Golden Compass

[prose]

Sad. The movie looks so exciting. OF course, I am not going to go though.

Prince Caspian, however, I can't wait!!

[cathoholic_anonymous]

The books definitely have an anti-Catholic flavour, but I don't oppose them. I gave my reasons [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=73469&hl=philip+pullman"]in a different thread[/url]. Here is my original post:
[quote]They are brilliant books. I loved reading them. They didn't turn me into an atheist. They are well-written and with a fascinating storyline, and while atheism has a prominent part in the plot, the trilogy isn't solely (or even mostly) about the death of the Authority. (The Authority is an aging angel who seized power over the heavens and the earth with the aid of strong band of angelic supporters.) These books have won a sweeping array of literary prizes - prizes that aren't awarded for destruction of the Christian worldview, but for terrific writing.

I've read a lot of extremely good literature which is at odds with Catholic teaching, and it hasn't hurt me - I don't automatically start believing whatever I read. I don't know anything about the film, and I won't go to see it as I don't really like the cinema, but by urging people to avoid Pullman's work we are actually propagating the very stereotype of the Catholic Church that he presents in the books. The Church of those books is out to prevent people from sampling new ideas or reading anything that differs from its teachings, and when people question this they are told, in the soft-voiced melodic tones of Mrs Coulter, that it is for their own good and protection.

These are teenagers' books. Catholic teenagers need to be well-read and we need to be able to engage intelligently with viewpoints that are at odds with our own. His Dark Materials can even be used as a springboard to talk about the nature of God: Pullman's concept of 'god' is truly pitiful and bears no resemblance to the Holy One we worship. I could see this even as a fifteen-year-old, when my theological knowledge was a lot more impoverished than it is now.

Don't try to crush this. Engage with it. If Pullman were writing atheist potboilers in the style of Hitchens and Dawkins, I would heave a weary sigh and turn away - that sort of book has already ben rebutted enough times and it's a tired genre. But Pullman isn't doing that. He has ideas, he writes well, and he needs to be taken seriously - for our sake as well as for the sake of atheists. True evangelism means listening to the other person's ideas (however unpalatable you may find them) and responding creatively and with sensitivity, not stuffing reams of cotton wool down your earholes. And true growth in faith involves challenges. Young Catholic readers can't be closeted forever - and their faith would be as pitiful as Pullman's 'god' if they were.[/quote]

[kenrockthefirst]

If Pullman wants to take on CS Lewis, let him work away. My money's on CS Lewis.

[dUSt]

[i]"In "Compass," the curious 12-year-old protagonist, Lyra, stumbles on an adventure very close to home when she overhears talk of an amazing substance called Dust, which can unite the world but is so feared that many are scrambling to eradicate it."[/i]

Sweet.

[Theologian in Training]

The following was sent to all of us in the diocese...it is pretty enlightening.

Dear Pastors, Administrators, Principals and Colleagues,

There has been a great deal of hype and controversy about "The Golden Compass" an alleged children's adventure film which debuts December 7, 2007. Here is a media analysis including quotes from the author of the original book. I hope you will be able to use all or part of it in the parish bulletin before the premiere.

MEDIA ALERT


As some of you may know New Line Cinema premiers The Golden Compass their big budget fantasy film on December 7th 2007. It could be the first in a trilogy. It has been advertised as a children's adventure. So now is the time to say Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware!

Unlike the beloved Chronicles of Narnia, The Golden Compass has a very different message. In an interview with the Washington Post the author Philip Pullman says: "I am trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief."

The film is based on the first volume of Mr. Pullman's trilogy HIS DARK MATERIALS originally written as adult fantasy science fiction. This film is thinly veiled hate mail for God and Christian beliefs and it uses children. Quoting Pullman: "My publishers' decision to publish the trilogy as children's literature was a brilliant trick and has them flying off the shelves. I doubt that they would have done as well on the adult shelves with so much competition in the genre."

The Dark Force throughout the trilogy is called the Magisterium. Investigating all sorts of dictionaries and encyclopedias yields only one real life definition for that word - "the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church." Magisterium equals dark force is a great message for our children.

In the film, children begin to disappear. The dark forces kidnap them and perform harmful experiments upon them. Other children seek them out to their peril. Now there is a nice Christmas film for Catholic families. The film is the hook for the less benign books, video-games that debut in time for Christmas!

The children's triumphal moment of the book trilogy occurs when they open a "jewel" containing the fraudulent fallen angel calling himself God and he dies. The children liberate everyone creating an atheistic heaven on earth.

The film is rated PG 13. Pullman and New Line are hoping to cash in on the trendy fantasy film genre. Whatever New Line Cinema waters down -- however they spin the hype -- this media alert is designed to inform you about the real product content before you buy a ticket, a book or a game.