Solidarity

[I'm not one to bash, but lies are being presented as truth, and it's got to be set straight. And please, don't send any impressionable people (such as children) to see this film.]

According to his page on Wikipedia, Philip Pullman wrote The Golden Compass seeking to take a direct stab at Christianity (including C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia).

Peter Hitchens has argued that Pullman actively pursues an anti-Christian agenda.^[6] In support of this contention, he cites an interview in which

Pullman is quoted as saying: “I’m trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.”^[7] [...] Hitchens views the His Dark Materials series as a direct rebuttal of C. S. Lewis’s series.^[8]

The book/film claim:

1. God is the enemy.
2. God can be killed.
3. Most people have a “daemon”, which is outside of their body and is their “real” soul. (see the IMDB synopsis: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0385752/synopsis)
4. You’re pretty much a loser/an outcast/uncool if you don’t (according to the audio played when you click on the “daemon” section of the film’s website.)
5. The magisterium, or the people of God, are the enemy.
6. The “organization” of God is mysterious.
7. There are generally a lot of direct oppositions to the Truth, which is claimed to be the “real truth” in the film.

Christianity (including the Magisterium of the Catholic Church) teaches:

1. Even satan believes in God, and trembles at the sound of His name.
2. Satan is a liar.
3. There are demons and they do desire to “attach” or further, possess people.
4. Satan tries to buy people with things such as money and fame/popularity.
5. The Magisterium of the Catholic Church was in fact established by Jesus Christ as a physical teacher here on Earth. And Jesus and his followers wish to call everyone in existence their brothers and sisters. What kind of enemy is that?
6. The mystery of the Christian faith [the Holy Trinity, Jesus' life, death & resurrection, etc.] is absolutely beautiful!
7. Satan is a liar.

It seems to me that Pullman, whether he sees it or not, is buying straight into the basis of Christian belief by inverting it, attributing all of God’s good works to satan, and all that is evil to God. And unfortunately children, because they are so impressionable, can easily buy into the entertaining fantasy at the potential cost of lies becoming their truths.

Oh, and don’t support this film.

You have to check this out. If you have any curiosity about “why Christianity?” or “why Catholicism?” or “why Jesus?” or even, “why me?”, than this series of talks-turned-Podcast is a must.

Leo Severino, producer of Bella the movie, is either your favorite college professor, or the professor you always wish you had. This is the philosophy class you always wanted to take.

Personally, through this podcast, I have grown so much closer to Christ–just because my existential understanding has grown as a result of revalation after revelation of the Truth!

Also, check out this page, that has notes on the first few sessions, which is worth reading at least a few sentences of to get an idea of what adventures lie in this Podcast.

Just try session one; download it to your iPod–it just might change your life and make your commute to and from work infinitely more fascinating!