"Golden Compass" movie opening to controversy

Baptist Press - 'Golden Compass' movie opening to controversy - News with a Christian Perspective

The Christian Crushing Movie - Brent Bozell III

Last year C. S. Lewis' The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe was a big hit at the movie theater with Christians and non-Christians alike. Seeking to capitalize on the popularity of the fantasy genre, New Line Cinema is releasing The Golden Compass this Christmas season. But beware, this isn't your Father's Narnia! This movie is based on the first of three books by author Philip Pullman. The Baptist Press article says Pullman has a strong distaste for Christianity. It quotes him directly as saying his books are about killing God.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series written by C. S. Lewis. This Baptist Press article says that Pullman has expressed disdain for Lewis' Narnia, calling it "propaganda in the service of a life-hating ideology."

Beware of this movie, which has been toned down to pave the way for more explicit movies based on the latter two books in his series. But don't let your vigilance stop at the box office. The Golden Compass is the first book in Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy, which are being marketed in public schools through Scholastic Book clubs. Christian parents will want to keep these books out of the hands of their children.

If your children liked The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe then turn them on to the rest of the books in the Narnia series. They'll make great bedtime reading, and lay a great groundwork for sharing the gospel with your children.