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The Golden Compass is the first in a trilogy of fantasy novels called His Dark Materials, written by Philip Pullman. The first of the books to be made into a movie, according to reviews, removed most references to the quest against religion and made it a political thriller of sorts. I have read the trilogy though have yet to see the film, what this writer can discuss is the controversy itself and from where it stems.

The trilogy offers an interesting insight into another view of the spiritual world and consequently the destruction organized religion can cause. It takes place in an alternative reality, meeting up eventually with our own. One can see a parallel in the books to what the Vatican and Catholic Church actually represent in our current world domination, money, hierarchy and control. The books, and thus The Golden Compass, attack the ideas held beyond reason and the hierarchical structure that forces itself ahead while leaving rationale and facts behind. They do not attack the Christian belief system or the people who worship under that name. The people are actually the heroes of the story, particularly a little girl who is capable of seeing the world in a larger context than the hierarchy and one who acts based on loyalty, compassion, friendship, and love rather than being motivated by power and greed.

The controversy stems from the feeling by the Catholic Church that the movie, because of the nature of the books, attacks their beliefs and their way of life via the children. It was reported that Catholic diocese were advising parents to boycott the movie as it may influence children against religion, particularly Catholicism. The fear was that the atheist creator of the series was trying to recruit children into his beliefs, something that atheists do not actively do since one of their few commonly held beliefs is that people make up their own minds. Anything that the movie may influence the children to do is to treasure their friendships and to act in loyalty and love, that is if they are even capable of seeing beyond the action-adventure plot and special effects. This writer can not see where the problem lies in that message though I can understand the apprehension at a potential anti-catholic message. No group wants to be the focus of negative sentiments. However, the church has many more important matters tarnishing their image than a fictional movie.

The controversy is such a perceived attack on an institution that has held immense sway in the political world for centuries. Any institution in such a position would vehemently defend itself on the off chance the threat were real, thus eliminating the potential for losing its standing. This institution happens to be an organized religion that spans the globe. In this instance what is viewed as an attack is a view of spirituality that differs from its own. The church has made up the controversy in order to offensively defend itself. If this were in fact an attack upon them, then so would any other movie, book, pamphlet, website, or speech that addressed a religion or belief other than their own.

Learn more about this author, Alicia M Prater PhD.
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