Comments on: The Golden Compass: Humility and Killing God

By: The Golden Compass « My World

The Golden Compass « My World — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:05:56 +0000

[...] For a great post on this, check out Billy Chia’s site. [...]

By: Taylor

Taylor — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:47:56 +0000

People causing a big commotion over the religious theme of this story is a very silly thing indeed.
We all live in a very silly world.

By: I’m Reading The Golden Compass « Billy Chia

I’m Reading The Golden Compass « Billy Chia — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 18:18:53 +0000

[...] Spirituality, The Golden Compass Given the amount of discussion that was generated by my last Golden Compass post I decided to read Philip Pullman’s book. I picked it up from the library earlier this week [...]

By: worshipcity

worshipcity — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 17:29:19 +0000

I don’t have any problems with free speech or viewpoints that contradict mine. I think I get hung up more on the cultural response to this. I am a Christian. I don’t agree with Pullman but I hear he writes incredible fantasy. Reading his books will not change my mind regarding God just as reading any other fiction book with a female protagonist will not cause me to fall out of love with my wife.
The problem I have with it is the marketing to children. I have not read his books but from reading his own interviews, his website, from Christians and people who could care less about religion who have read the books, it seems the material isn’t most appropriate for them. Add on to it the rebranding campaign in America that makes it look just like Chronicles of Narnia is troublesome. It’s more of a call to parents to be proactive in what comes to your children. I don’t care if you let them see Compass or not but be active and involved in your child’s life so that they’re not getting their thinking from movies or video games no matter who’s making them.

By: Jason K

Jason K — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:55:44 +0000

(Disclaimer: I am not a Christian, though I was raised in a Christian household)

I feel people are missing the point of the story in this series of books, and these email chains going around and fervent blog postings are just exacerbating the matter. Unless you have actually read the books, you really can not make judgment or comment IMO.

The books *DO NOT* explicitly attack Christianity, nor any religion. What they do, is attack dogma. The protagonists of the book do not “kill God”, they kill an arrogant angel who is pretending to be god. Is this not why Lucifer was cast down according to the Bible?

The point of the books is that you should follow your own free-will and not allow dogmatic organizations (religious or otherwise) to exert their control over your thoughts and beliefs. To me, this message does not run contrary to Christianity at all, for according to Scripture, one can only be truly saved by faith and faith alone - religious dogma will not get you into heaven.

Basically, the book is attacking the Roman Catholic church of the time and other dogmatic religious organizations, **but not** their Christian teachings. teachings. The authour believes people should follow their own hearts and minds as to what they believe rather than attempt to be controlled by large organizations. Frankly, I agree.

By: Jane Rosenbaum

Jane Rosenbaum — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:40:35 +0000

Just because a movie is inspired by a book, doesn’t mean you have to take it strictly for what the book says. That’s the beauty of fiction. You can let it mean whatever you feel it means.

Having seen the movie, I have to admit that I really enjoyed it. It bothers me that some of my friends refuse to see it because “they kill God!” First of all, that doesn’t happen in this movie. And second, although not having read the books (but read excerpts and quotes from them), it appears that the death of a fictional god occurs, but our Christian God isn’t -killed-. What’s the fuss all about? If you’re that worried, reaffirm your children that OUR God is real, and that movies are made-up. Take it at entertainment value, and quit with the close-minded fear.

It’s a fictional movie that will inspire creativity and imagination.
Yes, it’s inspired by a book trilogy written by a man who is an atheist; does that mean it’s going to convert us? People should stop being so afraid that fiction will threaten their faith. Open your minds, and allow books/movies like these to promote deeper thought into your own faith… and make it stronger.

By: I love Jesus!!!!!

I love Jesus!!!!! — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:50:28 +0000

I like how you said at the end that others have killed God, He rose from the dead.

By: Sarah Chia

Sarah Chia — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:56:45 +0000

Cassidy,

I hope you aren’t surfing around the internet on your own.

This is exactly the reason that people are concerned about the movie.

Unfortunately, so many parents don’t consider what a movie’s message is before taking their children or allowing their children to see it for the entertainment value.

Of course, as we all know, Hollywood doesn’t shy away from insulting and deriding Christianity.

So, as you get older, you’ll see that many parents don’t care, and for that matter neither does Hollywood. Or for that matter, neither do you.

I hope you have someone to talk about the books with so that if you choose to read more, you’ll be able to understand what this guy is talking about.

And by the way…there’s really nothing illegal about making such a movie, so the whole suing part isn’t anything that would fly.

By: Cassidy

Cassidy — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:59:50 +0000

Ok, so here’s ny opoion on this. I konw I’m just a little kid and what kids have to say don’t matter. But it does. So I’ve read one book by Phillip Pullman of this series and when I did I was 9 yrs. old, and in no way did I think it was about killing god. I am a christian. And I do believe in god. And honestly what ou saying I don’t think is true. I honestly don’t. And besides you people need to think about the consiquences of this. Do you think he or any film maker a matter of fact would og and put a movie out there about killing god, where: 1. No parents would take their children to go see, and 2. We’re there is a strong possibility he could get sued for by complaing parents and relatives. NO! I don’t think so. You can call me a dumb child. I don’t care. You can say I don’t know what I’m saying cause I’m small and a child, but i don’t care. This is my opioion and honestly I DON’T CARE.

By: Amanda Lowell

Amanda Lowell — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 02:21:23 +0000

I’m amazed nobody seems to be talking about how this man’s books
are really SATANIC and not only “atheist”. He’s anti-God, and
there are several things in his books that point to that fact.