also, I had no idea the movie was anti-religion, I'm definitely seeing it now.

Man, even I'm surprised how right I was with my last post- stvnhthr chimed in like, 20 minutes later. I really hope they haven't cut the balls off the MAIN POINT of the story. It seems like folks like stvnhthr, (asuming he's actually read the books) think it must be 'anti-religious' because it's got gay angels and witches in it. Oh yeah, and they kind of kill God, too, sort of, even though it's not really God, but more of a usurper of heaven's throne (like Lucifer) or something, I forget, it's just a kids book for shit's sake anyway.

You'll hear arguments like this one, but if you read the book, you'll realize (hopefully) that it's actually a really positive pro-spirituality kind of story, with high-minded ideas and philosophical theories distilled into kid-language.

It always seems like the people with no sense of humor are the first to cry 'foul' when they feel like their religion is threatened. Calm down, don't go see the movie if you feel that strongly. I saw the Passion and I really, really wish I hadn't. That movie was about as pro-Christian as Edward Penishands.

When, just when, will someone be brave enough to make "Porky Pig: Muslim" a feature film? When?

And I'm agnostic, so don't even go there. There is a horrid imbalance between bashing Allah than there is Jesus in the USA and here in TB especially. I calls it like I sees it.

BTW1, this is where you blast me for driving pick-em-up trucks and fucking my sister.

BTW2, I drive a hybrid and live in MA. Hail Deval!

Religion = Flames on Amway

here's an idea- you identify yourself as a conservative, does that mean that anyone who disagrees with you on any topic isn't a conservative? I identify myself that way too, on certain topics, but I don't require others (or the films I watch, or music I listen to, etc...) to be perfectly aligned with my values in order to pay attention to them. Freedom of speech, indeed.

Again, I could be wrong, maybe your ramblings about porky pig and Jesus bashing is some arcane code I'm not hip enough to understand.

hehe

Lookit, guess I'm giving you a newsflash here or something, but Jesus is bashed way more stateside and in TB than any other demigod or whatever deity of the month there is that the rest of us should respect unconditionally.

Your yap about my identification of what makes one a conservative is irrelevant. There is some serious "brave" Jesus bashing here that is in imbalance to the sore need of some "brave" Muslim bashing here.

As an agnostic, I see this. As a self-proclaimed, fellow conservative you see this also, yes? Or, are you totally new to AICN talkback?

I wrote "Say what you want, but be prepared for others to say what they want about what you said." And then you wrote that I am "criticizing others for juging your [my] position".

That's REALLY funny and equally silly, you know.

It's like getting pissed at Kermit when you, yourself, are green and don't find it easy.

Okay. You got me. What's more is, you knew you got me. You explained it perfectly. Kinda like the Dixie chicks knowing that the backlash was all a part of the free speech they thought they were denied.

And yet, you're a self-proclaimed conservative that isn't aware of any pre-emptive backlash against the coming backlash of religious right-wing zealots that you kinda align yourself with. Or not. Or whatever. Yeah. Right. Whatever.

Scroll up. There's proof in them there talkbacks. If you're conservative, then there is no need to quibble with one of your fleeting number here in AICN talkback. Else you expose your true colors. Please prove me rawng.

"...but be prepared for others to say what they want about what you said..."

and-

"...you identify yourself as a conservative, does that mean that anyone who disagrees with you on any topic isn't a conservative? I identify myself that way too, on certain topics, but I don't require others (or the films I watch, or music I listen to, etc...) to be perfectly aligned with my values in order to pay attention to them. Freedom of speech, indeed..."

We were so young then. I miss those bygone days, when the talkback was new, and the sky was... what color was it?

You don't believe that I'm a conservative because we're arguing. That's brilliant, Fish. I'm more of a conservative than our present government of authoritarian assholes, I can tell you that much.

Mark Twain said: "Loyalty to your country always, loyalty to your government when they deserve it." And Thomas Paine, one of the guys who came up with the idea of America, said: "He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself."

I guess that makes these guys flag burning hippies, eh?

Please accept these credentials of my fitness and ability to report to the head office Of Immortal_Fish's Conservative Summer Camp for Wayward Talkbackers, fee enclosed.

I'm reminded of playing 20 questions with my toddler sister on a long car ride as a kid. her first question was, "is it bigger than a breadbox?" I answered yes, and her next question was, "is it smarter than a breadbox?" it was clear she did not get the concept, she was only 3, after all.

you might be older, but it's clear you don't get the concept either.

the book is anti-tolerance, hateful, and anti-religion...and, as I said, too long and too short, right? sigh...the book is all about tolerance, individuality and thinking for one's self. if your religion preaches against that, that's a shame. if you like those things, and it's part of your faith, great, what's the problem. Pullman writes about the opressiveness of dogmatic christianity, not faith itself. but anyway, I may have gone over your head here. you seem to just want one, simple answer. so here it is: 4.

You're ruining TB's for the rest of us.