Alright. This is stupid. You've heard of the "Golden Compass" right? No? Well, it's a popular children's fantasy book series that was recently released as a movie that kinda sucks. The major controversy being that the book and presumably the movie had several anti-relgious overtones, most specifically against Catholicism. The good-guy characters apparently are fighting against their version of God. Not "God" god. Not "Yahweh." Not "Buddha." Not even "Thor." A fictional god. So Christian zealots that were still buzzing over "The Da Vinci Code" found a new target. They were worried that the children might be influenced into being non-God fearing people. That the children would be theologically spoiled due to a film featuring a little girl riding an armored polar bear like a horse. The media yawned and ridiculed them. Rightfully so, I might add. Man, I feel dirty. I just sided with the media. *shudder*
Well, the movie bombed. However, I tell you this story to tell this other story. One of the previews attached to "The Golden Compass" was a trailer to "Prince Caspian" the latest film to be churned out of the "Chronicles of Narnia." This is ironic, in that a "Christian fantasy" film is being advertised on a supposed "Atheist fantasy."
Well, the atheists, who usually are too apathetic or too snooty to go out their way to protest anything aside from "In God We Trust" being printed on money, are seen picketing outside theaters. They were concerned about the Christian subtext influencing their children. How dare our government allow a film to influence our children to believe in a higher being!
"I just can't believe this," said Leah Jones, mother of three and proud atheist. "I can't believe that they would allow children to be exposed to this kind of thing without warning!"
Wow. Just take out the word "atheist" and put "Christian" instead. It sounds like the typical protest tale Christians usually take crap for doing. Well, atheists, I've ranted and raved at Christians for the "Da Vinci Code" in a previous blog (check my blog archives under the title "IT'S FICTION!"). Now, it's time for your spanking.
First off, hypocrites, if you mock Christians for boycotting "illuminating" or "challenging" materials then you shouldn't do the same. Secondly, where the hell were you less than three years ago when "Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe" came out into theaters? A little late to cry foul, huh? Especially since that movie was an allegory for Easter which is the very base of the faith that you are intending to fight (much like how Christians fought strongly against the "Da Vinci Code" rather than the more controversial "Angels and Demons"). Plus, if you were really against the movie and gave a real damn you would have protested the movie while it was in production. Fuck, it was announced a mere few weeks after "Wardrobe" was released.
Thirdly, and the most important, IT'S FICTION! You know? Like Harry Potter, Scooby-Doo, and Scientology. You don't believe in this anyway, so how is it different than any other fantasy? Are you going to ban your kids from anything with any form of deity in it?
"Sorry, Timmy, you can't study Greek history."
"Why, Pop?"
"Because I didn't raise you to learn about Zeus."
If you look into most pieces of literature, fantasy especially, you'll be hard pressed not to find Gods, ghosts, spirits, summons (a prayer allegory), and angels. I guarantee one out three books has a Christ-like figure in them. The other thing is that you can just say "It's only a story, it's pretend." I doubt that the 8 year olds that this film is intended for will to watch this film will go home and say, "Wow, that Aslan is obviously representing God/Christ and his actions/dialogue in the film reflect much that is written in this Bible that I keep hearing about...etc." They will probably say, "I liked the talking lion and the swords and the magic and the animals and the fighting and the...etc." Do you know why? Because that's what I thought when I was that age.
What's the matter? Afraid of something that would be "challenging" to the beliefs (or in this case, unbeliefs) you want instilled in your kids? If it bothers you that much, don't take them to see the movie or read the books. Or just say, "It's fiction, lions can't talk." Besides, nowadays it's easier to put Jesus or Aslan alongside Mickey Mouse, Lion-O, and Popeye than convince kids that he's God's boy...or lion.
My point is that much like Christians can't keep their kids in the Christ-bubble forever, atheists can't keep their kids away from religous influence. Hell, are you going to prevent your kids from voting when they are old enough? The top contenders for 2008 include two Methodists, a Baptist preacher, a Catholic, and a Mormon. My hope is that Christians and atheists would let their kids look at each others worlds for a while, play together, and then let them learn from experiences on both ends of the spectrum. That way they will grow up into knowledgable people and get a job as opposed to picketing over nonsense like children's movies.
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2 comments:
I agree with you on most points, including the main point. I do think that there tends to be a great deal of overreaction to movies like this. However, I also think that in a market driven economy, that boycotts are a valid means of having ones voice heard (although I do wish these voices would say better things).
The irony, of course, is that they end up generating more publicity than these films would get if they just left them alone. Especially with movies that are just bad, such as last temptation and DaVinci Code (okay, so I haven't seen Davinci Code, but I've read the book and I just can't see any possible way as to how it could have become a good movie.)
My big point of contention though: there are no Muslims among the Pesidential frontrunners. The person that I believe you are referring to is actually a member of the United Church of Christ.
Good post. Especially when I imagine the little kid talking with your great distressed child voice.
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