Following the Compass Point

Recently, the world was introduced to the new movie, "The Golden Compass" based on a trilogy written by an outspoken atheist, Phillip Pullman. My wife and I have seen the trailers and both felt it would be a fun adventure to watch.

Then, I started getting emails from family and friends warning me not to go see the movie. The emails also pointed out how the movie was not appropriate for children, even though they reported it was masquerading as a "childrens" movie.

This uproar has sparked several thoughts on the subject. One relates to how we raise our kids and the other is my thoughts on whether to see the movie or not.

During the last few years, we've been blessed with movies based on works from believers including J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis. It's easy to see how parents can begin to let their guard down when it relates to letting their children see fantasy, holiday films. However, as I prepare for the days when we have kids, my wife and I have discussed what films we would or would not allow our children to see. We're hoping we'll remember a few rules of thumb. Our children should not see a movie that we haven't thoroughly checked out. Even the movies based on Lewis and Tolkein's works are quite dramatic and frightening - not the best for children. Among the Christian community, I see so many parents trusting heresay in relation to movies, trusting that if Family B will let their kids go, then it must be OK. I believe parents must be careful - we want our children protected, which means parents have to go the extra mile and be willing to use the dreaded "N" word (yes, we can say it, the dreaded "No") for any movie that we have misgivings about. Movies are not a requirement for the upbringing of our children.

Second, as it relates to watching a movie that is based on the work of an atheist, consider the world around us. We have little to no misgivings about watching a "family" movie like "Fred Claus" that preaches that every child is good and deserves lots of presents (which definitely conflicts with what we find in scripture about the sinful nature of mankind from birth) and uses wonderful Christmas songs like, "Silent Night" with all references to Christ skillfully edited out. Is it better to watch something that is stealthfully "non-religious" or something that blatently talks about a world without a god? I would have to say that I'd rather know that the movie I watch is "non" Christian than to have one that diludes Christian values to the point that following them endangers a person to become "good" which the Bible clearly says does not get us to heaven.

So, those are my thoughts. I hope everyone chooses to see their holiday movies carefully - no matter who the author of the original work was.