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Maria B.
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| Posted: Oct 17 2007 at 7:29am | IP Logged
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This was sent to me from a friend.
The following information is from the Catholic League's website: www.catholicleague.org. It is about a new children's film coming out soon based on the fantasy novels of Phillip Pullman. If you've never heard of him, he's an English children's book writer who is a convinced atheist andhater of the C.S. Lewis novels for children. He writes his fantasy novels as a kind of "antidote" to Lewis. He speaks frankly of his atheism and his desire to wean kids away from religion. The books are highly regarded by secular critics and easily available in public school libraries. The point of the article is to warn that the film is somewhat innocuous but is meant to be "bait" for the books which are anything but. It's all doubly dangerous because the books are well written and very beguiling--
From the website: A film called "The Golden Compass" opens December 7. It is based on the first book of a trilogy titled His Dark Materials. The author of this children's fantasy is Philip Pullman, a noted English atheist. It is hisobjective to bash Christianity and promote atheism. To kids. "The Golden Compass" is a film version of the book by that name, and it is being toneddown so that Catholics, as well as Protestants, are not enraged. The second book of the trilogy, The Subtle Knife, is more overt in itshatred of Christianity than the first book, and the third entry, The AmberSpyglass, is even more blatant. Because "The Golden Compass" is based on theleast offensive of the three books, and because it is being further watereddown for the big screen, some might wonder why parents should be wary of thefilm. The Catholic League wants Christians to stay away from this movie preciselybecause it knows that the film is bait for the books: unsuspecting parentswho take their children to see the movie may be impelled to buy the threebooks as a Christmas present. And no parent who wants to bring theirchildren up in the faith will want any part of these books. "The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked" is the Catholic League's response. Itprovides information about the film, "The Golden Compass," and details whatbook reviewers have said about Pullman's books; a synopsis of his trilogy isalso included. If you would like to order copies, you can do so by sending $5 (includesshipping and handling) to: Catholic LeaguePublications Dept.450 Seventh AvenueNew York, NY 10123 Or order using our online form. (If you choose an electronic copy, a pdfwill me emailed to you.) On orders of 10 or more, the cost is $3 per copy. It is important that all Christians, especially those with children orgrandchildren, read this booklet. Anyone who does will be armed with all theammo they need to convince friends and family members that there is nothinginnocent about Pullman's agenda. Though the movie promises to be fairlynon-controversial, it may very well act as an inducement to buy Pullman'strilogy, His Dark Materials. And remember, his twin goals are to promoteatheism and denigrate Christianity. To kids. Please get the word out.
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Patty LeVasseur
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| Posted: Oct 17 2007 at 8:21am | IP Logged
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I was really disappointed to see that Nicole Kidman, who I believe is Catholic, is starring in this. Thanks for the warning Maria.
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aussieannie
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Here is some more information from Steve Wood's recent newsletter email:
"The Golden Compass: A Five-alarm Warning for Parents
New Line Cinema, in partnership with Scholastic Media, is planning a surprise attack against your children's faith on December 7th, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
As a Christian parent, you are undoubtedly aware that your children are the prime targets in the culture war. Hollywood is taking direct aim at the faith of children and teens worldwide with the $150,000,000 blockbuster movie The Golden Compass.
The Golden Compass movie is based upon the first volume in a trilogy entitled His Dark Materials by the militant atheist author Philip Pullman.
Staring in the movie is the professing Catholic Nicole Kidman. "I was raised Catholic," she says. "The Catholic Church is part of my essence. I wouldn't be able to do this film if I thought it were at all anti-Catholic."
I vehemently disagree with Nicole Kidman. The trilogy, His Dark Materials, is the most seductive and diabolical attack upon God and the Catholic Church that I have ever encountered in books for children. Throughout all three volumes, Pullman is seeking to alienate children from God and the Catholic Church. By volume three, he has children joining the fallen angels in a final demonic attack upon the Kingdom of God.
Please heed this next sentence: Do not form a judgment on His Dark Materials based solely on the first movie. Deceptively, the first movie has removed Pullman's explicit attacks against the Catholic Church. Instead the wicked enemy of children and human freedom is only referred to as the "Magisterium." This toning down of the first movie will permit the producers to rake in millions while not arousing too much religious opposition. Of course, after seeing the movie, children in countries around the world will rush out to buy and digest Pullman's God-hating and Catholic-bashing trilogy.
Here is just a sampling of what children and teens will encounter in the movie and by reading His Dark Materials:
• Demons are a child's best friend and companion. Each demon is in the form of an animal. They're like talking pets. A child and his demon are like an invincible team.
• Children can go to the movie website, answer 20 questions, and get a name for their personal demon
• Pullman tells children that the "Authority" [God] is really not the creator, but that he just assumed authority of the universe (the fallen angels rebelled because of this usurpation of authority)
• Children are invited to join the new Republic of Heaven where there are "no kings, no bishops, [and] no priests."
• In the third volume, children learn that there isn't a heaven or hell, just a dismal zombie-like wasteland plagued by the greatest unhappiness for all the dead
• The Catholic Church, portrayed as the despicable enemy of children, seeks to "dehumanize" children by separating them from their personal demons
• A charming 12-year-old girl is the heroine of the movie. With the help of her personal demon, she's on a quest to kill God and vanquish the Catholic Church for the benefit of all humanity.
• At the end of Pullman's third volume, God is revealed as a pathetic, decrepit being. After God is let out of his cell, he gets vaporized into nothingness. That's it for God in the chapter entitled "Authority's End."
• The Pope is called Pope John Calvin and the Vatican is moved to Geneva to reflect Calvin's heavy-handed religious rule over that city
• Catholic priests kidnap children and one priest is an assassin
• Philip Pullman seems to take particular aim with his poisoned pen at nuns. On my CD, His Dark Materials: An Urgent Warning for Parents, I describe in detail how Pullman has a nun breaking her vows, cohabiting, and much more.
You might be saying to yourself, "Pullman's stuff is so over the top that no one will be taken in by it." I urge parents not to underestimate this skilled and engaging writer. Newsweek calls Pullman's trilogy "absorbing … like Harry Potter." Actually, I think Pullman is a much better writer than J.K. Rowling. And that's why I think he's even more dangerous. Pullman has won every imaginable literary award, even more awards than Rowling.
To fortify myself before reading Pullman's twisted books, I prayed the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel-not the abridged version you're probably familiar with, but the unabridged page-and a-half version. I didn't just pray it once but frequently. Despite my spiritual preparation, at times during my reading I found myself rooting for the forces of evil! Pullman's tale is absorbing.
The Golden Compass film will be released in 22 countries during December 2007. Also in December, The Golden Compass video game will be released - just in time for Christmas. An extensive line of toys and collectibles is planned through more than 40 licensing partners worldwide. The Golden Compass merchandising program hopes to be a major holiday success story.
There are other critical issues about The Golden Compass and His Dark Materials that I'll be posting at this link over the next two weeks: http://dads.org/goldencompass.asp
Here are a few of the things that I'll be addressing in postings:
• How Pullman's books may be coming into your parish school
• How the Scholastic Corporation is trying to overcome religious objections to Pullman's poison
• The bad advice being given to parents about His Dark Materials in some parish schools
• What to do when Pullman's books become required reading in your child's public school
• What to do when your children are given a personal demon toy at a burger restaurant
For now, this newsletter, the CD we are offering, and the updates on our website are the advanced notices you need so that your family isn't hit by a December 7th surprise attack. Don't let your children see this seemingly innocent children's film and don't buy Pullman's books for Christmas. I've provided this warning for you and your children. Please pass along the warning to your friends and extended family.
Family Life Team
I again want to thank all those who are participating in the Family Life Team, our circle of supporters.
This month we are offering our Team members my CD on His Dark Materials: An Urgent Warning for Parents. With this month's CD, our active supporters already have the information they need to protect their kids from Pullman and to go on the offensive in their schools and parish book fairs.
It took me numerous hours to read the entire 1,104 pages of Pullman's trilogy, to document the specific anti-Catholic passages in his books, and to visit dozens of websites doing background on Pullman and his trilogy. My ability to make this timely information available, including this newsletter, is directly due to our circle of Family Life Team supporters to whom I express my deeply felt thanks.
Click here if you would like information on joining the Family Life Team:
http://familylifecenter.net/become_member.asp"
God Bless, Anne
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MaryM
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| Posted: Dec 01 2007 at 6:01pm | IP Logged
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Since there has been much talk about this movie (and books) I'm going to link some of the other threads here so we have them in one place.
Be Warned: Pullman's The Golden Compass
Warning about the Golden Compass movie
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Dec 06 2007 at 2:48pm | IP Logged
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Moved from the Noelle discussion here:
stacykay wrote:
| I looked at the Catholic Bishop's movie review site, but didn't find anything for upcoming releases except for their Golden Compass one, read here. |
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I cannot believe that the USCCB took the authors motives so lightly--going so far as to recommend reading the books with your children instead of forbidding them. I read this review in our diocesan paper this morning, and I wonder that my children didn't see the smoke from my ears.
I really don't understand that philosophy. They are children. I'm not a big fan of Harry Potter, but at least the author hasn't come out and openly said the purpose of her books is to promote atheism and tear down Christianity. What goodness, truth, or beauty could come out of such a motive?
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MaryM
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| Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 10:11pm | IP Logged
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Copied here from the discussion of the Noelle movie:
MaryM wrote:
CrunchyMom wrote:
stacykay wrote:
| I looked at the Catholic Bishop's movie review site, but didn't find anything for upcoming releases except for their Golden Compass one, read here. |
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I cannot believe that the USCCB took the authors motives so lightly--going so far as to recommend reading the books with your children instead of forbidding them. I read this review in our diocesan paper this morning, and I wonder that my children didn't see the smoke from my ears. |
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This is raising concern as it should be. I found this article at Life Site. There are many people seeking to have this reviewer, the Director of the USCCB Office for Film, fired. It quotes that "many bishops are horried at what has been done in their name." The author suggests respectfully contacting your bishop and voice your concern about this review. |
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MaryM
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| Posted: Dec 11 2007 at 10:27pm | IP Logged
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I just read this evening that the USCCB has withdrawn its review of The Golden Compass. I checked the site and it is no longer posted. Obviously the damage has already been done in a sense but this is a move that clearly indicates they were getting a lot of flack for this review. I hope this will bring about some changes.
Also here are some statements by a couple of bishops indicating caution regarding this movie. This is more what I would have hoped from the USCCB reviewers.
Bishop Jerome Listecki (La Crosse)
Archbishop Charles Chaput (Denver)
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CrunchyMom
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"Secular critics were panning the movie as a poor piece of art, while Catholic critics were concerned with Pullman's underlying agenda," Mr. Vere said. "Thus the USCCB review was out of touch with both the secular culture and the Catholic subculture. The bishops need to revisit how that office is run."
Washington Times Article
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juststartn
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The Bishop of Raleigh put out a letter on the Diocesan website as well.
Letter of Caution Issued on the "Golden Compass" Film
Bishop Burbidge is a good bishop, praise God..
Rachel
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Lorri
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| Posted: Dec 12 2007 at 6:22pm | IP Logged
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MaryM wrote:
I just read this evening that the USCCB has withdrawn its review of The Golden Compass. I checked the site and it is no longer posted. Obviously the damage has already been done in a sense but this is a move that clearly indicates they were getting a lot of flack for this review. I hope this will bring about some changes.
Also here are some statements by a couple of bishops indicating caution regarding this movie. This is more what I would have hoped from the USCCB reviewers.
Bishop Jerome Listecki (La Crosse)
Archbishop Charles Chaput (Denver) |
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My children came home from RE each with a print out of the USCCB review of this movie. I was so surprised! As I do more and more research, I'm pretty mad about it - it's like our parish is endorsing the movie. The RE director is a friend and my dh is the parish council president. I'm hoping this doesn't get too sticky because I'm going to have him ask the RE director to send a retraction. 
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Topic: The Golden Compass warning
