The Vatican Condemns 'The Golden Compass'
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, New Releases, Celebrities and Controversy, Religious
What a surprise. Reuters has reported that The Vatican really doesn't like The Golden Compass. They're not the only ones, since this massive-budget film has been flopping around like a fish gasping for breath since it came out; however, they are the ones leading the religious charge. It's, obviously, not the film's cinematic shortcomings that are making waves, but rather, its religious commentary. This is the same content that was toned down by Chris Weitz in an attempt to make this a more palatable film to everyone -- as if they hadn't thought about the potential controversy when the project first came to be.The Vatican newspaper, l'Osservatore Romano, has printed a long editorial ranting about the film, pretty much describing it as if it were an example of torture porn, rather than fantasy, calling it "the most anti-Christmas film possible," and that "when man tries to eliminate God from his horizon, everything is reduced, made sad, cold, and inhumane." These are the most religion-specific quotes coming out of Reuters' piece. The writer must be living one heck of a film-free life if this is not only the most anti-Christmas film made, but even possible! It's no surprise that they wouldn't be happy about the film, but statements like that just take the whole argument to a new level of ridiculous. It's one thing to comment on the aspects of a film that diverge from the church's beliefs. It's another to take exaggeration to new heights. Then again, we're in a world where one short peek at a nipple creates monumental fuss.
_thumbnail.jpg)
Alec Baldwin Becomes Latest to Threaten Retirement
The First 'Iron Man 2' Poster Appears!
The Return of Jessica Alba?
Now 'New Moon' Prevents Skin Cancer!_thumbnail.jpg)
Discuss: Who Would be the Most Profitable Director if ...
_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-19-2007 @ 3:45PM
Stacey said...
Ha! I agree with you 1000%! How ridiculous.
Reply
12-19-2007 @ 3:23PM
Eddie said...
I condemn the Vatican.
Oh wait, this wasn't a forum for issuing decrees about whatever you want from entities with pretty much no (meaningful) authority whatsoever?
Reply
12-19-2007 @ 3:39PM
eugene said...
diddling underage boys = okay
protecting pedophile priests from the law = okay
movie about magic polar bears = BAD.
Reply
12-19-2007 @ 3:52PM
Chance McClain said...
I disagree with how the Catholic church perceives Christianity. But on this lone score I am down with them. Golden Compass deserves all of the crap it is getting.
Reply
12-19-2007 @ 4:22PM
KMF said...
I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and am really disappointed that all the controversy hurt it at the US box office. It's truly ridiculous that this film has the church, as well as most christians (except the one here writing this comment.) shaking in their boots enough to condemn it like it was some XXX killing spree movie.
It actually sadly adds credence to the books/movie's theme when people are being told what to do and what to think. I've said this a lot, I have an open mind and think debate on religion is healthy, and knowing about everyone's belief system, isn't a bad thing. Questioning existance shouldn't be condemned, to me that only means they're afraid that what they preach might be faulty. We were given free will but I guess the church/christians forget that. My belief in God is stronger than a fun fantasy movie and books with a different view point. Now my faith in christians, that's a whole other story.
Reply
12-19-2007 @ 4:39PM
mike green said...
could bush bomb the vatican?
Reply
12-19-2007 @ 5:17PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
WTF the movie never mentions god. Really people who are claiming the movie is against god or religion didn't see it. There's no mention of god, religion, etc. People are monumental a-holes and intellectually lazy if they claim the movie is anti-religion.
Reply
12-19-2007 @ 5:18PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
McClain, did you see the movie?
Reply
12-19-2007 @ 5:23PM
Eddie said...
KMF:
I am so thankful that another Christian is open minded about this whole fiasco. I am in 100% agreement and it made me sick to my stomach to hear a pastor in my town warning families from watching this FROM THE PULPIT. I'd love to sit down with him and discuss the greater sin, watching a fictional movie (like Narnia, of which he is a rabid fan), or being a bad steward of the time God has given him to guide and grow the congregation entrusted to him.
Blown out of proportions, I hope this movie somehow does well worldwide just to teach the church their place is in the homes and hearts of Christians, not in their wallets or theatres or polling places.
Reply
12-19-2007 @ 5:25PM
Cath said...
I enjoyed the film but felt it could have used an extra ten minutes to build up some more background. The Vatican just likes to throw its weight around or it would never get any exercise whatsoever. Recall it said similar things about Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code, Buddhism and the New Age. Yet it remains quiet on globalization, poverty and its own shortcomings.
But I really recommend people read the books as they include a lot of interesting philosophical and scientific musings. Oh, except for you homeschoolers who can't risk being tainted by a stray outside thought.
Reply
12-19-2007 @ 5:47PM
Sokrates said...
"when man tries to eliminate God from his horizon, everything is reduced, made sad, cold, and inhumane."
there is nothing humane about what the Vatican does. they are nutjobs. they manipulate people's emotions and brainwash those stupid enough to follow. enough said.
Reply
12-20-2007 @ 5:15PM
cptrenault-christmas07 said...
Cath: Your comments belie your collossal ignorance of the Roman Catholic Church. Your comment about the church remaining quiet on "globalization, povery and its own short-comings" made me raise an eye-brow. Simple searches on google can provide enough evidence that the church speaks to these topics. (see http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=opera&rls=en&hs=nNT&q=pope+globalization&btnG=Searc) for example). I guess your message, then, is that it is OK to be irrationally prejudiced against a belief in which case you are in lock-step (or goose-step?) with your fellow posters.
Sokrates: Wow, so much hatred. You kind of sound like Pullman himself.
If you want to read a review of this movie from a RC pov, then go here. http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=913 Its from a magazine that is generally Catholic in the topcis it covers, but even those of you who despise the church will find this review pretty balanced and interesting.
Reply
12-23-2007 @ 2:51AM
N. said...
The Vatican should keep it's business out of the entertainment industry, and stick to cleaning up it's own house. The Vatican is worried about how a movie will negatively affect children....even going so far as condemning a movie. How ridculous! The Vatican should care so much about how it's very own priests ruined many many children's lives...and knew these things were happening to children. Hmmmmm, sounds similiar to the story... condemn the Vatican...yes, down with the Vatican.
Reply
12-25-2007 @ 11:03PM
Mary Smith said...
It's okay for the Vatican to allow millions of people to die from AIDS rather than use condoms, but not okay for people to watch a film that encourages them to question organized religion's political power.
Reply
12-27-2007 @ 1:38PM
Jose Kuhn said...
It is funny. I think Star Trek is anti religion because of the Ethical Humanism tone and no mentions of god... etc Yet no pin heads from the Catholic League or what ever bash ST.
A new take on the famous Eisenhower quote is " Beware of the Christian Industrial Complex...". Like any organization that gets to big, (Unions, NRA, Green Peace, PETA, Heritage Foundation .... ) the priorities of the christian right are about power, influence, money and self perpetuation rather than the original mission. Where is Martin Luther when you need him!!
Reply