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.
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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.
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."
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.
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!!
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.
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