Golden Compass - Does it glorify negative behavior in children? Lying, selfish.

A lot of different things can influence a child's behavior. I've heard horror stories of kids watching Hannah Montana and then being bitc*y little divas because Hannah gets what she wants because she's Hannah. Anything can influence a child to do negative things or something bad to get something their idol has. I have not read the books, nor do I plan on it. But it's just a movie. If you think your kids aren't mature enough to handle the message and not act out like they do in the movie, then don't take them to see it. My sister doesn't let her 3 year old watch adult shows or adult movies. Simple as that.

I haven't seen the movie, but I've spent more than enough time researching the hoopla about it. Really, I can't say which is scarier, the author's agenda or this woman's response: http://acupofteawithanne.blogspot.com/2007/12/more-warnings-on-golden-compass.html Needless to say, I went right over to the movie site and took their 20 question quiz, which took forever to load even on my reasonably fast computer. But it was amazing. After I gave my information, the daemon it chose for me was an exact match for my husband and when I put his information, it came up with an exact match for me! I suppose that could be frightening to the weak-minded, but to me this only proves that skillful "interviewers" can get a lot out of a person in just 20 questions. No, I don't think well-raised children can be corrupted by this sort of thing. If they have learned any values at home, seeing this sort of thing is something like looking in a magic mirror. If what they see is like themselves, it is like a regular mirror, if what they see is different, they view it like the distorted image in a fun house mirror. It will be repugnant to them and they will grow nothing but stronger in the goodness they already have.

I thought Lyra was an orphan who lived with her uncle? (Nevermind you those confusing true families lines, she was lied to, as I understand it). I glanced through the books when I first got them, unfortunately I never got to truly read them because of our last housefire. Have -you- read the books? From some very smart friends of mine, who have, loved the books. Does a hero HAVE to be perfect? A person with mental illness can be a hero in reality...so flawed or not, I don't see why she couldn't be a hero herself. I don't care that the author was an athiest. From the bits I've heard, read, and seen from clips...I see only a mixture of many religions, not an exclusion of them. If he aimed to kill God...well. Whatever. His idea of God, he's allowed to kill...everyone else has a different view. I'm not christian, nor easily offended. I do however like a good story, how the author intended it to be recieved is interesting but irrelevant to me. Facts are; mortals do not kill Gods. In fiction they can, but fiction is eternal, which in sense, allows that deity to keep living through the tale. Which remains; you can't kill a God. Ideas are eternal, they fade over time..but they return eventually. They just..never truly die. If his intention was to help his idea of God fade...well all the power to him. You're allowed to do anything in fiction. I should know, I've published a book, lol. Children should be exposed to as much of the world as possible, but it's the parents duty to guide and teach them and keep them safe. There is nothing dangerous in fiction. Not unless you've not done your job as a parent. I turned out fine, right? I was raised on horror movies and I read a five hundred page fantasy book by time I was ten (not to mention dozens others in non-fiction). And my family's pretty screwed up, heh, but my parents always spoke to me about the stories before or after I was finished with them. We'd often disagree, but such discussions help create a healthy foundation for young minds. Technically, I am still a child by law. I'm in my later teens now. But I am planning to see it, as is my mother. We love stories. We'll judge how awful it is for ourselves and ignore everyone else who says its awful until then. Remember; christian groups were the same folks who said Harry Potter books and movies, Narnia, and Lord of the Rings were evil, awful stories, promoting horrible things. As far as I've seen, they were incorrect. Besides...getting worked up over a story, which can only do what you allow it to do, is silly.

I'm a mother of 4 kids and I know your sentiments. The sad truth about it is we really cannot protect our children enough. So I think the best thing to do is to build a strong foundation of love based on Christian faith. Let us teach them what is good and help distinguish the bad. There is a saying that "Parents knows best for their children". I believe this is no longer enough. I believe it's time to teach them and let them know what is best for them and let them experience it themselves. I believe this is the best solution for them to have the solid foundation of what is good for them. There are a lot of negative forces out there and more to come. They come in different forms, toys, gadgets, movies, books, etc. Let us equip them with a solid christian faith as we won't be around to protect them forever. God bless.

Just to clarify, I don't think Ellie is a nut-job at all. I wish I could say the same for C.S. Lewis...just kidding! OK, I couldn't help that. No, I don't care much for C.S. Lewis, but I don't consider him a nut-job either. Ellie is probably an excellent parent, by the way. I was stricken by your comment about parents dropping their children off at the mall to see movies, and think you might get a kick out of knowing that when I was a kid we only viewed movies as a family. We shopped as a family, too, and used to drive by the theater where long lines of children were waiting to get into the Matinee as it was called back when this extravangaza cost all of 15 cents. "Look at all those rich kids!" I'd say, pointing out the window. "They're not rich," my mum would answer, "Their family is just paying to get rid of them for a while." You can form your own conclusion from that one, lol. In the Middle Ages, it was common to perceive the human body and soul as two separate entities and to have the two conversing more or less as Homer Simpson does in the comics when he has the "angel" sitting on one shoulder and the "devil" sitting on the other, with both egging him on in opposition directions. The early church used it as a teaching tool. I don't see any harm in it at all. It is important for people to understand that the "daemons" of Greek antiquity could be good or bad and the word has no relationship whatsoever to our word "demon." When I taught in a Catholic elementary school, though, we weren't allowed to expose the children to Greek thought, and as much as I loved the school and the nuns and the children, I always secretly hoped that at least one of them would grow up to become a famous Greek scholar. I don't see this sort of book or movie as a temptation for at-risk children, but rather as a pitifully poor substitute for parental guidance. I, too, find some of what Pullman says offensive. But the movie is intended to 1) make money, and 2) entertain. Nowhere it is designed to be "in loco parentis" so if the under-25's get in there and it messes up their minds, I wouldn't blame it on any movie show. In my experience, at-risk children are extremely needy, and it is this reaching out for assurance, self-esteem, and substitutes for love that get them in trouble. Sadly.

there are so many things these days that can misgude your chilren,and unless you observe and watch what they watch or read, its possible for them to get ahold of stuff like this.. me just by readin this post. i want nothing to do with the book the movie nothing the author has to offer, im not tryn to say hes wrong but its aginst what i believe and what i have taught my daughter...this guys work would not be welcomed in my house.