He doesn’t call the Catholic people evil or vile, and his writings are beautifully orchestrated from beginning to end, but he does say that the Church is corrupt, as any intelligent individual will tell you that any powerful group can tend to be. This doesn’t mean all people involved with that group are corrupt but that the group itself is. He also writes implyingly that this group needs to learn to look forward and accept change or it will stagnate and no longer be accepted by free-thinking minds, and they will begin to seek their own unique spiritual path.

In my opinion, that is a very good message to deliver to young people: Don’t accept what you’re told based on old teachings and ways, decide for yourself.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/fearnotthecompass.html

Furthermore, I would assert that even things not done expressly for God can contain beauty, simply because they are created by humans, which were created in his image. When I look at a painting by Monet or listen to a symphony by Beethoven, I can see and hear God being praised. Why? Because these people used their God given gifts to the best of their abilities. When I eat dinner, my food doesn’t fall to the floor because I have a well crafted table, created by someone who was gifted by God to do so. I don’t care if the table was dedicated to God, it’s a good table.

Again, I’m not arguing that Christians can do anything that they would like to do, but simply that we should take care in declaring that something is evil.

Jacques - While I wholeheartedly agree that Christians all too often speak about things that they haven’t fully read or understand, I can’t agree with the lack of tact that you display in your comment. Why can’t we have an honest and open academic discussion without it devolving into childish name calling? Your delivery is disingenuous to your point. You want her to have an open mind and refrain from judging, yet you use degrading words to make your point, and yourself, sound more intelligent.

If the author is not a professing Christian (on this point, I admit that I may be ignorant, although I am fairly sure he is not), how does he know what would be “more Christian”? That would be like me telling a Muslim that I think they should pray three times a day instead of five. While I do not long for death (I feel that I still have a lot more to do/see/accomplish here), there is no getting away from the Bible’s discussion of the afterlife. Jesus didn’t die so that we could have a more complete life here on earth, although that is certainly true, he came so that our relationship with God could be made right. Certainly Christianity’s focus on the afterlife has been screwed up since the Middle Ages, but you can’t place primacy on this world either. You don’t want be “so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good” and, conversely, you don’t want to be “so earthly minded that you’re no heavenly good”.

Just my two cents.

While I agree with you that some people are able to do the things you said and some are not, Christians are called to a higher calling than the “world.” A christian does not have to be like the “world” even though we live here. We don’t have to be like the crowd and accept things we consider wrong for us according to His teachings. We don’t have to bring ourselves down to a level that is not pleasing to Him. Holiness seeks to be like God.
These books were written by someone who is against God and Jesus Christ teachings. I as a Christian parent believe I have a responsibility to my children to help them understand the difference and to teach them to discern for themselves what the world offers is not what Jesus Christ deems holy. I, myself, love the scifi genre of movies and literature, but I have to make a choice. Do I give in to what the world is saying that it’s ok to satisfy my passions even if it means thumbing my nose at God? Would the Lord find this movie pleasing or worldly?

God did not create us to live in this world. He created us to ultimately live with Him in eternal salvation. This old world is not here to stay. The Bible tells us it will pass away. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Do you think the Golden Compass will in the new earth? Why give in to worldly demands and acceptance of worldly things by people who choose to ignore the plea of Jesus who gave His life so that all we have to do is ask forgiveness and receive an eternal life with Him. I struggled with Harry Potter as well for my children because it was interesting and fun to read. I read the first book myself first in order to make a better choice. I do not want to give off the impression that I believe I am “holier than tho”. I am far from that. However, I do care about what goes into the hearts and minds of my children. I just believe, while Pullman has every right to write or have made into a movie whatever he chooses, I have the responsibility as a Christian to choose not to read or watch it. There are many things in this world that I might find pleasureable. I choose not to give into those desires because they are not holy. I just want to make a choice that will honor and glorify the Lord and my hope is that this posting may cause someone just to ask questions before they readily accept what the world has to say.

Thank you for the opportunity to post on your comment. I apologize for the length of my post, but not the content. My prayer is that all Christians will be able to discern for themselves a choice that will be pleasing and honoring to the Lord about this situation. May God bless you in your ministry.