by Effie Moore Salem

Created on: December 24, 2007   Last Updated: January 14, 2009

Sometimes the more a movie is argued over, the more popular it becomes. Had those not in favor kept quiet the movie would probably been less successful. Such is life when controversial subjects are publicly aired. The Golden Compass Controversy rages on. Hopefully it will not up the ratings of this Children's fantasy movie which has nothing good to say about Christianity. Unfortunately, what usually happens when a book or a movie is condemned, throngs flock to buy and to see. Inadvertently, if this happens here, it will be opposite of what critics want to happen.

Yet, the Catholic Church does not dare simply ignore the movie, fearing that the stealth' message will get through to youngsters that are not yet aware of its insidious purpose. That insidious purpose is the undermining of children's belief in God; this not necessarily being done by the movie since religion does not play a part in the wording of the screen play; but indirectly. It could open up children's gullible minds to the works of the author that prompted the movie and to other non-Christian fantasies.

British author, Philip Pullman wrote the books (a triology) that led to Chris Weitz writing the screen play; that led to Nicole Kidman and a twelve year old British girl playing the leading roles; and the combined effort led to the boycott of the film by the Catholic Church.

So what about the controversy? All I know is what I heard Bill Donohue say on EWTN one Sunday evening a few weeks ago; what I have just now researched online; and what I personally believe about goings on surrounding the movie. It is all second hand stuff since I have not seen the movie and have no intention of seeing the movie.

As Emily Friedman (online) tells the fantasy on ABC news, December 8th, is that Lyra, a twelve year old strong-willed girl is out to find a school friend that has been kidnapped by the cruel Magisterium. They are a group out to rid the world of free will. In this setting, the spirits are talking animals.

They capture the children and remove their souls and do not allow them to be touched by dust. Dust is what supposedly represents the free will. Just benign fantasy, you say. Maybe, maybe not. It's maybe not if you happen to be Christian and believe what the magisterial authority teaches. (This is the governing board that oversees the liturgy of the Church.)

Maybe not if you happen to be Christian and believe that no child should be reading anything that even hints at the idea that God is to be killed. What

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