What’s This All About?

No doubt many of you have heard of the new children’s fantasy movie coming out next month, The Golden Compass.  The movie has sparked a great deal of discussion and controversy in recent weeks as its release date draws closer.  Some of you may have received an email warning you not to let your children see this movie because it has strong anti-God and anti-church themes.  If you are like me you are now wondering if this is true or if it’s yet another internet myth.

Of course I have not seen the movie, neither have I read any of the books the movie is based upon, so I have no firsthand experience.  However, over the past several days I have been trying to read as much as I can find on the movie, the books (His Dark Materials) and the author (Philip Pullman).  I have tried to stick to creditable sources and keep any preconceived notions I may have in check in order to give a fair and accurate appraisal.  Here is what I have found out.

Philip Pullman is an atheist.  One journalist described him as, “the writer atheists would pray for if atheists prayed.”  Pullman himself has said, “There is no proof of God.  The existence of the universe can be explained without bringing any ‘god’ into it.”  He also said, “If there is a God he is in hiding somewhere and he is hiding because he is ashamed of his followers.”

Of his popular books Pullman says he wrote them as a counter to the overt Christian themes of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia.  Specifically, he says, "I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.  Mr. Lewis would think I was doing the Devil's work."  And he says bluntly, “My books are about killing God.”

As to the books upon which the movie is based, from what I have found, they are anti-religious and anti-church.  The story is set in an alternative universe where the church (referred to as the "Magisterium") is as powerful as it is evil and oppressive.  According to the books, heaven is a lie, God is a tyrant and dead souls become one with the universe.  The series culminates with two children, Adam and Eve, killing God thus becoming free.

What about the movie itself?  Many Christian groups have come out strongly against it and from what I have learned it is easy to see why.  In the process of turning book to film the anti-Christian themes have been diluted, but who’s to say how much.  Folks, no matter how watered-down it might be, it’s still a movie based upon a book about “killing God” written by an avowed atheist in an effort to expose the “lies” of God and heaven.  Think about that carefully.  Satan is after our children and this movie is a piece of candy with poison inside.  Stay away from this one.

Yours in Christ

Thomas Sneed

Pond Church of Christ