The Golden COmpass

[ranmaonehalf]

Im not to sure where to post this thread but i want to know why do those who have read this book think its an atheistic themed series?

yes the author wanted to kill the authority.

but it seems to go against most atheistic ideas. (athesits in general tend not to believe in the supernatural)
(supernatural , ghosts ect...)


this book may be anti organized religion but i dont see it as atheistic.

 

[Deadbolt]

Well, Pullman is an atheist and he did write it as sort of a rebuttal to C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia so by that merit I suppose you could say that is was an atheistic book...
But, that said, who cares? I mean. I liked it a lot when I read it, and to tell the truth it is a hell of a lot better than Chronicles. Better written, more cohesive plot, excellent characterization...But still, so what? If you happen to be offended by that it is your right to not read it, and until your children are eighteen it is your right to prevent them from reading it (However odious I happen to think withholding written materials from ardent readers is.)
The only reason I have anything to say about this matter is that it seems Christians aren't content to just not read it. No, they must oppose it, no lengths are too far for them, free speech be damned. The books are dangerous!

 

[ranmaonehalf]

but the story has nothign to do with atheism.
it definetly suggests that there is a creator and that the "authority" is not it but an imposter.

 

[TeddyKGB]

To be even more correct, His Dark Materials is about rebelling against a supernatural realm whose figurehead is a pathetic old ghost. The Golden Compass barely mentions the church and mentions the Authority not at all. The Golden Compass is about children in a parallel world being abducted and tortured.

 

[DoubtingThomas29]

I just thought I would say, they were not torturing the children in the golden compass, they were trying to seaparate the child from its pet. It is a cool movie if you love philosophy, you'll probably like it. I can't wait for the next movie.

 

[Vene]

I just thought I would say, they were not torturing the children in the golden compass, they were trying to seaparate the child from its pet. It is a cool movie if you love philosophy, you'll probably like it. I can't wait for the next movie.

The daemon is not the child's pet. The daemon is the philosophical equivalent of the soul. Intercision is basically the greatest form of torture in that world. I would compare it to a blending of lobotomy and rape. At least, that's what it was like in the book. I didn't watch the movie.

 

[Aeris]

If you happen to be offended by that it is your right to not read it, and until your children are eighteen it is your right to prevent them from reading it (However odious I happen to think withholding written materials from ardent readers is.)
The only reason I have anything to say about this matter is that it seems Christians aren't content to just not read it. No, they must oppose it, no lengths are too far for them, free speech be damned. The books are dangerous!

I agree I can respect someones opinion/ belief that makes them not like something (even if i dont agree with their opinion), thats fine dont watch it, read it or whatever, but its not their place to try and stop something from playing in theaters, or other similar actions that prevent others from going against their belief.

 

[cantata]

this book may be anti organized religion but i dont see it as atheistic.

Indeed, it's not in the slightest bit atheistic, although of course it was written by an atheist. In the video below, Pullman talks to a Christian interviewer who sees the concept of Dust in the books as a representation of the divine. Pullman's response is very interesting and very positive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N6vzZuPy1s

 

[lawtonfogle]

Please don't stereotype all Christians. I read the book. In fact, I saw no problem with the first book. The most blasphemous thing in it was, and I quote "the country of Texas".

Overall, I hated the series (good series, ending was just far too sad, come on, one window or two windows, I don't think it is much of a difference). I would say the book is anti-catholics though, but then, given their history, some resentment is understandable.