My Take on "The Golden Compass" Issue

Yes I got the e-mail, too. I believe you got it also. I am talking about the warning circulated through the Internet about “The Golden Compass” movie based on the first of a bestselling, multi-awarded trilogy of books by Philip Pullman, an avowed atheist. Allegedly, this movie is about kids, the lead characters in the movie, who killed God. Other than having Nicole Kidman as one of the stars in the movie, this religious controversy is a surefire way of turning it into a runaway box-office hit. Is this true? Or is this just part of a slick ad campaign? [My conspiracy ‘spider-sense’ is tingling]
According to BreakPoint (a commentary on issues based on Biblical worldview), “the girl and the boy at the center of the story do not kill God, though they are present when a being calling himself God is killed.” (Nov. 26, 2007) That being turns out to be an angel who claimed to be God. However, BreakPoint warns, “the part about Pullman hating the idea of God is completely accurate. He uses his stories to twist and distort familiar biblical accounts of creation, fall, and redemption, making heroes of those who rebel against religion, and having one of his ‘good’ characters even say, ‘The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake.’ It is sort of a Da Vinci Code theme for kids.” In fairness, other Christian commentators actually defended ‘The Golden Compass,’ despite the fact that it is written by someone who hates the idea of God. They say that what Pullman attacked is dogmatic, organized religion, not Christianity per se.
How should we respond? A call for boycott will only backfire. People (even our kids) will only get curious. (Though I believe parents got to call the shots. I would respect your judgment, whether you decide to allow or prohibit your kids in watching this movie.) Ultimately, the key in dealing with issues like this is to impart our love for God to our children though our words and works (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). We, as Christian parents, ought to know what and why we believe. And we are to prepare our kids to face challenges to our faith like this movie.
Brethren, let us show our kids the true compass… the Bible.

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