Well, it was bound to happen.

[pipistrellafelix]

So prepare yourself: the Catholic League launching an attack, or at least releasing an aggravated statement, condemmning The Golden Compass Movies.
I said something similar in lacylu42's journal: I can see why these books, much more than Harry Potter, can be seen to promote atheism. And I can see why the Catholic Church would get their knickers in a twist, because the books are rather attacking organized religion. But they're so much more complex than that. Have they* read the books I wonder? For me it was always an attack--if that word's even right, which I'm not sure it is--on what happens when organized religion goes bad and loses sight of the principles on which the religion was founded in the beginning. Pullman certainly condemns that. Actually, I think I've heard Pullman condemning all organized religion (I think he had bad childhood experiences...), but I've never heard him condemn religion outright. Anyway, I find the whole thing fascinating but I'd like to know I'm arguing against people who've read and understood the book.

And really, people: "The trilogy, His Dark Materials, was written to promote atheism and denigrate Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism." Are you sure? You can read implications into it all you like (& I'm not suprised they are), but no one ever said that.

"Atheism for kids. That is what Philip Pullman sells." Whoops. Guess because I bought all his books as a kid and devoured them and loved them, I am an atheist. Oh...but wait. That's not strictly true. Whoops.

*sigh*

[* So of course this "they" is another issue because I don't know how many people that encompasses, whether some or all have read or understood the book. I just think you ought to be on the same playing field to have an argument about something. Is that reasonable?]

Comments

[neoweezel.livejournal.com]

(I see your edging-hysterical league of catholics and raise you one act of amazing Chinese totalitarianism: http://www.boingboing.net/2007/08/22/china-to-tibetan-bud.html)

I always find it interesting that they feel the need to pro-actively defend them selves to such an extent. Catholicism--hell, lets go broader, Christianity--is a rather ancient institution with a steadily increasing rate of conversion and literally more money, collectively, then God. Somehow I don't think it's going to collapse through the power of a fantasy-fiction trilogy alone, even an amazingly brilliant and deep fantasty-fiction trilogy. BUT ITS THE PRINCIPAL OF THE THING.

[elanor-two.livejournal.com]

I heard about this! It makes me laugh..."an important move to institutionalize management of reincarnation."

Ahahaha! Oh, China...I mean. I only find this hilarous because how are they supposed to enforce this?

As for your second point, it logically makes sense. But they feel threatened, & anyone who's threatened rarely reacts logically...

[seachild-elf.livejournal.com]

Although you could say that the religious institute that's 'the enemy' in the trilogy does seems much more like Catholicism than any other religion. I do agree somewhat with the feeling that, if Pullman wanted to condemn all organised religion, he could have mixed more other elements into the religious in the book.

[elanor-two.livejournal.com]

Well, sure, I won't deny that the magisterium is based off of a branch of Christianity, taken to an alternate world and twisted to an extreme. But given the world he's alternating from (ie, ours), to do otherwise would hardly make sense.

[snorkmaiden.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I saw that one coming.

[elanor-two.livejournal.com]

Yep.

[angevin2.livejournal.com]

Do note that the Catholic League != the Catholic Church, nor are they any sort of official branch. They're a sort of embarrassing American media watchdog group.

I haven't read Pullman's books, and I can't imagine the USCCB's movie review page will have much nice to say about the movie, but the Catholic League doesn't speak for all of us. Just wanted to make that clear.

[elanor-two.livejournal.com]

That is true; I didn't mean to imply that. Good point. :)

*snort*

[jptiger.livejournal.com]

"It is our hope that the film fails to meet box office expectations and that his books attract few buyers."

Prepare to be disappointed, folks.

Re: *snort*

[elanor-two.livejournal.com]

They've already been disappointed in the second half of that wish. His books are popular already. Sorry.

[klatukatt.livejournal.com]

Jeeze people are dumb. It's promoting enlightened religion, which the Catholic Church condemns for no good reason.

I'm excited for the movie. It looks groooooooooood.

[elanor-two.livejournal.com]

Well, the Catholic League anyway... *points upward toward angevin2's comment*
But Pullman himself has said he's against organized religion. So...what the book "promotes" or doesn't is sort of...based on what you think. As most promotions are. Hah.


ME TOO. I'm realllllly excited...