ELLEN JOHNSON TAKES ON BILL DONAHUE,CATHOLIC LEAGUE ~ GOLDEN COMPASSCNN, FRIDAY NOV. 23 ELLEN JOHNSON, President of American Atheists, will be a guest on CNN Headline News this Friday, November 23, 2007, in an exchange with Bill Donahue of the Catholic League. The topic is the soon-to-be-released movie, THE GOLDEN COMPASS based on the book of the same title by Atheist writer Philip Pullman. The Catholic League has condemned this critically-acclaimed book for promoting a “stealth Atheist agenda.” The movie is slated for release on December 4, and news reports have established that producers New Line Cinema, have “toned down” portions of the film that religionists might find offensive. The Catholic League has called for a boycott of the movie. (See: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/critics/blog/2007/11/another_salvo_at_the_golden_co.html ) The segment with the Johnson/Donahue debate will air nationwide on the CNN Headline News channel sometime after 5:00 PM ET on Friday, Nov. 23. Check local listings. You can then join the conversation and post your comments on the NoGodBlog at http://www.nogodblog.com . WHO & WHAT: American Atheists President Ellen Johnson takes on Bill Donahue, Catholic League over the forthcoming film “The Golden Compass” WHEN: This Friday, Nov. 23, 2007 beginning at 5:00 PM ET, check local listings. WHERE: CNN Headline News channel, http://www.cnn.com MORE INFO: http://www.cnn.com (AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists, Freethinkers and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy
Does anyone else see any irony in the fact that The Catholic League is ready to boycott a film in the name of protecting children when the church they support has facilitated the rape and abuse of thousands of children by their very own clergy?
That being said, I really hope Ellen does her homework on this one. Before I felt I could give an honest and accurate assessment of these books, I’m actually reading them, which is more than Bill Donahue has done, or Ellen, for that matter.
I’m halfway through the second book now, and I am enjoying the story very much. There are indeed some elements believers might find offensive (for starters, everyone in this alternate universe has their own “daemon,” a sort of animal spirit which is the manifistation of their souls), as well as other issues (such as child kidnapping, torture, and murder)that certainly wouldn’t be appropriate for younger children.
I really don’t have any idea what the movie will be like, but I have a feeling that, as is the case with most adaptations of rich and complex literature, much will be lost in translation.
I think the point of all this is for parents, no matter what their politics or worldview, to take an active interest in what their children are watching and reading. Not every children’s book is appropriate for every child, and the distinction between children’s and adult literature is becoming increasingly vague.
I just started reading The Golden Compass with my seven y.o. daughter. So far we are both digging it.
Give em hell Ellen! They know they want it.
I want blood Ellen! I WANT BLOOD!!!
I am at the beginning of the second book and loving it.
The second book really starts to take shots at the church, but it does so with factual claims.
I am really looking forward to finishing the series over the holiday weekend.
I am at the beginning of the second book and loving it.
The second book really starts to take shots at the church, but it does so with factual claims.
I am really looking forward to finishing the series over the holiday weekend.
[I WANT BLOOD!!!]
Dan Barker should go on those shows. He would do much better.
ok, ok, I just added the books to my Amazon wishlist, maybe I will find them in my stocking this year.
I’d like to see this movie but now I am not sure if that will cut it. Catholic League says its an atheist attack on religion…so that sounds great. AA says its a dumb downed version so as not to be offensive… no so great.
I’m just glad all this controversy gave me the heads up.
I want to respectfully state that while Ellen Johnson is a lovely lady and I’m sure quite intelligent, she’s just not the most articulate speaker and it seems like this organization which is representing atheist could do a better job finding someone that is well suited at public speaking and debate to do these types of appearances.
By the way, if you are referring to the same C. League news release that I saw, it is the film that they think is a stealth strategy.
Having self-censored the film to the point where it contains nothing objectionable, the film makers get this bonus publicity curtesy the C. League. Their thought is that parents must be on their guard so as not to be fooled by the sneaky atheist plot to get them to buy the books.
Either that, or they wanted to justify the existence of their office budget by showing the flag of martyrdom, etc.
The C. League really has no credibility. As Castletonsob pointed out, they can’t say they are attempting to protect children when catholic priests molested thousands of them and the church is still funneling millions of dollars into the pockets of defense attorneys in an attempt to keep accused priests from prosecution.
The reality is they’re doing nothing but trying to limit access to any and all materials that undermine their particular magical world view. Protect the church at all costs, that’s their true intention here.
The good news is, for all their protests, they only drive up book and box office sales.
I’m pleased to say that Ellen actually did a very good job, despite the obvious antipathy of the host and the time constraints.
There were two instances in particular that she handled well.
The first is when Bill Donahue of The Catholic League stated that if someone wrote a book that was bigoted against homosexuals, the gay community would have good reason to complain in the same way Donahue is protesting “Catholic-bashing” and “atheism” in Pullman’s books.
“Good point,” the host said.
Ellen then rightly pointed out that the Bible itself, which Catholicism is based upon, orders the execution of homosexuals, and calls atheists fools and degenerates.
The second instance is when Ellen, instead of worrying about offending believers, bemoans the fact that there isn’t (or won’t be) enough atheism in the movie, and that she applauds and encourages atheism whenever possible.
Well done, Ellen!
I think that The Golden compass is gay just like pullman his books are crap. I dont know anybody that is so pathetic that thay have to result to useing kids.
pullmens GAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
all Atheist are gay
Know any Catholic priests, shane? They may be able to show you a thing or two about “useing” kids.
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