Response to the Golden Compass Letter.
I also read the article in Snoops. However, I decided to further investigate the information. And what I found was that much of the information in Snoops was either incorrect or taken out of context. Like Pullman, I too am disappointed in the history of the Christian religious movement. We, as mislead human beings, have done some horrible injustices in the past 2000 years all in the name of Christ. And Christ had nothing to do with our human fears and frailties. It makes me very sad when I realize how badly we have acted in the past as Christians. And just because someone does not think like me (a Christian) does not mean he is in league with the devil. Mr. Pullman sees flaws in our (Christain) history and other religious (non-Christian) histories and chooses not to believe in God. Or at least the mainstream God that most of the world believes in no matter what name that God goes by. I learned very early in life because my parents were avid readers and encouraged me to read and seek information that not everything we have been spoon-fed all of our life is true. If our faith is as strong and as pure as we want people to think, it will not falter when confronted by those who do not believe the way we do. If you must direct your religious anger at someone, then please direct it at the radical Moslem crazies who are killing people everyday (even other Moslems) because these radicals/terrorists believe that they have to be right (they think they are right) and they have to control and they want to make everyone as miserable as they are. That is what frightens me and what makes me angry. I cringe at the thought of my grandson growing up in a world controlled by that type of person.

So please, before you jump on the band wagon to drag someone’s name though the mud make sure you know all the facts.

Avid Reader

I would like to clarify a few things.

First, I submitted the editorial regarding the Golden Compass notifying the newspaper that it was copied from an e-mail that I received. This is not noted in the editorial/opinion column, however I had no control over this. I also did not provide the title. The only original content in the column is: "I am totally outraged about the movie “The Golden Compass,” an upcoming movie for children in December. It is my hope that I do not see this movie at any Hutchinson movie theater. I want to warn all readers not to solicit this movie." This is my opinion, thus I submitted it to the editorials/opinion page. Precisely why others do the same.

Secondly, I would like to address the comment from Avid Reader: "If our faith is as strong and as pure as we want people to think, it will not falter when confronted by those who do not believe the way we do. If you must direct your religious anger at someone, then please direct it at..."
My faith is strong and has not faltered, and I still hope this move is not shown in Hutchinson. I do not have religious anger. Avid Reader might be angry. After all, there is a specific group of people Avid reader suggested anger to be directed at!

Thirdly JMG writes: "For every time Ms. Seekon does not see this movie, I'm going to see it twice." Well I don't plan on ever seeing this movie. If my math education is correct, zero times two is zero!

I believe this movie will encourage much provocative thought. My hope is that these thoughts turn people to God.

Ms. Seekon

the answer is so simple it is almost pointless to even mention it, however, i feel i must. if you don't like movies that you feel are bad for your kids...don't take your kids to see the movies that you feel are against your values and beliefs. .....WOW!...could it really be that simple? let's think about it....... i myself don't like "music" that talks about drive by shootings and wild women. i tried not listening to it and it worked. i didn't by the cds, i don't watch the tv channels that show the videos, and i don't allow that type of music in my house. another thing i don't like is potato salad. whenever someone offers some potato salad to me, i just politely say, "no thank you, it's not for me.".....and guess what, i don't ever have to eat potato salad. what a concept. how silly would it be of me to stand outside of cashwise protesting the sale of potato salad and chastising anyone that comes out of the store carrying potato salad. i don't know about anyone else, but when someone tells me i shouldn't see a movie for moral reasons, it compels me to go see it to see what the fuss is all about. i sometimes feel that when people protest movies, cds, or video games it actually boosts the sales of said products. i myself can't wait for the movie to come so we can discuss what the movie is about and not what some website claims it is about.

potato salad doesn't affect me at all because i choose not to eat it.

Welcome to the United States, where people are allowed to believe and think whatever they want - free from religious persecution, as was the mainstay of our founding forefathers. Now, you don't have to read the books or go see the movie. But you have no right whatsoever to tell me I can't because of what you believe, nor do you have the right to block it from coming to the theatre, so as to stop other people from seeing something you do not believe in. You can hope it doesn't come here, you can express your opinion, but you cannot force others to capitulate. By trying, you seem smug and self righteous, and appear to be looking down upon others as sinners and less faithful, and thus less worthy of salvation than yourself. Your casting of judgement becomes in and of itself somewhat obscene, only God can judge who is and who is not worthy - and in that your opinion does not matter. Jesus loves everyone, sinner and saint alike, and did not walk town to town with the big pointy finger saying "YOU WILL NOT BE SAVED". Read that book again, especially the words of Jesus himself, and you will see that. Don't see the movie if you think its sacrilegious, don't let your children see it either...or go and see it and offer an honest, first hand review, and then talk it over with your children and explain just what you found offensive and why, and let them see the underlying symbolism that they'd miss entirely, and get to know you and your beliefs and your way of seeing the world.

On the contrary, anyone has the right to tell you not to see the movie. It's call Freedom of Speech and it's right up there with that freedom of religion thing. Now just because someone tells you not to see the movie doesn't mean you have to comply or even listen to them. Free speech doesn't compel anyone to listen. I also find it a bit ironic that in castigating judgement and self righteousness you are being a bit judgemental and self righteous yourself.