The Golden Compass: To See or Not to See?
There has been a lot of controversy over The Golden Compass written by Philip Pullman, a self proclaimed and proud atheist, who’s mission with his books has been to lead children away from God. But should we boycott the film? That’s a personal decision. A gray area even some Christians don’t fully agree on. It reminds me of the whole Pokemon, Harry Potter issues.
Long ago I allowed my children to watch Pokemon. Hey, I really enjoyed it! Then stories abounded about symbolism to witch craft, though I couldn’t see it. I thought it was a great little show that had good things to teach kids about responsibility and caring for other and the consequences of wrong decisions. But it wasn’t long before I caved to pressure and decided to be safe than sorry. I truly didn’t want my children watching something that would be harmful to them spiritually and that might offend God.
When Harry Potter first came out, my kids were still too young to join the crazy. Then they got older and went to a Christian school. Harry Potter wasn’t much of an issue for them. But for me, I was torn. So was the Christian community. Many Christian writers and book lovers raved over the books. I admit I was curious, but to this date I have not read a Harry Potter book, though I plan to. I’m not opposed to my children reading them, some day. But like with everything else we allow our children to seen and do, we need to be discerning and know when they are ready. Right now they are happy with reading Christian authors like Bryan Davis and Donita Paul and their dragon series and I feel good about letting them read Christian fiction.
Off on a little tangent here…I do believe as parents we can shelter our children too much. I have friends who don’t let their children watch any Disney movies. Not even Cars. Now it might be a boycott principle thing, but I can’t see anything harmful in that movie. Then there are the Christian who gasp at old tv shows like Bewitched or I Dream of Jeanie. I absolutely loved those shows growing up and tried many times to wiggle my nose to clean my room. It never worked! To me it was all about the fun and the story. Not the witch craft, though I understand that can be harmful and I’m discerning about these things with my kids.
Thanks to not having cable, I’ve avoided those viewing issues with my children, but have let them indulge in That’s So Raven on Saturdays. (I actually think I like watching it better then they do.) I also have a good friend who doesn’t let her children watch movies with Martial Arts in it because of the Eastern Religion influence. Not even Three Ninjas which is a cute, funny, and innocent as you can get, with a great moral to boot! But I respect and understand all their decisions. I just don’t believe in sheltering my kids that much. I believe everything has a teachable moment. We just need to be sure our children can handle what they are seeing and be willing to talk about it afterwards.
On the other hand, I gasp at the fact that my children’s cousins have been allowed to watch Pirates of the Caribbean and other movies like that at as young as five. I do draw the line at dark, evil and sinister, especially with the under 13 crowd. Though I admit I fail at my own advice and convictions from time to time. I’ve held off on movies like Transformers and Superman III because of the violence, though recently lost this battle with my 13 year old with encouragement from his father (and peer pressure, “all his friends have seen them.”) I guess it’s those times I should be praying more and worrying less!
Back the the Golden Compass. I have no plans to let my children see this film, though I may steal away to a movie theatre just to see what it’s all about. I’m not afraid to expose my children to things that are anti-God or different, religion wise. I think from these things children can learn and grow, especially if you discuss things afterwards with them. Instead of sheltering them from these “harmful” things, I believe it could actually help solidify and strengthen their own faith. But again I stress, for me the key is discernment, dialog and bringing it back to Christ. Even some critiques of the Golden Compass say Pullman has failed in his mission because the light filters through the cracks in this movie. But isn’t that just like God to take something man meant for evil and use it for good!
If you want to read some great articles on The Golden Compass and this topic of boycotting follow the links below. And don’t be shy to express your thoughts. Even if they are contrary to mine! Through sharing we all learn and grow! And please add your links if you have some more info. to share.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/fearnotthecompass.html
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“Then stories abounded about symbolism to witch craft, though I couldn’t see it.”
I don’t see it either, and that’s my religion. Very strange indeed.
It is rather difficult though. I remember in middle school I read some very violent and disturbing things. I assumed that was just what it was and I had to deal with it. After a while I backed away from that sort of thing, and now it is very difficult for me to read a good deal of books or watch a good deal of movies.
“But again I stress, for me the key is discernment, dialog and bringing it back to Christ. ”
I’m always interested where my views match up with Christianity. I agree here, bringing things back to to goodness is necesarry for me. I don’t like relativists at all for this reason, or people afraid to have a solid triumph. Though sometimes the good guys really are THAT annoying.
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:24 amI’m a 17 year old Christian girl who has grown up obsessed with Pokemon, Harry Potter and who really loves The Golden Compass series.
I used to get a lot of slack from my friends at church about loving Harry Potter so much from people at school, although it wasn’t so much the witchcraft that bothered them, it was more not focusing my life on God.
I can see where Christians are coming from by boycotting The Golden Compass, but personally I think that’s going too far.
I was a young teen when I read the series and in no way did it sway me to consider Christianity as being bad. The God that is shown in the series is not the same God in the bible - it is probably how Pullman views God.
From what I remember the God in Golden Compass is not the wise, loving and all-powerful God from the bible, who always makes the right decisions.
Even as a 13 year old I was able to pick that up, and I really don’t see how this series is any different to reading other books that aren’t Christian-positive.
They’ve removed all religious themes from the movie anyways, now it’s just the generic ‘girl can save the world’ story.
What did hit deep in the Golden Compass series for me was how corrupt the Church was, something I saw a clear parallel to in real life.
Personally, I think any child who is young enough to be swayed by reading this book probably wouldn’t pick up on the ‘attacks’ Pullman makes on Christianity. It would just be a nice book to read.
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:14 amElizabeth, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
“From what I remember the God in Golden Compass is not the wise, loving and all-powerful God from the bible, who always makes the right decisions. Even as a 13 year old I was able to pick that up, and I really don’t see how this series is any different to reading other books that aren’t Christian-positive.”
It’s good to see you have a firm foundation in who God is and how much he differs from the one portrayed in the Golden Compass series. I think your view will help others make a good decision for their family!
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:33 pmLiosis, I agree with you that bringing it back to goodness is important in any story and it’s what most viewers/readers are looking for. A good feeling at the end. I used to watch darker movies when I was younger, but I am also sensitive to that now. So I understand what you’re saying. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:37 pmI haven’t seen the movie, nor do I plan to. It’s not that I’m worried that the movie will sway my faith or anything like that, I just don’t want to put my money where there’s that kind of negative influence–or the appearance of one. The Bible does warn us to avoid the appearance of evil, so if I have to choose which movie to seen, it won’t be one with that kind of controversy surrounding it. Interesting thoughts on this! I like hearing different points of view.
December 23rd, 2007 at 7:22 pmSolid words of wisdom, Gina. I think we do our children more harm than good when we try to shield them from non-Christian or anti-Christian influences. How are they to learn discernment if they’re never faced with the choice? It’s good to remember that Jesus sought out sinners, even dined with them. I believe it’s possible to be in the world and yet not of the world, and that’s what we need to teach our children.
December 24th, 2007 at 9:52 amI brought my children…the oldest two to watch The Golden Compass. It was an enjoyable movie, if a bit vague in some places. My daughter reads Harry Potter. She doesn’t believe in magic, but she believe in wonderfully written books.
I also believe that some people can’t handle books like Harry Potter. It’s a personal choice. I think each parent can gauge what their children can take in movies and books and act accordingly.
This is a great post.
December 24th, 2007 at 10:42 amI love this post! My parents kind of held to the philosophy of not sheltering me from anything. My mom even got me to try a cigarette because she thought it would be better if I tried it with her rather than at a party or something. My parents were hippies though, and not Christians at the time. I turned out okay, but I would never go that far! There is definitely a balance, and I think you do a great job of defining that.
December 24th, 2007 at 11:06 amShoshanna,
Thanks for joining in the discussion. I’d like to hear more of your thoughts on the movie. Did you see any blatant or subtle attacks on Christianity? What did you think was vague?
December 24th, 2007 at 12:16 pmGeorgiana, I agree with you about not wanting to financially support movies where the author is antagonistic against Christianity. Why line his pockets with my money. So if I do go and see it, I will go to the dollar movie or rent it on video.
Myra,I am constantly being challenged by friends with stronger convictions which is a good thing because it makes me take a second look at why I say yes or no to something.
Cahleen, it’s nice when you find that balance.
My parents let me see movies I would never allow my children to see. I have the memories of how these movies affected me (like Saturday Night Fever) and I’d never want my children subjected to the images I saw. Sometimes sheltering is good, but I guess everyone’s definition of sheltering is different.
Thanks everyone for joining in this discussion!
December 24th, 2007 at 12:23 pmThanks for your thoughts on this movie. I personally won’t go to see it or encourage anyone to see it. I don’t encourage my children to see it, not because I believe they will be swayed away from the Lord, but, like, Georgiana, said, We need to avoid even the very appearance of evil. When there is so much controversy about a movie or book, such as “The Golden Compass” it seems that it is more curiousity that makes Christians want to go see it. It also seems to me that it is a good time to take a position against it. I believe that the author’s position of atheism is the best reason to stay away from what he has written. I, too, believe that we can be in the world, but not of it, however, we need to be distinct from the world. John Bevere said it best. He described the difference between a subculture and a counter culture. A subculture is distinct,but still moving in the same direction as the world. A counter culture, like the hippies of old, is going in a distinct direction. We should be hearing a “Different Drummer”, so to speak.
December 27th, 2007 at 6:09 pmI do think that we can shelter our children too much, making it difficult to relate to the world around them, when they are on their own.
Gracelily,
December 27th, 2007 at 8:16 pmI agree with you. That’s one of the reasons I’m not taking my kids to see it because I don’t want to support someone who openly opposes Christ, and I don’t want to put money behind this kind of author, though the movie may not even touch on this particular theme in the book. Thank you for your thoughts and adding to this discussion!