(Trailer can be downloaded as QT and MPG)
I found a tremendous amount of respect in The Golden Compass for those who have often been disrespected. History is filled with disrespect for those who have thought differently from the establishment (those in power). The Golden Compass is a beautiful homage to free-thinkers, rebels, mavericks, and other seekers of truth.
Religious types are often enraged by such homage. But they need not be. Religion owes its very existence to such people and events. Did not Moses resist the establishment (Egypt) of his day? Wasn’t Jesus murdered by the religious and government establishment of his day? Why was there a Protestant Reformation against the established Roman Catholic Church in Martin Luther’s day? What was the Enlightenment and revolution against the dark ages all about? Did not a Baptist minister named Martin Luther King Jr. turn the whole racist American establishment upside right?
It is written: “History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. Sometimes people say, ‘Here is something new!’ But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.” - Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 NLT
But, we must remember!
May we always be respectful of those who are different. Thank you to Philip Pullman for this wonderful homage, dedication and reminder.
December 5th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
David, David, David…when I discovered this site a few years ago, I thought it was a great idea. It was great to see a loving and open Christian witness to a very secular world. I’ve enjoyed your LOTR and Narnia articles and reviews. And frankly I’m disgusted that you would give such a poetic, glowing tribute to this story. Maybe you should read your own colleagues’ work about the sexuality threaded throughout the books (and presumably upcoming films). I understand what you’re trying to say about people swimming against the current, but these books, despite gifted storytelling, are spiritual poison and I would expect one who professes to be a Christian to be grieved, not moved, by the sad state of Phillip Pullman’s spiritual bankruptcy. I know I’ll probably get flamed by other comments, but my words are for you, not them. Please, get your head out of the clouds and use some Biblical discernment, especially on a website read by lots of people.
December 5th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
violamom, Thank you for our comments. The one who creates the first spark should not be surprised by the flames. It seems reasonable that if Dave is attacked, then those of us who generally agree with what he is trying to do would support him.
I applaud Dave for “having his head in the clouds.” There are plenty of other web sites that remind us of “the sad state of Phillip Pullman’s spiritual bankruptcy.” Dave is not the only one here who tries to concentrate, instead, on “Dredging Gold from the Gutter.” In fact, the After Eden section was designed for this purpose. It is easy to find the negative in everything. Dave’s comments give a little balance to the myriads of negative comments out there. It is much easier to criticize than praise. The Christian attitude, while not being naive (wise as serpents, harmless as doves), should be overwhelmingly positive. Too many of those “who professes to be a Christian” dwell on the negative, which is not what one should expect form a “spiritual person of discernment.” Philippians 4:8 :o)
December 5th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Please forgive my typing. Should be “Thank you for your comments” and “should expect from…”
December 9th, 2007 at 10:16 am
David, I say thank you for words that draws people to the loving message of Christ as opposed to chasing them away from that love. It is a shame, that we can’t all see all people without Christ in the same light. Thankfully, he sees us all, even Pullman and those he preaches to, in a measure of love, at least that is how I view, For God so loved the world…..