Q&A 1101 – The Golden Compass

I wanted to ask for your opinion on the relevant "warning" on the new movie out called The Golden Compass. I personally have not seen it, but am planning to view it, just to see what all the talk is about ("warning to Christians"), especially the younger audience. I have mixed emotions regarding this phenomenon. What do you think about it? Is it something of great concern for Christians? I am not too familiar with Philip Pullman; all I know is that he is an atheist. Will try to learn more about this guy and his purpose in his writings... Luis Hernandez

I wouldn't sweat it! Our son read all three books in the series, with no apparent damage to his faith. And I even think it is okay to see Disney movies -- despite Walt Disney's having been numbered among the atheists! Okay, Pullman's case is a little different: "...What I'm doing is utterly different," he said. "Tolkien would have deplored it." So, too, would have another famous Oxford fantasy writer, C.S. Lewis, a devout Christian whose children's series "The Chronicles of Narnia" exemplified his religious convictions. "I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief," says Pullman. "Mr. Lewis would think I was doing the Devil's work." -- Washington Post interview (19 February 2001) 

Yes, I suppose we are putting money into their pockets. But then would you shop in a store run by unbelievers? Buy food cooked by Muslims? Drive through a Jewish neighborhood? Of course you would (I hope -- otherwise I fear we might be becoming like the Pharisees). By the way, I still say "Thursday," even though the 5th day of the week is named after the pagan Norse god Thor.

I think the question is a little like the query of the spies sent by the chief priests to Jesus (Luke 20): "Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" We are in the world, but not of it (John 17). Obviously if someone is violating his conscience by seeing the movie, he should not do it. But then that is always the rule (Romans 14). We ought to respect others' right to their own opinions. Still, it is always best if someone has thought his position through.