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Cap'n Crunchie

Posts : 27
Location : NW OKC

Posted : 11/22/2007 12:29:49 AM

Dec 7th
Seems that some of the Religious media finally got wind of the true nature of Pullman's work. The drumbeat is slow and steady, but far too late to warn the natives. It's been tamed down some so it's not quite as subversive as Happy Feet was, but it's a start...

Can't Wait!

Cap'n Crunchie

Posts : 27
Location : NW OKC

Posted : 11/22/2007 12:31:39 AM

Doh!

I am referring to Golden Compass. Pullman says wrote the trilogy specifically to counter such work as the narnia Chronicles overt xian symbolism.

CurveBreaker

Posts : 6
Location : N/A

Posted : 12/11/2007 1:59:24 PM

The Religious Right is p.o.ed because its too subversive, but the Atheists are ticked that they changed the name of the bad guys from The Church (obvious anti-catholic sentiment) to The Magisterium. Cant we all just sit back and apreciate the graphics, cast, and scripting? Its ART People, get down off your respective high-horses and be happy with what little consestion you got.

jerrywall

Administrator

Posts : 30
Location : Edmond, Oklahoma

Posted : 12/11/2007 3:16:03 PM

I've read these books, a while back. First one good, second, not so much, third one I felt was terrible. I thought it was a wierd choice of a series to base movies on, since it seemed to have a week ending.

My other problem with these books are that they exist (per comments from the author himself, and as apparant from the third book) not to tell a grand story, or build something up, but merely to tear down the beliefs of others, and to redicule those beliefs. I have no respect for anyone who finds joy in trashing or disrespecting the beliefs of others, no matter what those beliefs are.

One of the great things about scifi/fantasy fandom is what a diverse group of people we are, with all sorts of backgrounds. We have christians, pagans, athiests, and everything in between. Republicans, Democrats, Communists, Anarchists, and more. Monogamous, Polygimous, Trisexual, every other lifestyle choice. I'd hate for something that is as disrespectful of folks beliefs such as the "His Dark Materials" trilogy to be held out as an example of the science fiction/fantsay genre.

Jerry Wall SoonerCon Chairman

Cap'n Crunchie

Posts : 27
Location : NW OKC

Posted : 12/12/2007 5:39:57 PM

Having never read the books (due to poor reviews of the series), I found the movie to be a bit of a drag, nice fantasy elements and star power to spare but the story itself was too manufactured. I was hoping that they would sanitize the more controversial elements to a larger degree such that the fantasy would take the story over. This has precedent in big budget filmmaking. Oh well. From the numbers, I doubt the sequels will get made anyway...

Just another example of the desperation of hollywood executives to find something that is "bankable". I read a blog that claimed the original pitch entirely mischaracterized the novel and it's background so as to get the money ball rolling. It worked and will again...

As for the importance of Diversity, I am totally in agreement - but hasten to add that tolerance is a key factor and unfortunately, it is a sad fact that organized religion has numerous examples of intolerance. For example, I have never seen any evidence that the Spanish Inqisition was respectful of Diversity. IMO, the very concept of Evangleism is based on intolerance. It's hard to play nice with folk who insist I am wicked and evil simply because I don't accept the same interpretation of an ancient collection of books and whose primary goal is to foster change, not acceptance.

I will stick my neck out easily on this - after 25 years in Fandom, I have yet to see or hear of any convention proferring to host Sunday (or Saturday) religious services. I'm guessing that would be a sign that leaving personal beliefs at the threshold is a factor in our successful integration of such a diverse population. As an agnostic progressive libertarian, I am quite comfortable in this community of others who hold opposing views because of our tolerance. I might surmise this is partly due to repeated themes of the need for diverse talents and unusual thought patterns so well entrenched and explored in our litany of fictions.

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