Anti-Christian Propaganda

[GreenMunchkin]

The Golden Compass movie is out soon. It's the first part of Philip Pullman's Dark Materials - specifically, the first book in the trilogy, Northern Lights - made into a film.

This trilogy is one of the most overtly anti-Christian pieces of literature in decades, and yet it's also only second to Harry Potter in popularity.

Article about it in The Telegraph which is one of Britain's biggest newspapers.

Article by Peter Hitchens. Hitchens is a journalist and outspoken Christian, and he is the most vocal opponent of Pullman's anti-Christianity.

Essentially, it seems Pullman's intention was to start the trilogy in the same place as the Narnia books - ie, it starts with a girl hiding in a wardrobe - then reverse it completely. Pullman is basically the anti-Lewis, and has claimed that the Narnia books are "disgusting and sickening," and he's quoted as saying: "'I hate the Narnia books, and I hate them with deep and bitter passion, with their view of childhood as a golden age from which sexuality and adulthood are a falling-away."

How effective a tool do you think this film/trilogy will be in leading young children away from God?

I should also add that there is a move in England to make these books a part of the national curriculum from primary school upwards - basically, from 7 years and up. Am immensely concerned about that.

 

[ReformedChapin]

How is exactly the movie anti christian? That's my question, yes the author is an atheist but does that mean it will reflect in his movie?

 

[nyj]

Pullman doesn't have an original bone in his body. He basically had to warp C.S. Lewis' work. He's a militant atheist, and makes no bones about it. He may make a small splash in the here and now, but Tolkein and Lewis have already withstood the test of time.

I don't think Pullman's books will be effective, especially if parents monitor what their children are reading. Sit down with them and ask them questions, heck ... read some of the stuff they've shown interest in. It isn't even hard to Google reviews on the internet nowadays, so there is no excuse not to know what they're reading.

I won't be seeing the movie, I won't be reading the books. We do need to be on the lookout for this sort of nonsense, to protect our children though. I'd just be careful in how we do it. Strong, written campaigns to our schools to keep this crap out of the curriculum is definitely necessary, but we don't want to give these people too much press.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

How is exactly the movie anti christian? That's my question, yes the author is an atheist but does that mean it will reflect in his movie?

Read the second article.

But, to give you a quick break-down, the church is described as an evil organisation; the "best" characters are the witches and the daemons; the god of the trilogy - Pullman's way of describing God - is cruel and authoritarian and vicious, and ultimately dies; there are several anti-Christian rants throughout, including a speech from a nun saying she had it all wrong and there's no such thing as God and Christianity is based on a lie... on and on we go.

 

[edie19]

gee - I feel really out of the loop - I've never heard of the author or the books (maybe because my kids are grown).

Will these books/movies lead children away from God - not likely (if they do the children weren't His to begin with - no one, no thing can take from God those who are His).

That said do we need to expose our children unnecessarily - absolutely not. I have never bought a single Harry Potter book - I read part of the first at a bookstore and decided no way. Neither have we ever watched the movies at my house (although as adults my kids have seen them). I know kids like fantasy - but I made sure that what mine were exposed to was well written, age appropriate and not "dark."

It's a tough call for me when it comes to what's in libraries or schools. I hate the idea of "book banning" but at the same time, again we need to be careful about what our children are exposed to. I think nyj's idea of campaigns to the schools is good - but we need to do more than just say don't allow this book - better to offer an alternative.

 

[Apollo Celestio]

Best to avoid it, wonder what the liberal forum says about this. You can only protect people so much. But it sucks, this guys poison may condemn someone.. Sad to think about really.

 

[nyj]

I think nyj's idea of campaigns to the schools is good - but we need to do more than just say don't allow this book - better to offer an alternative.

1. Lloyd Alexander's - The Chronicle of Prydain series
2. C. S. Lewis' - The Chronicles of Narnia series
3. Tolkein's - Hobbit & Lord of the Rings series

All three are distinguished authors, all would serve as suitable alternatives without the controversy.

 

[D'Ann]

I've never heard of these books or this author. I need to learn more about these books and author before forming an opinion. In the meantime, I'll pray for the Holy Spirit to touch Pullman's heart and soul and mind...

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[daveleau]

I saw the trailers for the movie, and was very excited about it until I heard the back-story about the author's deep desire to spread atheism to as many children as he could. I got this tidbit from Entertainment magazine, of all places. Granted, the mag was railing against Christian boycotts planned for the movie (something I wholeheartedly support), but they did quote him as saying his desire was to spread atheism.

While I am not a big boycotter, I do think this is a movie we should all avoid and try to get those in our churches educated about the film and the intent.

Even if the movie is not overtly anti-Christian or atheistic, the intent has been stated and supporting those involved will only gfive them the ability to make overtly anti-Christian and atheistic films.

In Him,
Dave

 

[D'Ann]

I saw the trailers for the movie, and was very excited about it until I heard the back-story about the author's deep desire to spread atheism to as many children as he could. I got this tidbit from Entertainment magazine, of all places. Granted, the mag was railing against Christian boycotts planned for the movie (something I wholeheartedly support), but they did quote him as saying his desire was to spread atheism.

While I am not a big boycotter, I do think this is a movie we should all avoid and try to get those in our churches educated about the film and the intent.

Even if the movie is not overtly anti-Christian or atheistic, the intent has been stated and supporting those involved will only gfive them the ability to make overtly anti-Christian and atheistic films.

In Him,
Dave

Good point. Why give our hard earn dollars to something that is supporting athiesm. Amen

 

[edie19]

1. Lloyd Alexander's - The Chronicle of Prydain series
2. C. S. Lewis' - The Chronicles of Narnia series
3. Tolkein's - Hobbit & Lord of the Rings series

All three are distinguished authors, all would serve as suitable alternatives without the controversy.

don't know the first - but would certainly agree with 2 & 3 (we had those books in my children's libraries)

edie

 

[nyj]

don't know the first - but would certainly agree with 2 & 3 (we had those books in my children's libraries)

edie

I think #1 is even better. I loved that series growing up.

 

[Criada]

I read these - and to be honest found them hard going... so how on earth a 7 year old would be expected to make sense of them....

But yes, they are very, very anti -God, though I would say more specifically anti-Catholic, rather than anti-Christian.
As books, i don't think that they pose a great deal of danger to children, as I can't imagine many pre-teens reading them, and older children should have an understanding of the difference between fiction and reality...

I am very concerned about the film, however, as it will inevitably make the story available to a far younger age-group, who are not ready to deal with it.
Harry Potter books are written for 10+ children, but the films have been watched by most 5 year olds. The same effect with this book would be far more disturbing...

 

[ContentInHim]

Why would a movie company produce a movie that was guaranteed to offend a goodly number of people? I mean, the author sounds just nasty. Why would someone think that his work should be a movie unless secular culture is sooo infatuated with fantasy?

 

[Virgil the Roman]

The movies' inherent Atheism is watered down, but make no mistake, the Books are inudated with Anti-Christian, esp. Anti-Catholic Themes out the wazoo. We must be vigilant with our children and campaign with vigour against these vile books. I vote a national Christian Book and Movie League be instituted to rate books that are dangerous or hostile to the Christian Faith and could inevitably lead to one's damnation. Sure grown-ups, can make decisions for themselves, but many a christians' faith may be destroyed by this Dangerous and PERNICIOUS strand of unbelief. Bring Back the Index Librorum Prohibitorum!

 

[tulc]

If you haven't read Lloyd Alexanders "Prydain" set get them, they are amazing! Been here?:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Prydain
tulc(by the way he just died this year, he'll be missed)

 

[edie19]

Why would a movie company produce a movie that was guaranteed to offend a goodly number of people? I mean, the author sounds just nasty. Why would someone think that his work should be a movie unless secular culture is sooo infatuated with fantasy?

I don't know - but then again I don't know why Christians loved the heretical "The DaVinci Code."

I think #1 is even better. I loved that series growing up.

If you haven't read Lloyd Alexanders "Prydain" set get them, they are amazing! Been here?:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Prydain
tulc(by the way he just died this year, he'll be missed)

OK - I know The Black Cauldron. Didn't realize it was part of a series.

Another good bunch of books for children are Madeline l'Engle's books (A Swiftly Tilting Planet, A Wrinkle in Time - etc.). They're Christian allegories also. Probably my son's favorites growing up (that is until he discovered Isaac Asimov )

 

[Rhamiel]

good thread, I think these books are just another example of how the secular society lifts up anything that pokes christianity in the eye, "oh it is so brave of him to write that" blaa blaa blaa

 

[nyj]

Another good bunch of books for children are Madeline l'Engle's books (A Swiftly Tilting Planet, A Wrinkle in Time - etc.). They're Christian allegories also. Probably my son's favorites growing up (that is until he discovered Isaac Asimov )

Yep, they're awesome as well.

 

[JPPT1974]

good thread, I think these books are just another example of how the secular society lifts up anything that pokes christianity in the eye, "oh it is so brave of him to write that" blaa blaa blaa

Sadly this is a world that needs
The Lord whether they think they
Do or not.