There is a lot of controversy surrounding this film. Here is the first movie based on the bestselling Philip Pullman novels. But, because Pullman is a non-religious humanist, certain religious groups are upset. They fear that Pullman’s non-religious ideas might influence young children to be atheists. “His Dark Materials” trilogy is comprised of “The Golden Compass,” “The Subtle Knife” and “The Amber Spyglass”. It revolves around a young girl who travels to the far north to save her best friend. Along the way she encounters shape-shifting creatures, witches, and a variety of otherworldly characters in parallel universes. So even in this description (witches, otherworldly characters) one can see reasons why some religious people might be upset.
For us, this is a film that opens the door of opportunity. Think of the great discussions that can arise from this film. Also, Pullman is a wonderful man with deeply held ideas about the preciousness of humanity and the immense beauty of this world. He is committed to making this planet a better place for all of us. This, I believe, is reflected in his books. It is an idea that resonates with so many - and part of the reason why his novels are best sellers. He has an important message that should not be overlooked just because he is a committed non-religious humanist.
PHILIP PULLMAN bio
Bio DAKOTA BLUE RICHARDS (Lyra Belacqua)
SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS
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November 30th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Another great one David, I can’t tell you how much of a response I have gotten on my article on this, including emails and more. Thankfully, most of those responding get it. This is a great resource though that will open doors to discussion if too many of us don’t slam the door shut in the face of those searching for answers first.
November 30th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
You are so right. Let’s not “slam the door shut in the face of those searching for answers…” Or on those with different points of view. There should always be room at the table for everyone. Each person deserves respect. Beyond all this, Pullman has some things all of us need to consider. Especially his concerns about the misuse of religion.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
I agree with David that there is a discussion that needs to take place concerning abuses within “organized religion.” I am not sure that the best audience for that debate is tweener children. Additionally, while Pullman aims much of his initial ire at the Church, he has not been shy about sharing his attitude toward God — he stated propositionally in an interview that his books “are about killing God.” (see my article for citation). It is naive to think that Pullman is only denigrating religion when it is mixed with political power. In The Amber Spyglass (the 2000 edition published by Knopf) one of his most attractive characters, Mary the ex-nun, tells the children (just before she reveals the beauty of her unmarried sex life) “The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake, that’s all” (AS 441). Later she explains, “There’s no one to fret, no one to condemn, no one to bless me for being a good girl, no one to punish me for being wicked. Heaven was empty. I don’t know whether God had died, or whether there never had been a God at all” (AS 445). Mary breaks free from being a nun, and throws her crucifix into the sea. She goes on to speak of her lover that she lived with for four years and treats their parting as just another of life’s experiences. Mary is one of the characters that readers are supposed to admire. So I agree, the church should have a discussion about hierarchy and power, but I am skeptical about this book series being the appropriate venue. Jesus did scold religious leaders, but he did it from inside the tent.
November 30th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Good work, as usual, Dave! It is unfortunate that Conservative Christianity has become so ingrown that it is afraid to examine ideas. Are we so unsure of ourselves that we are afraid that any “threat” to our entrenched ideas will cause Christianity to collapse? Have we lost our trust in God?
As the Narnia News Blogger for HJ, I do searches of the Internet for “Narnia” at least several times a week. It is amazing that most of my News searches produce articles about The Golden Compass. As usual, the hype over anti-Christian media has put the supposed blasphemous film on the top of the buzz list.
One article I found recently at latimes.com (LA Times) states:
“Although Pullman has some vehement detractors among Britain’s Christians, the liberal clergy there have more often valued his books for tackling the great questions of existence: life, death, morality and humanity’s role in the universe. They regard his fiction as a springboard for discussion, the kind of discussion that does sometimes lead people to embrace God. They recognize him not as an enemy but as an ally in a society increasingly colonized by the vapid preoccupations of consumer culture.”
I am not a Liberal, but I have learned that I have much to learn from Liberals. And an honest discussion with “those outside” can also be fruitful, I think. The more I hear about this movie, the more I would like to see it. Who knows, I might even read the books. —gasp!
December 3rd, 2007 at 5:21 am
I have read all of His Dark Materials (question: who is He?) but confess to not having seen the film yet. The story is disturbing. Things I hold dear are abusive and abused; but this is nothing new. The truth is, the Church HAS behaved despicably in the past in our own world; and I cannot say, hand on heart, that all of it is squeaky clean now.
The story deals with the effects of neglect and ignorance, even amongst the educated and elite, as well as the usual film fodder of good and evil, courage, heroism and comradeship.
One of the negative results of Chritians boycotting anything that flies in the face of canon, is that, in doing so, we leave ourselves ill equipped to share our faith in the light of a challenge as to what we find so offensive.
December 3rd, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Hello All,
I suppose I have a few questions:
1). Do Atheistic Points of View have a place in Our Christian Walk.
2). Is there really some sort of War between these authors?
This is troubling, Even the slight possibility of some sort of hidden agenda would frighten me. I suppose we can use Paul’s Advice here.
If you go see the film stand in the back with a brother (Don’t Sit) lol
Jim
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:17 pm
What does Pullman know? People who commented on and read this page, are you Christians? Are you real Christians? Have you felt the presence of the Holy Spirit? The primary reason that Pullman is an atheist is because he doesn’t understand spirituality–he has said so himself. Jesus has clearly said that one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgived. Pullman has had no spiritual experience whatsoever, and has only bad things to say about Christianity. I’m not saying the church is perfect; it isn’t. What organization formed with human beings are perfect? But because God is with us, we repent and are able to go on or go back. Pullman’s books are about killing God–why are we ‘respecting’ him when he doesn’t know what a little child at Sunday school knows: that God loves and in His Son we find salvation.
December 3rd, 2007 at 8:18 pm
May God have mercy…
December 3rd, 2007 at 10:29 pm
To “Studiogold” I would like to answer your questions, if I may;
1 Yes, their points of view do have a place in our Christian walk. Christianity is not about being safe all the time with no confrontation; on the contrary: Jesus was all about confrontation! I have found that when somenone questions our beliefs it is their way of finding out how far I am willing to go to tell them of my Faith; If I do not question anything in my Faith I am not able to find the weak points of my statements. By allowing someone to question my beliefs I am able to hear my own beliefs and thus the weak points in them then find a way to strengthen them. The person that does not question their Faith, has a hard time growing; think of the confrontation as a “workout”, of sorts; remember that “greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” Then,remember that there are very few “true atheists” in this world, mostly they are people that have more qustions than people that are brave enough to answer them.
2 If there is a war between these authors, then their ability as creative writers is quite limited. I have heard Ted Dekker say that if you intend to be a writer, first you must acquire a very thick skin and focus on what you do and not on what others say you do; that was paraphrased of course, but that is the gist of it. So I doubt if there is any real “war” between them.
I hope this did more help than harm.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
connie, Thank you for your comments. Please do not think we are promoting Pullman’s ideas. There is a difference between engaging with the culture and embracing it. You said, “why are we ‘respecting’ him when he doesn’t know…?” All people, created in God’s image, deserve respect. We can respect Pullman as a person created in God’s image, and respect the fact that he has a certain measure of creativity–he is a decent writer. That does not mean we agree with his ideas.