Golden Or Moral Compass

I will be the first one to tell you that I do not typically get overly excited about what Hollywood does. I become even less excited when people go off half-cocked about something they heard and aunts, cousin’s nephew’s, uncle tell them about something that might be true in a movie or book. Most of what Hollywood does falls well short of true artistic endeavor and even the great talent that is enlisted is done so for the sake of making the almighty dollar and furthering hidden, unrighteous agendas rather than anything that would benefit anyone. This being said, the entire industry is nothing more than a sideline in life, where folks can catch a break from reality once in a while, though there are some great fact based movies that are designed to educate and have a positive message that aligns with Christian values and a deep sense of morals (though they are few).

Thus, when I had heard about the release of the “Golden Compass,” based on the books by known atheist Phillip Pullman, I really didn’t flinch. After all, what impact could it have? However, the more I thought about it, the angrier I grew. I looked at my daughter, whose imagination seems to have no bounds and I began to realize that for her, the thinking process would be a whole lot different. She would not have the experience I have. She would not understand hidden agendas and innuendo. She would not see the story for what it was and discount it? For her, there is the distinct possibility that her imagination could be shaped by her willingness to suspend her disbelief about this movie and a failure to have a firm basis to dismiss the fundamental ideas. In other words, to her it is much more real and believable. To put it in biblical terms, there is a great chance of this child being offended (lead down an ungodly path) in her innocence and lose her fundamental understanding of what it means to be “right” or “wrong.”

With that in mind, I began to explore what this movie and the books that it is based are all about. What I found was shocking, though not unexpected. In reality it is pretty much the same as every other attack that has ever been lodged against Christianity. The standard modus operandi, as is the case here, is to take the failings of genuine Christians or the perversion of the disingenuous and personify them to the extreme. It is no wonder then that most of what Hollywood does, centers on the beliefs of Catholicism, though few of us would ever blur the line between Catholicism and Christianity. From this is born “The Magisterium,” headed by Miss Coulter (Nicole Kidman), where abuse of power and corruption is the norm. It is a place where colorful, loveable and innocent children are abused and oppressed, forcing a fight. Important here is the fact that the word “magisterium” is a real word that is a direct reference to the Catholic church and its authority to teach. Pullman veils his distain only slightly in this regard.

Creating this vile entity he proceeds to write off Christianity as a whole, though he fails in one regard that should be as plain as the nose on any ones face – Christ. The story never takes Christ into account, but instead assumes the failings of men, which the Bible itself is very candid about. The story never entertains such a character or by such refutes anything about the life and ministry of Christ. Odd for a collection of stories designed to kill off Christianity in the minds of children. Instead, again, he focuses his attention on those who claim Christianity and abuse power. Christ himself would have been displeased with such and was in his lifetime, evidenced by things such as his cleansing of the temple.

Before we go farther it helps us to know a little more about Pullman and his intentions in the books and movie. He is an avowed atheist who wrote the series “His Dark Materials” to offset the Christian based teaching found in C.S. Lewis’ “Narnia Chronicles.” It is a three part series (The Golden Compass being the first Installment), which ultimately leads to one of the main characters killing God. As the series progresses, the message becomes more and more antichristian. Thus, the story may pull children in and draw their attention before they even know what they are being taught, like a trap draws an animal. In book two God is referred to only as the tyrant, but by book three he is being called “God,” “the creator,” “Yahweh,” Adonai,” “El,” “the King,” and “Almighty.”

This first movie may not have any overt antichristian messages, but that is the intention. The first movie draws the attention. The second goes a little further and by the third children are to rebel, rise up and slay God.

Pullman himself has said that though he is an atheist and has boldly proclaimed that if there is a God and his like the God described by Christianity, he should be “put down,” the film is not about being antichristian by advocating goodness, wherever it maybe found. Perhaps this is more of a money-making ploy than anything else, kind of like we saw with the “DaVinci Code,” where the message of the book was well-watered before it hit the big screen so that the greatest amount of money could be made. It is hard to make money when everyone is offended by the message. It is hard to not think this when Pullman has been so staunchly antichristian in his writings of the past, where he claim, “My books are about killing God.”

Is there danger in these? Well, the answer is yes, if we allow children to watch unchecked and untaught about the truth in a rightful fashion. I have never been one to simply hide the truth, good or bad, from anyone, let alone our children. The truth here is that there is a movie, it does have some neat looking graphics and, no doubt, loveable characters they can identify with, but also has a message that is flawed. Teach them both – the good and bad – the differences between and the consequences for both. The parent who simply tries to hide these matters from children who can understand, will create only greater curiosity over the matters. I remember growing up with a young girl whose mom would take all the magazines that came into the house and use a black sharpie to cover up pictures that showed too much and words that were not fitting. From time to time I would see the girl in the library at school reading the very magazines mom had edited. She once told me that it drove her crazy to not know what was under the blacked out parts and would come to the library to find out. I don’t think it is healthy to deliberately expose children to the trash the media offers, but we should do more than say, “It’s just not Christian.”

We must teach the truth and that truth says very clearly that there is a God who is the creator of all that is good and who loves us (Gen. 1-3). That truth says this God had a son and came to earth to die for us (John 1, 3) and in doing so set the bar for goodness as high as it could possibly go. Furthermore, we are told man can excel, though often does not, to that level of goodness and be Christ-like in our actions, not abusing power, lacking tolerance and misusing the name of God, though some will. Chances are Pullman has never come to know the God you and I know and may we pray that he does.

Some might say, “Well, aren’t you overdoing it? Isn’t it just a book or movie? How is it any different than Harry Potter or Star Wars or Lord of The Rings, where people rise up against and oppressive forces? There is a dramatic difference between the forgoing works and “His Dark Materials.” The former were stories that seemed, to a great extent, mirror the principals of Christianity or at least did not seek to undermine them. Their authors never said things like, “I want to kill God.” Consider Pullman’s own words. He says, "I've been surprised by how little criticism I've got. Harry Potter's been taking all the flak. I'm a great fan of J.K. Rowling, but the people—mainly from America's Bible Belt—who complain that Harry Potter promotes Satanism or witchcraft obviously haven't got enough in their lives. Meanwhile, I've been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God."

So what do we do then? Do we see the movie or not? Seeing the movie is a matter of conscience I believe, but parents would be strongly advised to forewarn their children about the thrust of the movie and discuss these matters with them. Some other advice would include:

· Don’t be like the “Christians” that the movie is supposed to represent. I can understand Pullman on this level. There are a lot of folks out there who have done much to ruin the reputation of Christianity or have left things undone and marred Christianity’s credibility in a lot of eyes. Don’t be like them. Let your words ring true. Keep your promises. Live a pure life. Admit your faults and grow in God’s grace and love.

· Don’t argue that or in such a way that people are left with the impression that Christianity is all about I am right and you are wrong. There is a right and wrong, it is for us to adopt and do, not take and beat others up with.

· Be a servant. Listen to the needs, hurts, desires and troubles of others and help them. Often we fall down here. We see struggling and just simply state the obvious – “Well, that is a sin.” Be helpful and out of God’s grace draw your strength to help others.

· Be prepared. Equip yourself to talk about the movie or books, as well as related topics. Be candid and frank, letting your children know about how some do fail to live up to Christ’s expectations. If you simply condemn the movie and books and have no idea what you are talking about and why then you will end up doing more harm than good.

Also, an article inChristianity Today about this very subject, made a good suggestion about having questions ready for discussing the movie or books with your children. Here are some of their suggestions.

· If we cast off all "authority" and set up "free will" as the ultimate source of guidance, where will that get us?

· Has the world shown us that the human heart is a trustworthy "compass"?

· Does free will lead us always to the right choice?

· If the heroes accept the "truth" of the alethiometer (the compass itself), aren't they letting themselves be guided by just another source of truth—another "Authority"? But didn't the story tell us "Authority" is bad and we should only follow our own hearts?

· If there are "many truths," then aren't these heroes being as self-righteous and wicked as the oppressors by demanding that their version of the truth is better than others?

· What is so inspiring about the battle between the bears? Hasn't this story led us to a place where it's just "survival of the fittest" all over again? Should we really hope that the world falls into the hands of the strongest fighter, rather than into the hands of love?

References

Higginbotham, Steve. “The Golden Compass” Gospel Gazette online publication.

Overstreet, Jeffery. “Fear Not The Compass” Christianity Today online article.