By Sarah Horsley
Religious groups and parents alike are up in arms again as “The Golden Compass” makes its way into theaters this Christmas season.
The uproar began after claims had been made that the author, Phillip Pullman, is an atheist. Pullman wrote a series of books entitled “His Dark Materials,” on which the film is based.
Claims continue alleging Pullman wrote the books in retaliation to C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia,” because he hates Lewis, who was also an atheist, until he searched for the truth, and in the process converted to Christianity.
This is where the slander begins, because as research shows, these words never came out of Pullman’s own mouth.
The inaccuracies continue with the claim that the film concludes with the children killing God so that everyone can do as they wish. These are pretty strong and quite inaccurate accusations.
Consumers should get their facts straight before judging a movie for its content. In the books, the children have souls in animal form that live outside of their bodies.
These animals change forms until adulthood where the animal takes one form and sticks with it, as children come into their own. In the end of the series the children witness the death of an old and senile god who ends up not really being a god after all.
Consumers need to keep an open mind, and if they do not like the ideas behind the film that they are protesting so strongly against, then they have the freedom to either support it or to let it bomb at the box office.
Undoubtedly, just because the Pullman is an atheist does not mean the film must have the same beliefs that the author holds as an individual.
Viewers hated the idea of “The Passion of the Christ” when it came out in 2004, criticizing the movie for being anti-Semitic. Many non-Christians were upset that there would be something so graphic in theaters.
However, once again, they had the choice whether or not to watch it. Many discovered after viewing the film that is was in fact the way that events unfold in the Bible and that nothing was added or taken away to suggest otherwise.
While understanding the incredible message that may or may not be present, this is not a good enough reason to try and strip individuals of their freedom of choice. If you do not agree with the movie simply do not go. If you do, feel free to spend your money on it. Just do not, under any circumstances, start taking away our freedoms as Americans.
Remember that in the same way the writers have freedom of speech, consumers have freedom of choice.
