Not exactly child's play

By Sam Lucero
News and Information Manager

Coming Dec. 7 to a theater near you: A movie billed as a children's fantasy, ala Harry Potter and the "Chronicles of Narnia." But even a PG-13 rating - "parents are strongly cautioned; some material may be inappropriate for children under 13" - isn't warning enough to parents of the film's potential dangers.

"The Golden Compass" is based on the first book of a trilogy written by British author Philip Pullman, an avowed atheist. The trilogy, known as "His Dark Materials," portrays Christianity as the enemy of civilization.

The movie has been condemned by many organizations, including the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights. Criticism is focused not so much on "The Golden Compass," a watered down version of Pullman's book, as on the last two books in the trilogy, "The Subtle Knife" and "The Amber Spyglass."

"It is not our position that the movie will strike Christian parents as troubling," according to the Catholic League. "Then why the protest? Even though the film is based on the least offensive of the three books, and even though it is clear that the producers are watering down the most despicable elements - so as to make money and not anger Christians - the fact remains that the movie is bait for the books.

"To be specific, if unsuspecting Christian parents take their children to see the movie, they may very well find it engaging and then buy Pullman's books for Christmas. That's the problem."

A movie trailer for "The Golden Compass," available online, gives the following description:

"There is a world where witches rule the northern skies, where ice bears are the bravest of warriors, and where every human is joined with an animal spirit who is as close to them as their own heart. But this world is dominated by the magisterium, which seeks to control all humanity and whose greatest threat is a golden compass and the one child destined to possess it."

Fairytales and fantasies are epitomes of childhood. And while the furor over J.K. Rowling's focus on witchcraft in the Harry Potter books was exaggerated, teachers, parents and grandparents shouldn't dismiss the potential dangers Pullman's books present.

Pullman, on his Web site, www.philip-pullman.com, and in newspaper interviews, has condescendingly dismissed concerns by religious leaders and Christian faithful.

"I've been surprised by how little criticism I've got," he told the Sydney, Australia, Morning Herald in December 2003. "Harry Potter's been taking all the flak. I'm a great fan of J.K. Rowling, but the people - mainly from America's Bible Belt - who complain that Harry Potter promotes Satanism or witchcraft obviously haven't got enough in their lives. Meanwhile, I've been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God."

To assist concerned parents and educators, the Catholic League and Ignatius Press are offering material about Pullman's trilogy.

The Catholic League has published, "The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked," a booklet that provides information about the film and what book reviewers have written about the trilogy. Electronic (PDF) copies of the booklet are available for $5. To order, go to www.catholicleague.org and fill out the online form.

Ignatius Press, www.ignatius.com, has published, "Pied Piper of Atheism: Philip Pullman and Children's Fantasy," by Sandra Miesel and Peter Vere. Authors Miesel and Vere discuss Pullman, his books, and his views on religion, atheism and children's books. The book, currently on back order, is priced at $9.95.