where their mouths are.
2. We have got to quit whining about movies that do not match our world view. There are places in the world where Christians are persecuted for their faith. A suburban multi-plex is not one of them.
little man. the only problem with 70% of your list is the fact that they were crap movies - nothing anyone would want to see or should see.
the only reason people saw stuff like ‘facing the giants” is that it made them feel good as christians. It was a bad movie along with most overt christian fare.
onelittleman- I saw “Nanny McPhee”, but wasn’t aware that it was Christian-themed. Can you explain? I viewed it as a charming and funny fantasy.
Fran, this came on a recommendation from some friends of ours as showing a Christian worldview. Haven’t seen it myself, but I think it’s sort of a Mary Poppins update on children learning to act properly?
Stuart, So?
I was responding to Kevin’s claim that the church never gets any love in the movies, not arguing the merits of the titles I offered.
Even though, some of those titles did quite well at the box office. I’d agree that the Left Behind books and movies are absolute junk. But I think that Signs and The Apostle two of the best treatments of the Christian faith I’ve seen on film. Again, I have friends who swear the Lord of the Rings trilogy is somehow Christian and those films did remarkably well at the box office.
So, a solid 3/4 of Americans identify themselves as Christian, we’ve never even come close to electing anything other than a Christian president (or even seriously considering an atheist) yet you people manage to sound like the people manage to consistently sound as if you were the most persecuted group on the planet.
Oh, the poor little vast majority….
What the hell????
Heath,
Thanks for stopping by. I doubt seriously there are 3/4’s of American’s that are actually Christians. Thanks for sharing your views and come back.
It depends on who you ask, but it’s somewhere between 55% to 84% of Americans say “Christian”, when asked.
http://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_234_1.asp
http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html#religions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Christianity_percentage_by_country.png
Also, is that you’re only argument to my statement? That 3/4 is too high a number to be considered “true Christians”? Come now. I think the fact I mentioned about who we elect ought to be proof enough that we are, as Americans, ruled and populated by a majority of Christians.
My question is, why is there so much rhetoric from your majority about how persecuted you are? It is obvious to anyone that, while there may be some small groups like the ACLU that do go after some things you probably should complain about, it is very hard to be trodden on when you control the planet.
I mean really, someone please address this in a thoughtful manner. (Sorry for repeating myself, but…) We, as a nation, won’t even consider a non-believer to rule us, but preachers and the conservatives in the media make it sound like you are being forced in the closet when Macy’s says Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas.
I can’t even figure out how that is a good thing for you guys; shouldn’t you be celebrating the fact that you are in charge? Sure, there are battles to fight, but you are winning the war and have been since the 1600s.
sup?
Hi guys. I was surprised to come back over a month later (this response was originally posted to the old site a couple of weeks ago) to find no response to my very sincere inquiry. Especially you, Kevin; this is your site, you tried to shut me down without any thought, and you have no rebuttal to my pointing that out. I really think you have a stake in this debate, and will come off as weak if you don’t respond.
Also, while I certainly hope that my silly little argument is causing everyone who frequents this site to question the type of leadership that would mislead you in the way I suggest; I sincerely doubt that it has. Therefore, some of you must have some contrary thoughts on this subject. Please speak up. While I am being somewhat petty, and trying to instigate an argument that I will find interesting, I am honestly interested in this discussion about perceived persecution.
How can I interpret a continued lack of response as anything other than the lack of a solid argument?
Heath,
I’m not shutting you down. I don’t know what you want me to say? I personally don’t believe that Christians are the majority. People may claim to be Christian but a Christian is someone who allows Jesus to live through them. I think that is really a minority in our nation.
Kevin, there are literally hundreds of subsets of Christianity and I would encourage you to take a step back for a moment and imagine what your views would be if you happened to be born into, say, the Exclusive Brethren.
This will require a little imagination but do you think that if you were an Exclusive Brethren you might think that other people who label themselves Christians had missed the boat? I can tell you from experience that this is what they think - I used to go to school with one and he made it quite clear that my Christianity wasn’t the true Christianity. You’ll find that there are many millions of other ‘Christians’ who find your beliefs lacking in some way.
I realise that you’ve got it all figured out and that you know you are saved because you are having a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ(TM) but I would contend that when you compare others to your particular flavour of Christianity and find them lacking you are doing exactly the same at any of these other flavours.
As Heath rightfully points out, America only elects Christian presidents and I believe that this whining about persecution is akin to Brittany complaining about her allowance.
Can you see where I’m coming from on this?
Damian,
A “CHRISTIAN” is one who is “CHRIST-LIKE.” I dare say you don’t find a majority of people who act like Jesus.
Quite right Kevin, Jesus taught us not to judge others
I don’t know how many different ways to say this. How can you justify bitching about Christians being persecuted and then switch to an argument about how Christian people who claim to be Christian really are? I don’t think that I was singling your particular brand of Christianity out when I tried to point out that Christians are not a minority. That would be like me trying to claim that I’m a persecuted white guy and then trying to justify that I really can be a persecuted white guy because not all white guys have blonde hair!
Seriously, OUR CULTURE IS DOMINATED BY CHRISTIANITY. STOP WHINING!
Kevin, I can’t believe that your only comeback to the FACT that we’ve never even considered electing a non-Christian is to start arguing about the definition of “Christian”. If you are serous about this (and aren’t just deflecting), then I would appreciate it if you’d step back and apply some critical thinking to my question.
Heath,
Who’s whining? I asked one question in this post. Show me a movie that shows the church in a positive light. That is not whining. Obviously you have not been exposed to real Christianity. What you are talking about is religion.
Kevin,
How do you definition “religion”?
A3,
Religion is living by a set of rules. I have a relationship with God. I chose to abide by His rules because the Holy Spirit lives in me. I’m not into rules just to act a certain way. A person can live by rules and not have a relationship with the one who gave the rules. That is religion. I chose to have a relationship.
Kevin,
Of course you can redefine the term if you like, but click here to see how your personal definition compares with some accepted definitions. Also, click here to see accepted definitions of Christianity. Christianity seems to be a religion.
How about this: I choose to redefine religion as a personal relationship with God, or a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.
Is Christianity a religion based on my definition? Is Islam? Do you accept my definition? If not, why not?
Once again, no coherent reply from any one of the faithful in defense of the widespread and rampant bitching about the “persecution of us poor christians” that we all hear so often on right wing radio and TV. (Think Ingraham, Hannity, Savage, and O’Reilly with his “culture war”.
Kevin, I …..
I started to say that I appreciate your attempt to answer me, but I do not. You have absolutely nothing to say in response to any argument and I regret every second I’ve wasted on you and your website.
Heath,
I’m sorry you feel that way. Honestly it looks like you are trying to start a fight. A3, Damian and Francoise and I often disagree but we treat one another with respect.