The 'Ender's Game' Controversy, Comic-Con, Trailer and Beyond

When I first read Ender's Game, I was completely amazed at this incredible story focused on one young  Andrew "Ender" Wiggin.  I was smitten to the point of "running right out" and picking up the semi-prequel (More like a parrallel-quel) called Ender's Shadow.  In Shadow, we follow a character we met in Game, from his point-of-view, during the events that take place in Game.

They're both good reads.

{Ender's Game Book Review }

I haven't gone beyond these two books yet, but aside from that, I'm in a quandary of sorts.  The quandary itself creates its own quandary, but before I go there, I guess I should explain why there's a huge movement afoot to boycott the Ender's Game movie.

The author of Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card, is a Mormon.  A stout and verbal Mormon apparently and to repeat at least one of his quotes, “Gay rights is a collective delusion that’s being attempted.”

Therein lies mine and many other folks issues.

This is why the organization called Geeks OUT is actively asking folks to boycott the movie and not support Card's work.

There's already been efforts to have DC Comics drop Card from their staff. (He's a creative force behind Adventures of Superman title).

There might have also been plans to protest the Comic-Con panel for Ender's Game...  but someone might have pulled a smart move and Card WILL NOT be at the panel.  I suspect that whether Card is there or not, the protest may still be aimed at his product being marketed at San Diego Comic-Con.

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Despite Card's stance, he has made a recent public statement saying his stance on gay marriage is moot.  He does so without the slightest waver of an apology though.

I get where people are coming from on both sides of the fence.

On one side, we're horrified that folks go out of their way to control other people's lives and the freedom of choices they can have.  Thank god for DOMA.

But if we stand to boycott a product because of his beliefs, then isn't this hoped-for boycott also acting much like Card, his religion and other Card-aligned proponents?

When I lived in Idaho for a few years, I had a consistently horrible interpersonal experience with Mormons.  But I don't let that affect how I look upon the products they create or my interactions with them.

Sure, Card takes his money and supports his religious beliefs with it.  But then we're drawing a fine line with how we will speak with our wallets. 

If that's the case, we'd be pretty busy not buying things or services from Black & Decker, SkyWest Airlines, LaQuinta Hotels, Franklin Covey products, American Express, Oakley, Priceline.com, Marriott Hotels, Nationwide Insurance, Dell computers and so many more companies that have been founded, or run by members of the LDS Church.

Or better (or worse) yet, veer away from the Twilight franchise.

But why stop there if you must protest.  Muslims and Christianity itself has its own issues.

No...  I can't waste my time hating back on the fearful other haters.  Or the folks that randomly pick and choose what motivates them and what to pursue from their "operating manual."

There are people out there that I personally detest because of their questionable work ethics that I've encountered, but I also recognize their talents. It's hard some days, but I can't go down "hater avenue."  Sometimes I slip and take a wrong turn for a bit, but I always correct my path.

I probably won't be inviting Card to my home any time soon.  But instead, when Ender's Game comes to theaters, think about the entire work force behind the movie effort and whose livelihoods this movie will support.



{http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP0cUBi4hwE}

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Ender's Game comes to theaters November 1st, 2013.

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-Bruce
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