A Golden Compass and Prayer for the Stars

A friend of mine forwarded an email chain to me about an effort to squelch an upcoming film called "The Golden Compass".  It sounds like it might be a dreamed up story by a devoted atheist in answer to the Narnia film that was popular in 2005 around the same season.  I'm not familiar with the upcoming movie or the book.  I've heard a little bit about it and have seen some very passionate bloggers encouraging a massive effort to eliminate the book from public reading along with protesting the movie. 

I obviously don't know much about it so I can't give an educated opinion on it. I am not excited about movies and books that teach children God does not exist, but I'm also not excited about how our (by our I mean the Church [and by the church I mean people who are considered believers and followers of Christ]) immediate reaction to things like "The Golden Compass" is to stir up a mob in protest.  Just something I've been pondering after reading the email chain.  What do you think?  Is it worth the effort?  Maybe I'm just in a cynical mood and just need a jump start in my passion to get angry about yet another attempt by popular culture to defame God? 

On that note, an article at Breitbart.com tells the story of a group dedicated to praying for Hollywood celebrities and the industry.  Hollywood Prayer Network seems to be the "anti-picket" way of doing things.  Check out the story below and let me know what you think:

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Anyone who thinks Britney Spears' best days are behind should know this—she does have a prayer.

The celebuwreck, who has been struggling to get custody of her kids while launching a comeback, is the top prayer-getter at the Hollywood Prayer Network, a group of more than 5,000 Christians that prays for stars instead of writing them off as lost causes.

The network recently passed a Bible to socialite Paris Hilton and plans to pass one to Spears later this month. It also picks up-and- coming child stars for its monthly Kids Prayer Calendar and pairs hundreds of mentors with struggling actors—the kind more likely to take your order in a restaurant than appear on your television.

Members of the network, which has chapters in 16 U.S. cities and eight countries, see Hollywood as the 21st century's largest mission field, a powerful industry that can be used to sow the seeds of an international cultural and religious revival.

"We tell people, 'If you're angry at a TV show or you're switching channels because of content, stop and pray for the people on the show,'" said Karen Covell, HPN's founder. "If you really believe in God and you believe God has a transforming power, then leave it up to him."

Read the full story

Comments

[scott]

I'm with you Ben. I have two thoughts about this:
1) Boycotting usually results in higher sales. I think there's room for a consciencious organization to educate Christian parents about all movies, so that they can make an educated decision about what kids see.
2) His Dark Materials is sitting on my bookshelf, unread. It was given to me by someone who has always given me great reading suggestions. I read the first chapter and had an "ick" feeling and just never got back to it. The recent hubub was the first I knew of the ties to atheism. So in effect, I'm glad someone's making news, I just think boycotts typically have the wrong effects. The Church shouldn't be afraid of false teaching, but rather should address it, challenge it, and correct it. Sometimes you never see the darkness of something until a light shines on it.

[Heath Casey]

This children author is a devoted atheist and the stories do not put organized religion in a good light...

That being said - the boycott or censoring movements turn me off.

I think this type of stuff provides teaching moments. How about reading it with your child and watching the movie with your child then discuss the themes or elements that are contrary to Scripture.

The censor or book burning method only makes it seem that the Bible has to be protected against other ideas; but it doesn't it! It wins out, and faith and understanding are only strengthened by learning the poor alternatives to truth humans have tried to put forth.

Teach, communicate, the light shines and exposes...not the other way around!

[garywlafreniere]

glad i asked...I just don't understand why we fight the fights we fight as "Christians"...its a movie...I have seen a ton of horror movies come out..Now I would probably have less control over a teenage child that wants to watch that e of movie and less influence as well. Simple, Parents need to parent. start now verus later...lining up with the masses may show our kids what our beliefs are, but "maybe when I get older I'll do what my parents do and just do what my finds do."

We need to have our own reasons, spoken from our lips with compassion to our kids that need real substance to the reason behind our parenting decisions...

Other issue with me is that I really do not like the picket lined formed with a sign saying.."Christians Line Up Here," it robs us of individuality in Christ. God wants us to talk about it, address it...not "FOLLOW THE LEADER"...all too often that happens with a wrong message...especially to Outsiders looking In.

Thanks for the post ben.

g

[garywlafreniere]

Wow...cant spell...
...child that wants to watch that e of movie and less influence as well....

that is "type of" not e.......

...older I'll do what my parents do and just do what my finds do...."

that is "friends" not finds....

sorry for the correction.

lol

[Kristiapplesauce]

Yeah. I don't really get it when people get angry over stupid stuff. I wonder if "those" people would ever invite "those other people" out for coffee across the protesting lines while they are screaming at each other just to invite friendship or a little understanding. Not to invite them to church...but to invite them into their lives. This stuff makes my skin boil. Really, where is Christ in their protest? If they don't like the movie...don't go see it. Seriously. I bet those same people are the very ones who are watching desperate housewives and grey's anatomy...secretly of course. Grrrrr.

[garywlafreniere]

heck I watch those shows......the point is that it does not lead me away from Christ nor do I condemn those that watch as well to hell!

Watch it...so long as it does not replace Christ in your life....and as long as your walk is strong...

But definitely not because everyone else says that i should or should not....

[bobby]

There's a good post presenting the other angle, from a Christian, here:http://blog.beliefnet.com/idolchatter/2007/10/responding-to-my-fellow-christ.html

See what you think.