The Golden Compass, a PG-rated movie directed by Chris Weitz and based on a book by Philip Pullman titled Northern Lights, opens in Australia on 26 December. Billed as an exciting fantasy adventure, the film has generated significant concern over its defiantly anti-Christian message. The author sides with evil, championing deceit and self-will in a subtle (or not so subtle) echo of the serpent’s words to Eve in the Garden of Eden. It is not without reason that Pullman’s philosophy has been described not only as atheism but satanism. What is worse, Pullman’s primary audience is children.

In the light of the imminent release of the movie, the Centre for Christian Ethics at Morling College advises parents of school-aged

•be aware that The Golden Compass differs vastly in content and ideas from the classic Narnia Chronicles and The Lord of the Rings; •do some research and talk with children about the movie’s themes and content; •consider carefully whether younger children should view the movie; •avoid buying the book for children without first reading it, since the movie version has been toned down to appeal to a wider audience; •avoid buying the book trilogy for children without first reading them, since books two and three are increasingly explicit in expressing the author’s hatred of Christian truth and virtue.

Most children will eventually see the movies and read the books (which have been in bookstores and libraries for years). Suggestions of boycotts are ultimately counterproductive, serving to increase publicity and curiosity. Cultivating a thoughtful and reflective approach in readers and viewers is the best strategy.

Rev Rod Benson, Centre for Christian Ethics, Morling College 21 December 2007

A longer paper on this subject is available at http://www.nswchurches.com/Resources/Papers/B071200_Golden_Compass.doc