A Christian Going to See the “Golden Compass”
Ok, after having read a good chunk of the book the new movie, The Golden Compass is based on, I feel I can make a reasonable statement as to its content.
There is a definite anti-Christian element to it, rest assured of that. However, though I define myself as a Christian, I will be going to see it because I feel it presents an important human message of: acceptance.
There are three main points in the book I’d like to shine light on and then briefly explain my position on the movie as a blogger, teacher, dad, and Christian. First: the “daemons,” or the animals that people have with them from childhood into adulthood are a fun idea. Who wouldn’t want their own animal that talked going with them wherever they go? The child and animal feel each other’s feelings. I see this as the conscience of a person or alter-ego. I also like the idea that this animal can change shape while the human is a child but when they get into adolescence and adulthood, the creature becomes fixed in form. This to me represents the openness of youth and how we tend to get set in our ways into adulthood. A true statement that encourages the open-minded wonder of youth. I heard much the same message in The Bridge to Terabithia this past year.
The second point of the book is that human vices are valuable to life and society. I couldn’t agree more. While I love church, and first and foremost God, I have been hurt in my youth by some very abusive people that came from the church. I was never molested or anything physical, but sometimes the mental abuse that unhealthy, unbalanced churches dole out can be even more debilitating. Accepting that we are all not the same and that we all can’t be forced into the same category is an important part of being a loving member of the human race. This is so important to teach our kids. This is true whether you are in the church or if you have no faith at all. I think the church should look to this concept to learn something and become a more loving “movement” in our modern culture. This message of acceptance that include vice and flaws is a continuous theme throughout The Golden Compass. If nothing else the Golden Compass should serve to Christians as an example of how we can sometimes make people feel guilty. When will the church stop doing that?
The final point of the book is the idea of dust, or sin. Pullman obviously believes the idea of a “Satan” figure who would embrace sin is to be a hero in his book. I would say I disagree on this point. Sin kills, end of report. It’s never something we should encourage our kids to monkey around with (no pun intended since Mrs. Coulter’s daemon is a monkey). But we as Christians should take to heart that church abuse of people is what has created this novel. It is not a novel about killing God (that I can see anyway) but rather a novel about liberation of ones mind to believe how one wishes. Pullman apparently doesn’t believe that a Christian can believe and have a high place in his fantasy world, but I take no offense at that. In my world they can and often do :) He is a gifted writer nonetheless and I think his book has good morals.
I think seeing this film for it’s celebration of individuality and not being just a blind follower of a church is a great thing for anyone (in theory, I still haven’t seen it ;). But ideas of killing God and other anti-Christian gobbledygook are boring and tired and one hopes will be left out of the film adaptation. I say Christians should give themeselves the green light on this one. Take your kids and talk about the messages in the film. Stay tuned for my review of the film next week!
What is your feedback on these thoughts?
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Tags: movies, opinion, pop culture
I really like these points, and may try to find the novel, and see the film. I’ve never understood the ‘churchy’ position that one should shut down reason and refuse to consider other world views.
Surely this ability to think, and to imagine, is a large part of what makes us human?
Absolutely. I agree with you. The issue that some of my friends have are with the statements Pullman has said about how he "hates" the Narnia books and wants to “kill God in the hearts of children.” Being a bit more bohemian in my ways than most Christians I know, I can filter that out to judge the story on its own merits. To me, his statements don’t indicate a potential radical leader of a satanic revolt as many Christians seem to view him, instead I see a great writer with amazing ideas who is also sadly an immature and wounded person lashing out at something he perceives as “the church.”. I am glad I did my homework. Watch for my movie review next week. I hope to see it Sat or Sun.
I adored the books - all three.
There’s nothing wrong with being ant-church. If you only expose yourself to the opinions you already hold, then you’re selling yourself short and doing yourself a disservice.
Ahhhh, ya beat me to the reading!! I was hoping to have a chance to start it this weekend, but I didn’t. I’m hoping to at least sneak a chapter or two in tonight!Enjoyed your review and opinions! I think it sounds like a good read!Jessica
@Jay: I never said there was anything wrong with being anti-church. I just happen to not be. There is something wrong with pigeon-holing people which is happening now on both sides of this controversy. I’m a student of literature and not your typical Christian. I like the universal ideas in the Golden Compass better than the anti-church ones though, and that’s just my preference. GREAT TO SEE YOU COMMENTING HERE!!!
@Jessica: It’s a good read when you have the sparks notes (like cliffs but online and free) it is a bit slow paced in the first 6 chapters.
You may be a bit more upset than this if you go on to the second and third books. I can only imagine that the filmmakers plan to totally rewrite the story, keeping the characters and some of the action but not really the theme (a la Bourne Identity).There is a point at which the books become about killing God. There is also a point at which they cease to be about that, but I imagine some people would get too upset by the content to make it that far.Anyway… I don’t want to get all spoiler-y because I think these books are worth reading, and I hope you do. That said, here’s a brief summary of what I think Christians might be concerned about vis the content of the second and third books:Con: the story posits a universe in which angels exist, along with somebody at least claiming to be God, but the truth about them is decidedly not Biblical and not particularly flattering. Many Christians will, I think, find this upsetting enough that the story becomes untenable for them.Con: the "good guys" are in fact, for much of the story, out to overthrow God.Pro: eventually the "good guys" are revealed as not actually all that good, and in fact the whole estimation of who is good and who is bad is jumbled around quite a bit. The story becomes no longer about overthrowing God, but rather about preserving human free will from powerful forces out to enslave humanity in direct violation of God’s plans. These evil forces involve some church folks… but I think Christians are familiar with the idea that there are good churches and not-so-good churches. Just because some of the bad guys claim to be working on behalf of God doesn’t make it true.Pro: the winning characteristics in the end are the preservation of childhood innocence, and self-sacrifice on behalf of others.I happen to think the ending is quite compatible with Christian belief, especially for Protestants, but my interpretation is suspect as I am not a Christian myself.(p.s. sorry to hijack your comments; I came here on a link about your Wordpress theme and then couldn’t restrain myself from chiming in. :)
I think that as followers of Christ we should engage the culture and be thoughtful in our criticism and not just reactionary. I keep hearing all this talk about banning the movie..I am going to see the movie and we are taking our Middle School kids(those who want to come), and talk afterwards about the worldview issues. Let’s have an intellectual and thoughtful discuss about the ideas and not just being afraid of them.
I posted some thoughts about the Golden Compass on my blog here:
provocativechurch.blogspot.com/2007/11/power-of-st...
Also, ChristianityToday posted a helpful piece by Jeffery Overstreet that give a balanced view and addresses questions and concerns Christians have about the books and movie.
christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/fearnott...
@Jack: Thanks for chiming in buddy. I always appreciate people leaving me their point of view and I think people who read me here like it too. I was probably just raised differently than you and that’s all there is here ya know? I just can’t imagine atheism making sense, but I respect those who embrace that view. thanks for being respectful of what I believe.
I have heard about the books in the series getting more anti-God. I don’t think I will see those. To me, I can glean good human concepts out of this book so it’s gonna be fun to see this Saturday. Tune back in for my review if you can! peace bro.
@bill: Good balanced words and thanks for the links. I will check them out. Thanks for your comment my friend.
Click here for My review of The Golden Compass.