The Golden Compass spurs Controversy

 

'The Golden Compass' has been described as "atheism for kids" and is based on the first book of a trilogy entitled 'His Dark Materials' written by Philip Pullman. Kennedy states that "Pullman is a militant atheist and secular humanist who despises C S Lewis and the 'Chronicles of Narnia'."

The 4 December edition of "Times On-line" states that, "The books are a fantasy trilogy which trace the fate of a young girl, Lyra, as she becomes drawn into an apocalyptic battle of good against evil. Evil in Pullman's books is represented by the church, called the Magisterium, whose acolytes kidnap orphans across England to subject them to horrible experiments in the frozen northern wastelands."

 

Pullman's motivation for writing his trilogy was specifically to counteract Lewis' symbolisms of Christ that are portrayed in the Narnia series. The Times states that, "the author's attack on organized religion has been toned down for the film, in a bid to attract as wide an audience as possible."

Critics point out, however, that viewing the film will inevitably lead to an increased level of sales of the books. In Newsweek Magazine Pullman calls these detractors "nit-wits" and challenges readers to check the books for themselves.

 

This week's edition of Christianity Today asks the question, "Should Christians be afraid of The Golden Compass?" Their movie critic, Jeffrey Overstreet, writes, "Mercy, no. Let's not be afraid. Discerning, yes. But not afraid." In a blog he writes, "God is not threatened by Philip Pullman. And people who stop to think through Pullman's story, and how he "refutes" Christianity, will see what a feeble "attack" against Christian belief it really is." He also points out something that Pullman has in common with a number of Adventist theologians. Pullman's polemic is against a false picture of God. He does not attract the centre of our Christian faith - God became man - Jesus Christ. Overstreet states, "The gospel will survive the publishing phenomenon of Pullman's trilogy - and any movies that come from it - without so much as a scratch. It's not worth getting all worked up about it."

 

That is a decision that individuals need to make. As Kennedy states, "I think that parents need to be warned about this." Maybe the words of the apostle Paul apply yet again, "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8.

For further information see: Christianity Today and Jeffrey Overstreet's blog.