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BEWARE OF THE GOLDEN COMPASS

by Bill Maroney, Elementary Children's Director

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."  Philippians 4:8

On December 7th, 2007, a new movie call "The Golden Compass" (starring Nicole Kidman) will hit theaters nationwide.

Like some of the other fantasy works brought to life on the big screen recently (The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings), it will undoubtedly be a sweeping epic, filled with all the grandeur that computer graphics can muster.  But unlike Narnia and LOTR, the book from which it is derived (also called "The Golden Compass") takes a very different approach to the roles of God and faith in its' themes.

Would you like your child(ren) to read a book by the author who made this quote? --

(Referring to JRR Tolkien) "He was like (C.S.) Lewis ... in that he saw this world, this physical universe, as a fallen state created no doubt by God, but marked and weakened and spoiled by sin, and his imagined world was so much more truthful and full of beauty and what have you.  Well, I passionately disagree with this.  The physical world is our home, this is where we live, we're not creatures from somewhere else or in exile.  This is our home and we have to make homes here and understand that we are physical too, we are material creatures, we are born and we will die.  There ain't no elsewhere, this is where we are.  If we want heaven, then there isn't a kingdom, we have to make a republic of heaven in this world, not elsewhere."*

Those words were spoken by author Philip Pullman ("The Golden Compass") during an interview* on March 24, 2002.  While Mr. Pullman has seemingly toned down his remarks in recent months (no doubt at the behest of the filmmakers) he is, in the end, an unabashed and outspoken atheist.  And whether he readily admits it or not, atheism and anti-Christian themes permeate his books.  "The Golden Compass" is the first book in the trilogy, in which each successive book becomes more and more openly antagonistic towards Christianity.

ABOUT THE MOVIE and the BOOKS

While the tone of the movie may be somewhat less openly anti-Christian, it still contains the same basic humanistic message.  And even worse, it will undoubtedly lead to many children reading the books.  Consider the fact that Houghton Mifflin and Ballantine Books say they sold 27 million copies of J.R.R. Tolkien books as a result of his "Lord of the Rings" Trilogy being made into movies.  So, no matter how inoffensive or watered-down the movie may be, the books are a different story and they will get into the hands of countless children as a result of this movie. 

The Hollywood hype machine is in full swing.  Television commercials and movie trailers are pushing this movie.  Fast food chains will have toys and public schools will be featuring the books prominently in their libraries in hopes of capitalizing on the hype.

I believe that it is important that we, as Christian parents, boycott this movie and the books from which it was derived.  And it won't be easy, either.  The kids will be clamoring to see the movie.  Explain the situation to them the best you can, then, take the $40 you save by not taking the family to this movie and buy other suitable books (like C.S. Lewis's Narnia series or JRR Tolkiens Hobbit or LOTR trilogy).  Take time to read this together one night a week and discuss what you've read.  These discussion will provide ample opportunities for you to turn the discussion to God's Word - the greatest book every written.

Because I did not want to condemn this book without first reading it, I personally read the first 200 pages.  Here are some of my observations:

• The book is incredibly well written and the storytelling is very compelling.  The book's heroine/protagonist is already embroiled in a page-turning dilemma by page two, and the action is fairly non-stop from there.  Had this book been written with a more wholesome perspective, it would be excellent reading.
• The people in the book all have daemons -- defined by wikipedia as "Latinized spelling of the Greek (daimon), referring to either good or malevolent 'supernatural beings between mortals and gods, such as inferior divinities and ghosts of dead heroes'".  In the book, the daemons can speak and are the constant companion of their human owners.  They take the form of animals and insects (in a most cuddly and seemingly loving way -- very compelling for kids!) and are essentially, the alter-ego of their human owner.  The obvious ties to witchcraft, supernaturalism, the occult and the new age movement are too numberous to list.
• The heroine/protagonist (Lyra) has little or no regard for authority.  Though only a child of 12, whe smokes, drinks and delights in fighting with other kids.  I believe this book will quickly and effectively tap into the rebellious streak that all kids seem to have.
• Many adults are portrayed as either clueless, or mean (or both).  There is tale of a woman who is so drunk all the time that she can't remember her child's age, and is unsure of who fathered him.
• The references to religion are many and the reader appears to be in the process of being set-up for a very anti-Christian conclusion/climax.  This quote (from Ch. 2) is a very telling look into the author's perspective; "the church's power over every aspect of life had been absolute."  There are mentions of rituals, sacrifices, experimental theology, a golem (Jewish mysticism) and much more.  One of the main themes is the Oblation Board -- which is involved in child sacrifices (though at this point I don't know what form the sacrifices are taking).
• There is swearing and coarse language sprinkled throughout the book.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE OR GO TO FOCUS ON THE FAMILIES' WEBSITE: families.org.

*The program on "Faith and Fantasy" aired on Australia's ABC Radio National, and it looked at the role faith plays in fantasy writings of such authors as C.S. Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and the above quoted Philip Pullman.