I keep hearing all of this hoo-haw nonsense about how the film The Golden Compass is all about atheism and viewing it will encourage the youth of America to disbelieve in God.
I have a comment: Are you kidding me?
Are you saying that the youth of America is so dumb or closeminded that they need a film or an actor to tell them what to believe or what to think? Are you saying that you cannot let the youth of this country have indpendent thoughts because it may disagree with what you believe? Are you saying that it is better for the youth of America to watch films that show people killing each other or using drugs, smoking, or drinking? Or are you saying that they should not go see movies altogether, and instead watch television or the news — where they can see adults killing each other, using drugs, smoking, drinking, or having unprotected premarital sex?
I think that if religious groups are so paranoid about how a film will influence a young child, perhaps, they should use this as an opportunity to communicate with the child about the film. Ask them what they think. Ask them why? Talk to them about how they relate to God or not and why it is important to know the difference. I would rather see a child watch a film which would stimulate their minds into thinking about what’s right and what’s wrong instead of saying, “You can’t see this film because it may make you think that it’s okay to not believe in God. Here, watch this music video instead.”
The quality of programming on television and the theaters today have gone downhill considerably. Groups who want to teach the youth of America to choose right and not wrong need to show them the difference and talk about it, not pretend it’s not there. Many times children will do what they want, regardless of if you want them to or not. But wouldn’t you rather be there with the child to guide him/her rather than let them have to figure it out on their own?
