NPR was doing a segment this morning on a very large Christian movement to have the new movie, The Golden Compass, boycotted. Of the three Pullman (a professed rejector of organized religion and atheist), this one (based on Northern Lights) has the least occurence of "anti-religion" themes - the last having the most. He is seen as being anti-Christian and anti-Catholic, but if you're familiar with him, he is much more anti-religion in the most general sense.

People are trying to stop their children from seeing this movie, out of fear that interest in the movie will generate interest in the books and *gasp* expose their children to themes of anti-religion.

I really don't understand this.

Why would someone be afraid that their child might learn that there's such a thing as atheism or agnosticism?

Why does the Harry Potter series terrify parents? Is it horrible if children know that there's a fantasy world of magic, or IF they can make the more cognitive connections, that witchcraft is out there?

As an atheist, I would not prevent my child from reading books which presented religion or a diety as a good thing, or books that presented atheism as a bad thing, or books that taught about ideas outside of whatever. If my child wanted to go to church, I would not prevent it. If they wanted to read the bible, I would buy them one. I would hope that my child understands there are different things that are right for different people, and eventually gathers the information needed to make the decision that is right for them... whether it aligns with my personal beliefs is irrelevant. What's right for me isn't right for everyone, and everyone includes my own family.

We should vote for an inexperienced politician based on the color of his skin or perhaps because of their gender. That's much more logical and intelligent.

Gosh...before you condemn christianity, maybe you should read the Bible...and read it with an open mind. I clicked on this thread-just curious why someone wrote about such a topic on a lap band website...wow! You folks seem very unhappy and sad. I feel so badly for you. It takes way more faith to believe in this "big bang" theory than it does to believe in Christ. Maybe you could do a little more research. I have found that almost all people who don't believe in God, are angry at Him. One day, we will all know the truth. Just look around you. He made a absolutely beautiful world for us. Everytime I walk outside and see the beatiful flowers & creatures...I know He created those. What about the miracle of birth? Are we so arogant to think that we created ourselves? I am not trying to offend anyone, but if you will really look, and you don't even have to look hard...you can see God's love all around you. Why don't you just give Him a chance- just for the heck of it. What can it hurt?

Comments like that suggest that you do vote for political candidates because of the the colour of their skin or their gender. The problem with the far right is no matter how hard they try and pretend they have a political agenda based on a high moral order it's hard to hide the racism and sexism lurking behind the curtain.

I have found that almost all people who don't believe in God, are angry at Him.

You can't be angry at something that doesn't exist.

All the pretty flowers guarantee that God exists, I was an athiest until just now. How could I have forgotten about the flowers. I am not trying to offend anyone but what about the pretty flowers?

how do you know He doesn't exitst? who do you think created you?

wow-angry and sad...

btw-i wasn't trying to convince you that there is a God. it's obvious how closed-minded and angry you are. i wasn't always a beliver...but, life is much better knowing the truth. i guess you are hell-bent on dis-believing, so more power to you. maybe you are right and i am wrong and a bunch of stars and planets smacked into each other and all of a sudden these intricately designed people, creatures and "pretty flowers" just all of a sudden appeared! wow! now that takes faith! good luck with that!

wow-angry and sad...

P.S. My parents created me. Who created your God?

are you serious? who created your parents, and who created their parents and so on? why not read the Bible and find out who created God? why not read it-just out of curiousity? if you don't believe it, then why not just for kicks-read it. why don't you believe in God? is there one specific reason, or are there several reasons? i am just curious. i am not patronizing you. i just don't know any other way of life. how do you think we got here? i know...you parents created you...but, from the beginning? i just wonder what an aethist believes.

LOL! What makes you think that atheists haven't read the bible? I've read it several times and in several versions and spent quite a bit of time in bible study classes, before they kicked me out for asking too many "hard" questions and "disturbing the faith of others". The bible is probably one of THE main reasons that I don't believe in a god. Well that and logic...

All the pretty flowers guarantee that God exists, I was an athiest until just now. How could I have forgotten about the flowers. I am not trying to offend anyone but what about the pretty flowers?

I wonder how pretty the flowers are in Dafur? Do you think all it takes for those people is to look around them and see the hand of god?

oh i see...that makes sense. so what is your logic. you didn't answer my questions. what does an atheist believe? i studied it too. i never said that atheist don't ever read the Bible. i only asked you to read it. now i know you read it, okay? why do you get so angry and smirk at me? i just don't know what you believe. perhaps if i knew what an atheist believes, then i wouldn't be so naive. i have read the Bible several times also...and believe it or not, i have quesitons too. i am not your average stereo-type Bible thumping barefoot uneducated hypocrit that gives Christians a bad name. i actually graduated from college with a 4.7 average...not bragging, but just giving my background so you won't think you are dealing with a dummy. i read the same book you read and it changed my life. i understand you having questions. i got mad as hell when God didn't let moses enter the promised land after he wandered in the wilderness for 40 years with those idiots. and many more questions...but it still changed my life. i am not smirking at you or trying to convince you of anything. i just want to understand your logic...what your belief system is...just wanting you to educate me on what you think the truth is. please don't be so angry at me for having my beliefs and wanting to understand yours.

My Goodness you sound very angry, I just wanted to have a little fun but your anger seems to make you incapable of seeing humour. I think you need to get over the whole Moses thing, as much as I can understand how that would make you angry, especially when you include that he had to spend time with idiots, still this episode in biblical mythology seems to have impacted your outlook.

i am not the angry one...i think my messages show that. you on the other hand are very angry and i just feel sorry for you. i am sorry that i ruffled your feathers, but just like your friend, you still don't answer my questions about your beliefs. you just smirk and get all offensive. i have been nothing but cordial but all you do is try to make fun of me for my belief system. i have not done that to you. i have tried to respect you. no one will answer my questions about what they actually do believe in, just they don't believe in God. i can't get any straight answers...just a bunch of hate-filled remarks from you tommyo. you are nearly 50 years old and this is the best you can do? i tried to find out what you believe...i guess it is a big secret! enjoy what works for you. i will sign out now and not bother you again. i didn't know i was going to upset you so badly.