The movie, “The Golden Compass,” is playing in many theaters. It’s based on the first of a trilogy of children’s books, “His Dark Materials,” written by atheist Philip Pullman. He has stated, “I don’t think it’s possible there is a God ... I’m trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief ... My books are about killing God ... I am all for the death of good.” The intent of his books is “to kill God in the minds of children.” Pullman detests C.S. Lewis’ children’s classics. He has said he wants to counteract the symbolisms of Christ portrayed in the Narnia series. Mark Morford of The San Francisco Chronicle is a fan of Pullman. In his commentary, he wrote, “The nefarious thing the books aim to kill is, well, religious authority. It’s about the destruction of dogma. It’s about power, about who wants to control and manipulate life on Earth.” This first movie, “The Golden Compass,” may seem mild and innocent. It has been watered down by the director so as not to offend families at the outset; most of the story’s anti-God elements were removed from the script. The goal was to make it more acceptable, [so] that children will want the books. Some schools already have “The Golden Compass” in their library and it’s being offered through Scholastic Book Services as well. Each book in the series gets progressively worse regarding Pullman’s hatred of God. For example, one of his characters (a former nun) tells two children she left the Christian faith because it is “a very powerful and convincing mistake, that’s all.” In the final book, characters representing Adam and Eve kill God. Director Chris Weitz told MTV Movie Blogs.com: “The whole point, to me, of ensuring that ‘The Golden Compass’ is a financial success is so that we have a solid foundation on which to deliver a faithful, more literal adaptation of the second and third books. This is important: Whereas “The Golden Compass” had to be introduced to the public carefully, the religious (anti-religious) themes in the second and third movies can’t be minimized without destroying the spirit of these books.” Further Internet sources: pluggedinonline.com; grasstopsusa.com; snopes. com; christianitytoday.com. MADELINE DERWIN Johnstown
Criticism of 'Golden Compass' is justified First published: Sunday, December 30, 2007
In her Dec. 19 letter, Rozmarija Lieb implies that the attacks on the film, "The Golden Compass" are due solely to the fact that the author of the original book is an atheist. That is simply not the case.
"The Golden Compass" is the first book of a trilogy, and the author is Philip Pullman. I will let Mr. Pullman speak for himself regarding his books. He has stated, "My books are about killing God." In addition, he has said, "I wanted to reach everyone, and the best way I could hope to do that was to write for children." Given this, I hope that Ms. Lieb can understand why Christian parents (and parents with other religious beliefs) are so upset by the well-funded efforts of Mr. Pullman to consciously undermine the faith and values that they are teaching their children. A. GARRY FINKELL Albany
Wasn't The Passion of the Christ a more literal depiction of killing God? Relax Garry, there is more funding from organized religion trying to convince people there is a God, than Hollywood funding ant-god movies trying to 'kill god". Remember, the Bible is the number one selling book in the world. I don't think The Golden Compass is going to reverse the 2000 years of Christian teachings.
I think it's funny how the secular people over react to movies like The Passion of the Christ, claiming it to be anti-semitic. While the Evangelicals go crazy over books/movies like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or the Golden Compass. Fearing it might warp their children's minds.
Although I agree in part with what you say cicero, I think that the Christian faith has felt threatened for decades. eg: prayer taken out of schools, no religious 'anything' in public places, banning nativity scenes, Merry Christmas happy holidays, Christmas parade holiday parade and so on. It started long before The Golden Compass.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
No one can threaten my faith and God doesn't need defending.....shame on us for living in a box and taking offense---all religions/athiests/politicians etc.....
If our faith was so threatened we would have been rising up all over America to rid it of MTV/Spears/Madonna/girls nextdoor/Larry Flint/Adult World/alcohol/cigarettes/government sponsored gambling/horse racing etc etc etc etc
There are what are called 'keepers of the gate'---they are our eyes, ears, mouth etc...the eyes are the window to the soul......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
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