Every now and again a film, book or play is released that draws the call for a boycott from some Christians and Christian groups. To watch or not to watch - that is the question.
But if we believe that our Christian faith should impact every area of life, and make us distinctive, then the question 'to watch or not to watch' is surely a question we answer personally on a daily basis. But how do we come to an answer and how come my answer and yours may be different?
Two verses spring to mind that bring us to different sides of the debate. In John 17:15 we see that even though we are not of the world we are called to be a part of it. We need to engage with those around us. If we withdraw from our culture how will people see Jesus? Then Philippians 4:8 tells us to think about those things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent - hardly the description of your average Hollywood offering!
5 December sees the release of the widely anticipated and advertised 'The Golden Compass', clearly targeting the highly lucrative Narnia, LOTR and Harry Potter market. This is one of those films, that even though it is a children's film, has brought calls of a Christian boycott. Not so much for the content of the film but more because of the book on which the film is based, 'The Northern Lights' by Philip Pullman, the first in his 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. The concern is that unsuspecting parents will allow their children to see the film and they will then want to read the books.
Many who have read, or watched, C.S. Lewis' 'Narnia' stories, especially, 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' will not have missed the Christian images and values that Lewis promotes in his writing, for Lewis was a Christian. Pullman, on the other hand, is an atheist - and he uses his writing to promote his beliefs. According to Wikipedia, Pullman is a supporter of the British Humanist Association and an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society. He has been described as one of England's most outspoken atheists. It is my understanding that towards the end of his trilogy 'god' is killed and a republic of heaven is established. Pullman says,
"We're used to the Kingdom of Heaven, but you can tell from the general thrust of the book that I'm of the devil's party, like Milton. And I think it's time we thought about a republic of Heaven instead of the Kingdom of Heaven. The King is dead. That's to say I believe the King is dead. I'm an atheist."
According to the Channel Four website review of the film, 'The subtext of the novels [His Dark Materials] is fiercely critical of religion - involving the overthrowing of God'.
But you may not pick this up from the film. Film makers after all are there to make money. And therefore making a film that would be potentially boycotted by Christians - particularly right-wing Christian America and the worldwide Catholic Church would not be a good economic move. Therefore many references to God and the church have apparently been stripped out, in favour of a more general attack on large powerful institutions.
Not long ago I blogged about Dawkins' 'God Delusion'. One thing we can be sure of is that atheism and secularism are not going to go away. If anything they are becoming more 'popular' - at least their public intolerance of anyone with a religious viewpoint is becoming more vocal and more acceptable. I have since got a copy of Dawkins' book - but not from Borders (who have missed out on all my Christmas shopping this year!) - but not read it yet. But I do not anticipate this book shaking my faith - certainly if the section on miracles is anything to go by!
But what should our response as Christians be? As Christians we are called to be in the world but not of the world. The people we meet each day, and the children our children go to school with are soaking up an increasingly atheistic and secular worldview without even realising it. And films and books like this simply add into that melting pot. This is why I don't feel that a blanket call on Christians to boycott this film is helpful. Clearly every individual, and parent, needs to take what they believe is the right decision for them and for their family. But for those parents who feel that it is appropriate for their children to watch 'The Golden Compass' I would want to encourage them to watch it too (not necessarily together!) and read the books behind it. And then engage with their children and the bigger themes from a biblical perspective.
A Christian is a person whose mind has been transformed and renewed (Romans 12:2). Therefore we no longer think the world's way and so whatever we read and watch - whether Neighbours, Eastenders, James Bond or The Golden Compass - we should be aware of those messages that are not consistent with the Bible and our Christian faith. A Christian has had their mind renewed - not removed!
Our Christian young people will come across the atheistic/secular worldview sooner or later no matter how hard we might try to 'protect' them. And they need to know that their faith has nothing to fear. The atheist believes that God is dead. Sometimes I get the impression that some Christians believe that too and they are desperate to keep the secret hushed up. As if films like 'The Golden Compass' or 'The Da Vince Code' will bring down a faith that people have died for for thousands of years.
But people today do believe that God is dead - at least they live that way. Isn't the release of this film more of an opportunity than a threat? "You believe that God is dead? Let me tell you how I know He is alive."
