1 post tagged “controversy”
So... tired... must... blog...
Strix saw the Golden Compass earlier this week with her little sister (BBBS), but I hadn't seen it yet, and she said I would definitely want to see it on the big screen. At any rate, I had to see it to exercise my First Amendment rights, as I know a few people who would just as soon ban the thing because of it's supposed anti-religious themes.
That's not to say it was a chore to watch. I found it highly enjoyable, and am looking forward to the adaptation of the rest of the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman. There was far too much storyline packed into the feature run-time of the movie, but I felt that it flowed well enough considering the richness of the story.
And, although I know what Pullman's comments are regarding religion and how his books relate to them, I can't help but think that religious leaders are being stupid for becoming defensive and offended by these stories. The books could only be offensive to people of the religious persuasion if you feel the description of the religious authority in the fantasy world of the book, The Magisterium, accurately describes your religion. If it does, then you have a problem; if it doesn't, smile at the talking bear and shut up.
And, at any rate, if your faith can be shaken by a movie with a talking bear in it, it probably wasn't that strong to begin with.
And, besides, replace the Magisterium with the Catholic Church and Dust with Scientific Advancement, and you have a pretty accurate portrayal of the relationship between the two in our world. So there.
On a down note, Strix and I ate at Fuddruckers before the movie, since it was right across the corridor from the theater in the mall. The food was good, once we finally got it, but I waited half an hour for my little restaurant pager/coaster to vibrate before going up to the counter to see what the hold-up was. It turns out they lost my order. Strix's salad was sitting there under the heat lamp, wilting, but they never got my sandwich. The manager made a point of getting it prepared immediately and bringing it to my table, but didn't offer any refund, coupons, a swift kick in the pants, nothing. It was my first time eating there, and I probably won't eat there again.
