What do you all think on the claims of "The Golden Compass" being portayed as against God?

Answer 1

personally, I have not read the book or seen the movie, but I see no reason to judge it based on what I have heard from rumor. Seriously, how can an atheist mock God if he doesn't believe that there is one? Doesn't something have to exist before you can mock, insult,or ridicule it? would the writer be considered a true atheist by other atheists? Is his referral to God, as we see God, or to more the meaning of a king, or ruler?
That is my opinion anyway!

Answer 2

The book was published twelve years ago. The film is a very much watered down version of the book and leaves out most of the stuff that could be considered questionable by religions. The fear is, I understand, that people who see the film might want to read the book. I hope they do if they haven't done so already.

The books in the trilogy are fantasy and have nothing to do with gods. Some people get far too concerned about irrelevancies.

Answer 3

I think there are too many people in the world that are quick to believe anything that's written.

The big issue with this story is that two kids kill God. Well, I read the books after the controversy started because I wanted to know the truth in the matter. I can say that no, the kids in the book do not, in fact, kill God. All these ridiculous cries of outrage are coming from people who haven't actually read the books for themselves.

!!* SPOILERS BELOW *!!

Again, the two main characters from books 2 and 3 DO NOT KILL GOD as many of these protestors seem to think. Lord Asriel wants to kill God. Lyra and Will don't even realize who they're speaking to when they do encounter God. These crazy deluded ideas of murderous children hunting down God is just too much.

There is a fair amount of animosity displayed towards the Church and its clergy, but isn't that true even in school textbooks?

I encourage you all to read them if you haven't already. It's actually not a bad story and I absolutely loved the ways "souls" or totems are depicted in Lyra's world, but the ending (for a children's story) was terrible.

At the very least, if you don't want to buy or borrow a copy of the book, you could read it through SparkNotes.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/hisdarkmaterials/

Answer 4

This is a segment from a longer article I wrote on this subject. I am a Christian myself, and I tend to think that people should not judge before they know the full story. Here is the segment from my article.
"Some people have also said that the girl, Lyra, kills her mother to be free from her authority. Her mother dies in the third book to (I haven't read it in a few years so this is as I remember it) SAVE her daughter.

In the third book they do in fact kill "god" but it is not the God as we know it. It is an angel who has taken up the name and has no authority at all, really.

The story is in fact very intriguing, and I am getting very tired of Christians talking about it as if they know anything about the book besides what fanatics have written, and the few quotes they have heard or seen Philip Pullman say.

Before you critisize it, read it. Then say what you have to say.

And if Christians can't take a little competition without going over the deep end, then something is sorely wrong with us. This kind of competition is oftentimes what helps to strengthen our faith.

I am probably going to see the movie, hopefully the day it comes out. I grew up reading this triligy, and loved it. Do I have any less faith in Christ? No! Do I still believe Jesus died to save me? Yes. Do I have any doubts about God, or the fact that He exists as the Bible says? Absolutely not.

I am not scarred in any way from reading, and enjoying these books. They bring forth some interesting topics to talk about and debate with close family and friends, and they give you a view of what some people do in fact believe.

I enjoy Philip Pullman's work, and will continue to read the books over and over again.

I'm not saying that everything presented in the series is completely accurate. I'm not even saying that all of it is right. I'm just saying,read the books and get a first hand understanding of what's going .. you condemn them.

That is all I have to say."
Hope this helps,.
God Bless,
Kat

Answer 5

I think that if their faith is as strong as they claim it is, then they shouldnt be worried about a film that may promote anti-god values.. what are they worried about? Children being brainwashed? I think sometimes its healthy to show these films. People deserve to see all ideas that people beleive, and all perspectives... anyway at the end of the day its a fictional book!
Some people get way to hung up on the small stuff like this, I say live and let live :)

Answer 6

Personally, I think of it more of a criticism of dogmatism than a direct slam down of religion in general. In fact, I think it's ironic that an atheist can actually write a book that promotes moderation and the Eternal End in the Bible, where man and God is finally mingled together.

The series is more towards warning people of overzeal, fundamentalism, superstition, and Money Evangelism than an actual criticism of Christianity.

Answer 7

Check out this link. The author is a person that claims to be an atheist and writes children books where the main characters (children) kill God so they can do what ever they want. Sounds to me like he had a bad experience when he was growing up or never had any good role models in his life.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

Answer 8

Well, didn't the author admit that he was an atheist and the book was about killing god, but I don't know if he meant killing the actual religious god, or killing someone who's in a position to control people's lives. Either way, I'm fine with it because it's his art, and the church has no right to tell him he can't write like that.

Answer 9

I love the critics
The Golden Compass is less controversial than it is confusing. So naturally it sets up for a sequel.
Now that might be worth protesting.

Don't worry about your soul, you will sleep through it.

and...the best
http://filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/goldencompass.htm

Answer 10

I think it's a lame pubticity stunt by some nameless Hollywood PR firm to get people go see an otherwise forgettable (and mediocre) film. That's my guess (not because I've seen the film, but because that's what this whole so-called controversy 'smells' like)