by Mary Fonvielle

Created on: September 09, 2008

I saw the movie, I read the books. In the end I wasn't an atheist, nor did I feel any desire to relinquish my faith on the basis of a fictional story. If you feel your personal beliefs are jeopardized by this kids' movie, then you ought to question the strength of your beliefs.
If anything, The Golden Compass was in fact "toned down" for movie audiences as far as the religious front goes. Pullman's version makes no nonsense of stating that the dominant religion of the world has become too powerful, and that the Authority ("God") must be overtaken. The movie presents the Authority as less of a religious figure and more of an over-dominant presence that runs the government.

The story itself seems reminiscent of earlier times in history, when the Roman Catholic Church dominated most of Europe. Only the priests could read religious texts and make interpretations, leaving them absolute rule over the devout. People literally paid to assure their place in heaven, whether by monetary "donations" or social and political favors to the clergy. Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy presents a very similar situation in a world more closely relatable to ours. The Authority, or God, is interpreted through a select counsel of people who have the run of the governmental affairs of the world. Even academic affairs must have the approval of the Magesterium. In the end, the reader even gains sympathy for the angel that is "God," who has been entrapped and overrun by an ambitious subordinate who misuses power to gain ultimate control. The plot of His Dark Materials has in my eyes no relation to the status of modern Christianity today in anything but name.
If you still feel this to be an attack on your religious views, then simply don't read the books or watch the movie. These are fictional works, however, and most of us should know the difference between fiction and reality. If anything these stories are a warning; a reminder of the darkness of former times and that we are an age of people who can and should think for themselves. If any authority, religious or otherwise, becomes as powerful and suffocating as described in Pullman's books, then why should we cease to rise above it?
For those who disagree, my advice is to read the books, not the reviews, and come to your own conclusions. It is simple to agree with what others have said before you, but perhaps more people should follow the message of these stories and empower themselves by exhibiting their own free will.

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