Having tasted victory against Tim du Plessis and Rapport, Christian fundamentalists have set their sights on a fresh target. According to Jacques Liebenberg in Beeld, a campaign is under way to organise a boycott of the film The Golden Compass, due to be released in South Africa on Friday.
According to an anonymous message distributed via email and SMS, the film is about “two children who kill God so that they can do what they want”. Sinisterly, the message goes on to state: “Rapport het geluister. As ons saam staan [sic], sal sterkinekor [sic] ook moet luister.” [Rapport listened. If we work together, Ster-Kinekor will also have to listen].
Whoever originated the campaign has got it wrong, according to Beeld. The Golden Compass is based on the first book in Philip Pullman’s acclaimed fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials, and is being released by Nu Metro, not Ster-Kinekor. The story is too complicated to narrate here, but it doesn’t include two children who kill God. In fact, as Beeld points out, it doesn’t even deal with organised religion.
Nu Metro spokesperson Heather Vorster, quoted by Beeld, pointed out that the book has won a number of awards, including the Whitbread prize, and it has been praised by the Archbishop of Canterbury for its spirituality and exploration of religious concepts. It is a prescribed work for South African grade eights. But a conservative American religious movement, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, has campaigned against the book on the basis that its author is a self-proclaimed atheist. Presumably, the South African campaign took its cue from there.
When Du Plessis gave in to a similar boycott threat last month and fired columnist Deon Maas, critics argued that he had set a precedent that bode ill for freedom of expression. The chickens are now coming home to roost. Intoxicated with success, the same fundamentalist minority that mob-lynched Maas is trying to prevent South Africans from seeing a film they do not like. Judging from Nu Metro’s immediate reaction, it seems unlikely that they will succeed. But what if they step up their campaign, as they did in the case of Rapport, and become a real threat to Nu Metro’s commercial interests? And what’s next — burning books, or assassinating authors and filmmakers?
It is important to bear in mind that Rapport, which has about 1,6-million readers (according to the latest Amps data), succumbed to a campaign that consisted of 540 duplicated emails and 629 SMSs. In other words, a tiny minority dictated what the rest could read. I have never read anything by Pullman, and I don’t care if he advocates atheism or writes about children beheading God. I care about freedom of expression. Let’s hope Nu Metro doesn’t become another Rapport.
64 Responses to “The Christian fundamentalist lynch mob is at it again”
God is a conjecture. No matter how valiantly the fundamentalists rail against the truth the fact remains that god, santa clause and the tooth fairy all exist only in our imaginations and thinkingt something no matter how hard we do it cannot make it real.
This is why fundamentalists of all persuasions are dangerous and have to be stopped. This delusion that has trapped the human race into poverty for thousands of years has the potential to drag us all screaming and shouting back to the 8th century if we are not careful.
we invented god because we were scared of the dark… the children could not have murdered something that does not exist… we are all in integral part of the multiverse… not apart from the multiverse in some bizarre way.
I love Pullman’s work and can’t wait to gather a gaggle to go see the movie.
It should be noted that, no matter the content of the filmed version of “The Golden Compass”, Pullman is, in fact, an atheist.
Just as Douglas Adams was.
And Aldous Huxley.
And Asimov.
And Hemingway.
And Carl Sagan.
And Bertrand Russell.
Then there’s Dave Matthews and Billy Joel and Voltaire and Frank Zappa and Galileo and George Bernard Shaw and Leo Tolstoy and Vincent Van Gogh and Frank Lloyd Wright and Oscar Wilde and all the others who are either burning in hell or destined to burn in hell, as some would have us believe.
I bring these few up not just because they’re both cool AND atheists, but because they’re cool AND atheists AND their atheism affects and informs (or affected and informed) their work.
One’s view of the world can and often does manifest itself in one’s work. In Pullman’s case, it most definitely does.
He does present a view of organised religion as sinister; as robbing our life on earth (the only one we have) of meaning and wonder.
I am an atheist who eschews the view that atheism is necessarily cynical, joyless and ugly. In fact, I find religion far more efficient at hitting those buttons. I’m enormously grateful that there are artists out there who create great work from a perspective that I share.
(As I am grateful that there are artists who create beautiful work form a perspective that I don’t share. For example, C.S. Lewis. It’s sweet stuff.)
Pullman says of the “His Dark Materials” trilogy:
“I find the books upholding certain values that I think are important. Such as that this life is immensely valuable. And that this world is an extraordinarily beautiful place, and we should do what we can to increase the amount of wisdom in the world.”
Basically, I do think that the Christian fundamentalists, and religious fundamentalists in general, DO have reason to be concerned by the growing currency that Pullman and writers like him are gaining.
Just as flat-earthers had reason to be concerned when we discovered that you couldn’t really sail off the edge of the earth.
But let them flap. It’s what they do. And let Rapport pander. It seems to be the strategy they’ve chosen.
There are reasonable people out there. It’s up to them to not pass the buck. To not shut up. To say something.
Also currently on circuit is the fantastic documentary, Jesus Camp. I didn’t hear a peep when that was released though. I wonder if that’s because its viewed as an impartial documentary or because it’s an ‘art house’ release…
I am also quite upset with this whole Gareth Cliff (awa Deon Maas & The Golden Compass) debacle. Not because of what Gareth said, but the way the public (more specifically, the religious right) acted on it!
What happened to Free Speech? What happened to people’s intellectual capacity to be able to listen to someone else’s opinion without having to accept it or reacting to it?
I raised my own thoughts on this topic over at my blog:
I could spend my life denouncing other people’s ideas and beliefs and greet every doubt in my own faith with insult and fury.
I could spend my life in a futile effort to force others to see “my truth.”
I could waste hours (not to mention bandwidth) petitioning for movies, journalists, DJ’s, teachers, and the naming of bears to be banned forever more…
But I’d really rather not because in the process of asserting my belief in any book that was written by the uneducated many years ago - I may miss out on a few fun things.
Dear Robert
While I sternly disagree with your sentiments expressed in this article, I would defend your right to say it. Like you, I believe in freedom of expression.
But that freedom does not give us the liberty to defend something that is clearly diabolical and evil in its intent. By coming to the defence of Pullman’s Satanic book (and subsequent movie), you are in effect aligning yourself with the evil forces at work in this world. There is only good and evil. You have to choose on which side of fence you’re on. God is not just a figment of someone’s imagination. He is a real Being who loves us all. Your defence of Pullman’s work is in effect an attack on God and the Bible warns us clearly that this is foolishness. Please reconsider this stance, since your very soul is at stake here.
Please understand that I (and all Christians) wouldn’t like to see you being deceived and blinded by Satan under guise of freedom of expression. That’s a lie from the father of lies (Satan).
Rather align yourself with God who sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross so that we don’t have to fall victim to Satan and end up burning in hell for eternity. Jesus defeated Satan so that we can live forever with Him - if you will only accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Jesus said no man comes to the Father (God) except by Him. Please accept my plea to you in this regard (and see it in the context of my love for you and my care about you). Jesus loves you and is ready to forgive you if you ask Him to. He is real.
I am also not upset at the fact that you call call Christians a “fundamentalist lynch mob”. Jesus warned us that we would suffer persecution when we stand up for what’s right and good. It is our right to stand up for our beliefs, values and moral standards. I’m sure you won’t mind us having the same freedom of expression that you hold so dear?
So, Robert, may you be blessed as you discover the reality of Jesus’ love for you, and the love we Christians hold for you. I pray that you will run to God and not away from Him.
I believe that the hateful and extremely intolerant pronouncementce of atheists like Richard Dawkins is causing a backlash amongst grassroots Christians which will end up hurting some innocent bystanders. Deon Maas is lucky that Rapport cancelled his contract, because he would have been liable for prosecution under our hate speech laws had he incited the mob to violence.
Daily Sun gave it a rating of 2. The reviewer did not seem to understand the movie at all but at least he did not think it was about assasinating dog. Referred to it as “candyfloss for the brain and bubblegum for the eyes”
I find it curious that in a world of so much secular opinion about the existence or not of God, mankind, who still cannot grasp the enormity of space, will so vociferously deny the existence of a God that evidences similar dimensions. Then there is the interesting question of the reality of the source of origin of this world we live in, everything on it as well as the universe and the balance of all this, which would bear some honest consideration instead of retreating into fantasy to escape reality and satisfy what we want things to be as opposed to what they actually are.
Secondly there is the other more obvious issue of Christian Biblical prophecy which seems to be unfolding like clockwork in current global events, SA included, that escapes the secular fraternity; but there is a reason for all this myopia, and that simply is that God is not with them.
So what you’re saying is that God (whichever religion we’re speaking about) does not exist and that countless thousands throughout history have been lead astray. Please. Oh and freedom of speech also allows for so-called fundamentalists to have their say. Fundamentalism includes die-hard atheists as well. I have a question which I’d like the answer to. How come when Islam rages about incorrect portrayal of the prophet Mohammmed everyone seems to say “Good on ya!” but when Christians complain they get hacked down?
JP: of course freedom of speech allows for Christian fundamentalists to have their say - but not to determine what others may say or hear. You can say what you want about The Golden Compass. But you don’t have the right to prevent others from seeing or reading it.
By the way, the mere fact that thousands or even millions of people believe something doesn’t prove that they are right. Millions of people believed at some stage that the earth is flat.
“But that freedom does not give us the liberty to defend something that is clearly diabolical and evil in its intent. By coming to the defence of Pullman’s Satanic book (and subsequent movie), you are in effect aligning yourself with the evil forces at work in this world.”
Mario, besides your obvious lack of comprehension what’s so wrong with espousing a different if not philosophical view of religion? Have you read any of Pullmans books? All you misled loonytoony Happy
Klappy’s overlook the fact that we as human beings are masters of our spirituality and destiny. Who woke up and made you the Grand Wizard.
“By coming to the defence of Pullman’s Satanic book (and subsequent movie), you are in effect aligning yourself with the evil forces at work in this world.”
There we go again, blaming Satan. The other day, Bheki Cele, KZN transport MEC, plamed Satan for encouraging motorists to speed.
Thanks Robert, good post. Freedom of expression is key to a democracy, and we need to defend it, Christians included. I get a number of chain newsletters denouncing the next anti-Christian movie (like the one about Jesus and his disciples being gay, or Harry Potter, or whatever). They annoy me intensely, especially when it shows that the Christians forwarding those on have not seen the movie, not read the book and don’t even know if the content of the email is true (thank you snopes.com!)
The challenge for Christians in this country is to be known more what they are for than for what they are against.
Religion, while having obvious problems, still has transforming potential. The philosopher John Caputo defines religion as the love of the impossible, and says religion is for lovers. Not a bad place to be!
@Warren: I saw Jesus Camp a few months ago in Joburg at the Internation Documentary Film Festival - and loved it! Back in July I recommended that anyone who runs Christian camps (and I have a number of friends who do) should watch it.
@Richard: putting people in jail for boycotting a film to show them that, in fact, South Africa is a free society seems rather disingenious to me! Seems like saying, “Believe that you live in a society that has free speech - or we’ll put you in jail!” haha
I read “Northern Lights” (the British version of “The Golden Compass”) a few years ago - and loved it. It’s dark, it’s magical and it’s imaginative. Not 100% sure if I want to see the movie because I’m always a little wary of film adaptations…but who knows?
“All you misled loonytoony Happy
Klappy’s” - Spencer
There’s always one. Here we are having a open debate and someone has to resort to name-calling. If you call some Christians “loonytoony” I’d hate to know what you call followers of other religions.
As a Christian I am very much tired of being associated with those that whitch hunt every little thing. I just have to mention Nandos to make my blood boil. I am also tired of people disrespecting religion and other things that are important to some people. This includes freedom of speech. So when Gareth Cliff says that God equals the tooth fairy then I do get upset. For me it is easy, Christ died for me so I can live a better more sensible life. It works for me and tough for those that are more intelligent than me and their elevated opinions…
Deon van der Merwe on December 7th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
“Pullman is a militant atheist and secular humanist who despises C. S. Lewis and the “Chronicles of Narnia”. His motivation for writing this trilogy was specifically to counteract Lewis’ symbolisms of Christ that are portrayed in the Narnia series.”
Pullman’s main objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that “my books are about killing God.” He has even stated that he wants to “kill God in the minds of children”. It has been said of Pullman that he is “the writer the atheists would be praying for, if atheists prayed.”
For someone that seems to know what they are talking about you clearly have not looked into these matters but already taken your stand on what you believe and not based on facts.
In the end, what are we teaching our children? I am busy with the book version of the film and I find it a bit dark. Science fiction and fantasy should be written responsibly with the young audience in mind and not as a voicing of repressed and dark emotions.
Science fiction and fantasy is the vehicles in which we push the envelope of reality. The what if should be handled with good underlying principles. Unfortunately the target market cannot distinguish between proper and improper principles yet. Sensation is the currency of success.
The two commandments of Christians are to love God with heart, mind and soul and to love your neighbour as yourself. Jesus Christ told us to even love our enemies. In that sense most of the shows on television and in cinemas are wrong as conflict is always the central theme.
Why is there an uproar when Mohammed, PBOH, is portrayed incorrectly? Because any person in Islam does not allow it. Christians have allowed the name of the Lord to be taken in vain for so long that any reaction seems insincere.
Let us follow our own principles and spread the word of love to all who will listen. We should teach the world the benefits of faith in God by example and not by force or politics.
esvl - as I clearly stated in my post, I have not read anything by Pullman. It may be that his “mian objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism” - but that is not against the law (provided the bashing is of the figurative kind). Yes, he may offend you you, but freedom of speech means nothing if it doesn’t mean the freedom to offend.
BTW, from what I hear Pullman is against dogma rather than Christianity specifically.
So when Gareth Cliff says that God equals the tooth fairy then I do get upset.
Why?
I mean, forget Cliff, there are loads of people who are atheist and therefore consider all religion to be bunk.
Why the hell would that upset you? What difference does it make to you?
You don’t seem to know where to set your boundaries, Deon.
How can you afford to let what other people choose to believe upset you?
It’s a matter of perspective. If you were living in The People’s Republic of China where Christianity is banned, you would not be bellyaching about government propaganda against Christianity. You’d keep your mouth shut and practice your religion in secret in private.
Be thankful that you are free to worship openly. And therefore do not abuse your right by trying to suppress others’ right to speak against your religion.
I believe it is the Afrikaner Boer Christians in SA who are the problem, not the English Christians.
The English Christians seem to know to keep their traps shut and just go to Church on Sunday and not worry about some radio personality sharing his views.
I think we just need to shove these outspoken Boer Christians into jail and see if that sorts the problem out. If not, start deporting them en-masse to whomever will take ‘em.
Robert, even the constitution recognizes that there are limits to freedom of speech, especially where the objective is to cause offense. Surely Deon Maas’ pleading for tolerance towards Satanism is as offensive to and implicitly hateful of Christians as pleading tolerance for neo-Nazism is to and of Jews. Why the double standard?
I don’t see in the Bible that Christians have any freedom of speech or any rights. We have been blessed with much, but we certainly have no rights. And if you think we have, I’d like to see the Scripture please.
Jesus never said boycot something if you don’t like it. The Bible says do your work quietly. mind your own business. don’t answer a fool according to his folly, answer a fool according to his folly (don’t answer him in the same manner as he would answer you, answer him according to what he deserves).
if you don’t like gareth’s show, don’t listen to five fm. can you expect a non christian to behave like a christian? if you don’t like the movie, don’t watch it.
Will - my friend, the constitution is very clear about the limits to freedom of expression: it does not extend to
a. propaganda for war;
b. incitement of imminent violence; or
c. advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm.
Deon Maas’ opinions on Satanism (or Pullman’s views on organised religion and dogma) could not by the wildest stretch of the imagination be regarded as constituting either of those exceptions. The actions of the Christians who called for Rapport’s trucks to be burned, by contrast, probably do.
Um, it’s just a FICTIONAL movie people! Lighten up! If you don’t want to watch then don’t. If you do then watch it for its entertainment value. Christian’s and non-Christian’s take themselves so seriously, geez, get a life!
Will - to add to my previous comment: the constitution does not prohibit speech that is calculated to cause offense; only speech that is calculated to cause (physical) violence or harm. As I said before, freedom of speech must include the freedom to offend - that is why it has to be constitutionally protected.
The fact that we are still having to debate with religious movements shows how backward South Africa as a country still is in terms of intellectual progress. We may as well be living in the Midwestern US.
Richard Cato are you being obtuse on purpose? I live in KZN and you are making some rough assumptions and condemning people in a very callous manner. I am surprised that the moderators of this blog actually take you serious enough to publish your drivel. Why Gareth Cliff upsets me by the way should be clear to a dung beetle so I am not even going to try and answer that one.
Deon van der Merwe on December 7th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Christians view Jesus as the saviour of mankind athiests have no person or entity to define their existance except their reality. Its easy to vilify a religious “group’as being anti-democratic and intolerant. Problem is that religious beliefs themselves are not democratic ie christians did not vote for jesus to be their saviour hence democratic objectives to subdue christian beliefs simply are out of touch. Politics is the modern day subverter of the christian faith. Christians do have the choice indeed the obligation to rally their fellow christians in non violent protest to any perceived threat to their gods dignity and in retaliation to fairy tale depictions of reality -in itself extremely ironical that an atheist sees fit to create a fantasy world of spiritual beings- hypocritical too in that this smacks of the atheist kettle calling the pot black! all true christians are fundamentalists are they not? I wont be seeing this junk!
One thing the christians seem to forgetis that we dont all share their beliefs - If they dont like the movie let them stop their “flock” from going to watch it- but how dare they try to control what non christians read and watch? what gives them the power to make moral decisions for me when their faith has caused more pain and war than atheism ever will or can, never mind the fact that their belief is irrelevant to me, how very arrogant and small minded!!
I agree that it is just a storm in a teacup. What saddens me is that people will make all sorts of claims (from both sides) based on stereotypes and a lack of information. Many Christians will make claims about the movie without seeing it, or reading Pullman’s books. On the other hand, many persons will paint all Christians with the same brush because of a few ill informed persons who are overly critical!
You will find one of the best reasoned considerations of this film by a UNISA mission theologian, Steven Hayes, from my blog. It is entitled ‘What is all the fuss about?’
Firstly I find the title offensive. In all the sources I checked, lynching involves mob violence or executions and according to one source “unlawful communal punishment” is also associated with lynching. Where is the violence or what is unlawful?
Any negative reaction by Christians on just about anything in public will attract criticism. That’s been made clear to us at the start of Christianity. We just have to be very certain that it is God’s will and that we do it in a way that pleases Him.
It is God’s will that we take action against things that tries to discredit or attacks Christianity, our church or God but I don’t agree with the way that this campaign is conducted. As mentioned it was not properly researched and was probably not thought through properly. As a Christian you can not decide on your own what God’s will is. I would consult God in prayer, the Bible, fellow Christians and possibly the church (through a minister), before starting something like this.
A first step would be to not support the movie (i.e. don’t watch it - the boycott idea) and to make it clear that we only want Christians to be part of it. Along with this all Christians should be informed about the movie and why they should not support it (the e-mail and sms thing). I would prefer that the church inform people.
People say that one can not criticize it before you’ve seen it, but once I’ve seen it I would have supported it already. That is partly why Dan Brown’s books did so well (I have a problem with anyone who makes money by being controversial). Fortunately we have the internet. If you are not sure what to think of the movie and aren’t sure if it attacks Christianity, go look at the plot summery section at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/His_Dark_Materials . If you read that you don’t need to know much about Christianity to see that these books and movie attacks Christianity. Some examples would be the fact that “The Authority” (his name is a giveaway too) is called names like “the almighty” and “adonai” and is a bad guy. The real bad guy is Metatron, who coincidentally has the name of an Christian angel in some sources.
Making it simple: Do you think Christians should tolerate everything? Do you think you will advance Christianity by watching the movie? - If you are a Christian don’t go watch it and don’t buy the books. It is not bullying if we don’t support things that we should not support. We are acting like consumers who are not happy with the product.
It always surprise me that people can say things like “I believe it is the Afrikaner Boer Christians in SA who are the problem, not the English Christians.”
Surely that is as racist as saying anything bad about black people? It is a huge generalisation. I’ve seen many SA English and American and Aussie and German Christians who are even more obnoxious and irritating than Afrikaans ones. Such generalisations always yanks my chain.
I’m not a Christian, I’m probably an Afrikaner and I’m not sure if I’m a Boer (I don’t have pumpkins in my garage), but that sentence just pissed me off.
Surely people can protest against something any way that is within the law? It is when editors, publishers and distributors start faltering under the pressure that I’m getting worried.
I just picked up on Jansie’s posting. Being quiete is exactly adverse to Christian beliefs. No Christian will accept a non-Christian’s (as Jansie without any doubt is) rantings about how we should be good little Christians. Read the Bible ..(let me set it out so that you understand)P..R…O..P..E..R..L..Y. and go back to the underworld where you clearly belong or ask for christians to guide you on the path- Its your choice..its your soul at stake and if you don’t want to know more don’t get upset when your delusions are not shared by the us.
There is no God or God is Petty.. I am not a Christian, nor a Muslim, nor a Pagan, Wiccan, Buddhist, satanist or Name religion here. In the past weeks I have done much work for the Godsquad. Two websites for people that the main stream Christian community find offensive. Thats right people preaching for Jesus get turned away by web design companies because of a moral difference in views about God.
@will any talk of boycotting movies because the offend Christians is offensive to me. Why should I have to watch stuff prescribed by a few who are offended by what I enjoy. I find Christianity offensive so should I start a movement boycotting christian movies?
Perhaps some peope are overreacting about The Golden Compass. A snippet from Dana Stevens’ review in Slate (http://www.slate.com/id/2179387/fr/flyout):
Christian activists who fear that this movie will spread the books’ anti-clerical, pro-sex message can relax in the knowledge that not a scrap of Pullman’s theology has made it through the Hollywood blandification machine. New Line should market the film to churches with the tag line: “Not only won’t you be offended by The Golden Compass, you’ll have no idea what’s going on!”
The bible says we are salt of the earth. It does not say we must back down and be quiet. Salt seasons, but it can also irritate, if put on the right spot.
I don’t believe that Christians should debate and argue with these Atheists, they are not the ones that will accept God, they have had plenty of chance. But are too stubborn to accept him. Jesus said, they have ears, but will not listen (Don’t quote, paraphrased or whatever its called).
The ones that need our attention are those that are not aware of the gospel, and those that are willing to listen.
Leave the Atheists be. When they go to hell they can consider their actions.
“Jesus never said boycot something if you don’t like it. The Bible says do your work quietly. mind your own business. don’t answer a fool according to his folly, answer a fool according to his folly (don’t answer him in the same manner as he would answer you, answer him according to what he deserves).”
“Well, they can assume what they like. Of course, I don’t say, ‘There is no God.’ I say: ‘There is a God, and here he is dying’ – and this is what I was particularly pleased with, as a result of an act of charity.”
I find it intruiging that Pullman is allowed to express his views, however the people who’s belief he’s trampling on aren’t allowed to express an opinion.
Freedom of speech runs both ways - you may express your belief, and where it conflicts with mine, I am allowed to express my disagreement.
Forgot one thing - the first book may not kill God in the first book, but the third book certainly shows that - check the link in my previous post. So please check your facts as well.
It is time that the God Squad are firmly told to keep their brainlessness to themselves. These people will be assassinating freethinkers and burning witches in public parks before long if society continues to bow to their idiotic beliefs.
I’d say that the excerpt below doesn’t qualify as Love Speech. It must work wonders on impressionable children.
{13:6} If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; {13:7} [Namely,] of the gods of the people which [are] round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth; {13:8} Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: {13:9} But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. {13:10} And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
It seems to allow for the worship of Woden, one of the Gods known by my forefathers. Interesting.
Lets be fair, the legend of God is a lot older than the legend of the tooth fairy. The first fanciful reference to the tooth fairy is only last century or so, whereas fanciful references to a god have been going on for centuries, usually contained in that colourful book of stories, the Bible (remember the one about the whale that ate a bloke? And he lived too! Now that’s some writing, pal).
But honestly, while it’s quite entertaining to imagine the prospect of Tooth Fairy Evangelists, demonstrating outside dentist offices and demanding that ‘Lost Teeth’ be surrendered for sacrifice, it’s only when they interfere in your life that you should give them the time of day: otherwise, it’s just too exhausting.
So let them not see their Golden Compass, let them create an Idiocracy of ignorance. Just get worried when they come after your teeth.
Dear Robert
I really do not know what the fuss is about the Christian fundamentalists. They are simply exercising their freedoms of speech and expression within the confines of the Constitution and appropriate laws that govern the country to have their way. What is wrong with it?
You say the fundamentalists are a minority group, but evidently they have the power of persuasion, which seemingly concerns you. I wonder what the majority will be able to achieve? May be i must advise the Christians to organize themselves to form a majority on issues that concern them.
Lynching is a very harsh word to use in the present South Africa. Anyone who makes him/herself guilty of this act will surely end up on the wrong side of the law. As a journalist you are suppose to know that or should i assume that you were just using your journalistic freedom of expression.
In the article there is mentioning that the Archbishop of Canterbury praised the film. Are we suppose to sing praises and automatically approve the film? This is a man who is drowned in the divisions at the Anglican Church and has been so confused on what to do. Surely a weak sign of leadership.
To my fundamentalist Christian brothers and sisters i must remind you that foremost is to evangelize the message of Christ and then comes apolegetics, mind you, with love, patience and a clear mind. Do not make yourself guilty of atrocities as the anti-Christians like Robert & Co. are watching with very keen interest.
Have a blessed weekend and continue with your hard work in Christ.
Oh, shame. Christians have only had 2000-odd years to push their belief system on the rest of us. And now that a few people with brains and without blinkers dare to assert their beliefs, the poor souls jump up and down asserting their right to express their opinions! Give me a break. The Pullman books are magnificent. Pullman does not oppose spirituality; he opposes organised religion’s abuse of people’s gullibility. Having been raised a Catholic (and, no, I don’t ignore the fact that more ‘modern’ Christian believers think the Catholics themselves are deeply-embedded satanists) I have an inkling of what he’s on about. As for those who recommend turning to the Internet for information on what Pullman writes about: oh, please, again. If you really want to argue convincingly, read the books! If your belief system is strong enough, you might even survive the process. But then, perhaps not. And, while I’m about it, may I also recommend The God Delusion. Now there’s something to really get you thinking. Ah, but Christians don’t think, do they — they simply believe, blindly.
Oh good grief. The religious nuts of the world are barking up the wrong tree again. I just watched the trailer for this movie and, since I love fantasy movies, I’ll be seeing it soon. It’s just FANTASY, people!! More worrying to me are horror movies and extremely violent movies. How come the religious nutcases don’t bleat about them?? As far as I’m concerned, those are what’s bad for the soul or spirit (whatever that is, and if such a thing even exists). Lighten up, people - don’t take life so seriously - after all, no-one gets out alive!
Religious boycotting only leads to the more open-minded in those communities reading/watching/listening to see what the fuss is all about. Once those people realize that there’s nothing so extreme or offensive about the material, they lose just a little bit of confidence in their leaders. The best thing religion can do to destroy itself is to draw attention to their hyperbolic lunacy in the face of fairly innocuous events.
Giant talking, fighting polar bears, people! I’ve seen them and they are incredible.
As far as JP and his argument: “So what you’re saying is that God (whichever religion we’re speaking about) does not exist and that countless thousands throughout history have been lead astray. Please.”
Large groups of people throughout history have believed strongly in things which we now know to be false, not to mention the attitudes of the past which we now find abhorrent.
Man is, at his core, profoundly ignorant, arrogant and fearful. Even with all we know today, we still know nothing. But it’s comforting to know that someone does. We know in our hearts that we have very little control over anything, so we can find solace in the thought that someone has a plan and all is going accordingly, even if we can’t comprehend it.
In the past, mankind turned to the Gods to explain that which we did not know about the world. Today, men turn to God to explain that which we do not know about oueselves and each other.
It has nothing to do with being stupid or lead astray (although that has surely happened on occasion). It is human nature to find an explanation.
Religion is the opiate of the masses! its an old saying but nevertheless, there is nothing to get concerned about, those that lead the masses need something to keep them in line with. I think its hilarious to watch the Christian leaders milk their masses for every cent!
Let’s not forget that the term fundamentalism was coined to describe a branch of protestant Christianity and is now being used incorrectly in the context of Islamic extremism.
Robert, I don’t know what exactly Deon Maas’ opinions on Satanism are, but I know what Satanism’s opinions on Christians are and hatred might be too bland a word to describe it. If Rapport was to start fielding opinions calling for tolerance towards neo-Nazis Jews would rightly be concerned that Rapport was promoting hatred of Jews, not so? Why is it so difficult to see that the same pertains with regard to Satanism and Christians?
The international media have quoted “the Church” as saying Pullman’s books “encourage atheism”.
What then does the Bible do? Encourage belief in a specific dogma, surely. Why is it okay for them to evangelise, but not for others to promote a counter argument?
I, too, have read Pullman’s books - and they are quite astonishing. He deserves his literary status.
I bought the Dark Materials series for the teenage sons of a friend of mine. The boys later sent me a note thanking me for giving them books that have instilled a love for reading.
I suspect that is the crux of this entire hoo-hah. Dogmatists do not like curious minds that enquire widely….
The Church should concern itself more with more pressing issues, like tackling child abuse, than whether a work of fiction promotes atheism. Fretting about things like fantasy books, homosexuality and birth control provide a clear compass bearing (sorry - couldn’t resist!) about the Church’s real priorities.
Actually Vincent, I think that fundamentalism is exactly the word that could describe the type of extremism displayed by many Islamic people. Look at the way they dress their women..I don’t think that the religion is extremist but doesn’t the Koran say that men are allowed four wives?
Let’s be clear: I not religious. I nevertheless find reactions like the current forum topic, as well as the reactions to Deon Maas’s removal from Rapport, very ironic, coming from whom it does.
(As an aside: I would venture that Maas will not be missed by most readers of Rapport. He is an ignorant, egotistical, boring little man with no insight and nothing of any importance to say, apart from cheap sensation-seeking. His few columns in Beeld before the Satan piece in Rapport, were even more inane and pathetic than the one which did lead to his deserved demise.)
These reactions are ironic because they come from the adherents of a new religion: political correctness combined with the New-Age la-la looney tunes of a blind belief in the “benefits” of multiculturalism.
Just like Christians, the PC brigade base their beliefs on something that is neither scientifically provable, nor subject to rational inquiry. You dare not, for example, question whether multiculturalism is a desirable thing. You dare not question why France is burning, because the multicultural fundamentalists will crucify you by hysterically crying while screaming their holy mantra : “racism!”
Exactly like Christians and Muslims, they become very irate and are wont to declare a Jihad when anybody blasphemes against their silly belief systems.
Let me supply an example: when James Watson recently dared to say something about race, intelligence and genetics, a Jihad was declared against him by the wild-eyed PC fundamentalists, and the poor old man was browbeaten into a public retraction. This Jihad wasn’t declared on any scientific basis, you understand, but because his utterances dared to question the non-negotiable, religious dogma of our age, the extremely silly dogma that “we are all the same”.
Those who dare question the religion of political correctness, and clast the great icon of multiculturalism, are shouted down by a shrill voice of condemnation.
So to all of you PC creatures who are railing against the Christians because Christians have blasphemed against your own religion, you are no better than the most wild-eyed Bible or Qu’ran basher.
The Catholic League would call a boycott against Christ for consorting with assorted social undesirables. They must be taken seriously as an organisation of (undue) influence, but it is rare that their knee-jerkery is proportionate or appropriate.
There are two reviews of The Golden Compass by critics who work for organisations affiliated with the Catholic Church, by Peter Malone of Signis and Harry Forbes & somebody Mulderig of the Office for Film & Broadcasting, a body of the US Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Both reviews are utterly sane and non-hysterical — and fully in accord with Christian thought.
Christianity is in a poor state when Pullman and Cliff and Maas are condemned, instead of their line of reasoning being engaged with. Freedom of religion implies also the freedom to follow none, or to state one’s oppose to one or all religion(s). Take that away from Cliff, Maas et al, and you create a powerful argument for that right being surrendered.
There is no bigger waste of time than arguing with a “true believer”. Their minds are closed. I think it was Albert Einstein who said: “the sign of an open mind is one that can entertain an idea, without necessarily believing it to be true”.
The problem with fundamentalists is that there is only one or the other, but never both. And they see any dissension with their views as a physical attack on them, which is what makes them so dangerous.
I’m a Pullman fan, and also not a Christian (not an atheist either, before anyone starts praying for me). I won’t be bothering with the movie, because the books were so magical and so brilliant that I don’t want anyone else’s interpretation messing with the vivid images I have in my head!
One thing I’d like to know: how many of the people howling about this movie and its allegedly anti-Christian values (and how intriguing that it’s always about the Christians - the god figure portrayed in the books could just as easily be the Jewish or Muslim notion of G-d): how many of you have read the books? In other words, how can you make bland assumptions if you haven’t actually read the books for yourself?
If you prefer not to read them because you feel they will offend you, that’s absolutely fine. But how can you call for a mass boycott of the film and the books? This is not a Christian country, not sure if anyone has registered that lately? We live in a secular society, so why should the many be dictated to by the few, relatively speaking?
I get very frustrated with people who bang on and on about how offensive books or movies are, when the simple solution is not to read or watch them. You can choose not to let your kids read or watch them, too, but you can’t presume to force that decision on scores of other people!
Equally, of course, all you naughty non-Christians aren’t allowed to criticise or mock the Bible unless you’ve read it, at least twice. But not back to front, because that’s satanic.
David: there is nothing wrong with criticising a film or book - as you say, Christian fundamentalists have the right to freedom of expression. What is wrong is when they threaten violence to suppress views that disagree with their own, as they did in the case of Rapport and Deon Maas.
Christians have spread their propaganda all over the world for a long time. Inflicting their beliefs on other people, talking from a self perpetuating and self justfying pedistal for far too long. Using the bible to prove the existence of god and arguing from a point of view that because of their subjective beliefs, you would never be able to talk them down from. In my opinion, we NEED people to speak against them, if only to have a contrary position being espoused.
Robert: As far as I know Rapport never claimed that anybody threatened the paper with violence. I believe this is a rumour that was started by those who wanted to smear the boycotters. Maybe some wingnut or two did issue such a threat, but I am sure most Christians would frown on the use of violence in order to enforce a boycott. (A boycott is of course a completely legitimate and democratic means of making your voice heard.)
I haven’t read the books or seen the movie but I fully intend to do both as soon as possible. I am a Catholic and I believe in God but I read anything and everything. My faith in God cannot be compromised by a book or other people’s beliefs. I read works on atheism with interest and an open mind and I do not see the authors as evil or think they will be condemned to hell (whatever the church says, I cannot believe that a benevolent God would do such a thing. Don’t attack me please, we all have a right to our opinions about God and church teachings).
I do not agree with the person who stated that books for young people should be written responsibly. In the first instance, who decides what is responsible? In the second instance, why do we keep trying to shield our children from the big bad world when most of them have already experienced much of what we don’t want them to (for example, just think of the recent sex and fighting videos distributed via cellphones).
What I would rather recommend is that we arm our children with knowledge. Teach them about what is out there and allow them to explore on their own but equip them with the tools to remain strong within themselves so that they can make reasoned and lucid choices of their own.
I was fortunate in that I was not only allowed, but encouraged to read as widely as possible when I was a child. What that instilled in me was the instinct to question and analyse and not just accept at face-value whatever was fed to me. This strengthened, not diminished, my faith and taught me to respect the opinions of those who differed with me.
Christian fundamentalists have as much right as anyone else to express their views. I have the choice of listening to them or tuning them out. However, they step over the line when they threaten violence and when they want to control what other people read, hear and see.
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Robert Brand teaches media law, ethics and economics journalism at Rhodes University. Before joining academia, he worked as a journalist for the Pretoria News, the Star and Bloomberg News.
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God is a conjecture. No matter how valiantly the fundamentalists rail against the truth the fact remains that god, santa clause and the tooth fairy all exist only in our imaginations and thinkingt something no matter how hard we do it cannot make it real.
This is why fundamentalists of all persuasions are dangerous and have to be stopped. This delusion that has trapped the human race into poverty for thousands of years has the potential to drag us all screaming and shouting back to the 8th century if we are not careful.
we invented god because we were scared of the dark… the children could not have murdered something that does not exist… we are all in integral part of the multiverse… not apart from the multiverse in some bizarre way.
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