Golden Compass promoters trying to advertise in Catholic press

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CNA STAFF, Dec 3, 2007 / 05:44 pm (CNA).- The promoters of the controversial movie, The Golden Compass, are making an effort to diminish the boycott being threatened by Catholics and other Christian groups. The advertising agency for the movie has sent an email to the top 50 weekly Catholic newspapers asking that they consider running an ad promoting the movie.

Advertising Media Plus, the agency promoting The Golden Compass, is trying to use a review by Harry Forbes, the director of the U.S. Bishops’ Conference Office for Film & Broadcasting, as leverage against the boycott being called for by Catholics and Evangelicals.

National Account Manager for Advertising Media Plus, Bob Bugle sent an email to the top 50 Catholic newspapers saying that New Line Cinema is interested “in possibly advertising The Golden Compass in the Catholic press.”

His email goes on to mention that the movie has caused some controversy and then attempts to ease any concerns by citing a positive review from Harry Forbes, the Director of the USCCB’s Office of Film and Broadcasting.

In his review, Mr. Forbes writes that the film “taken purely on its own cinematic terms, can be viewed as an exciting adventure story with, at its core, a traditional struggle between good and evil, and a generalized rejection of authoritarianism”. The Golden Compass was given an A II classification-Adults & Adolescents.

Starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, "The Golden Compass" traces a 12-year-old girl named Lyra from Oxford, England to the Arctic and then to the edge of another universe, where she becomes locked in a battle between good and evil. The characters are shadowed by their own "daemons," talking animal companions that take on soul-like qualities.

This past October, the Catholic League launched a boycott of the film, calling it "selling atheism to kids" in stealth fashion. The Catholic League’s boycott, although it objects to some parts of the film, is more focused on the atheistic agenda that author Philip Pullman’s trilogy of books promotes. The Golden Compass comes from Pullman’s first book in his trilogy.

Among the objectionable content mentioned by protestors is the use of the term the “Magisterium”, (the central “Magisterium” is located in Geneva) which attempts to control thought and happily crushes heresy, sometimes murderous intent.

Also of note is the character “Father Gomez,” who is given absolution in advance before being sent out by the Magisterium to kill Dr. Mary Malone, an ex-nun, now physicist, who’s posed to play the part of Lyra’s tempting serpent.

In the books following Pullman’s first work, The Golden Compass, his rhetoric against religion and Christianity increases to the point that English Professor Alan Jacobs of Wheaton College says, “A writer who tells adolescents that good folks are distinguished from evil ones on the single criterion of religious belief is not doing them any favors.”

Interestingly, according to Mr. Forbes, “the religious themes of the later books may be more prominent in the follow-up films which Weitz (the producer of The Golden Compass) has vowed will be less watered down.”

Comments: 14

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Ron Pichlik
Battle Creek, MI USA 12/19/2007 05:47 PM EST

To M.T. Chambers in Tampa. I don't particularly think that it is a case of Christians wanting it banned. I'm sure we would prefer it if these challenges to our children's faith weren't made. I think it is more of a case of Christian parents trying to get the word out that this is not a healthy product for your children's faith/spiritual life. Personally, it is my choice to not financially award persons associated with a project put together by a person who has as his goal to undermine Christianity. Lastly, your appeal to logic on what is fundamentally a question of faith is irrelevant. Further, since to my knowledge Milton was a writer/poet and NOT a theologian with any formal training from the Church I equally find your appeal to him to be irrelevant.

Published by: elizabeth
mobile, al 12/07/2007 01:34 PM EST

In 2001, well before Pullman's books were anything to speak of in the US, he was quoted in the Washington Post: "I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief." He has repeatedly described himself as an atheist. He is anti-Tolkien and anti-Lewis specifically because of the Christian overtones in their works. The director of the film has stated explicitly that he tried to tone down the book's religious aspects for film because he knew they were controversial. This matters little, because everyone is going to want to buy and read the book after seeing the movie, and then the deed is done. How many of these books will sit under a Christmas tree this year? It doesn't take much to "consider his over all [sic] philosophy." There are none so blind as those who will not see.

Published by: M.T. Chambers
Tampa, Florida, United States 12/04/2007 11:38 PM EST

There are countless pro-christian movies and books out there, which atheist don't protest, but as soon as one atheistic movie comes out, Christians immediatly want it banned. Don't you think that's hypocritical? What's more, it only goes to underline what Philip Pullman is saying in his triolgy about the Catholic Church. The Dark Material Trilogy is well written and well thought out, and if you take the time to read it through you would see that Pullman presents a logical arguement that goes all the way back to John Milton's Paradise Lost. You don't have to except what Pullman is saying is true, but at least consider his over all philosophy before passing your judgment on him or his work.

Published by: Catherine
Orland, ME USA 12/04/2007 09:23 PM EST

Unfortunately, athiests are everywhere.This movie is blasphemy in every raw sense of the meaning. Chris, I would switch colleges. A Catholic college should know better than have an organization like you describe. Maybe they approve of this abominable movie as well. Get out of there.

Published by: Tia
Tucson AZ 12/04/2007 07:13 PM EST

I had read all three books when I was about 14. I read the first and loved it but by the second I was confused because I noticed some comments that were not "nice" relating to the Church. By the time I finished the third book , I was shocked at the direct atheist point he made. I couldn't believe that was a childrens book and how a thrilling story was ruined and I was mislead into reading them all. I have since warned family and friends and now anyone else who has children subjected to the reading of the books. They drip poison into the minds of children-first slowly and then full force by the third novel. The same will be with the movie. They can not complete the trilogy of the movies without the poison as that is the sole purpose of the story. The first movie will just wheel us in as the book did.

Published by: Jeff
Minnesota 12/04/2007 05:09 PM EST

I work for a similar school Chris, Catholic Benedictine, and the same stuff occurs here. The problem is that modern academia is endlessly liberal. They are open to every viewpoint exceot ours.

Published by: Tobias
Detroit, MI, U.S.A. 12/04/2007 04:51 PM EST

For Mr. Forbes to allow the Bishops to be used to promote a film that portrays good as evil and evil as good is another scandal that has plagued this genration. Dear Bishops consider the judgement of God who has entrusted souls to your care and remove Mr. Forbes from his position so that his review cannot be used to discredit your authority as shepards of God's children.

Published by: John
Chicago, IL USA 12/04/2007 02:21 PM EST

So the "Chronicles of Narnia" and "The Golden Compass", get the same rating from the USCCB. Please shepherd us!

Published by: Paul Connick Sr.
Gretna, la. USA 12/04/2007 11:06 AM EST

The Church "one, holy, apostolic."

Bishops should come together with one voice regarding the above quote.

Mr. Forbes should not be speaking for Bishops who haven't stayed in touch with whats going on around them. Time to get serious and stop the harm being done while we have on "shepherd".

Published by: Augustine
Austin, TX 12/04/2007 10:44 AM EST

That's all that nobody needs, the USCCB to review a film "purely on its own cinematic terms". The secular media already does a pretty good job at it. Rather, the USCCB should add value to its stance: Catholic values.

Published by: John Michel
Durham, NC, USA 12/04/2007 10:41 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

I think this article has a little detail wrong. The first book is actually called "The Golden Compass" or "The Northern Lights" in the UK. The second book is "The Subtle Knife" and the third is "The Amber Spyglass".

The stated purpose of this trilogy is to sell atheism to kids and "kill God" in the minds of the readers. It is almost a direct backlash to the Narnia books, which Pullman found to be too dripping with Christianity. I have read the first book just to educate myself and here's my take:

It is obviously anti-Church (though he distorts or misrepresents a lot), he speaks of the "Church", "Pope", and sacraments directly. Even without the religious content, parents should know that the main character is a habitual liar and this is glorified as a heroic trait throughout the book. It is her defining feature. The morals throughout the book are twisted and I recommend caution.

Published by: William G Bach
Owensboro, KY, USA 12/04/2007 10:11 AM EST

I pray that the USCCB will retract their support of this film, and give prayerful consideration to letting Mr. Forbes go ASAP. Support of this film is not only deplorable but damning of Christianity and especially Catholicism. What were the Bishops thinking?

Published by: P. A. Williams
Franklin, TN 12/04/2007 09:09 AM EST

Quote: "Mr. Forbes writes that the film “taken purely on its own cinematic terms, can be viewed as an exciting adventure story with, at its core, a traditional struggle between good and evil,..." end Quote. The only problem with this story is that the evil portrayed in it is God and the Church. Shame on Mr. Forbes and the Bishops need to rethink his employment. Can you say Scandal?

Published by: Chris
Toledo Ohio USA 12/03/2007 10:53 PM EST

My college blogs are a buz about this film. An atheist student is preaching don't fear the atheist viewpoint. My college is a private Catholic College, sponsored by Fransican Sisters and has recently allowed a newly recognized student organization to form, theLesbian, Gay, Bi-Gender and Transgender Student Union. I would apreciate any suggestions on a response to this particular group. The administration has stonewalled any opposition or questioning of the organization.

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