The Golden Compass

Some of you have been asking about the movie “The Golden Compass.” Should you allow your children to watch the movie?

I have included below a section from the website http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp for you to look up for yourselves. As far as I can determine (and I have checked out most of the information) this website contains accurate information. Also, after the snopes information there is a section from the Focus on the Families movie review website. I encourage you to go to both of these websites and investigate all of the information. There is much more available for you than in this blog entry. At the end of these sections I have written some personal thoughts about the movie and the novels and whether or not Christians should attend the movie or read the books. I encourage you to prayerfully consider the following:

First, the section from www.snopes.com:

The Golden Compass, a fantasy film starring Nicole Kidman that is scheduled to be released into theaters on 7 December 2007, has been drawing fire from concerned Christians. The film is based on Northern Lights (released in the U.S. as The Golden Compass), the first offering in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy of children's books, a series that follows the adventures of a streetwise girl who travels through multiple worlds populated by witches, armor-plated bears, and sinister ecclesiastical assassins to defeat the oppressive forces of a senile God.

Books of the trilogy have sold more than 15 million copies around the world, with Northern Lights winning the Carnegie Medal for Children's Literature in 1995 and in 2007 being awarded the 'Carnegie of Carnegies' for the best children's book of the past 70 years. The Amber Spyglass, the final book of the series, won The Whitbread Prize in 2001, making it the first children's book to do so.

The series' author, Philip Pullman (who has described himself as both an agnostic and an atheist), has averred that "I don't profess any religion; I don't think it's possible that there is a God; I have the greatest difficulty in understanding what is meant by the words 'spiritual' or 'spirituality.'" Critics of Pullman's books (conservative British columnist Peter Hitchens in 2002 labeled Pullman "The Most Dangerous Author in Britain" and described him as the writer "the atheists would have been praying for, if atheists prayed") point to the strong anti-religion and anti-God themes they incorporate, and although literary works are subject to a variety of interpretations, Pullman has left little doubt about his books' intended thrust in discussions of his works, such as noting in a 2003 interview that "My books are about killing God" and in a 2001 interview that he was "trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief."

A Los Angeles Times article on the Golden Compass controversy noted that:

[Pullman]'s never hidden his skepticism about God or his rejection of organized religion. A quick Internet search turns up a 2004 essay he wrote deploring "theocracies" for a newspaper in his native Britain, and his own Web site states that he thinks it "perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing God into it." "His Dark Materials" features a sympathetic character, an ex-nun, who describes Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake," while "The Amber Spyglass" concludes with the two child heroes participating in the dissolution of "the Authority," a senile, pretender God who has falsely passed himself off as the creator of the universe.

Bill Donohue, president of The Catholic League, has condemned The Golden Compass as a "pernicious" effort to indoctrinate children into anti-Christian beliefs and has produced a 23-page pamphlet titled The Golden Compass: Unmasked in which he maintains that Pullman "sells atheism for kids." Donohue told interviewer John Gibson on 9 October 2007 why he believes Christians should stay away from the film:

Look, the movie is based on the least offensive of the three books. And they have dumbed down the worst elements in the movie because they don't want to make Christians angry and they want to make money. Our concern is this, unsuspecting Christian parents may want to take their kid to the movie, it opens up December 7th and say, this wasn't troubling, then we'll buy the books. So the movie is the bait for the books which are profoundly anti-Catholic and at the same time selling atheism.

Other reviewers, however, have described Pullman's works as being more generally anti-religion rather than specifically anti-Christian or anti-Catholic:

In "His Dark Materials," Pullman's criticisms of organized religion come across as anti-authoritarian and anti-ascetic rather than anti-doctrinal. (Jesus isn't mentioned in any of the books, although Pullman has hinted that He might figure in a forthcoming sequel, "The Book of Dust.") His fundamental objection is to ideological tyranny and the rejection of this world in favor of an idealized afterlife, regardless of creed. As one of the novel's pagan characters puts it, "Every church is the same: control, destroy, obliterate every good feeling."

Second, here's a section from the movie review on the Focus on the Family website: http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0003536.cfm

The Golden Compass opens British author Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, an award-winning but theologically controversial series of children's books. Though the series eventually finds two young protagonists and a supporting cast of witches, armored polar bears, scientists and angels confronting the Authority—a stand-in for God—those themes have been intentionally muted in this first cinematic act.

"How does one go about adapting a book that has controversial elements into a film that a very wide variety of people can enjoy, without betraying the original?" asks director Chris Weitz. "One tries to be clever about it. I realized that the overt stating of some of the themes in ... The Golden Compass would never—this is important to make clear—never ever get across the goal line. There isn't a wide enough audience for that—yet. If I wanted to popularize this series of extraordinary books and open them to a wider reading public than ever before, I was going to have to make some compromises."

Weitz went on to say that he hopes the film will be successful enough to allow him to direct the second and third installments without minimizing those stories' strident anti-church themes. "Whereas The Golden Compass had to be introduced to the public carefully, the religious themes in the second and third books can't be minimized without destroying the spirit of these books. ... I will not be involved with any 'watering down' of books two and three."

But even watered down, The Golden Compass is still awash in a twisted worldview and dark spirituality, the anticipation of which has prompted many Christian groups to point out the damage some of Pullman's themes can do. Even secular observers have noted that the film's thinly veiled ecclesiastical allusions can be spotted easily. Newsweek writer Devin Gordon noted, "While references to 'the church' are gone from the film, no one over four feet tall could mistake the Magisterium for anything but an oppressive theocracy." That notion is supported by church historian Dr. Quinn Fox, who observes, "The most telling aspect of His Dark Materials ... is that the Reformation never happened in the world of The Golden Compass. Indeed, Pullman's simplistically harsh view of the church and God posit a power-hungry, misanthropic institution out of control, and a detached, domineering God devoid of grace."

One of the film's visual high points has to be the sight of Iorek bounding through the snow in slow motion with Lyra burrowing into his shaggy white fur. And it's scenes like this, shown in most of the film's trailers, that have the power to spark interest and imagination in young viewers who might be unfamiliar with His Dark Materials.

Such warm and cuddly sneak peaks promise something this movie doesn't deliver. This epic journey to a world in which a theocratic agency kidnaps and tortures children is grim and joyless. The violence may be generally bloodless, but the tale's tone is anything but inviting. No matter what the ads may say, it fundamentally lacks the wonder and the splendor of C.S. Lewis' and J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy creations—not to mention their grasp of spiritual truth.

Concluding remarks:

Should you allow your children to watch the movie? Has the church at times in human history been like the “Magisterium” in the movie—oppressive and tyrannical? Yes. Children need to learn this to differentiate between the real church and man-controlled and manipulating religion. However, I have a real problem in the movie of each person having a “daemon (pronounced – demon)” that serves as a mirror persona in animal form of our personality or soul that we can communicate with. This not only has a “new age” flavor, it also mirrors what real demons are and can do. If you allow your children to see the movie make sure you go see it with them and then talk at length with them to make sure they understand what they saw and make sure you point out differences between the movie and what the Bible teaches (We should do this with any movie of any questionable content). So, if you decide to allow your children to go, I would use this movie as a teaching tool with them.

Another thought, however, about attending the movie: Will your attendance promote the next movie in the trilogy? Remember, the director Chris Weitz said he will follow the novels more closely, and “I will not be involved with any 'watering down' of books two and three." Since the second and third books take a harsher view toward God and the church...why would we want to promote that?

Should you allow your children to read the novels? That's a different story. The novels apparently are more forceful and forthright with anti-church and anti-God rhetoric. Why would we want to allow our children to fill their minds with these thoughts?

In the end, though the first movie seems to be harmless enough, attending the movie is going to embolden Hollywood to promote the next two in the trilogy and maybe other movies that carry a hidden atheistic theme to our children. Then there's the matter of the novels which I definitely would steer clear of. Why promote an author who seems to be on a mission not only to promote his atheistic beliefs but also to destroy the faith of those who do believe in God? Not with my money Mr. Pullman!

Wandering in a wasteland or slaying giants?

Friday - 11/16 - Read Hebrews 11:11,12 and Genesis 18:10-15

God is not asking you to have a baby when you're almost 100 years old. Relief, right? Really? Could He be asking you to do something far more difficult?

Save your marriage? Share Christ with someone on your Deep Impact Prayer List? Control your tongue or anger? What is it for you?

All of us have something we feel is just impossible in our Christian walk.

Like the children of Israel perhaps God's plan has too many giants inhabiting the land. Giants like potential for failure, embarrassment, cost, loss of popularity, loss of prestige, fatigue, sacrifice? WHAT IS THE GIANT YOU FEAR?

God wants you to see how big those giants are. Tell God they're big, but in the same breath tell God He's bigger, mightier and far more powerful.

The reason many Christians settle for wandering in a wasteland, spiritually, is because they don't see how big God is. How sad to sell yourself and your family short.

God doesn't want you wandering in a wasteland of boring, impotent Christianity. He wants you to take the land and inhabit the place of God's blessing He has for each and every one of us.

Let's take the land by faith.

Read Heb. 11:13-16 for next Sunday

Laughing like Sarah?

Thursday - 11/15- Read Hebrews 11:11,12 and Genesis 18:10-15

What is God calling you to do that causes you to laugh like Sarah in doubt?

What is God calling you to do that maybe causes fear in your heart? Me? Do what?

God wants to carry you into the deep end so that if it were not for Him you would be in water way over your head. Will you follow Him there?

Could you be on the verge of something miraculous and really big in your Christian walk? Could this only be a choice of faith away from happening?

The question is not how big or capable you are but how big and capable is God?

Will you climb on His shoulders and head out into the deep?

Read Heb. 11:13-16 for next Sunday

How big is God?

Wednesday - 11/14 - Read Hebrews 11:11,12 and Genesis 18:10-15

Can "mission impossible" become "mission accomplished" in your marriage, relationships, child-rearing, living for Christ at school, your job, etc.? Depends! On what? Ask this: "How big is my God?"

We saw on Sunday that Abraham and Sarah's faith was not perfect. They had their ups and downs and struggles and doubts, but in the long run, faith ruled the day.

Do you feel that you need to bat a 1000% to see God's power in your life?

Stop! Look to God, not to yourself.

God is able to hold you up in the deep end of life. I love Mark 9:24. A father who came to Jesus so He could heal his son, is challenged by Him to have faith. The father replies honestly, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

What is looking for is honesty and authenticity. Tell God about your struggle. Tell Him you want to believe and ask for His help. He will come and do just that.

Read Heb. 11:13-16 for next Sunday

Does God keep His word?

Tuesday - 11/13- Read Hebrews 11:11,12 and Genesis 18:10-15

Does God keep His word? In the core of your heart where no one sees except God, ask yourself that question.

I know that academically every Christian would answer, "Of course He does." But, deep down in your being,in that part of you that really makes decisions that affect your actions, answer it there.

If you believe God keeps His word, can we, should we, are we acting upon that in tangible, measurable ways in our lives?

What are those measurable ways in your life?

What have you changed in your lifestyle or priorities that reflects that belief.

Do people around you see the proof of those decisions?

Can God keep His word and give you success in that impossible thing He is asking you to attempt?

Read Heb. 11:13-16 for next Sunday

Attempt the impossible

Monday - 11/12 - Read Hebrews 11:11,12 and Genesis 18:10-15

GOD DIDN’T PUT HIS HOLY SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE AND GIVE YOU RESURRECTION POWER SO YOU COULD ONLY DO THINGS YOU COULD DO IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH AND POWER. What do you think of that statement?

When was the last time you attempted something for God that was way beyond your abilities and strength?

Maybe you haven't because whatever God wanted you to do just seemed to impossible! Do you think Abraham and Sarah felt this way?

List some reasons why you believe it is important for Christians to attempt the impossible, if God leads you to do so, from time to time in their Christian walk:

Could attempting the impossible be the same as conquering new territory for Jesus Christ?

Where is God leading you to go that is new territory that just seems impossible to you right now?

Read Heb. 11:13-16 for next Sunday

Jump!

Friday - 10/26 - Read Hebrews 11:8 and Genesis 12:1-4

I made a statement on Sunday that most Christians want the blessings of Canaan without leaving Haran. Would that have worked for Abraham? Will that work for you?

Have you been thinking about what your Canaan might be? Where is it God is leading you to that will require you stepping out of the comfortable and familiar into the unknown of His best for your life?

I shared possible things: A quiet time. Attending an ABF. Talking to a neighbor about Christ. Beginning or attending a small group. Starting a brand new ministry of some kind? What might it be?

It is by far safer and more satisfying to be lost on an adventure with God than to play it safe and cling to the comfortable missing out on the best that God has for your life.

This isn't just something that individuals should be willing to do, it is also something that a small group should be willing to do, or an ABF, or a family, and especially that a church must be willing to do.

However, it must start with individual believers who see how big God is and jump into the deep section of life with their Savior who already jumped into the deep section some 2000 years ago when He came into this world.

Jump!

Read Heb. 11:9-10 – Genesis 13:1-18 for next Sunday