But one arrived in my inbox this morning that I think is valuable, informing Christian parents about the messages conveyed in a new movie for children. I've done some more research and am passing on what I've found.
The Golden Compass, a film based on the first of the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman, releases next week. The trilogy "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."1Pullman is quite transparent about his motivation in writing the books: in separate interviews, he has stated that "my books are about killing God" and that he is "trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief."2
He says that "the book depicts the Temptation and Fall not as the source of all woe and misery, as in traditional Christian teaching, but as the beginning of true human freedom something to be celebrated, not lamented. And the Tempter is not an evil being like Satan, prompted by malice and envy, but a figure who might stand for Wisdom."3
From what I have seen, defenders of the series do not dispute that the books take a position against religion, but argue that censorship is tyrranical.
So there you go. An FYI that you can pass on to parents you know or use to look into it a little more for yourself or your family.
P.S. By the way, has anyone read the series? As with Harry Potter, I may read them to see what I think for myself.
5 comments:
I've always thought it was better to use controversial books to open a dialogue with your children / students.
I'm in agreement with you on that one, Janice. There's much more to be gained by discussing controversial material than by banning books/movies/music outright. (Heck, Little House on the Prarie and Huckleberry Finn wouldn't even pass that test!)
I hope I haven't given the impression that I think every parent should keep their kids away from the series. Since there have been so many popular fantasy movies for children recently, I did want to share that this movie isn't quite a straightforward fairy-story like the Spiderwick Chronicles or Arthur and the Invisibles.
Hey Mel- I just started the Golden Compass last night. I'll let you know.
I'm looking forward to hearing what you think, Kim. I'm going to see if I can get a copy, too, although I suspect there will be a waiting list at the library.
I've read the Golden Compass and am almost finished the second book, The Subtle Knife. As an adult, I found the books to be very imaginative. They are Harry Potter esk in some ways but not at all in others. There is definetly an anti-religion aspect to it, but no more than some other books I've read.
Would I take my kids to see the movie? Heck, no!! While the adventure aspect of the book would be fun, the concepts are too much for my 10 & 8 year old. There is a lot of violence in the book, so I'm not to keen on my girls seeing that. I have been quite surprised that they have been advertising with a kid spin to the movie.
Just my thoughts!
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