Christian Groups Claim Pro-Atheist 'Stealth Campaign' in Nicole Kidman Fantasy Film '

[sandyandporter]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,305487,00.html

Can you say BOYCOTT??? Ya'll thought Harry Potter books were bad? How about a little girl on a quest to kill God? Perhaps they watered it down for the movie but.....

[The Unknown Gomer]

There's a thread about the first book in this trilogy started in Book Club, I see.

Yep. I'm definitely going to have to see if the library has this one. I've never heard of it, but with all the buzz, gotta see what all the fuss is about, I guess. ;)

[EmmoGomer]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the film. The trailer looks amazing.

http://www.goldencompassmovie.co m/

I believe I'm a strong enough Christian to be able to watch a Fantasy film (because fantasy is what it is!) without having my faith rocked!
If you watch Lord of the Rings it's full of 'dodgy' stuff. Did all the Christians in the States get their knickers in a twist over that. *thinks*........probably :rolleyes:

[VerbumReale]

Here we go again, we're going to get all in a dither about a supposedly anti-faith movie and in the process just bring more attention to it, and thus make it more succesful.

[middletree]

I'm really looking forward to seeing the film. The trailer looks amazing.

http://www.goldencompassmovie.co m/

I believe I'm a strong enough Christian to be able to watch a Fantasy film (because fantasy is what it is!) without having my faith rocked!
If you watch Lord of the Rings it's full of 'dodgy' stuff. Did all the Christians in the States get their knickers in a twist over that. *thinks*........probably :rolleyes:

You really cannot compare this with Lord of the Rings. The author of the Golden Compass is so fiercely anti-God it's scary. His entire purpose in writing the books was to make the God of the bible look weak, egotistical, and evil.

That's why I don't understand the headline's use of the word "stealth". There's nothing stealth about Golden Compass books. They pretty much lay their cards on the table.

[Trillamum]

Usually, I'm on the side of those defending books and movies as not being something we need to get our panties all in a wad over, however, as a huge fantasy fan, I have actually read this entire trilogy and must say I was sorely disappointed. The writing is incredible, the story is engaging, and I kept on hoping he would pull it out and let Lyra learn that God was good, it was people who were causing the problems, but no, God ends up dying in the books, and it turns out that He and His armies were indeed the bad guys. And, unfortunately, I can't even justify it by being just fantasy, because Philip Pullman makes it very clear that he is refering to the God of the bible (even calls Him the Ancient of Days, and Jehovah as well I believe) and that his story is meant to take place in a cross-worlds perspective (ie it's not just in the world of the story, but in our own as well that he is trying to create his plot). So, for these ones, I'm going to have to go with the Christian gurus consensus and say it's pretty horrendous.

[WeaselInYerFoot]

I remember posting something about the "His Dark Materials" trilogy in one of the infamous HP thread debates. That while everyone was nitpicking meaningless things from the HP books, there was a very blunt threat emerging from a very outspoken atheistic author. His books carry greater problems than just mere semantics.

[VerbumReale]

Usually, I'm on the side of those defending books and movies as not being something we need to get our panties all in a wad over, however, as a huge fantasy fan, I have actually read this entire trilogy and must say I was sorely disappointed. The writing is incredible, the story is engaging, and I kept on hoping he would pull it out and let Lyra learn that God was good, it was people who were causing the problems, but no, God ends up dying in the books, and it turns out that He and His armies were indeed the bad guys. And, unfortunately, I can't even justify it by being just fantasy, because Philip Pullman makes it very clear that he is refering to the God of the bible (even calls Him the Ancient of Days, and Jehovah as well I believe) and that his story is meant to take place in a cross-worlds perspective (ie it's not just in the world of the story, but in our own as well that he is trying to create his plot). So, for these ones, I'm going to have to go with the Christian gurus consensus and say it's pretty horrendous.


I am not saying that the critics don't have a legitimate beef, I am just saying that by making such a fuss over these things we end up just bringing more attention to them. A protest among Christians will just make it all the more intriguing to non-believers, especially with the media portraying the critics as narrow-minded fascists.

[VerbumReale]

You really cannot compare this with Lord of the Rings. The author of the Golden Compass is so fiercely anti-God it's scary. His entire purpose in writing the books was to make the God of the bible look weak, egotistical, and evil.

That's why I don't understand the headline's use of the word "stealth". There's nothing stealth about Golden Compass books. They pretty much lay their cards on the table.


The stealth aspect is in the fact that the movie has supposedly somewhat watered down the anti-religious agenda of the author. So the belief is that the if the watered-down movie is succesful it will create a new interest and a new audience for the books, which are not watered down. I don't think it's some covert attempt on the part of the studios. I think its the studios realizing that they are going to get a wider audience if the anti-religious agenda is removed. I don't think the studios give a hoot if one book sales as a result of the movie.

[sandyandporter]

A thought I can't help but have is..... what mother lets her child take a role in a movie wherein the character is trying to kill God? From what I've read they toned the religious aspect down from the book to the movie but still... How fame and money hungry do you have to be to think that's ok??? :mad:

I was one that really didn't care about people reading Harry Potter, LOVED The Lord of the Rings movies and generally don't get my proverbial "panties in a bind" over anything.

And for those who say that their faith is strong enough to watch something like this... I agree, so is mine. It's not people of faith I'm worried about..... it's all the unsaved people that we have a duty to reach!

IMHO I think if you go support this movie that you're compromising your Christian values. Other books/movies that have been discussed did not directly attack God like this one. I would certainly hate to be sitting in a theatre watching this movie when Jesus returned!!! :eek:

[VerbumReale]

And for those who say that their faith is strong enough to watch something like this... I agree, so is mine. It's not people of faith I'm worried about..... it's all the unsaved people that we have a duty to reach!

:

Granted. And history has shown that when we get all cranky and make a fuss over movies and books like this it just makes it all the more intriguing to the detatched non-believer. If you don't want to support this movie then don't see it, don't buy the books. If you know any non-beleivers who seem intrigued then tell them your misigivings about the film and books in an honest and forthcoming manner. But it is totally counter-productive to draw attention to it by making a media circus out of it.

If you want to protest it, then protest by not seeing the movie or buying the books. IMHO we will do a disservice to non-believers by bringing more attention to this film and thus compelling them all the more to go see it.

[EmmoGomer]

OK. I didn't know much about the nature of the film/book. It's certainly something we'll think about and decide when the time comes to see the film...........or not see the film as the case may be ;). Thanks for the heads up guys.

[sandyandporter]

Granted. And history has shown that when we get all cranky and make a fuss over movies and books like this it just makes it all the more intriguing to the detatched non-believer. If you don't want to support this movie then don't see it, don't buy the books. If you know any non-beleivers who seem intrigued then tell them your misigivings about the film and books in an honest and forthcoming manner. But it is totally counter-productive to draw attention to it by making a media circus out of it.

If you want to protest it, then protest by not seeing the movie or buying the books. IMHO we will do a disservice to non-believers by bringing more attention to this film and thus compelling them all the more to go see it.

I totally agree. Other than venting here.... I will probably not say a word. It's like telling a teenager that they CAN'T do something.... they just want it more.

[middletree]

A thought I can't help but have is..... what mother lets her child take a role in a movie wherein the character is trying to kill God?

What mother lets her kid watch a TV preacher who tells you that God wants all believers to be rich, and that only sinners get sick?

I agree this movie is reprehensible, but there are other, more subtle ways that Satan is screwing up our culture. You can't combat them all.

I guess what I'm saying is: avoid the movie? absolutely. Protest it and give it plenty of publicity? Heck no.

But it will happen anyway.

[sandyandporter]

What mother lets her kid watch a TV preacher who tells you that God wants all believers to be rich, and that only sinners get sick?

I agree this movie is reprehensible, but there are other, more subtle ways that Satan is screwing up our culture. You can't combat them all.

I guess what I'm saying is: avoid the movie? absolutely. Protest it and give it plenty of publicity? Heck no.

But it will happen anyway.

Again... I agree.

[Salome]

Well the boycott message is getting out. In the past week I've had 3 emails sent to me by friends and acquaintances getting the word out about this flick.

[The Unknown Gomer]

...Yep. I'm definitely going to have to see if the library has this one. I've never heard of it, but with all the buzz, gotta see what all the fuss is about, I guess. ;)

...The writing is incredible, the story is engaging, and I kept on hoping he would pull it out and let Lyra learn that God was good, it was people who were causing the problems, but no, God ends up dying in the books, and it turns out that He and His armies were indeed the bad guys....

Aaaaand now I don't need to read the book. Gee thanks. ;)

[middletree]

Aaaaand now I don't need to read the book. Gee thanks. ;)

Looks to me like someone done saved you a lot of time. You should be thankful.

[3D NC fan]

Looks to me like someone done saved you a lot of time. You should be thankful.

I never had an interest in the books even before the discussion, but even more so after that post. Someone surely done saved me a lot of time. ;)

[The Unknown Gomer]

But they said that the writing was incredible and the story engaging. Sounds like something that I'd want to read. :)

I feel like I do every time I accidently read about how someone gets whacked in the Sopranos before I actually get the whacking episode from Netflix. http://www.thirdday.com/boards/images/icons/icon9.gif LOL.

That's okay, if the writing is good, finding out how it ends ahead of time won't matter. I read some books multiple times anyway, just because they're a good read.

[clemsontigers23]

But they said that the writing was incredible and the story engaging. Sounds like something that I'd want to read. :)

I feel like I do every time I accidently read about how someone gets whacked in the Sopranos before I actually get the whacking episode from Netflix. http://www.thirdday.com/boards/images/icons/icon9.gif LOL.

That's okay, if the writing is good, finding out how it ends ahead of time won't matter. I read some books multiple times anyway, just because they're a good read.

I'm having a hard time understanding why a Christian would want to read a story about a little girl trying to kill God? The writer himself said his books are a response to Narnia and called the Narnia series "poisonous" and said that religion "poisons everything." Why would you read one of the most blasphemous novels to come out since the Da Vinci Code? KILLING GOD? :mad:

Seriously, I wonder where we have our priorities if we're trying to justify watching a movie or reading a book like this. What's next, trying to justify going to a Marilyn Manson concert? Sitting in a satanic church service to "see what it's like"?

Sometimes I wonder if we're scared of being criticized for taking a stand against a movie and a series like this, especially one aimed at KIDS. :mad:

[middletree]

I'm not scared to take a stand. I'm just not convinced that "taking a stand" is always wise. Depending on what is meant by taking a stand. Making a public stink is not wise, IMO. It gives free publicity to a book or movie that otherwise might have not been seen or read by many people. This is exactly what happened in the 80's with "Last Temptation of Christ".

I'll take a stand by not seeing it or letting my kids see it. But beyond that, I am unsure why anyone feels they have to make a public stand. Can Jesus not defend Himself? Is there any verse in the bible which tells us that we should make a public stand when some does or says something blasphemous? I have not yet found such a verse.

[clemsontigers23]

I'm not scared to take a stand. I'm just not convinced that "taking a stand" is always wise. Depending on what is meant by taking a stand. Making a public stink is not wise, IMO. It gives free publicity to a book or movie that otherwise might have not been seen or read by many people. This is exactly what happened in the 80's with "Last Temptation of Christ".

I'll take a stand by not seeing it or letting my kids see it. But beyond that, I am unsure why anyone feels they have to make a public stand. Can Jesus not defend Himself? Is there any verse in the bible which tells us that we should make a public stand when some does or says something blasphemous? I have not yet found such a verse.

I didn't mean a public stand...I agree that a boycott only adds the "forbidden fruit" aspect to the movies and novels.

I meant take a stand and privately choose not to watch the movie or read the book. I don't think there would be anything wrong with a local preacher advising against watching it, however. I don't like these huge organizations ordering a boycott, though.

[kiwisongbird]

Thanks for the warning about the book, Nicodemus loves books set in alternative worlds and would likely have read these if I hadn't known about them.

Oh, but please, don't give this movie free publicity like Christians gave to Da Vinci Code - um, I only went to see it because of the fuss made about it - um, and actually enjoyed it, then read both his books - which were fantastic and fascinating... I won't do that this time though... promise :) :) :)

Let's not paint a picture once again of Christians thinking they know best, of Christians demanding their way in the world, of Christians being little fascists... it's not just the world saying we are like that, we tend to encourage them to think that at times. :) :) :)

Oh, and by the way, "God's not dead! He is alive!" :) :) :) :) Hallelujah!

[Jason]

"Nietzche is dead." - God

[The Unknown Gomer]

I'm having a hard time understanding why a Christian would want to read a story about a little girl trying to kill God? The writer himself said his books are a response to Narnia and called the Narnia series "poisonous" and said that religion "poisons everything." Why would you read one of the most blasphemous novels to come out since the Da Vinci Code?...

I'll read it for the same reason I read (and enjoyed) the Da Vinci Code, I like to read good fiction. *shrug* And that's all it is. Fiction. It's a novel. Not true. Something from someone's imagination.

And if it turns out to be BAD fiction, you bet I'll set it aside. Life's too short to read bad fiction. ;)

"Nietzche is dead." - God

Didn't I see that on a billboard somewhere? ;)

[middletree]

I'll read it for the same reason I read (and enjoyed) the Da Vinci Code, I like to read good fiction. *shrug* And that's all it is. Fiction. It's a novel. Not true. Something from someone's imagination.


I have heard this a lot and don't understand it. I understand it if a story is just about something that isn't biblically possible, like Field of Dreams. But when a story says something specifically negative about God, it seems to me that would cross a line.

Let's put it this way: if a movie were made in which your (insert closest female relative here) were portrayed as a very loose woman, would you shrug and enjoy the story?

Well, Scripture clearly says we are to love God even more than our mothers and sisters. If someone writes a story that portrays the God that I love as evil and worthy of being killed, then I have a hard time understanding how the fact that it's fiction could make such a story acceptable.

[The Unknown Gomer]

I have heard this a lot and don't understand it. I understand it if a story is just about something that isn't biblically possible, like Field of Dreams. But when a story says something specifically negative about God, it seems to me that would cross a line.

Let's put it this way: if a movie were made in which your (insert closest female relative here) were portrayed as a very loose woman, would you shrug and enjoy the story?

Well, Scripture clearly says we are to love God even more than our mothers and sisters. If someone writes a story that portrays the God that I love as evil and worthy of being killed, then I have a hard time understanding how the fact that it's fiction could make such a story acceptable.

You're comparing apples to oranges - on the one hand, a movie that sounds like a trashy "based on (supposedly) real life" Lifetime Movie Network flick - which no, I would NOT watch, I can't remember the last time I watched any of that junk - vs one that is clearly fantasy based fiction, and apparently well written and interesting fiction to boot. Put my mother in THAT one as the evil nemesis and I'd be SO right there watching it. :P

But the fact that "fiction = not real" puts it - despite the subject matter - on the same - uh - playing field (no pun intended) as Field of Dreams. Or Harry Potter. Or LoTR. Or The DaVinci Code for that matter (although that one was more chase thriller than sci-fi/fantasy.) It's all out of someone's imagination. And as such, I'm okay with it. Clearly a lot of folks are not. And that's fine too. :)

[clemsontigers23]

You're comparing apples to oranges - on the one hand, a movie that sounds like a trashy "based on (supposedly) real life" Lifetime Movie Network flick - which no, I would NOT watch, I can't remember the last time I watched any of that junk - vs one that is clearly fantasy based fiction, and apparently well written and interesting fiction to boot. Put my mother in THAT one as the evil nemesis and I'd be SO right there watching it. :P

But the fact that "fiction = not real" puts it - despite the subject matter - on the same - uh - playing field (no pun intended) as Field of Dreams. Or Harry Potter. Or LoTR. Or The DaVinci Code for that matter (although that one was more chase thriller than sci-fi/fantasy.) It's all out of someone's imagination. And as such, I'm okay with it. Clearly a lot of folks are not. And that's fine too. :)

It's the same thing. Let's put it this way...how about a fantasy story where the main character attempts to and succeeds in killing your mother? Or anyone in your family? As middletree said, we are to love God more than our mothers or anyone else in the world. If you truly love God with all of your heart, how can you read a book which drags His Name through the mud and where the character succeeds in killing Him? The man said it himself that he wrote it to be a direct opposite of the Narnia series because he believes it to be "poison."

[The Unknown Gomer]

It's the same thing. Let's put it this way...how about a fantasy story where the main character attempts to and succeeds in killing your mother? Or anyone in your family? ...Again, you've said the magic word - "fantasy". Even something like THAT is fiction.

As long as it's not written as NON-fiction, that the author doesn't come out and say "okay, I'm going to come find you there in Raleigh and this is what I'm going to do to your family." then so be it.

It's fiction, fantasy, not true, completely out of the imagination of the author. It would be a little WEIRD, granted, to have someone write something like that about our family, but it would still be fiction.

I don't know how many more ways I can say it.

[clemsontigers23]

Again, you've said the magic word - "fantasy". Even something like THAT is fiction.

As long as it's not written as NON-fiction, that the author doesn't come out and say "okay, I'm going to come find you there in Raleigh and this is what I'm going to do to your family." then so be it.

It's fiction, fantasy, not true, completely out of the imagination of the author. It would be a little WEIRD, granted, to have someone write something like that about our family, but it would still be fiction.

I don't know how many more ways I can say it.

It's fiction based on an actual Character (God), and it's fiction with a theological and philosophical agenda. If it were pure fiction, then okay, but having a character named God being made out to be the bad Guy and then killing Him but having Him turn out to be a phony? There is an atheistic agenda in this series, and the author himself said he intends it to be the opposite of the Narnia series.

The series is evil. I see nothing good that can come out of a book about killing God. If I were you, I wouldn't waste my time reading such blasphemy.

[The Unknown Gomer]

Well, you're not me, and since I don't consider it to be blasphemy, I'll definitely be reading it. Not terribly concerned about it being the Anti-Narnia, I wouldn't expect much else from an author who is an athiest. But I'm actually more interested in what the guy has done from a creative standpoint than any religious standpoint anyway.

Actually just got done going to the online library catalog and put a copy on reserve for myself. Wow. It'll probably be a while. There are 53 copies in circulation just in the Wake County library system, and the reserve list of people waiting to check it out, including me now, is 32 people long.

Definitely a lot of interest in this book.

[3D NC fan]

Whenever something comes out on the internet, I usually check its accuracy through Snopes. This confirms much of what has already been mentioned with the anti-religion themes:

http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

[sandyandporter]

Well, you're not me, and since I don't consider it to be blasphemy, I'll definitely be reading it. Not terribly concerned about it being the Anti-Narnia, I wouldn't expect much else from an author who is an athiest. But I'm actually more interested in what the guy has done from a creative standpoint than any religious standpoint anyway.

Actually just got done going to the online library catalog and put a copy on reserve for myself. Wow. It'll probably be a while. There are 53 copies in circulation just in the Wake County library system, and the reserve list of people waiting to check it out, including me now, is 32 people long.

Definitely a lot of interest in this book.

As Christians we are to weigh EVERY action we take in the context of "does this glorify God?". How does reading this book glorify God? Would I really want to be sitting reading this book when Jesus returns? If I am born again then the Holy Spirit resides in my body. Does the Holy Spirit want to read this book?

Doesn't take a theologan or a scholar to answer that question. As a Christian I am to lead by example. By reading this book or seeing this movie I am saying that the content is "ok". IMHO, it's NOT ok. As Christians living "in this world" we are under constant scrutiny to see if we are being hypocrites. I for one take this very seriously. Is it asking too much to simply not read a book or see a movie so that you set the right example? Is that too big of a sacrifice?

[Mr.Elwood]

On a side note:

We have Author, Artists, and some very talented people right here in Gomerland who are crying out for support.

Why not waste time, money, and emotional support on a Brother or Sister from this very home and stop wasting time supporting worldly people who are actively in opposition of God.

At a minimum, let’s just simply not keep advertising for people who are actively trying to steer people from God. Lets just keep it out of our daily discussions. If you like it and want to see it or read it, that’s fine, but creating threads like these and then us debating and arguing with each other is simply doing satans work for him and causing dissention in the body.
Is it really worth it spiritually, to you or your family, to keep doing this in the name of being “current”?


That’s my take on all of these “can you believe this…!!./have you seen this…!!” type of threads.

y'all can keep the penny...;)

Peace...

[The Unknown Gomer]

As Christians we are to weigh EVERY action we take in the context of "does this glorify God?". How does reading this book glorify God? Would I really want to be sitting reading this book when Jesus returns? If I am born again then the Holy Spirit resides in my body. Does the Holy Spirit want to read this book?

Doesn't take a theologan or a scholar to answer that question. As a Christian I am to lead by example. By reading this book or seeing this movie I am saying that the content is "ok". IMHO, it's NOT ok. As Christians living "in this world" we are under constant scrutiny to see if we are being hypocrites. I for one take this very seriously. Is it asking too much to simply not read a book or see a movie so that you set the right example? Is that too big of a sacrifice?

Shall I remind you of this post next summer when we both take part in yet another lively happy 16 page discussion of who did what to whom on Big Brother 9? ;) Talk about spending time doing something that most definitely doesn't glorify God, watching trash TV three times a week for several months during the summer. And watching REAL people doing it, vs just following made-up characters in a 12 year old book. :rolleyes:

And for the record, since you asked... if Jesus happened to return while I was reading this book (and given how long the waiting list is for it, that could very well happen!) I personally would not care. I think He probably would have bigger things to think about than what was on my reading list at that particular moment. IMHO, anyway.

Alrighty then. I'm all for just agreeing to disagree on this subject. Y'all think one way, I'all think something completely different, and never the twain are going to meet.

[kiwisongbird]

I'm not going to read it, but that's cos I really don't like that genre of book. Some Christians need to read this stuff so they know what they're talking about with non-Christian friends - I am not advocating that Christians then need to have illicit sex so they can relate to friends - BUT in the a case of extremely popular literature I believe that at times it is a much better witness if you have actually read the book and can then have a sensible discussion about it.

When the first Harry Potter book came out I joined the ranked of putting it down without even reading it - it was actually eventually an embarrassing thing to do - then I read the first book and could then have sensible chats with people about why it might offend some people and the dangers I could see in it.

Andre (15) may or may not read the Compass books - that's up to him really - but Nicodemus (13) and very into that genre will be told that he will be waiting until he is older to read them.

I seriously don't think we can say it's right or wrong to read them - the examples of watching tv programmes is a great one - I have friends who never miss an episode of Lost who are wonderful Christian people - I think it's weird and don't watch it - we also have some friends who watch this fighting stuff on tv - they are really super conservative people - it is soooo violent that Kevin's told me that I would totally freak out watching it - we are all different and God speaks to each one of us about different things - let's not get all snotty with each other - love and learn.... :) :) :)

[hochspeyer]

I read an interview with Mr. Pullman in which he confirms to me that he is a "true believer" athiest; that is, he is so anti-God, he claims both Lewis and Tolkein are bad authors, and then he mentions they are Christian. So, I believe anyone who claims his craft is superior to time honored classics which enjoy and respect is not worth my time.

[sandyandporter]

Shall I remind you of this post next summer when we both take part in yet another lively happy 16 page discussion of who did what to whom on Big Brother 9? ;) Talk about spending time doing something that most definitely doesn't glorify God, watching trash TV three times a week for several months during the summer. And watching REAL people doing it, vs just following made-up characters in a 12 year old book. :rolleyes:

And for the record, since you asked... if Jesus happened to return while I was reading this book (and given how long the waiting list is for it, that could very well happen!) I personally would not care. I think He probably would have bigger things to think about than what was on my reading list at that particular moment. IMHO, anyway.

Alrighty then. I'm all for just agreeing to disagree on this subject. Y'all think one way, I'all think something completely different, and never the twain are going to meet.

We shall agree to disagree. Just like I disagree with being disrespectful in these forums (ie, rolling eyes at people) but that's just me. Watching Big Brother compares to killing God about like chatting compares to a school shooting.

[The Unknown Gomer]

We shall agree to disagree. Just like I disagree with being disrespectful in these forums (ie, rolling eyes at people) but that's just me. Watching Big Brother compares to killing God about like chatting compares to a school shooting.
The eye roll was not actually directed at you, more towards the fact that I feel like I just keep having to repeat the same thing over and over again about the fact that there is a huge difference between something happening in real life and something happening in the fictional universe of a book.

(the powers that be really need to delete that roll eye smiley, I've seen more posts where people have taken offense at someone putting in that particular smiley when the rolling of the eyes was NOT directed at anything THEY actually said.)

And for me the soap opera goings on of real people (even real people on a TV reality show like BB or Survivor) trumps anything in a book full of fictional characters, even fictional characters that kill God, because nothing in the book is REAL.

[middletree]

I just keep having to repeat the same thing over and over again about the fact that there is a huge difference between something happening in real life and something happening in the fictional universe of a book.

You don't have to repeat it. We get it. We know the books and movies aren't real. The difference is not that we don't get that, but that we disagree with you about the importance of that fact. The ones who disagree with you believe that the contents of a work of fiction like this are more important than you seem to think they are. No amount of "apples and oranges" explanations from you are needed. We understand. We just disagree.

[Trillamum]

When the first Harry Potter book came out I joined the ranked of putting it down without even reading it - it was actually eventually an embarrassing thing to do - then I read the first book and could then have sensible chats with people about why it might offend some people and the dangers I could see in it.

Andre (15) may or may not read the Compass books - that's up to him really - but Nicodemus (13) and very into that genre will be told that he will be waiting until he is older to read them.


I have a similar story with the Harry Potter books, but ended up loving them when I finally did pick them up (when I was much older than when they came out).
I would urge you to seriously reconsider letting your 15 year old read these. Like I said, most books, I think we make way to big a deal about scenarios that take place in fantastical worlds, however, these are something else entirely. Even though things are very clearly spelled out in them, they are so engrossing and so beautifully written that I found myself spending WAY too much time trying to figure out how I could somehow reconcile them with Christianity. So, yeah, that's my opinion. Let your kids read Eragon, it's also good and lacks the theological problems.

Unknown; I'm sorry if I spoiled them for you, I didn't realize that anybody might want to read them. :o They are well written, and if your conscience is clear on the matter, whatever. Just please think carefully before you recommend them to others...

[The Unknown Gomer]

You don't have to repeat it...

Not NOW I'd hope. :) But I did. When I first said what I thought about this story, I said I was okay with it because it was fiction. So what about if it was about a close family member? It's fiction. But what about if it was your MOTHER? *let out a shriek that only dogs could hear that got expressed as an eye rolling smiley* It's FICTION!

So yeah, I felt like I was seriously having to repeat myself.

Sandy, again, that eye roll was honestly NOT directed at you. My apologies if that's the way it came across. I have no beef with what anyone else thinks about this movie or any other, we just have different ideas about what equals the concept of "entertainment". A lot of folk clearly think this one crosses the line and that's fine by me; I just don't.

I...Unknown; I'm sorry if I spoiled them for you, I didn't realize that anybody might want to read them. :o They are well written, and if your conscience is clear on the matter, whatever. Just please think carefully before you recommend them to others...That's okay. If I didn't read about how this book series ends up here, I would have read about it someplace else, I'm sure. And I frequently read books more than just once anyway; a lot of times it's not about how it ends but how it gets from the beginning to the end that's the best part about a book.

After reading the blurb from the book that the library had from it, I wasn't sure if I was going to actually LIKE the way it was written, some fantasy stuff is WAY out there for me. But I'm a couple of pages away from chapter four so far, and am finding that I'm actually okay with the way he writes. Very descriptive. It'll be interesting to see how it translates from book to big screen.

[Kasie_89]

Mmm k. Here's my opinion. Short and sweet.

The movie's underlying theme is made up of nothing but principles that violate my beliefs of God.....so I won't be watching the movie.

Fantasy or not, the movie is based on books that end with the killing of God. MY GOD. :mad:
So...pshhh.
This is one person who's earnings won't be going to support this movie.

'Nuf said.

[Trillamum]

Yeah, from the trailers, it looks like they've done a fantastic job with the movie, stuck with the story and everything...and the casting looks excellent. It upsets me a good bit, since they couldn't seem to do that with Eragon or LOTR, but can with this. Beautiful though it looks, I still will not be going to see it because I don't want to support this author in any way, shape or fashion. That said, should the opportunity arise to watch it for free....I might take it....maybe.