Has anyone read the Golden Compass books?

Question

I recieved an email yesterday saying don't go see it! It spouts anti-Christian/God propaganda. Anyone know or read these? I'm pagan and could honestly care less, but before I go take my kids to see this (who are christian) I want to know a little more about it.

My kids are 13, 11, and 10. We regularly discuss religion. They go to church with their father and I've explained my beliefs as being like the native americans beliefs. I also try to explain as much as I can about other religions so they can make their own informed decisions and not be ignorant. I just don't want their decisions to be swayed by the media, whatever form that takes. I may just read the books, then wait till it comes out on DVD to make that decision.

Answer 1

I've read them. There is a pretty strong anti-religious theme to the books, with most of it being directed at the "Magisterium", which is the all-powerful church in Lyra's world. My understanding is that this is toned down in the movie, although obviously I haven't seen it.

If your kids are old enough for you to talk to them about things like bias and slant, I'd say let them read them. There is nothing overtly anti-Christian in the books, although it doesn't take much to see the Magestirium as either the Catholic Church or the Church of England. Teaching them to read critically is worth the very small risk of upsetting them, IMHO.

Answer 2

I read them about 3 or 4 years ago and reread them at least once. If you like good fantasy stories you will enjoy those too.
I can't really tell you what exactly the movie will be about as they frequently change them from the books. The books can be said to be firmly against religious institutions but not against religion/spirituality itself and they are very humanistic. Unless the movie is badly made I don't think kids should have a problem figuring out that it's fantasy. There are talking warrior bears and demons (kind of an external image of ones soul) and a picture reader instrument which accurately predicts the future. What I like is that even the "good" people do bad things and the "bad" characters do also good things, so it's not only black and white.
Some version of god is killed, but only in the last volume. And it isn't really killed, it's been kind of dead for very long, only nobody noticed.

Answer 3

The series is called His Dark Materials, by Phillip Pullman. Comprised of three books: The Northern Lights (thats the one the film is based on), The Subtle Knife, and the Amber Spyglass.
The portrayal of God and the various angels, as well as the protagonsists diametric opposition to the "Authority" they comprise, might not be to your taste if you take fictional film portrayals of religion seriously. On the other hand, its just a film, has almost no relation to real life, and is based on a fantastic story. Just try to remember that fiction can't harm when known as fiction.

Incidentally, those who claim that the protagonists "killed God so they could do what they wanted" have evidently completely misunderstood the underlying themes of the plot. Might be too complicated for many fundamentalists to understand, but there are such things as metaphor and allegory. God is not portrated as a drooling imbecile, rather (in the final book, not sure about the film) as a kind hearted and completely innocent soul the children free by breaking his prison so he dissembles and turns back into the ever-present and all encompassing dust he was initially comprised of.
Try reading the whole series first.......

Answer 4

His Dark Materials books ;)

Yes I have they're very enjoyable

it's not really anti christian. It's anti organised oppressive religion.
Would it really matter if it is anti god? Quite frankly complaints like this only goes to show how much hate there is for atheists - any film that is perceived to be vaguely atheistic should banned/boycotted.

The only thing you may want to consider is that there is some fighting in it so if you don't like your kids seeing violence then it probably wouldn't suit

Answer 5

Yes, I have. They're really, really good. They're not propoganda, it's a sci-fi(ish) retelling of Paradise Lost. There is a Catholic Church lookalike which is evil, but God isn't really a baddie, he's just being used by evil angels.

Take your kids to see them, and buy them the books. They might not have the same outlook as your kids do, but I'm an atheist and I don't mind reading books with a religious perspective, so the opposite should hold true.

Answer 6

i've got examine it, and that i enjoyed it. i replaced into bored interior the 1st few chapters too, yet after a rapid time it is going to start to get greater thrilling, I promise! i'm at the instant interpreting the state-of-the-artwork Knife, the 2nd e book interior the series (sequel to Golden Compass) it truly is totally truly worth interpreting.

Answer 7

read the book it is some what true in the past, future, and present of today. It is a great book. It is my favorite series and Philip Pullman is a genies on how the book was made.

Answer 8

I'm a Pagan myself. I read them and loved them. There was some anti-God ideology, but it wasn't that bad. It was the kind of stuff that makes one think, instead of making one feel discriminated against.

Answer 9

It's a really nicely done young adult fantasy novel that has underlying themes that go along with the atheist author's views.

There aren't any characters yelling, "GOD IS FALSE! BE ATHEIST! GOD IS HORRIBLE ALL YOU LITTLE CHILDREN!" so you should be fine.

Answer 10

I think that they are amazing novels and that everyone should read them, although that seems to be difficult for fundies to do.