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The Chronicles of Atheism The Chronicles of Atheism

When The Golden Compass hits theaters this month, many will be introduced to the works of Philip Pullman, a writer who detests C.S. Lewis's fantasy world.

Peter T. Chattaway | posted 11/27/2007 09:14AM

The story begins with a girl hiding in a wardrobe. It continues with a series of adventures in which the girl passes through gateways into other worlds, meeting witches, figures from ancient mythology, ...

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JOhn Downunder

Posted: December 11, 2007 7:49 AM

Only if Religion were begot from the face of the earth then the true essence of this planet and it's kingdoms shine like it should. Religion and fantasy are one and the same represented by a coin and by the same forces who create both. There are truths hidden deep within and there are false things painted big like the sun on a midday summer day. Are we not in a dream world where the ream ends when we subject the body to sleep? Life is not what it seems to be. The falsities of life are everywhere. Where theres fantasists there you will find war mongering religionists. You could never find the common ground of harmony and peace in between. Step back and view your world from a different angle, there you will see that all is not what it seems to be. Peace is but a thought away. Try it it is powerful and real. Let your thoughts create your tomorrow.

MBURU KIMANI

Posted: December 11, 2007 6:57 AM

When such films get in to the market rather than find fault in Christian faith offer a helping hand in spreading the Gospel. think of split in the eary church it facilitated a wider coverage of the same, promoting curosity to that religion thus populorising it even to far of people who didn't have the slittest qure of the trueth. emptiness due to caramity or sort of problems compells human beings to seek or think of how and when can a suppernatural power or force help them out of pain troubling them theirfore though straineous the film in a way will bring many to their creater

Daphne

Posted: December 11, 2007 6:24 AM

I have read the books. They are imaginative,colourful and a darn good read - and that is all. Like Dan Brown (and his forgotten Da Vinci Code,) Phillip Pullman is just a story teller. If his books were true they would be non-fiction and why does he think he is the first to 'suss' it all out anyway! Books like these and the infamous 'God Delusion' (which I have read) will all end up in car boot sales and charity shops, read or unread - whatever - then there will be the next 'sensation' I will see the 'The Golden Compass' because I love fantasy films including, and especially Harry Potter, but my Christian faith is unshakable and always will be, because it is the Truth.

Get Over It

Posted: December 11, 2007 1:00 AM

*sigh* I think that people need to get over the fact that books are about killing God. I and many of my friends have read the trilogy when we were in sixth grade (age 11) and my religious beliefs about God haven't been shattered nor have my friends beliefs been shattered. I am probably the most religious person in my immediate family actually and I'm the only person in my immediate family whose read the books. My friend who loves the books too goes to church every week and her family is very very religious. It is just a good fiction read and movie to watch that people need to understand is NOT REAL and hasn't broken anyones religious belief that I know who've read to stories (and a LOT of people I know have read them and absolutely adore the trilogy).

the preacher

Posted: December 10, 2007 11:25 PM

I would have to agree with max, although I do not agree with the veiws of pullman he is still free to express them. I have preached the gospel for over ten years and have faced some interesting veiws of God. I would say that reaching the lost is far more important than getting angry over a movie. However I would teach my young people in my church on what this movie tries to convey. Then I would simply show them what God's word teaches on the subject. If Pullman wishes to keep his beliefs then fine, but remember he will answer to the Lord. God does not depend on our beliefs to exsist, we depend on him to exsist. Whether or not Pullman chooses to accept it he will one day stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and give an account. So lets concentrate on the Great Commision " Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son , and the Holy Ghost.

Disturbed

Posted: December 10, 2007 11:10 PM


All that I can say is that there is way too much concern over this movie. If we are afraid our children or even we ourselves will be seduced away from our faith because of a different point of view then our religion is doomed. I think we are not giving our children enough credit. It seems to me that we are beginning to sound a lot like the way the books portray us to be.

somervillechangeling

Posted: December 10, 2007 9:54 PM

Pullman needs to be engaged by Christians. Only God can banish him to the outer darkness, and there's hope that even such a confused man as Pullman proves to be return to his grandfather's faith and be saved. I wouldn't object to the other movies being made, but the way the box office is going, the atheists will have to do them themselves as OAV's (ie only as video). They should not have pulled punches in making the movie. Let the atheists have their own children's movie that we can engage them over. The average non-Christian fantasy movie fan would have been shocked if the movie had ended where the first book ends. That would have made the atheists happy but lessened the box office even more. I'll let my son read these when he's old enough, but only after he knows Narnia well and is firm in his Christian faith. We'll talk about how Pullman's third novel god is not God and how his church is not the Body of Christ. We should stop boycotts where engagement is more fruitful.

Kendra

Posted: December 10, 2007 9:34 PM

I read these books as a jr. high student and didn't think much about them except cool fantasy books, Now as an adult I have started rereading them. The first 3 chapters are full of symbolism of Satan & Hell... Its really scary to think children are reading this without even knowing what they are reading! Lord Asriel(Lyra's Uncle) Symbolism The name Lord Asriel could be derived from the Hebrew Asra'el, who, in the Jewish and Muslim tradition is the Angel of Death, who collects the souls of the dead. Also, the name Asriel is an anagram of Israel the son of John. The name Israel means 'struggled with god' in English. Lord Asriel takes the place of Lucifer in Christianity, rebelling against God, a position also taken by Xaphania. Also, the world he sets up, his Republic of Heaven, is similar to Hell, with black stone and lava pits. from the web site http://www.hisdarkmaterials.org/srafopedia/index.php/Lord_Asriel know what's really being said in books, music, and tv! God Bless!

Carmen

Posted: December 10, 2007 8:37 PM

Beware Satan - OUR GOD REIGNS!! You will do everything in your power to entice the inoccent, making them believe that everying is fun and exciting, however, as a Christian and a parent, it is my responsibility to protect my children from the likes of you. I will stand before God and be able to say that I did what I could to protect them from things like Harry Potter and The Golden Compass! Well Jim, I'm so sorry to see that you will not be able to do that. I will pray for you and everyone you try to influence, that they will see the true Light of the World and not listen to a false prophet.

Chris

Posted: December 10, 2007 8:09 PM

I have not seen the movie nor read the book. I have read many articles on the internet for various sites. As it pertains to this article and the comments that follow, lets be real. If you believe in Christ, what does it matter? If you believe in Jesus, what does it matter? If you believe in freedom, what does matter? Here is the deal...if you raise your kids right, it does not matter what this film is based on. Choose your path. Every day all of us, both Christian and non Christian, battle with evil. Each day we face choices to be good PEOPLE or bad PEOPLE. I believe 1000000% in Jesus and God, but I really have not found a religion to represent how I feel. So, if you fear that a movie can sway you or your children, don't take the chance. You are given that choice. If you feel it won't sway you, then watch it. Look, if you watch any R rated movie, you are theoretically choosing evil. This is not R rated. What's the call? You know what you believe, and that's what matters

Taytay

Posted: December 10, 2007 7:58 PM


Its just a storie people. We dont have to take it seriously

Mohamed B

Posted: December 10, 2007 6:21 PM


The only way to stop this is for the Christians not to go see these kinds of movies. If all Christians boycott movies like these, they would all go out of business.

CJ	Posted: December 10, 2007 4:40 PM


I am in the middle of reading the book, and I would hope its not like that. But thanks for the update. I guess what thats what the world is coming to. Me, I will do more research and see if its true.

Ben	Posted: December 10, 2007 4:13 PM

It’s a FANTASY movie and it was pretty good. It was really close to the lion the witch and the wardrobe. I don’t know why everybody that goes to church thinks that everyone is trying to denounce God by making a movie that doesn’t mention him. Oh, and by the way, the Catholic chruch doesn't have the best rep anyway and has done things to children that would uphaul most anyone so why get mad if someone speaks out against them. Let an author write what he wants and admire him as an artist. I thought it was pretty good and didn’t think for one second that they were trying to denounce god. If you believe in god then why the heck would a movie make you not? That seems like a dumb concept to me and the movie was just like any other movie I ever watched as a kid. There is a good guy and a bad guy and good wins in the end. Man, I think after watching that on I might go join the Golden Compass Cult….hahaha……geeez, guys get over it and let kids have an imagination

Gretchen ottinger

Posted: December 10, 2007 3:28 PM


I will not watch this movie ppl cant see what they r doin to this earth i am a 12 year old girl that will change the way we kids view as God God is our creator and we need to respect tht!!! Look aht he offirs us and we turn him down and in the tv cummericals the mention noithing abou t the god destroyer if you r a christian make sure you stand up for God

Kerry

Posted: December 10, 2007 2:10 PM


Interesting article. There are so many veiled attacks on Christianity today. This one may not be too bad but I also wonder if will they 'water down' the movies to follow? Your article just reminded me about the general state of society today and of the Church in particular. Please see the Jan 2004 'Thought' here ... http://www.grovebaptist.co.uk/thought_for_month.htm

grateful

Posted: December 09, 2007 6:10 PM

Thank you for giving a balanced view trying to look at all the various angles, obviously coming from a Christian perspective. I appreciate you both talking about what is wrong with the film and where there are spiritual analogies we can draw from the film in talking with friends (without just saying it's bad). Thank you also for looking at the longer effects of the film, helping me to make up my mind to not help it's box-office sales.

JD	Posted: December 09, 2007 4:02 PM

All I have to say is good job Americans (and American Christians in particular) for speaking with your wallets and staying away from this deliberately anti-Christian, anti-God movie this weekend....reports as of Sunday Dec 9 show that opening weekend for the Golden Compass will top out around $27 million, after an abysmal $9million opening day. Compare that to Narnia/Lord of The Rings - all 4 films opened between $45 and $75million. Golden Compass cost $150-200million and, reports say, will not even recoup half that amount at the box office. All I have to say is thank God there's no way the 2nd and 3rd parts of this story will never be told on film - there's just no way to "gloss over" or remove anti-religious ideas from stories in which the heros' quest is to kill God. I thank God for a country in which individuals have the ability to speak their minds and exercise free thought -Pullman included. But I also thank God for a country which, for once, has responded with its wallet.

Ellen

Posted: December 09, 2007 3:17 PM


Err.. I must have really missed something, because I didn't see anything religious in the movie (certainly not more than your average movie, anyway). My mother read the books to me when I was younger, and I didn't think about it then either. You find what you look for I guess... Intresting review

Alanna

Posted: December 09, 2007 1:03 PM

By now everyone should be able to see why Pullman hates so many elements of Christianity. People are more concerned with protecting their faith than protecting the values and virtues within it. Stop protesting and boycotting about the books and movies, and put more effort into protesting against child abuse, family violence, and rape. At Bible study class, teach good values from the Bible- don't condemn the books and movie. True Christians protect goodness, not God.

Hannah

Posted: December 09, 2007 3:50 AM

The article is a little confusing to me in some ways. If I had childen still living at home, I would not want them to see the movie or read the books, because I think they would confuse them. I am a Born again Christian and had rather read good books. I only read books that are of Christian content. and of course, the Holy Bible.My family has been praying for God to put a hedge of protection around those who go to the movie and read the books. Also that they will be very discerning and realize what is reality and what is fantasy. It is hard for me to understand how parents could let their precious daughter play a part in the movie. So we are praying for all of Hollywood and the ones that are unsaved. We joined the site www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org and it has been a real eye opener. It is worth looking into and praying for the ones that are unsaved. Thank you for putting this article on your site. Hannah

Jeff	Posted: December 09, 2007 2:39 AM

I agree with Brenda. Why do people spend their time trying to look so far into things? These are CHILDREN'S BOOKS, with no subliminal messages. The only people that know the real intent behind these books are Pullman and God. Even with the "killing of God", it's not like we should hide ourselves from such ideas. Jesus didn't stay away from the sinners...In fact, with people such as the Samaritan woman by the well, he extended a loving hand and won their love. Also, Zaccheus the sinful tax collector was a man who was despised by many, yet Jesus was the only one that went up to him and said "Zaccheus, come down from that tree for I'm staying at your house today." I think this whole boycott idea does have good intentions such as protecting the naive, yet it's definitely not the most Christian way that we can go about it...I find this an interesting article though...

Ransom

Posted: December 08, 2007 6:12 PM


Hey Aarwin, you must get a lot of pleasure out of despising the faithful. I hope it's fulfilling. And by the way, Christians opting not to see the movie and talking about their problems with it doesn't amount to censorship, but then again, whatever works to support your anti-Christian diatribe!

Ness	Posted: December 08, 2007 12:52 AM

I've been an atheist all my life, and there's nothing wrong with atheism, guys. We've had plenty of movies with religious undertones. Narnia, Matrix, Lord of the Rings, even Star Wars. I'm glad there is finally a film which shows people another side to it all. But let's face it. When children see this film, the religious aspect of it is going to fly high over their heads and all they're going to care about are gigantic polar bears fighting, beautiful icy landscapes and children with precious animal companions.

Tamesha

Posted: December 07, 2007 9:05 PM


I agreed with alan, when I first saw the previews, I thought to myself this will be a great movie to take the kids too. But after reading more on the movie, I can honestly say my family and I will neither attend nor support this film in any way. I believe the word of God to be

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