[quote name='mykevermin']There's no religious controversy unless you're a numbskull. It's pure selective assault from a childish organization (The Catholic League) who have had to resort to innuendo and implications in the films (apparently "verified" by the fact that the author of the book is an Athiest) to chastise it.
Meanwhile, they remained conspicuously silent about the "Lost Behind" books and movies, wherein the Pope himself is the main villain's lackey (think "Grima Wormtongue"). Now, of course, that's a pretty blasphemous thing to say about the Pope (from the perspective of a Catholic), right? Well, where's The Catholic League's "controversy" claims for that piece of shit (starring TV's Mike Seaver)? That's right: they wouldn't want to alienate any potential donor/member "Christian" by making claims that Lost Behind's assault on Catholicism is a detestable thing - instead opting to go after an enemy (Athiests) that they can share.
It's selective, and with the briefest of insight, purely a convenient target for TCL. They've embarrassed themselves into a corner here; then again, the last time they were clamoring for public outrage, it was because a sculptor had made a crucifix out of chocolate. Overall, they're a joke of an organization because they lack the moxie to consistently go after genuine opponents of Catholicism, instead opting for easy targets. What
in' wimps. No hard drinkin' Irish Catholic would dare be associated with such
in' ninnies.
As for your original question, yeah...I'm not a child any longer. The casting caught my attention, but CG animals with helmets and shit? No thanks.[/quote]
Mykev, I've a lot of respect for you, but your argument here is unfounded.
For your consideration:
http://www.kcm.org/goldencompass.php
Therein are most of the complaints that Christians have with this movie, and with the author. Note that the bottom of the article sites all of it's sources, so you can read Phillip Pullman's quotes for yourself. Your claim that the Catholic church is relying on innuendo and implications is false, as the article will show you that Mr. Pullman intended those meanings for those characters/plot points.
As far as the Left Behind books go, if my memory serves me correctly, the Pope was either duped into following the Antichrist, or he was put into office after becoming a follower of the Antichrist. Either way, I believe the intention was to display that Biblically the Antichrist will rise to power and convince many that are in power to side with him. I don't think the implication is that Catholicism or the Pope are evil or at fault.
Personally, I am not a Catholic, and I have my own gripes with many of their practices. I also do not see the merit in publicly denouncing a movie, as people will watch what the want to watch and the outcryings only serve to stir up controversy that increases box office revenues. I do, however, see the merit in speaking to your fellow Christians about why they might want to keep their children away from a certain movie, in order to protect them from ungodly ideals.
