I have recently been receiving an onslaught of Christian propaganda pleading with me to boycott this movie. I have been exhorted to speak out against the moral and spiritual horror of which it contains. I am told this is not only a good idea but my responsibility as a good Christian. Here is how one piece of literature I received is framing their argument,

“If the movie contains even a portion of these godless ethics promoted by the novels, then the movie is very dangerous, and you and I must stand against it. Unfortunately, we can see the discouraging signs that abound in our own culture that the message of The Golden Compass is impacting our society:

* There are more violent crimes like the Virginia tech massacre.
* There is more sexual promiscuity happening, not surprising when you consider that about 90 percent of children age 8-16 have seen pornography.
* Mass consumerism is literally driving people into debt. Our youth are being destroyed by the lust for material things over the desire to glorify God.

This seems like quite an effect this movie is having…before it is has even been released. These Christian individuals spend a great deal of time, energy, and creativity coming up with ways in which we can oppose things deemed morally suspect or abhorrent.

To this I respond; what a tragedy.

Has the message of the gospel become so uninspiring and uncompelling? Christians have simply resolved to being know for what they are against. What if all the effort, energy, and creativity that is put into opposing things was directed towards living out the fullness of the Kingdom of God on earth. If our energy was so directed into the ways of God and being part of repairing all that is broken in the world, would there really be any need to protest something like a few lines in a movie or even an ideology that denies God’s existence, which based on Christians’ actions seems so ridiculous.

So, see the movie or don’t see the movie. But more importantly can we Christians collectively live in the world in such a way that boycotting and protesting unChristian things seems petty and futile.

Oh ya, the literature cited earlier ended like this,

“That is why we need your help right now so that we can continue working to turn Hollywood, the mass media of entertainment and our culture right side up. We have many great ministry opportunities this coming year such as sending MOVIEGUIDE® subscriptions to hundreds (if not thousands) of parents, pastors and youth pastors in 2008 so that we can protect even more young people. Your gift right now will enable us to strengthen our voice to the top Hollywood decision-makers so that we can stop atheistic entertainment like THE GOLDEN COMPASS.”

You have to be kidding me.

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