Atheism's version of Narnia for young people is about to leap from book to screen in the coming movie
The Golden Compass. The His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman that has received commendations from The Guardian newspaper, as well as becoming the winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Children’s Book of the Year from the British Book Awards.
It describes an alternative universe to our own that is in many parts the same, and yet disturbingly different. There is an Oxford University that is the centre of scholarship, but its lecturers have more in common with crusty courtiers and 19th century explorers. Witches inhabit the icy reaches of the far north but far from being horrible hags, they are the guardians of nature in the form of ageless, beautiful women. And religion is represented by the almighty Church, an organisation that somehow avoided the Reformation but still jettisoned the Pope, leaving the Magisterium in control, a religious council that oversees every political and scientific development.
Out of this world emerges the key character of Lyra Belacqua, a young girl born to great but indifferent parents who are themselves engaged in a battle for the control of not only their own world, but its myriad variations that are somehow connected. Lyra leads a collection of unlikely allies who represent the natural elements as well as the pure sciences – a witch queen, an armoured talking bear and a race of Gypsy wanderers – to stand against the adult forces that would decimate everything good in their quest for control. However her chief ally is the mysterious and unnamed wisdom that moves the golden compass she possesses, a device that can only tell the truth.
One Christian reviewer said this "I would be the first to admit that the church, that human organisation that represents Christ’s family, has in its humanity been guilty of some poor thinking and some worse actions. But Pullman’s attack is directed at the Church in all of its manifestations, including its claim to understand the nature of our existence and the root causes of the problems we face. What Northern Lights represents is a Dawkins-style attack written for a child’s eyes, but with no less vitriol. It’s not surprising that the Church he presents has no Bible to speak of, and no Lord to lead it. Pullman’s accusations would only be easily deflected by a flesh and blood Jesus. The only thing he can hope to do is pretend that in this world at least, the greatest example of love and concern for all children never existed at all."
Even such a brief description should highlight the romantic characters and elements that have made Pullman’s series a best-seller for the past twelve years. It might also go some way to explaining New Line Cinema’s decision to release Northern Lights as a film titled The Golden Compass. The feature stars luminaries like Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Eric Bana, and is timed for a Christmas release this year. Prudence would suggest, however, that some attention be paid to the book which has spawned this popular attraction, and is likely to gain increased attention as a result.
The movie will have all the granduer of Narnia, and Lord of the Rings
before your children ask to see the movie are you ready to watch it with them? Interacting with atheism is not all bad, It helps you articulate a Christian worldview but are you ready for the conversation with your kids?
Here are christian reviews of the books:
Let me know what you think!
Gavin
Atheism's version of Narnia for young people is about to leap from book to screen in the coming movie The Golden Compass. 
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