Christian groups slam new Kidman children's movie

[almaty 19]

lol..only here on VJ can a movie being questioned by some religous folks..turn into a slam on Muslims...oh, i heard they hired illegals to have design some of the sets...

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Generaly speaking, Christians (especially the 'born again' variety) seem to be the most intolerant and unforgiving people around. Exact opposite of how Jesus was and wanted us to be.

If you don't think the new Kidman flick is worth seeing, how's about going to a different one. I don't think anyway is forcing you to buy a ticket.

*sigh*

I get so sick of Christians sometimes... and I am one, so that's a bit problematic

Edited December 6, 2007 by Kazan' Tiger

[chri'stina 190]

I haven't read the book, but I'm actually a little inclined to the side of the protesters....the book basically was about killing the God of Christianity because he'd gone aged and demented, where the church tortured children, and heaven was a lie, just a place where you wandered around sad being tortured by harpies. That said, it's reported that they've kept a lot of it out of the movie.

Guess what. Agnostics have been persecuted by Christians for centuries. We have every right to say that the Christian idea of God is flawed and failing society, because it is.

I think we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that this is a series of fiction books, nothing more. What the author believes is not necessarily what 'we' believe, but he has the right to write what he wants, and include whatever message he wants. He doesn't have any control over how others read and perceive his books. He also doesn't have any control over whether others use his books in a political way - but I think those who do are really missing the point.

I don't feel threatened by his message, any more than I did by C.S. Lewis.

Exactly, my point is that he has a right to think differently. Just like Mel Gibson has a right to make The Passion of the Christ.

Of course he has a right to think differently, we all do, and that is why those who are protesting also have the right to do so whether someone agrees with them or not.

I also was wondering about the whole controversy so I did investigation myself. I have come to a similar conclusion as Cassie.

I think what is bothering some people is that it is being shown as just a LOTR type movie, but there is religious symbolism in the stories, so I have read, that has a theme that some people don't like. I am sure there could have been some who did not want to see The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe for it's obvious Christian religious symbolism if they do not like what it represents. So some won't want to watch the Golden Compass either.

I had no desire to see the Da Vinci Code, another controversial movie, because instead of making up a story with fake characters, it used a real person, Jesus, and made a story about Him that I could never agree with. So I personally did not want to see it. And I know many won't want to watch a movie about Jesus' life as represented in the bible(such as the Passion) because they don't have an interest in that.

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

I think these people really need to read the Preacher series to see true, blatant blasphemy. Wonderful series. If you're open-minded and strong in your beliefs, you should read it. It won't harm you.

It's a graphic novel, so you have to deal with that, too.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I haven't read the book, but I'm actually a little inclined to the side of the protesters....the book basically was about killing the God of Christianity because he'd gone aged and demented, where the church tortured children, and heaven was a lie, just a place where you wandered around sad being tortured by harpies. That said, it's reported that they've kept a lot of it out of the movie.

Guess what. Agnostics have been persecuted by Christians for centuries. We have every right to say that the Christian idea of God is flawed and failing society, because it is.

I think we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that this is a series of fiction books, nothing more. What the author believes is not necessarily what 'we' believe, but he has the right to write what he wants, and include whatever message he wants. He doesn't have any control over how others read and perceive his books. He also doesn't have any control over whether others use his books in a political way - but I think those who do are really missing the point.

I don't feel threatened by his message, any more than I did by C.S. Lewis.

Exactly, my point is that he has a right to think differently. Just like Mel Gibson has a right to make The Passion of the Christ.

They have the right certainly, but part of that deal is accepting the inevitable criticism (criticism not always being negative of course) that comes with it. As to whether the criticisms are valid, that's ultimately subjective - but unless the critic has read the book, or indeed seen the movie I don't think they can lay claim to any authority on the subject.

There are whole degree courses devoted to the study of literary works, factoring in the authors intent - the various perceived subtexts, even the general climate at the time it was written - but in all of those cases the people do actually read the books to come up with their interpretation.

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

I had no desire to see the Da Vinci Code, another controversial movie, because instead of making up a story with fake characters, it used a real person, Jesus, and made a story about Him that I could never agree with. So I personally did not want to see it.

That's the way I feel about the Bible, but I'm not protesting it. It's one thing to think differently. It's something different to chastise someone for disagreeing.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I was indifferent to the subject matter in the Da Vinci code - I just thought the movie was a boring and poorly paced adaptation of a poorly written book.

Subject matter is really irrelevant to me so long as I find the story well-told. This is how I'm able to watch and enjoy movies like OldBoy, which although it deals with extremely distasteful subject matter does actually tell a well-plotted story with complex characters.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

lol..only here on VJ can a movie being questioned by some religous folks..turn into a slam on Muslims...oh, i heard they hired illegals to have design some of the sets...

Shhh..... brother, keep that privileged info to yourself.....

As per reading.... children and adults who don't read are missing out. Read what? whatever you want, just read. Yes, I'm a non repentant bookworm, so sue me

[almaty 19]

lol..only here on VJ can a movie being questioned by some religous folks..turn into a slam on Muslims...oh, i heard they hired illegals to have design some of the sets...

Shhh..... brother, keep that privileged info to yourself.....

As per reading.... children and adults who don't read are missing out. Read what? whatever you want, just read. Yes, I'm a non repentant bookworm, so sue me

lol...sister len

[Sister Fracas 5]

lol..only here on VJ can a movie being questioned by some religous folks..turn into a slam on Muslims...oh, i heard they hired illegals to have design some of the sets...

I was hoping by ignoring it, it would go away....

[almaty 19]

lol..only here on VJ can a movie being questioned by some religous folks..turn into a slam on Muslims...oh, i heard they hired illegals to have design some of the sets...

I was hoping by ignoring it, it would go away....

sadly, sister fracas..in the end...several pages later it returns

[*JG* 2]

Two words...........FREE Publicity!

[Sister Fracas 5]

lol..only here on VJ can a movie being questioned by some religous folks..turn into a slam on Muslims...oh, i heard they hired illegals to have design some of the sets...

I was hoping by ignoring it, it would go away....

sadly, sister fracas..in the end...several pages later it returns

in your professional opinion, doesn't the obsession seem unhealthy?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Of course he has a right to think differently, we all do, and that is why those who are protesting also have the right to do so whether someone agrees with them or not.

They have the right to "protest", but that doesn't mean their arguments have merit.

Every single time someone makes a fuss about things like this - it has completely opposite effect to what they intend. Book sales sky-rocket because the controversy creates novelty demand.

Given that - its reasonable to wonder whether they would be better off just keeping their criticisms to themselves and letting people make up their own minds about it. Same thing with Passion of the Christ IMO - I didn't much care for the movie, but I do wonder how many people saw it for the wrong reasons: i.e. not because of the story being told, but for the gore and bloodletting that they'd read about in the news.

As it stands - this whole idea that kids are being indoctrinated with atheism, or indeed that the book is part of some organised atheistic movement is patently ridiculous.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Two words...........FREE Publicity!

yep....and d'oh to them... LOL