Narnia for Atheists? Pt. 1 of 2

In December, the first of the three books in the trilogy, "His Dark Materials," will show itself on the big screen.  The movie trailer shows high production values, acclaimed acting, and an epic scale that transcends worlds - the stuff of Harry Potter, Narnia, and Middle-Earth.  The book, "The Golden Compass," on which the movie is based, is the creation of Philip Pullman and this first installment looks like a holiday blockbuster in the making.  Alas, there is a brouhaha afoot.

Bill Donahue at the Catholic League has a few words for you, It's a ploy to market atheism to kids!  He sees the softening of the film's more offensive elements as a means to cancel parent's objections and get kids to buy the book.  He warns that this is a descent down a path that, by volume three, has the readers celebrating the defeat of the church and the death of God.  That doesn't sound too good.

Philip Pullman's religious views are not in the same catalog as C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and should make us wary.  Here's what he says on his website:  "I don't know whether there's a God or not. Nobody does, no matter what they say. I think it's perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing God into it, but I don't know everything, and there may well be a God somewhere, hiding away.  Actually, if he is keeping out of sight, it's because he's ashamed of his followers and all the cruelty and ignorance they're responsible for promoting in his name. If I were him, I'd want nothing to do with them."

This summer I read all three books in the trilogy.  I did not then know a movie was coming.  But the popularity of the books suggested my need to "stay in tune" with what's affecting people.  I am not decrying Mr. Pullman's right to write what he chooses.  But parents have a right and responsibility to  choose what serves the best interests of their children.  In my next post, allow me to spare you the trouble of reading (and buying) the books, share with you a few excerpts, and help you make a wise choice.

Comments

[Alex Marshall]

I'm definitely interested to hear your thoughts. Haven't read these yet, but have heard of them in a way that resembles the "over-reaction" that has been seen to a number of fictional books of late. Nevertheless, there have been some things said that make me very concerned.

[Rocky]

I read the first two books of the trilogy and stopped. The first book is beguiling, and because of its mystery and ambiguity perhaps even intriguing. But certain views, terms, and biases began to surface that prompted a furrowed brow and many questions (i.e., "daemon") (also, the word "aletheiometer" was paradoxical in that the word "aletheia" in Greek means "truth"). I'll stop there and wait to hear responses from others....

[Tundra Mama]

I agree with Rocky. I read the first book and stopped about a third of the way into the second.
The way the Church was represented was disturbing,
although at the time I read the first book, I thought maybe the author was referring to a type of state or government sanctioned church. I stopped reading in the second book when it became clear that the battle actually was against the God of the universe.
Thanks for bringing the truth to light.I'm very interested in your insights.

[Jeff]

Heck, I found a profound spiritual statement in Brokeback Mountain. I can't imagine it'd be hard to find it here.