Just like The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis, Philip Pullman?s The Golden Compass, the first book of His Dark Materials trilogy, uses talking animals, witches, alternative worlds and cosmic consequences, which lead to a final battle. However, while Lewis wrote his books confirming his beliefs in Jesus Christ, Pullman expresses an alternate point of view.
The adaptation of Pullman’s The Golden Compass into a film continues to attract attention for the Dec. 7 debut. It may be easy to consider the movie as just another fantasy film because of the fairy-tale qualities but overlook the sermons between script lines.
?This movie gives the illusion that it is similar to Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia, but it is not,? Scott Falk, campus pastor, said. ?This book series and movie does seem as if they will be a good fantasy to see or read, but there are aspects of it that I do not like. In the third book, they kill the character which portrays God.?
Though many religious organizations refuse to let children see the coming film, some retain other opinions. According to Sister Rose Paccate, director of the Pauline Center of Media Studies in Culver City, California, the books portray goodwill toward the understanding that children may have of God.
“If you just say ‘no’ to your kids without engaging in a conversation, they’re going to see the movie anyway and all you’re teaching them is power, not really teaching your values,” Paccate said. “If we have faith, what are we afraid of?”
In His Dark Materials trilogy, metaphors are used to engulf the reader into the story line. Children who read these books might not understand the concepts.
?I read the trilogy when I was in 6th grade,? Tennessee Glenn, ?10, said. ?For a lot of people, especially kids, it is hard to understand the metaphors that are used. Considering how the author used metaphors to get his atheistic message through, it may be hard for some people to specify what the author was trying to say. That is why I think this book is for adults.?
In an interview with film director Chris Weitz, he dismissed Pullman?s supposed attempt to express his atheistic beliefs.
?I don?t happen to believe that His Dark Materials is an anti-religious or anti-Catholic series of books,? Weitz said. ?I think that Philip Pullman is against the abuse of religion and the abuse of God for political power.?
Actor Daniel Craig, who plays the role of Lord Asriel in The Golden Compass, expresses his views towards the debate.
?These books are not anti-religious,? Craig said. ?I think that mainly they?re anti-misuse of power, whether it is religious or political. It?s good that it has that controversy. It?s a good debate, and that?s what there maybe needs to be more of. I actually believe that these films, if they all succeed in coming out, will do the church a world of good.?
Bill Donohue, President and CEO of the Catholic League tries to speak for all Catholic and Christian believers by expressing his beliefs that Pullman planned an ulterior motive in his trilogy.
?The trilogy, His Dark Materials, was written to promote atheism and degrade Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism,? Donohue said. ?The target audience is children and adolescents.”
To some, the movie eliminates any Christian/Catholic perspective that may be considered; it may also be a story describing political issues. However, moviegoers must decide for themselves.
