Wank

[anogete]

I'm sad with humans in general. People are stupid. There are a myriad of articles out right now that discuss the "controversy" within The Golden Compass. The producers of the movie specifically removed the more controversial elements which cast organized religion (the Catholic Church) in a bad light. However, the crazy Christians are afraid that the movie will spur children into reading the books and discovering the anti-church message. They call it "an atheist message." On top of that, the atheists (and church haters) are angry that the message in the books has been watered down in the movie and believe the movie should be more willing to step on religion.

What the fuck?

Am the only who found Pullman's three novels to be intensely spiritual? Seriously. They are in no way atheist novels. I think they actually speak out against atheism just as strongly as they speak out about Christianity. And the idea they put forth - that we all disperse into Dust in the universe - is beautiful. If there is an afterlife, then I want that to be it. As for the lack of a God in the novels, I would consider Dust as a whole to be God. A novel is not atheist if it simply rejects organized religion or the teachings of Christianity.

So, I'd advise all those talking heads that do interviews in which they complain about: (1) the book promoting atheism, or (2) the movie not promoting atheism enough to shut up and read the flippin' books. I think it's a damn shame that people are afraid to give information to children due to the fear that the children will actually think for themselves and question what they've been told (be it Christianity or atheism). Evaluation of one's beliefs is a good thing.

This rant brought to you by these crappy articles:
The Golden Compass Boycotted Due to Anti-God Themes
Christian Groups Claim 'Pro-Atheist' Stealth Campaign

Comments

[bleedtoblue.livejournal.com]

People are stupid. It's sadly true and very frustrating. It makes me not want to go out and about.

[falco-conlon.livejournal.com]

I agree. Pullman in his interviews is usually less atheist and more anti-organized religion. I don't think people know the difference.

[mmyrtle.livejournal.com]

Snopes.com (http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp) (the urban myth-busting website) posted on this just a few days ago.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

As a reader, I most certainly did not take away an atheist message from the series. I do find the books to be very anti-church, but there is a difference between anti-church and a disbelief in a higher power or a life beyond this one. So, people can say what they'd like about Pullman and his personal views, but I don't think they can really grasp the series unless they've actually read them, not heard about them through second-hand information on the author.

wtg

[(Anonymous)]

Very nice do you have kids if you do good luck if you don't then you should pipe down, you have no frame of reference. Its hard enough to find coomon ground with our children and all your doing is promoting more arguing with children and parents because if you haven't heard teenagers know everything, parents know nothing and there is no common ground to meet.

Re: wtg

[anogete.livejournal.com]

Oh, please... I might reply if you could have formed a coherent argument with correct grammar and spelling. Perhaps you should "pipe down" and read the novels yourself.