(12)

(12) After watching the movie The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman I did not at first understand how the movie was connected to Christianity. After analyzing what I watched and listening to Mr. Hughes I was able to make a few connections. The movie comes off to be just a fantasy film with an interesting story line. Once looking into it, I was able to see how the magisterium in the film related back to the catholic church. Through out the film there was also a lot mentioned about ancestors, and though it was not directly stated; the ancestors the film was referring to are Adam and Eve. After doing further research, it was made clear that a free thinker is a person who forms their own opinions about religion on the basis of reason. Thus including atheists, This being said it is seems that Philip Pullman was trying to attack Christianity in some form. I also viewed several sites where people were bashing Pullman, claiming he is trying to lead children to become atheists and is attacking Christianity. And though Pullmans books relate back to Christianity much more than the movie, the movie is still a watered down version. In response Pullman states "[His Dark Materials is] a story, not a treatise, not a sermon or a work of philosophy. I'm telling a story, I'm showing various characters whom I've invented saying things and doing things and acting out beliefs which they have, and not necessarily which I have. The tendency of the whole thing might be this or it might be that, but what I'm doing is telling a story, not preaching a sermon." After viewing that it is hard to tell why Pullman made this movie, was an attempt that in hopes children would see the movie, like it, then want to read the books? Or was it simply a story meant only to entertain children? This is hard to answer, because yes I viewed the movie and at first was not able make any connections, therefor I am assuming children would not make a connection either. The Golden Compass is a fictional story written by an atheists, the goals of the movie are hard to determine. Though it seems as if the public would have changed their opinions about Pullman, if it was not known that he was an atheists.

Works Cited

"What is a Freethinker?." Freedom From Religion Foundation. http://www.ffrf.org/nontracts/freethinker.php

"Quotes." His Dark Materials.org. CR 2003-2008. http://www.hisdark materials.org/information/Philip-Pullman/quotes

(11)

(11) Well next year is our last year of high school, and graduation is approching fast. It’s amazing how fast high school went by. Growing up I always planned that I would attend LSU after high school, but now im not so sure. It’s not that I don’t think I would get in its just I am not sure LSU is the best school for me. LSU is a very large school and I am not sure if I can deal with all the people. So as far as college goes I am not really sure what is going to happen. I am also facing another problem, I am still not sure what I want to major in. I would love to major in theatre or photography, but I know that neither career is very rewarding; nor the chances of making it big in either are slim. Therefore I have been exploring the options of becoming a teacher. And if that is the case then I am pretty sure I will not be attending LSU. Other than schooling I also hope to meet the right guy and become married by twenty five. After im married I would like to have either two or three kids. I also hope that I get a chance to travel a little, and just have some fun. I just want to take life day by day and see where it takes me

10 Outfoxed- Qualified Defense

(10) Robert Greenwald, director of documentary Outfoxed, attempts to expose Fox news as an unreliable source of the truth. The documentary was first secretly released in New York, though soon began to air regularly. And why many viewers disagree with how the video was made, the claims made by Robert Greenwald are generally true; thus causing controversy with those who relied on Fox for their daily news. This documentary includes many interviews from former Fox employees who claim that they were forced to give "right winged" reports, having to throw in their own opinions. Which is why the majority of Fox reporters began their reports with quotes like "some people say" or "some say." This is done in order for reporters to use their own opinion's, without the public knowing. Some claims made in the documentary expose many reporters as harsh liars, much how Bill O'Reilly was depicted. Bill O'Reilly was not only depicted as a liar, but as being too harsh to his guest. These claims were found to be true when O'Reilly claimed to have only told one person to shut up, when in fact Robert Greenwald put together a series of clips showing that O'Reilly has told many people to "Shut up." It is also found that most viewers whom watch Fox News receive many misconceptions about the war in Iraq. When asked 80% of Fox viewers still believe that Iraq is directly connected with 911, and that the US found nuclear bombs; these claims of course being false. So why is it Fox News attempts to twist up their stories, is it to strike fear in the citizens, or could it be a way of controlling the people?

Works Cited
http://filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/polidocs.htm
http://www.jimgilliam.com/2004/10/bill_oreilly_on_letterman_video.php
http://www.outfoxed.org/OutfoxedSummary.php
http://www.popmatters.com/film/reviews/o/outfoxed-dvd.shtml