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Posted: 26 October 2007 at 1:04pm | IP Logged

I read the first book over the summer and it is definitely something to look into.  The stated goal of the heroes of this book series is to "kill God." 

The "church" in this series performs surgery on children to try to remove the sin nature.  The villians are agents of the church and the heroes are fighting the church.  It also supports the multiverse concept as a way to explain what we would call the supernatural realm.

I put the book down for a long time when the girl said her intention was to help her father kill God.  It was so shocking to actually read those words in print.  I worked my way through to the end of the first book but have had trouble finishing the series.  I'm not sure I will finish it. 

I think this book has flown under the radar because of Harry Potter, but it is definitely anti-God.  No doubt about that. 

Posted: 31 October 2007 at 12:10pm | IP Logged

I have to disagree with you that the god of this book isn't God.  The author of this book is very open about this book being an anti-church/God book.  He's a well known atheist and is very critical of the church and religion.  He wrote this book as an atheistic answer to the Narnia series. 

I agree that boycots don't do any good except to alienate us but this is different than something like the Harry Potter series because there is an agenda with this series. 

I think it's ok to be honest and share our concerns and feelings about a series like this.  I told my kids' church that the main concerns I had with the Harry Potter series was how he often had to break the rules and disobey for the greater good - not characteristics we find in the life of Christ. 

With a series like this I think it's a fantastic chance to discuss with kids the reality that there are people out there who oppose God.  There are people out there who are "lost" and "blind" and "deluded."  I think it's a great reality check for the church to reaffirm what it is we believe and why we believe it. 

Instead of hosting a book burning I think this is a great chance to be honest about what we believe and why it's different from the message of the Golden Compass. 

The message of the Golden Compass (series) is that we should be free to live as we want without anyone telling us what to do or how to live. 

The real question is what's our answer to that.

Posted: 31 October 2007 at 12:58pm | IP Logged

I'm very interested as to what your response to children about this may be. How do you spin this to teach the truth? How do you expose the lies within the movie to children?

This is a very disturbing movie to me because it seems to be tapping into some very real demonic elements in our world. One of the main premises of the movie is that everyone has a soul that is called a daemon that they communicate with. On the website children can even discover who their own personal deamon is.

The whole concept of the movie is opening up a very real spiritual world to children and exposing the demonic side. How do we as children's pastors approach this whole topic with our kids?

I agree that sometimes it's best to not react - but we cannot have our kids following the example in this movie and trying to communicate with demons.

Posted: 02 November 2007 at 4:54pm | IP Logged

I have recently heard about this movie and then watched the full trailer, and all I can see is another attempt to try and corrupt the children of this world with a evil looks fun and cool movies. We as Christians and parents need to stand up against the powers of darkness and be a light to the world. Pray for guidence and leadership of what to do without making God and Christianity look foolish.

Stand strong in yur faith and honor God in all you do!

Pastor Chris

Posted: 05 November 2007 at 10:30am | IP Logged

OK - I don't know alot about the books and I also have received numerous e-mails about the "killing God" theme. Interesting my eight year old was aghast when he heard about it and some rigtheous anger rose up in him as he said "no one can kill God!

I am not really big into giving lists of what to see and not see or read or not read. I am more interested in teaching people to be picky and dsicretionary when choosing entertainment choices. It amazes me that more and more people are being choosy with their food choices but continue to feed their souls and spirits garbage. I think Jesus had something to say to the Pharisees about this! (hmmmm cheeseburger evil, movie starring people trying to kill God OK).

Once again overall it concerns me that my generation and younger has began to adopt this idea that we should never stand up and say anything that comes from Hollywood or Madison Square is wrong. Is are only calling as a church or as a Christian is to appear cool and put a positive spin on Christianity so that no one will find us offensive? It may not be my calling, but we need someone to stand up as an Elijah or a John the Baptist and stand strong for goodness and not be afraid to call somethings, and even some people, evil (yes it happend in both the OT and NT).

I had a conversation last summer with a family member who does not belive or trust in Christ. They had read a website that was against the Davinci Code and wanted my opinion. The conversation was very fruitful and it came about because someone said hey that's wrong. It may never have happened if everyone only took the "positve approach".

Posted: 05 November 2007 at 12:40pm | IP Logged

First off, let me say that I agree that this movie probably should not be seen, but if the author is a militant atheist he obviously doesn't believe that there is a God.  So one of our church members and I were dicussing this movie on Sunday and he asked a good question. If the author of the books doesn't believe in God why does he write about killing God?  So apparently he isn't as big an atheist as he claims he is.    

Posted: 05 November 2007 at 5:01pm | IP Logged

I did a little research...I was unaware of what the word "Daemon" meant.  I knew what it sounded like...on dictionary.com it defines a "Daemon" as a British prounciation of the word "demon."  The clear connection between truth and lies is clearly shown in the preview on the movie's website.  I will encourage my kids to not see the movie.  However, I do believe I will have to talk to the kids and engage them as what is truth and what is not.  I don't believe we can just not address the issues this movie shows. 

All of that said, I think we need to educate our parents more than address the issues.  If a parent keeps a kid from going to see the movie, these questions will not arise.  We, as children's pastors, should be ready to answer to those that are not in the church, what is truth and what is not. 

I would agree w/ the previous sentiment, I would not use personal or church money to purchase these books...the library is the way to go.

Posted: 06 November 2007 at 2:33pm | IP Logged

From the things that I have heard about this movie, I really do not want my kid's church kid's or any kid's going to see this movie. I truly believe that this is us a tool from the enemy to get kid's to not belive in God or renounce their faith. I really do not want to give the enemy a foot hold. I think as a childrens pastor we need to stand up for what is right and make kids and parents aware of the influnece this miovie could have on them or their children. 

Posted: 06 November 2007 at 9:16pm | IP Logged

Brandy,

I agree but I know that if I don't have info on how to defend the truth's brought into ?, then as people see the movie, either churched or not, I will be able to defend my faith.  Meanwhile, I have to encourage our church people to stay away from confusion that will want to be created.  However, if we aren't knowledgable as to what the concern should be about, then we will have trouble knowing what exactly we are defending.

Posted: 07 November 2007 at 8:09am | IP Logged

Wow, This sure has created the buzz. I'm sure exactly what the writer and producers of the movie wanted.  I want to encourage you to check out a very well written article.  Thanks Ryan Frank for posting the link first on his blog. This response from the TrutQuest gang has some great points and some great links to educate ourselves. I for one have not read the books, not sure I will as I have too much else to do.

http://truthquest.net/newsletter/newsletter-goldencompass07.html

I also would encourage you to go to Philip Pullman's website and read some of his answers to questions like this:

His Dark Materials seems to be against organised religion. Do you believe in God?

I don't know whether there's a God or not. Nobody does, no matter what they say. I think it's perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing God into it, but I don't know everything, and there may well be a God somewhere, hiding away.

Actually, if he is keeping out of sight, it's because he's ashamed of his followers and all the cruelty and ignorance they're responsible for promoting in his name. If I were him, I'd want nothing to do with them.

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I see a man we really need to pray for. He needs to see the Church respond in such a way that he will have no choice but to give glory to God.

Yes, I believe we call sin, SIN and evil, EVIL. But let's make sure whatever we do in word or deed, we do it so God gets the glory!

Keep researching gang, and keep this discussion going as we will be better equiped to give answer for the hope that's in us.

Great thoughts, keep them coming!

Posted: 07 November 2007 at 8:17am | IP Logged

I found one more interesting quote from the author that further confirms my fears about this film and book series. He's very open about his belief that Satan is not really evil but possilbly someone who helps us realize our freedom?

This is a quote from the author:

Q: What stance do the books take?

A: Underlying the trilogy there is a myth of creation and rebellion, of development and strife, and so on. I don't make this myth explicit anywhere, but it was important for me to have it clear in my mind. It depicts a struggle: the old forces of control and ritual and authority, the forces which have been embodied throughout human history in such phenomena as the Inquisition, the witch-trials, the burning of heretics, and which are still strong today in the regions of the world where religious zealots of any faith have power, are on one side; and the forces that fight against them have as their guiding principle an idea which is summed up in the words The Republic of Heaven. It's the Kingdom against the Republic.

And everything follows from that. So, for instance, 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.

The myth has allowed me to link together many aspects of the story in a sort of invisible way which might not be apparent to the reader, but which I have found helpful. For example, it explains where dæmons come from, and what happens when we die, and why there are many universes.

And if certain Christian critics are confused by this, and imagine I'm denying the difference between good and evil, then all I can say is that I shall pray for them.
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See why we should pray for him?