The Western Mail has an article on the controversy the His Dark Materials movies are poised to cause. Simon Jenkins, editor of an online Christian newsletter, said, “I'm sure this new film will launch 100 anti-film and anti-book websites going through all the detailed reasons why they are wrong and why they are dangerous and pose a threat to civilisation as we know it.” Rupert Kaye, chief executive of the Association of Christian Teachers, has harsher words, calling Pullman's “blasphemy” “shameless”. Pullman agreed the books had upset some Christians, but said he was unconcerned about the prospect of the films doing the same. Read more.
The article also raises the issue that Allah is not listed in the names of God a character gives at one point in The Amber Spyglass. Pullman did say that he would see that this was added – has anyone got a newer edition of TAS to check for us?
You see. They know what books they're adapting from. So even after New Line & Chris Weitz have tried to make it a more religion-friendly story those ignorant pigs are still gonna protest it anyway. They might as well have been out and loud about the anti-religiosity anyway. I feel for Chris Weitz, he was trying to meet them half-way, and now they're gonna excommunicate him anyway. Absolutely pig-ignorant pathetic excuses of "Christians". I wonder how Weitz will react? Maybe he'll see we need a strong movie against Christian domination and change his mind? Maybe not? Maybe he's a good guy who'll still try to meet them half-way. I don't know. This is just proof why the notions need to be left in.
Frankly? Duhhhh. Of COURSE it's going to be controversial. It deals with religion. Even if it said that religion rocks and that everyone should do it and do whatever they could to follow their own individual religion, still it would pull out controversy.
Guys, check this: “Simon Jenkins, editor of the online Christian newsletter Ship of Fools…†(Article mentioned above)
I just want to say that "Ship of Fools" is the most appropriate name for a Christian newsletter, and you must have that in mind when you read this funny stuff this guy says. Then you’ll certainly find the comic side of this.
PS: Sorry for my English. I’m working on it! :laughing:
No sign of Allah in the 10 year aniversary edition….
PEOPLE…IT'S CALLED FICTION/FANTASY FOR A REASON.
Oh great, the Christian fundamentalists are upset…again
Zoe: thanks. That's disappointing. I'd have thought Pullman wasn't shy of offending Islam – I'm sure he'd take a slight inner joy in having a fatwa pronounced upon him! With 'Allah' not mentioned in that list he leaves himself upon to this sort of attack.
I was trying to find the actual newspaper (?) article where Pullman said he'd see it was added, but have had no luck.
I have the 10th Anniversary Editions, and mine says Allah.
Is that so? Capital! Do you think you could scan or photograph that page for us at all? It'd be very useful to have on hand for whenever this issue comes up again.
Oh, HDM movies will be controversial will they? How observant. I wonder if anyone else has noticed that 'the sky is often blue.' Simon Jenkins should write an article about it.
JV said: "Maybe he's a good guy who'll still try to meet them half-way. I don't know. This is just proof why the notions need to be left in."
I think Weitz will still try to meet them half-way. But I'm glad there is already talk of boycotts; free PR! But its proof of nothing except that some people will always be ignorant. Bring on the picket-lines and holy water!
Well of course the movie will prove controversial. XD I think it will make it all the more interesting. 😉
As for this Allah thing…Personally, I don't care that he doesn't mention it. The point of the book is not to poke fun at Islam…So yeah, I still love HDM. *hugs books*
@Alewyn.1.Yep,you are right.But not only fiction/fantasy.But the fiction/fantasy part should be also really taken into their consideration just like the religious part does.
2.The books are not liked for no reason.They bring people to think about God and the faith etc.Not only youngsters and children but also adults.I hope Chris Wetz meet them neither half-way nor completely and Pullman should not alter his great books,only so that a few idiots shout more quietly.The people should not always understand everything as an attack,wilful provocation or disrespect,above all such an amazing story like HDM.
I hope very much that the message of HDM get not lost or becomes ridiculous,only so that a few ignorant people can better sleep.I recite that nothing is changed for the movies.They should also think of the fans.And should not try to put through,strictly and egoistically their opinion.
Man, they're telling us this like we don't already KNOW that the films are going to be controversial. :wassat: Does somebody think we're stupid?
I know. I read the title and I'm like, duh, tell us something we don't know.
*Finishes reading it*Stupid protestors. Why don't they just not watch the movie? Muuuuch easier for the rest of us. It's what most Christians do.
you're right — the purpose of the books is not to make fun of Islam, but the speech in context is that God, and all the names by which he has been called (including Allah and all the other monotheistic appellations) are false, made up by the first being. Adding Allah to the list of names is not singling Islam out, but simply making Pullman an equal-opportunity offender. We can't let the Christians and the Jews have all the protesting fun 🙂
PS – Willl, I agree. Pullman would probably enjoy a fatwa pronouncement; very Salman Rushdie style.
HI, i'd like to point out that the more contraversial soething is the more interesting it is. thats why the books are so great. New line KNows that if people make a big deal about this movie, good or bad, all that will happen is they will attract more viewers and make more money. so i dont think we have to worry about them cutting away any of the real morals of this story. what are the fools going to do about it anyway. there will be book burnings and protests, but that will just make it all the more fun :laughing:
Yeah so i actually really hope this gets as controversial as The Da Vinci Code if not more, it will just show how crazy the world goes over fictional work. It oddly amuses me.
of course this movie will have contraversy within both christinaity and other religions. remember how the they reacted to Harry potter when they came out in the films, these may be no different. were just gonna have to accept their opinions and let them have their own say whether we like it or not
:wassat:
well of course they are going to be controversial……….i have mixed views about the film. On one hand i used to be a Christian so can sympothise
with their, and other religious groups outraged passion at what the HDM books contain.On the other hand, if film people were to down tone the books so that the religious communities weren't offended, then the whole meaning and heart of the books would be lost. So overall, i think that the film should stay true to the books, even if it causes worldwide outrage. People need the freedom to state what they truely believe, and the film directors need not act as if the entire world believe's in God. The books were not made to personally offend many believers, and i think that the producers should make it clear that the film does not mean the same either. It is simply trying to do justice to HDM and all the powerful messages and meanings it contains. If this doesn't seem fair to Christians and other religious groups, well they should accept others feelings.
Wel… yeah…. um……
It's bound to be controversial- it's HDM! It's about waging a war against God for crying out loud! The film people of this world knew what they were getting themselves into when they decided to make a movie of it.
However, what about the underlying themes? Religion isn't the only one! There's love, friendship, adventure… I don't understand why peopel can't focus on those instead of making a fuss over an age old argument. :crying:
And, like the DaVinci code… it's only a STORY! (An abseloutley amazing one, but still, something that came from imagination and dreams.)
But, on the up side… well, the more press attention the better so I say argue away people! 🙂 😉
hi, i am not really sure about HDM. I have read the trilogy thousands of times but each time i read it, the more i find nonexcuseable jabs at christianity and God. i really like the books, jsut not the religion in them. i love the romance and the action and the fantasy, but i am a christian and i feel as if i will go to Hell for reading and loving these books so much because they go against everything i have been taught. i really don't know what to think of the trilogy anymore. i know what i want to think; that it's just a story, but Philip Pullman said himself he doesn't believe he writes fiction…and i know what my christian side thinks, that the books are evil, but i want to like them, but i really can't, can i? because of the whole religion thing…please tell me your thoughts too, anyone who is as confused as i am! lol
and, well, the whole contraversy had it comin' don't you think? of course it will be contriversial because basically everything now a days is. :laughing:
the book is brilliant, the film will be too, just enjoy them and ignore all the god botherers, they have nothing else better to do and no sense of fantasy.
confused, i used to feel exactly the same as u, and i don't blame u. I used to love the whole story and characters and everthing, but hated p.p 4 so carelessly saying all those insulting things. But as i'm not a christian anymore, i can't really say that u won't go 2 hell and everything.My advice is 2 focuse on the story, not all the god-abusing, even if that is part of the story…ok, i can't really say anything to help u except that i know how hard it is 4 u from personal experiance. not much help was it? :wassat: just pride yourself in the knowledge that u r stayin true 2 wot u believe.
thanks Lizzietiffon01, it kinda helped, especially the priding myself for staying true to what i believe.
and i guess p.p is entitled to his oppinion, just like everyone else…
but even though i am against the religion in the books, i hope the storyline will stay the same, with everything in it…though i doubt it will… 🙁 😉
If a religion can't take a good shaking and testing by a fictional book then it aint worth it's salt. Let the Theists wail and gnash their teeth, or at best, question their faith.
GO PULLMAN
Considering we’re just talking about TGC here, I think the religious critics are going to be widely dissapointed about the level of anti-chirstian bias XD. Not to mention the Magisterium is now a totalitarian state in the movies or some such… last I heard anyway.
No.. the real problem’s going to be for The Amber Spyglass, when worlds are clashing, gay angels drown absolved assasin priests, men are rebelling against the Kingdom of Heaven along side Lucifer, God dies and last but not least, Heaven turns out to be a sham… and is destroyed for good measure XD.
Yeah, that’s right! this ride’s just getting started XD.