Have you been following the controversy over The Golden Compass?
This movie, with a $180 million budget and starring A-list actors like Daniel Craig (James Bond in Casino Royale) and Nicole Kidman, opens Dec. 7. It's based on the trilogy by British author Philip Pullman.

Although it's an adventure/fantasy tale for kids, Pullman is also intent on promoting an atheistic message and makes no secret that his goal is to counter the Christian themes in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.
To that end, the bad guys in The Golden Compass are from the Magisterium (which is the term that the Catholic Church calls its teaching component); the after-life is a "prison camp," and one character describes God as "demented and powerless."
Pullman's anti-Christian propaganda in The Golden Compass is less blatant than in the second and third books in the series, and New Line Cinema has toned that down even more in hopes of reaching as broad an audience -- and rake in as many dollars -- as possible.
It will be interesting to see how the movie does. Some observers are saying the protests and calls for a boycott will only help -- every knock is a boost and all that. But I think once people find out the whole story about Pullman, they will not want to expose their kids to this movie. If the first installment is successful, then the second episode will have a pre-fab audience ready to go, and that book is more overt in its efforts to undermine Christianity.
I am writing about this controversy for Saturday's religion page.
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Speaking of anti-Christian comments, what do you think about Kathy Griffin's acceptance speech at the Emmy awards?
I know I'm a little late getting to this topic, but I've just got a few more emails this week complaining about it. Unfortunately, it's not an internet hoax but a true story. Griffin deliberately offended every Christian in the world with obnoxious and blasphemous remarks about Jesus, starting with, "A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus." She goes downhill from there; I don't even want to repeat it. You can google Griffin and Jesus and see for yourself.
Honestly, I didn't even know who Kathy Griffin was or what she won an Emmy for until her public blasphemy. But I do know one thing: I will go out of my way to avoid supporting her career in any way -- no movies, no TV shows, no DVDs with her in them.
But I don't think she needs any help from me. I went to her web site where she proudly announces that her new comedy DVD is called "Straight to Hell." To her credit, it looks like she's addressing a topic she knows something about.
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Quite opposite of Griffin, I am thankful to Jesus every day for what he has given me, from good health to a loving family to a "peace that surpasses all understanding." The Thanksgiving holiday is very special to me and I am delighted to have time to reflect on all of life's blessings.
I'll be visiting my sister and her family in Tennessee, where they recently moved from Florida.
I think an "attitude of gratitude" is something that we all should seek.
I went to church last night and several people got up and spoke about their blessings. It was very touching.
One woman talked about how her 6 year old girl has a neurological disease that requires her to be fed with a feeding tube, use a motorized wheelchair to get around, and wear diapers the rest of her life. The mother said she thanks God for her daughter and for all the lessons she's learned from these challenges.
The pastor spoke of the 10 lepers healed by Jesus, and only one came back to say thanks. I'm sure they were all thankful they did not have leprosy any more but 9 of the 10 did not take the time to express their gratitude. And what good is being thankful if no one -- but God -- is aware of it?
Take a moment this Thanksgiving to go out of your way and tell someone that you are grateful for what they have done for you, or for what they mean to you.
Toledo, Ohio
Nov. 21, 2007