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McCook Gazette
Letter to the Editor

Don't let movie manipulate youth

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Dear Editor,

I would like to urge readers of the Gazette and residents of McCook to give consideration to significant information about Hollywood's latest entertainment if they're considering attending The Golden Compass.

The movie has been positioned as a must-see in the pre-holiday season. Its early December (7th) release is engineered to create the most buzz for the newly repackaged trilogy and influence its sales potential among young people during the holiday season.

The movie has been sanitized of its "hate God" theme and is being portrayed as another in a long line of fantasy movies that tell a wonderful tale. However, this story is a pernicious tale that will cause a large degree of spiritual disillusionment within the hearts of those who view it and later read the books. The film is an attempt to seduce young children and tweens (11-12 year olds) into a dark world of despair and loss of faith in a Holy God.

Philip Pullman, the book's author, declares himself to be an avowed atheist and offers no apology for his attempt to capture the minds of children who do not have the capacity to correctly discern his message.

He is an apologist for Atheism! He says that he does not profess any religion and that he does not think it possible that there is a God. Further, in a 2003 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald  he commented, my books are about killing God.

His methods include the following:

* Give new meanings to old terms

* Redefine God and undermine Christianity

* Make suggestions that clash with traditional values

* Ridicule, rewrite or reinterpret Biblical truth

* Immerse readers in tempting occultism and ritual magic

* Cloak mysticism in scientific language."

 

We need to be vigilant and stand for biblical values against the tide of secularism being promoted by atheists as entertainment. Let's NOT allow its influence to manipulate the hearts and minds of our youth. It is imperative that we become the standard bearer of righteousness against such spiritual degradation.

 

Chris A. Atkins, PhD

Associate Pastor

McCook Evangelical

Free Church

Comments
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  • It's just a movie to show a view of the world that we may not agree with. I'm a Christian however also believe in Freedom of Speech and Religion. Let us as parents talk with our children about the movie (if we decide to view it) and have an open discussion about our beliefs. It's another time for families and congregations to come together and discuss our religious beliefs.

    -- Posted by FNLYHOME on Thu, Dec 6, 2007, at 1:32 PM

  • "...capture the minds of children who do not have the capacity to correctly discern his message..."????? Is this not the methodical goal of every church ever instituted? To indoctrinate young minds before the age of reasoning to believe in one of thousands of mythological deities under the threat of eternal torture is one of the most heinous acts an adult can commit. I urge Mr. Atkins and every other devout Christian to read "God is not Great - How Religion Poisons Everything" by Christopher Hitchens for the perspective of reason and accountability. I know that the mind lost in guilt and fear will probably only view this and other books describing the evils of religion as contemptible, but understand that a letter with opposing views to the one by Atkins could be written by any atheist with more factual support than the most fervent religious person on Earth. Yes, the threat of undermining Christianity is real. It is also way overdue and speaks of the instability and weakness of a belief system that must defend itself daily against reason and intellect. Religion requires faith, which means facts are scarce. Hitchens uses proof and historical data. You decide which is stronger.

    -- Posted by LC on Fri, Dec 7, 2007, at 9:45 AM

  • I am always intrigued by those who deny the existence of God, then in the next breath, state that "even if there is a God, he must be uncaring or indifferent to let bad things happen". I would wish to know why they appear to be so insistent on proving to "us" that God does not exist. If it is so inconsequential to you, why must you prove your point to us? I much prefer the old adage that goes something like - I would prefer to live my life as if there is a God and find out that there isn't, instead of living as if there were no God and find out that there is! I pray for the atheists also.

    -- Posted by doodle bug on Fri, Dec 7, 2007, at 7:16 PM
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