Athiest Movie...The Golden Compass

[JennS]

[Anna Banana]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

How does anyone know left if they don't know right?

What would a Democrat be if there were no Republicans?

How can anyone know god without also exploring "no god"?

In other words, if we don't look at all sides of things - including the opposing sides - how would we ever find the middle?

To each their own. This is either a brilliant marketing scheme, an educational opportunity, or one group's view. Now I'll HAVE to see it just bc of the potential for opinions based in censorship alone.

I completely agree! I mean, I know Christianity is supposed to be blind faith, but I really don't think ignorance strengthens one faith, it just weakens it. Telling kids that they can't see this movie will just make it seem forbidden, and more appealing. How about instead, Christian parents talk about the movie with their children, so they can use the opportunity to focus on the different religous viewpoints of people?

[Anna Banana]

Originally Posted by Tillys_mom

I didn't even know that movie existed. I don't think my kids will be brainwashed with that movie. I hope that the things that I will teach them will carry them through life and I wont have to worry about sheltering them. I've never seen Harry Potter, not because I think it's going to make me want to be a witch, I just thought it looked corney. If my children wanted to read that I would allow them to because I hope they would know fantasy from reality. Harry Potter is fake. I'm Christian and I believe in God and Heaven, but I've always liked reading up on other religions. Not because I wanted to convert, but I think it's interesting. I had friends of all religions or even no religion at all. I had straight friends and non straight friends and we all got along great. Even though I wanted to drag them all to church with me on Sunday, I always found their beliefs interesting. I wouldn't be upset if my children had a diverse group of friends either. All of my friends were welcome in my parents home. So to get back on topic here, I don't think this movie is going to turn my kids against God. If that was the authors point with the book, it wont work. If the child is going to be turned against God by a movie, they could be turned against Him in numerous other ways. It must not of taken much to change their minds. I don't appreciate a movie like this made, it wont be allowed in my home. Not because I think it will turn my kids atheist, but I just think it sounds tasteless. Sorry for the vent.....LOL

You sound like an amazing mom! Good for you!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by sweetr72

Here is what agnostic means to me..

An agnostic believes that the nature of God and/or supernatural are unknown and unknowable by human beings, if they exist at all. An agnostic thinks it is impossible (at least now, with our current understanding of the nature of the world) to conclusively know the truth about the existence of God and the afterlife which Christianity and other religions are concerned with.

If you ask an agnostic "Does God exist?", possible replies might include:

I don't personally know.
I can't give an opinion because we can't prove the existence or non-existence of God given currently available knowledge.
I can't give an opinion because there's no real way to know, with certainty, anything about God.
Anything's possible, but we can't assert that God definitely does exist, or that God definitely does not exist. It is beyond our capabilities to prove anything about God.

An agnostic is different from an atheist, who believes, with certainty, that God does not exist. Agnostic means, literally, "does not know" (from Greek: the prefix a- means "not/without" + gnosis means "knowledge"

Such a great posting. I often find organized religion beyond confusing bc each religion, and its members, seem to feel compelled to push that their religion is the only really REAL religion. That their religion is the one that truly understands the nature of god - and that anyone who isn't a true follower is basically....well, going you-know-where or a "bad" person.

I don't know if there is anything more arrogant, in the universe, than thinking you understand the nature of god; and then proceeding to sell that belief to others, to me, takes it one step further.

I was raised catholic, but I am VERY respectfully agnostic - meaning, if there is a god, I could never portend to understand its nature in any way. Nor can any being on this planet, in my estimation. Therefore, I cannot follow a "religion" that claims an understanding of god.

I'm not sure if there is a god or isn't one, but I AM sure that I stand humbly before the possibility of one. I hope for a higher power, for meaning in this journey called "life". And I strive to leave good things in my wake: love, respect, kindness, compassion, mindfulness.

Then again, I'm just a little 'ol human being, what do I know?

[chattiesmom]

I worked as a Paraprofessional in an elementary school library for 12 years. I made it a point to read as many of the books our shelves as possible. The Golden Compass was by Pullman was a "leftover" from the time that our school was 1-12 grades. The book was NOT, a children's book.

I believe in protecting our right to freedom of speech, however, with rights and freedoms come responsibilities. It is a parent's responsibility to know and approve of the content of the movies, tv shows, computer sites, and books their children are viewing. It is time consuming and a lot of work, however parents concerned about the content of any movie should view the movie (without the kids) and/or research the book, author, and movie and make an educated parental decision. Parents, be fair, make an informed deicsion and then stick to that decision. Don't be swayed by the age old argument -- all my friends are.....

[makemepretty]

A movie won't change if your kid believes in God or not(neither will a book). That's just ridiculous to me. It's a PARENT who instills those values.

Movies are entertainment pure and simple, my kids don't believe Spiderman will save the day. Sheesh.

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

I worked as a Paraprofessional in an elementary school library for 12 years. I made it a point to read as many of the books our shelves as possible. The Golden Compass was by Pullman was a "leftover" from the time that our school was 1-12 grades. The book was NOT, a children's book.

I believe in protecting our right to freedom of speech, however, with rights and freedoms come responsibilities. It is a parent's responsibility to know and approve of the content of the movies, tv shows, computer sites, and books their children are viewing. It is time consuming and a lot of work, however parents concerned about the content of any movie should view the movie (without the kids) and/or research the book, author, and movie and make an educated parental decision. Parents, be fair, make an informed deicsion and then stick to that decision. Don't be swayed by the age old argument -- all my friends are.....

Good post.

[Gingergirlsmom]

I don't know if Harry Potter has inspired any children to become witches...

but I do know it has inspired many to become readers.

[AngelWorks]

Originally Posted by cockerduchess

All it takes are those little seeds of doubt.
This is one movie my kids will NOT see!

I think you underestimate the strength of character of your own children.

The world is filled with differing opinions and views.

Why not take this as an op to share, discuss and actually hear your childrens' thoughts instead of closing the door?

You may be pleasently surprised at what you hear.

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Such a great posting. I often find organized religion beyond confusing bc each religion, and its members, seem to feel compelled to push that their religion is the only really REAL religion. That their religion is the one that truly understands the nature of god - and that anyone who isn't a true follower is basically....well, going you-know-where or a "bad" person.

I don't know if there is anything more arrogant, in the universe, than thinking you understand the nature of god; and then proceeding to sell that belief to others, to me, takes it one step further.

I was raised catholic, but I am VERY respectfully agnostic - meaning, if there is a god, I could never portend to understand its nature in any way. Nor can any being on this planet, in my estimation. Therefore, I cannot follow a "religion" that claims an understanding of god.

I'm not sure if there is a god or isn't one, but I AM sure that I stand humbly before the possibility of one. I hope for a higher power, for meaning in this journey called "life". And I strive to leave good things in my wake: love, respect, kindness, compassion, mindfulness.

Then again, I'm just a little 'ol human being, what do I know?

[spruitt7]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Such a great posting. I often find organized religion beyond confusing bc each religion, and its members, seem to feel compelled to push that their religion is the only really REAL religion. That their religion is the one that truly understands the nature of god - and that anyone who isn't a true follower is basically....well, going you-know-where or a "bad" person.

I don't know if there is anything more arrogant, in the universe, than thinking you understand the nature of god; and then proceeding to sell that belief to others, to me, takes it one step further.

I was raised catholic, but I am VERY respectfully agnostic - meaning, if there is a god, I could never portend to understand its nature in any way. Nor can any being on this planet, in my estimation. Therefore, I cannot follow a "religion" that claims an understanding of god.

I'm not sure if there is a god or isn't one, but I AM sure that I stand humbly before the possibility of one. I hope for a higher power, for meaning in this journey called "life". And I strive to leave good things in my wake: love, respect, kindness, compassion, mindfulness.

Then again, I'm just a little 'ol human being, what do I know?

I completely agree with this post. I was brought up as a Christian. Organized religion to me is confusing. Mainly because (nobody get mad at me for saying this) where I grew up there was so much Christian hypocrisy. There were some churches that you had to donate $$$ to even attend!! Others still made it optional, but if you didn't donate then they just kinda stuck up their nose at you. Then there were the churches who basically shoved their religion in your face and basically said any other religion was wrong. I grew up in the south and more and more young people are refusing to go to any church just because of how the churches are. Some people in churches now are sooo judgmental of everyone else.