The Golden Compass

I HAVE seen the movie and I loved it. It tells a wonderful story, with amazing animation and some very talented actors. I've also read the books twice, once as a child and once now, and I also loved those. I wouldn't say that it's anti-Chronicles at all, quite the contrary. He may not personally like the series but there are definitely parallels. Nor would I say that the undercurrent is towards the idea of evil prevailing. I really think the story is more about love, self-sacrifice and morality than anything else. Virtues that I think anyone of any Christian sect could appreciate. As for the movie being torn apart by the Catholic church, as a questioning Catholic myself, I have to say, "Does it surprise you?". There is a religious undertone to the movie and to the books, not necessarily anti-religion but more like a series of tentative questions about faith and belief systems and some cleverly disguised criticism towards the church. When Dan Brown's book, "The Da Vinci Code" reached the peak of it's success, the same thing happened. The Catholic Church does NOT like to be criticized, nor does it enjoy being questioned. Faith is a wonderful thing, and I think everyone should have something to believe in, but I also think questioning those things that we don't understand and persisting with these questions until you find a satisfactory answer is first, quite natural, and secondly, very important. Without our inquisitive nature we become much like drones, which is why it drives me nuts to discuss religion with those that are devoutly religious. They become quite drone-like when telling you all the things you MUST do without explaining why we must do those things. I truly believe I am a good person, even if I take birth control to prevent pregnancy and make love with my long-term boyfriend. I am still a good person if I eat meat on Fridays. I am still a good person if I don't say grace before every meal I eat. Pullman has referred to himself as "a religious person, although I am not a believer." I can relate.