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In the beginning of November I was sent this email:

Subject: [stlukesoc] Beware of The Golden Compass

There will be a new "children's movie" out in December called The Golden Compass.  It is written by Phillip Pullman, a proud atheist who belongs to secular humanist societies.  He hates C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia and has written a trilogy to show the other side.  The movie version has been "dumbed" down in order to seduce and fool kids, and their parents, in the hope that they will buy his trilogy - where in the end the children kill God and everyone can do as they please!  Nicole Kidman stars in the movie so it will probably be advertised a lot.  This is just a friendly warning that you sure won't hear on the regular TV. As your father in Christ at St. Luke's, I wanted to inform and warn you about this movie that is coming out December 7th, during the Christmas season, which is entitled The Golden Compass.  It is directed toward children and is filled with a blatant atheist and anti-Christian message. What is disturbing to me is that this movie is based on the first of a trilogy of books for children called His Dark Materials written by Philip Pullman of England.

Mr. Pullman is a devout atheist.  His objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. He has made remarks that he wants to kill God in the minds of children, and that's what his books are all about.  He despised C.S. Lewis and Narnia, etc.  An article written about him said, "this is the most dangerous author in Britain" and that Pullman would be the writer "the atheists would be praying for, if atheists prayed." Pullman said he doesn't think it is possible that there is a God and he has great difficulty understanding the words "spiritual" and "spirituality."  What I thought was important to communicate is what part of his agenda is for making this picture.  This movie is a watered down version of the first book, which is the least offensive of the three books.  The second book of the trilogy is The Subtle Knife and the third book is The Amber Spyglass. Each book gets worse and worse regarding Pullman's hatred of God.  In the trilogy, a young girl becomes enmeshed in an epic struggle against a nefarious Church known as the Magisterium.  Another character, and ex-nun, describes Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake."  In the last book, a boy and girl are depicted representing Adam and Eve and they kill God, who at times is called Yahweh (which in the spirit of political correctness, is definitely not Allah).

They are hoping that unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the movie; that they will enjoy the movie and then the children will want the books for Christmas.  That's the hook.  Pullman says he wants the children to read the books and decide against God and the kingdom of heaven.

If you decide that you do not want to support something like this, I suggest that you stay away from the movie and the books.  We need not take our minds for a swim in sewage. when we already know it is sewage. Let us fill our hearts and minds with prayer, and good worthwhile books!

My response to the person who mass emailed this to me:

Once again the masses are afraid of something that thinks outside the box.  Sorry, but a lot of this statement is just ridiculous.  The movie has not been "dumbed down" to "seduce" children.  Yes, the content of the novel can be a controversial subject, and New Line Cinema realizing that decided to fancy side step some material in order for the movie to be popular in the US, but not for the authors sake of selling books.  Why don't people just read the novels or watch the film and think for themselves instead of passing along propaganda and trying to scare the masses and start a riot before hand?

What is so wrong with controversy?  The series has already been released in the UK as "The Dark Materials", the first novel being titled "Northern Lights" and we haven't heard any stir across the pond yet, have we?  Just the same as Harry Potter - apparently Europeans
are much more open minded than us Americans.

Why shouldn't we critique dogmatic organizations? Am I an atheist for being weary of organized religion?  Will I go to hell for saying that I am more spiritual than religious?  I think not.  If we have taught our children properly then this movie and the novels should not affect them negatively, instead should be good reading/watching material to discuss beliefs and faith over.

Fell free to pass my sentiments on.

Of course my sentiments were not passed on, until now ...