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Have you heard the buzz? There's a "cool" new movie coming to
theatres, and it's poised to become the next family blockbuster. With
all the magic of Harry Potter and all the fantasy of the Chronicles of
Narnia, this slick, high-production film has a good shot at capturing
the imaginations of children throughout the world. Alas, that is the
problem, because as this film "wows" and entertains children and their
families, it's also slyly advancing a very calculated and dangerous
agenda.
I'm talking about "The Golden Compass," the feature film that is
adapted from the much acclaimed trilogy, "His Dark Materials" by
Philip Pullman. While this film has the appeal to become a blockbuster
movie, it also seeks to subtly draw children into the atheistic
mindset promoted in the books.
The Golden Compass is the first tale in a trilogy, and while the book
is geared for children, many themes are very adult. According to a
review by MTV,-yes, MTV- "This is no mere children's story; as actress
Eva Green, who plays the witch Serafina, puts it, 'It's more for
adults.'"1 If MTV, of all sources, is saying that parents should
beware, then you know there has to be something to the controversy
surrounding this film.
In the story, a girl named Lyra "gets caught up in a conspiracy to
kidnap children and sever them from their souls."2 If this is not
disturbing enough to you as a parent, understand that in this movie, a
"soul" is manifested outside of the body in an animal form called a
daemon (pronounced dee-mon, sound familiar?) that is the person's
guide to true wisdom. We'll discuss this further a little later.
But we're just getting started. The villains of this movie are part of
the Magisterium, the organized religion or church of this world.
That's right; the bad guys are the church people. In the trilogy, God
is portrayed as oppressive and senile, needing to be overthrown and
killed. Pullman even says, "the book depicts the Temptation and Fall
not as the source of all woe and misery, as in traditional Christian
teaching, but as the beginning of true human freedom something to be
celebrated, not lamented. And the Tempter is not an evil being like
Satan, prompted by malice and envy, but a figure who might stand for
Wisdom." 8 These are Pullman's own words. To him our view of good is
evil, and evil is really good. Isaiah warns us in chapter five, verse
twenty, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put
darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter." Pullman is headed down a slippery path, and
many will follow his views if they are unaware of his teaching.
Consider the prop for which the first film is named, the golden
compass. It is a guide to find ultimate truth. This "ultimate truth",
however, is found not in God, but in man himself. Unlike the book, the
film version of the Golden Compass has been watered-down so as not to
offend Christians, but the subtle atheistic themes are still there.
One has to wonder, though, how future films in this series will be
able to remain faithful to the books unless the atheistic message is
allowed its full voice. After all, the plot of the final book in the
series is about the defeat and destruction of God by the story's
heroine, Lyra.3
Atheists are excited to welcome this film because it is so anti-god.
Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the atheist advocacy group, the
"Freedom From Religion Foundation" has said, "Philip Pullman and I
would say it is religion that poisons everything... What this book is
about is casting off Church authority. I think it's very, very
positive. There should be something for free-thinking children. It's a
very good yarn."3
Free thinking children? Have you ever noticed how difficult it is for
the world to comprehend that those of us who trust the Bible have
freely thought about it and freely think the Bible is God's Word?
Nevertheless, as a parent, I am very concerned about this movie and
these books. Many are unaware of the messages this series will
advance, and as children see the film, many will become interested in
the less subtle books, falling under the story's anti-God influence
without their parents even being aware of it.
As Christians, we need to know what the Bible has to say about these
matters. What does God's Word have to say about daemons? What does the
Bible have to say about those who say there is no God?
In all my research for this article, I never once saw God's Word
quoted. I read many articles that warn people about the Golden
Compass, and I saw the "Red Alert!" coming from Christian
organizations, but didn't see any Scripture being used as a weapon of
truth. If our source of truth is the Bible, then why are we not
looking to it for the answers? We are told in the Bible that the Word
of God is our sword, our only weapon of offense. People are going to
ask questions about this movie, and we had better be prepared to
answer. While the movie may be called "The Golden Compass," the true
golden compass of truth is the Bible. God's Word leads us in the way
we should go, so let's see what the Bible has to say.
First of all, Psalms 53:1 says, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is
no God.' They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one
who does good." While Philip Pullman considers himself to be a moral
and educated man, in God's eyes, he is a foolish and evil man. Too
harsh? Remember, those aren't my words, it is God's truth. Pullman
believes he is spreading wisdom and enlightened thinking. In reality,
however, he is spreading lies and foolishness.
The truth is, I pity Pullman. He has been blinded by the god of this
age and is being used as a pawn to spread deception. He scoffs at
those who believe in God and Christianity, thinking we are fools, but
God says in First Corinthians 1:19-21, "For it is written: 'I will
destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I
will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is
the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of
the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom
did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was
preached to save those who believe."
I write this because we will surely be scoffed at for standing against
this movie. We will be seen by some as crazy fanatics that should be
ignored. They will say we have just proved their point by standing up
against this movie, marching in lockstep with the dogma of our naive
religion. Be prepared for the onslaught of anti-Christian support for
"The Golden Compass."
I also want to further address the idea of daemons. While Pullman's
daemons are based in Greek mythology, and are supposedly different
from Judeo-Christian demons, I believe they are a subtle attempt by
Satan to convince children that demons are harmless, friendly
creatures who are there to guide them to real truth and wisdom. If you
think I'm being paranoid, check out the official website of "The
Golden Compass." There you will find a link to learn more about
daemons and how you can discover what YOUR daemon is. Furthermore,
Pullman himself says, "the daemon is that part of you that helps you
grow towards wisdom."8 As I researched for this article, I sensed such
a darkness surrounding this movie that it left me with a sick feeling
in my stomach. While Pullman may be portraying daemons in a positive
light, these daemons are really demons out to deceive.
According to the Bible, demons are not spirit guides, not our
conscience, and certainly not our souls. The truth is, demons are
spirits bent on destroying us. They are menacing, destructive,
deceptive, deadly, and oppressive. They are, without a doubt, our
enemies. There are no "positive" demon possession stories in the
Bible. In fact, we are warned to resist the devil, to stand against
the dark powers of this world, and to be alert for these attacks.
Ephesians 6:11-12 warns us that our struggle here on earth is not
against flesh and blood but "against this dark world and against the
spiritual forces of evil."
In light of God's Word, what should our response be? We must stand
against the enemy's attempts to deceive us. Of course, some will
assert that we should keep an "open mind" and go see the movie anyway.
They'll say we should go see the film and decide for ourselves; maybe
even find some good teaching and discussion points to consider. Sounds
reasonable, doesn't it? The trouble is, the logic doesn't work. Do you
really want your money to support this anti-God agenda? What do you
need to know? The books this film is based on are written by a self-
proclaimed atheist. Really, now, do you need any more reason not to
support this film? This movie may well be a Hollywood hit, but do you,
as a follower of Christ, want your time and money to contribute to its
success? Do you really want to help push its anti-God message? If
you're interested in the movie, do some research. Google it. Whatever.
It won't take long for you to find for yourself that the "Golden
Compass" and its successors push an anti-God agenda, and that there is
a calculated purpose for bringing the films to the big screen. I
believe that trying to find something good in this movie to use for
the kingdom is dangerous and foolhardy. Children and many adults will
not have the discernment to take the good and sift out the evil. I
believe it is better to avoid it altogether.
How do we respond, then, when our children beg to see this movie? I
say, tell them the truth. Tell them what the overall message of the
books are. Next, ask them, "Would God be pleased for us to take part
in this story?" Then, explain why you and your family have chosen to
avoid this movie.
Most importantly, open God's Word. Show them from God's Word what it
says about Satan, demons, evil, and the like. Then, it won't merely be
our parental authority that the children must obey, they will also see
that your decision is based on God's authority as stated in His Word.
Good passages to study include Ephesians 2:1-2; 2 Corinthians 2:11,
11:3, 14-15; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 Timothy 4:1; and 1 John 5:19. Show your
children that we are to resist the devil and stand against evil. (See
Ephesians 6:10-12, James 4:7-8, etc.) Take them to passages such as
Psalm 101:3-5, which tells us to avoid what is evil. Children will
then be equipped with the answers they need when friends invite them
to see the "Golden Compass," or when other children begin talking
about it. It may even cause unsuspecting children who have seen the
movie to rethink its message.
To be sure, there will be plenty more dark and atheistic films and
media as we move closer and closer to the end times. The more money a
movie like this makes, the more movies will be made in the same genre,
not to mention toys and video games. I believe in the end that Harry
Potter will seem tame compared to the movies of the future. The Golden
Compass illustrates this downward spiral into spiritual darkness.
As I conclude, I must point out how ironic it is that this book
trilogy is titled "His Dark Materials." Here is a self-proclaimed
atheist being used to promote darkness. His books are Satan's dark
materials. Some may say I'm being overly dramatic and dogmatic. Yet, I
am only saying what Pullman has said of himself. In a story from the
Guardian, Pullman was quoted as saying, "Blake once wrote of Milton
that he was a 'true poet, and of the Devil's party, without knowing
it.' I am one of the Devil's party, and I know it." 7
Still, some will say, "What's the big deal? Why make such a fuss? He's
entitled to his own beliefs." True, Pullman is entitled to his own
beliefs, but that doesn't mean I have to give up my own right to stand
up for what I believe. Pullman is obviously pushing his agenda. Why
should we, as Christians, be silent about what we believe? For far too
long we have been silent and have not spoken out enough. Psalm 40:9-10
says, "I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal
my lips, as you know, O LORD. I do not hide your righteousness in my
heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal
your love and your truth from the great assembly." We are supposed to
speak righteousness to the nations. We are supposed to stand up for
what is right and to denounce evil. So, I will not remain silent about
this movie.
Still, others will say, "See, there's another Bible-thumping fanatic
who doesn't know anything." Yes, those who stand against this film
will be called fools, but as it says in First Corinthians 3:18, "Do
not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the
standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become
wise." I choose to be a godly fool then a sage of worldly wisdom. I
choose to follow Christ and be a "fool" for Him. I hope you will do
the same.
If you're looking for a REAL Golden Compass, there's only one. It's
God's perfect Word.
See for Yourself...
1. MTV Website:
http://mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1551573/20070205/story.jhtml
2.
FoxNews.com:
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,305487,00html
3.
Snopes.com:
http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp
4. Golden Compass Official Movie Website:
http://goldencompassmovie.com
5. About the Author of the Book Series, Phillip Pullman:
http://philippullman.com
6. A Study in "Daemons," Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daemon_(mythology)
7.Article from Hutchinson Leader:
http://hutchinsonleader.com/node/5180
8. Question & Answer Session with Philip Pullman:
http://randomhouse.com/features/pullman/author/qa.html
9. "Far from Narnia":
http:/www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/12/26/051226fa_fact?
printable=true
Related Article: "Teaching Children Discernment"
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