SHARING
By Iggi Khomasurya
“…A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD.” (James 4:4)
We live in the information age. Our and
society’s values can shift unknowingly if we do not discern the
bombardment from books, television, movies, music and the Internet.
Some worldly values have become laws or “acceptable ways” of life –
abortion, euthanasia, divorce, same sex marriage, cohabitation,
including corruption and bribery. When Christians embrace these
worldly values (friend of the world), we become part of the
darkness (enemy of GOD) rather than a light shining in the
darkness. Using official Catholic websites, not unsubstantiated
e-mail messages, I try to review information that can unknowingly
change our values from light to darkness.
WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT “THE GOLDEN COMPASS”
The Golden Compass movie debuted in December 2007 starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. It is made out to be a fairy tale story for children but is it? The movie endorses rebellion and kills GOD who is part of creation, not the Creator. The Vatican newspaper states, "When GOD is pushed off the horizon, everything is made smaller, sadder, colder and less human."
THE CRITICS
ZENIT’s interview with Catholic authors Pete Vere and Sandra Miesel (Pied Piper of Atheism).
Q: The first movie of “The Golden Compass” trilogy is released…what kind of books… and to whom do they appeal?
A: Vere - “The Golden Compass” is the first book of Philip Pullman’s trilogy…which attacks the Catholic Church and the Judeo-Christian concept of GOD.
Q: Nicole Kidman, a Catholic, has said she wouldn't have taken the role if she thought the movie was anti-Catholic.
A: Vere - Suppose Kidman is right and the movie has been sanitized of its anti-Catholicism. However, the books remain saturated with bitter anti-Christian polemic. So why promote a movie that will only generate interest in the books among impressionable young children?
AN ALTERNATIVE COMMENTATOR
Sister Rose Pacatte suggests, “Control is for the moment; communication lasts a lifetime.” Education and faith formation are more important to parents than control (just say “No”), which may make some parents feel better, but it doesn't really inform a child. The film challenges believing adults to articulate their faith and values and to brush upon Church history, theology and literature. It is a difficult assignment, but an excellent way to engage our children.
SOME ACTIONS TAKEN
The Catholic League has called for a boycott of the movie. Their goal is to stop the movie from meeting box office expectations. They have succeeded.
USCCB has withdrawn a positive movie review. One member, Archbishop Hughes says, “There is a spiritual war going on. The kingdom of Satan is at war with the Kingdom of GOD. Rebellion, from the start, has been Satan's goal. His weapons are violence and deceit. In some ways, violence is easier to fight against.”
My recommendations: 1. Keep channels of communication open with your children. 2. Say “No” to the movie and the books. 3. Do not read the book or see the movie yourselves. We cannot study them and not be contaminated. 4. Instead develop a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith to provide answers to our children. Bank tellers in America handle real money all the time to be able to identify counterfeits.