Group to boycott Hollywood over ‘Compass’

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News




One Gardendale church is taking a stand against a film that it says has a goal “to kill God in the hearts of our children.”

Mike Whisenant, minister of Decatur Highway Church of Christ, is leading the charge against “The Golden Compass,” a movie to be released Friday by New Line Cinema.

Whisenant recently sent an email out to his congregation asking them to boycott not just “The Golden Compass,” but all movies this weekend.

“Our plea is for God-fearing people to make a stand and not allow this movie to prosper,” wrote Whisenant in the email.

The reason he calls for a boycott of all movies this weekend — including attending a theater, renting or purchasing movies — is to send a message to Hollywood.

“Hollywood understands one thing for sure: ‘If it makes money, we’ll do it,’” Whisenant wrote. “We, as a body of believers, can show Hollywood that although we are quiet, we still have a strong voice. My hope is that we will let the silence in the theaters be deafening to the producers, actors, sponsors and supporters of movies like ‘The Golden Compass.’”

Whisenant has been the minister at Decatur Highway Church of Christ for six and one-half years. He said this is the first time the church has boycotted anything since he has been there.

“Atheists protest Christians all the time,” said Whisenant. “It’s enough of this. We want to send a message to Mr. Pullman and to Hollywood.”

The Golden Compass (published in 1995) is the first book in a series called His Dark Materials, written by Philip Pullman. The other two books in the series are The Subtle Knife (1997) and The Amber Spyglass (2000).

Pullman, born in Norway and living in Britain, is widely promoted as an atheist although several Web sites say he leans more toward agnosticism.

In a 2001 interview with the Washington Post, Pullman is said to have stated, “I’m trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.”

“His atheistic approach has made it so the people of God need to stand up and let their voices be heard,” said Whisenant.

Whisenant said that the film “The Golden Compass” is a watered-down version of the book, but he said it opens a dangerous door.

He calls the movie a “lure” to get kids to watch the movie and then want to read the trilogy.

Whisenant said that he and other church members are disturbed about the “hidden message that he (Pullman) wants to kill God in the hearts and minds of children.”

In the final book of the trilogy, two children locate God and find him to be “a senile, old, decrepit man that is carried away by the winds after his death,” according to Whisenant.

Pullman’s trilogy is said to be his counter to C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series, which has strong Christian themes.

Whisenant is asking people to not promote “The Golden Compass” or even to watch it out of curiosity.

While response from his congregation is mostly positive, Whisenant said he has had some negative comments from people.

“Some people are telling us we’re religious fanatics who are overreacting,” he said. “But again, Pullman said he wants to kill God in the minds of children. If we’re not going to take that as a serious threat, what kind of a threat do we need?”

Whisenant said he has good reasons for boycotting the movie.

“I have personal reasons because of my relationship with God, but also as a parent,” he said. Whisenant has two children, ages 8 and 11.

“The primary target (of the movie) is age 12,” he said.

Whisenant was not sure if other churches were also joining the boycott of “The Golden Compass.”

“I’m trying to encourage all other believers in God to do the same thing,” he said.