While I am glad that my fellow blogger Kris Rasmussen has offered additional commentary (and commentators) on Philip Pullman, “The Golden Compass,” and the question of God and atheism in the book/movie, I’d like to respond to her implication that (a) I am somehow offering an extreme position about Pullman (her post title is “A More Moderate Point of View”), and (b) that I think all Christian critics of Pullman are extremists.
My position about Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy is moderate. I am basically advocating that people:
(a) read the books cover to cover;
(b) not boycott movies because they might lead to kids reading wonderful literature; and
(c) not ban these books from school classrooms and libraries out of fear.
How is that not moderate? Because I say these things passionately?
I also believe–obviously, since I have expressed this repeatedly–that Pullman’s trilogy is filled with inspiring Christian theology. The fact that I am expressing this opinion in response to what I believe are extreme positions coming from groups like the Catholic League and Crunchy Con blogger Rod Dreher (who makes sweeping generalizations about liberals) does not mean that my opinion is extreme in and of itself.
I am also aware of wonderful dialogue out there from Christians about Philip Pullman, including Tony Watson’s “Dark Matter: Shedding Light on Philip Pullman’s Trilogy, His Dark Materials”, a book I very much enjoyed.
But what I’d like to see are more Christians expressing opinions in support of Pullman’s trilogy, in support of the right for children to read this beguiling work of fantasy, and in support of the lively dialogue about Christian theology we might have if people weren’t going on about boycotting movies and keeping kids from reading.
On a related note, Mark Moring, movie editor at Christianity Today, poses an interesting question about how Christians are handling (or not) the movie release of The Golden Compass:
When [Dan] Brown’s ["The Da Vinci Code"] was turned into a movie just last year, many Christians embraced it as a means of “engaging” popular culture and as an evangelistic “tool.” One even called it Brown’s “gift to the church.” I don’t know about a “gift,” but I certainly concurred that the film–and the books–opened the door for conversations with the culture at large. (I don’t like to think of movies as “tools.”) I’m not sure what happened in the last 18 months, but I just find it interesting that–based on this early buzz about The Golden Compass–the pendulum seems to have swung the other way. The Christian subculture seems to have gone from wanting to “engage” one movie with a message they absolutely deny, to wanting to decry another movie with a message they absolutely deny. I’m not sure what’s going on with that; I might be a while trying to figure that one out.
Let’s talk about this. What’s so different about Philip Pullman? Why the impulse to reject rather than engage?
For Idol Chatter’s complete “Golden Compass” coverage, click here.
posted November 13, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I never said “all” critics in my post. However, yes, moderate does mean somewhere in between unbridled enthusiasm and fundamentalist ranting. That’s alll. The writers I linked to have studied the books, as well as Pullman himself, through extensive research, and disagree with the idea that there is no bias in his books or that there is nothing to be concerned about from a theological stance.
Maybe Christians aren’t engaging because we learned from the furor over “Da Vinci” that there is no real discussion to be had in the end. Or maybe ,l ike me, they are just bored with this topic already
posted November 13, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Who says Pullman is any different? The Catholic League hated “The Da Vinci Code,” they hate Pullman. Big deal. They are about the only folks I have seen raising any objections to “The Golden Compass,” and seem to be stoking controversy where there really is none. I don’t buy the assumption that Christians are somehow more willing to engage Dan Brown than Philip Pullman. Some Christians will be fine with both, and some (perhaps an extremely vocal but well-organized minority) will be “shocked, I tell you, shocked” by both.
posted November 13, 2007 at 8:27 pm
Donna Freitas wrote:
“Let’s talk about this. What’s so different about Philip Pullman? Why the impulse to reject rather than engage?”
I suspect it’s because Pullman’s work is marketed to kids, whereas Dan Brown’s book was not.
Like it or not, parents do censor material when it comes to children. Is the “His Dark Materials” trilogy cutting edge theology, or hate speech against Christianity? Are certain hip-hop artists promoting the aesthetic expression of urban angst, or are they glamorizing violence and misogyny? I guarantee you, if you are a parent, there are books, video games, movies you would hesitate to give your children. A parent who has no problem with “His Dark Materials” might nix violent video games.
But I think that’s the hot-button issue — that Pullman’s books are marketed to children.
posted November 13, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Does anyone else think this is all a bit reactionary?
After all, were any young Christian souls ever “lost” to the witchcraft-is-cool Harry Potter series? It’s not like Hogawarts schools are popping up like Starbucks…
posted November 13, 2007 at 9:02 pm
(Hogwarts, that is.)
posted November 15, 2007 at 11:22 am
I am a Harry Potter fan and was a Harry Potter fan from the very beginning, because I took time to read the books. I found them worthwhile literature. I have also taken time to read “The Golden Compass.” as many people had voiced concerns way before this movie was made. I have only read “The Golden Compass” as I did not have a desire to read the rest of the books. I do not like Pullman’s writings and I do not think of these books as “classic literature.” They will never be in my classroom as there are so many better books to read. That being said, Harry Potter did not blatantly kill a character they called “god”. Now in all fairness, in “The Golden Compass” that didn’t happen and like I said, I have not read the rest of the trilogy, I guess I will have to now….
With H.P. Christians were fighting against the concept of witchcraft, which is a subjective concept. God is not subjective. He is our life, He is the reason we get up every morning, and like it or not, He is our Creator. With so many other worthwhile things for our children to have in their hearts and minds, I’m not sure they need to bother with Pullman’s stuff. I am concerned, however, that reactionary Christians will once again give him all the free publicity he will ever need! If we are against something we really need to be careful how we protest it. More than my two cents…..
posted November 16, 2007 at 2:37 pm
it’s definitely bad that pullman is trying to market to children, this undermines his credibility in itself… but the awesome thing about God is that even efforts taken to resist Him end up strengthening his Cause all the more… people that say “God is dead” only inspire more conversation about God! http://www.booksbypatrick.com
posted November 19, 2007 at 1:03 pm
The definition of boycott is “to not do business with..”, so in essence you are telling us to financially support Mr. Pullman, who you have indiacted your were “star struck” over (extremism???).
You are telling us to read these books, which I assume, means that we should go purchase the books, and read them cover to cover, again, financially supporting Pullman.
You also mention that you’d like to see more Christians support this trilogy and that you are only defending him.
These are not defensive measures, they are propagation and promotion.
In that vain, your not moderate, but extreme.
posted November 20, 2007 at 10:31 am
This is in response to Bret. She is asking for people to make educated comments about the books. In order to do that, you have to read them or you are only regurgitating other peoples’ opinions with no individual or original thoughts of your own.
In order to come up with your own views of the book(s), you have to read them. And no, you do not have to purchase the books to do so. Your local public library has copies of all three books, so all it takes is a library card, and as Matt Damon’s character in Good Will Hunting says, (paraphrasing) …about 35 cents in library fines.
posted November 21, 2007 at 10:40 am
God speaks to every one of us at different times in our lives. A little fantasy does no child any harm. The underlying message is good usually wins out over evil in a language that children can assimilate. It also allows their mind to expand to other vistas, opens their curiosity to possibilities they had not explored yet.
Life can be very harsh, and little ray of fantasy is a way of easing that dreariness, the sameness of everyday life for children who do not have a perfect, loving family. I’m a grandmother and enjoy Harry Potter immensely, and this deals with a subject that is very far from my Christian upbringing. But I know it’s fantasy, and that is the important thing that children need to know.
A child can escape for a little while in wonderland, and then with this small respite can recharge the batteries and go on with the everyday things of chores, school, bullies, etc. In addition, it opens up the mind for the impossibilities of the natural scientific world and it’s rules, which the faith in God, Jesus, and the Bible can not be explained on a scientific level. Belief in God takes faith, not scientific knowledge. It is a sense of knowing He is there inside, he exists, and a closed mind cannot be open to these possibilities.
Dreaming is a way of growing, and working out problems we face on a day to day basis. A child must be allowed to dream, to grow, to be able to reach beyond what he knows in the physical world. It makes it more possible to reach that place of love in God’s house, in the goodness of God, and to not fear the evil that men do, and not to be part of the evil in the world.
Of course, the controversy that the church leaders are putting forth in regard to The Golden Compass, or any other fantasy presentation, will insure that more people will go to see the film(s) just to find out what the ruckus is all about.
posted November 24, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I am a Christian and have not read the books. I guess with the controversy I will have to read the books at some point. I am concerned with some Christians comming out against the books. Especially when I read head lines like “killing god”. I like what Mr. Pullman stated “he trusted the reader”. What is written does come from what is in Mr. Pullman’s heart. How it is interpeted is from what is in the reader’s heart combined to what the author hopes to communicate. I was and am still planning to see the movie. I will most likely take my 8 year old to see it with me. As a parent for me the important part is that I will be there to see it with her. Afterwards we will talk about the movie and the best as well as worst parts of it over a cup of hot chocalat. Time will tell if it is a classic.
One question I have for those Christians who are up in arms about this movie do your children play video games? If they do how violent are they? Compare the two, which is worse for your children. You might say both and make your decision to keep your children from both. Has that ever really done any good in helping children deal with the world they live in. I am not advocating violence or anti God sentiment. I am saying that your children live in a violent world. Are we teaching them how to deal with that violence? If this book indeed is anti God it is not the first nor will it be the last. Are you teaching your children how to deal with that as a Christian?
I do believe Christians need to sound the alarm when movies, books, or video games are excesive in violence or anti God. Whether one boycots remains a personal choice.
Thank you for allowing me to express my opionion.
posted November 26, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Please see the column I wrote about “The Golden Compass” for the local paper where I work (Lebanon, Indiana). Here’s the link: http://www.reporter.net/archivesearch/local_story_311220226.html
I’m a parent, and a practicing Catholic, who has read and enjoyed the books immensely, while appreciating that they raise serious issues. To The Catholic League I can only say: “Thinking. It’s a good thing, and I don’t need you to do mine for me.”
posted November 28, 2007 at 12:55 am
More quotes from Pullman:
“I’m trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief,” says Pullman. “Mr. Lewis would think I was doing the Devil’s work.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A23371-2001Feb18?language=printer
“I’ve been surprised by how little criticism I’ve got. Harry Potter’s been taking all the flak. I’m a great fan of J.K. Rowling, but the people — mainly from America’s Bible Belt — who complain that Harry Potter promotes Satanism or witchcraft obviously haven’t got enough in their lives. Meanwhile, I’ve been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God.”
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/12/1071125644900.html
I beleive, we are not to yoke ourselves to this type.
posted December 2, 2007 at 12:41 am
I just saw the movie this evening. IT IS E*X*C*E*L*L*E*N*T! Anyone who complains about the bad guys being parallel to some actual contemporary organization or insitution is saying more about the organization or institution than the movie or books. It is like the Bush White House complaining that Voldemort and the Death Eaters are too much like Bush/Cheney. The characters are not real, but Bush/Cheney are. If any group sees themselves “unfairly protrayed” in The Golden Compass, the problem is theirs, not Pullman’s or the film producers.
See this movie
Talk to your kids about it (What would their daemon be? What would yours be? How does this connect to your soul/spirit? How does this compare to a “totem”?)
Read the book – one librarian t-shirt says, “Never judge a book by its movie”. Read with your kids.
Christians of every group and cult should see this movie and read this book too. Don’t complain and whimper until you actually know what you are whining about. I bet you will find more of value and less of ridicule than you expect. Comparisons to Narnia are expected, but also to Lord of the Rings, Wizard of Oz, and a whole bunch more. Don’t be afraid.
Well Done!!
posted December 4, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Anyone who complains about the bad guys being parallel to some actual contemporary organization or insitution is saying more about the organization or institution than the movie or books. It is like the Bush White House complaining that Voldemort and the Death Eaters are too much like Bush/Cheney. The characters are not real, but Bush/Cheney are. If any group sees themselves “unfairly protrayed” in The Golden Compass, the problem is theirs, not Pullman’s or the film producers.
VERY well stated.
One wonders exactly what Donohue and the like believe they’re doing by saying Pullman is portraying their Church, other than admitting that their church is a controlling, manipulative and dangerous organization.