Golden Compass Author On Religious Uproar

moreintelligentlife.com:

Is he expecting controversy? He pauses: "I am beset, not beset, that's too strong, I am attended by crazy people." The day before our interview he had given a reading at the Sheldonian Theatre as part of the Oxford Chamber Music Festival. There were 750 children from primary schools in the Oxford area listening to music and readings. A small boy from one of the schools was taken out "rather ostentatiously" before each of Pullman's readings and brought back in again when the reading was over. "Apparently his parents objected to his hearing anything of mine on the grounds that he might go to hell if he did."

Pullman says that people who are tempted to take offence should first see the film or read the books. "They'll find a story that attacks such things as cruelty, oppression, intolerance, unkindness, narrow-mindedness, and celebrates love, kindness, open-mindedness, tolerance, curiosity, human intelligence. It's very hard to disagree with those. But people will."

Read the whole story: moreintelligentlife.com

Comments

[johnnyjust]

Funny how some liberals see a difference of opinion or a protest as controlling.

Unless it's their own, of course.

[AgeofReason]

I am politically progressive, and I am a devout United Methodist. It's not a particularly pushy Christian denomination--"Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" and all that. I don't try to tell others what to believe or how to think, but I gladly share my beliefs with others if asked.

I am a long-time fan of both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein, and Pullman's contempt for both of them and their works would be enough to turn me off of his books and movies. Add in the quotes of his saying that he is trying to undermine Christianity and that God died a long time ago, and I find the man quite repugnant, even pushy about his beliefs and wanting others to believe (or disbelieve) as he does. And yet, I do agree with some of what he says about teaching and writing.

I have stated in other posts that I would not go see this movie and that I would not take my child to this movie. Then my husband and I had quite a row about it. (He called me a closed-minded republican, which he intended as the worst insult he could give me. I tell him he is like his father when I want to hurt him; he turns to political insults.) So I gave it more thought and decided that I should not be afraid of Pullman's poisonous ideas, but should face them. So I went to see the movie Saturday at a sneak preview.

I liked it a lot. I have not read the books, but I will, even though I know the movie was toned down. It does take place in an alternate universe, and just because he calls it the Church, does not make it my Church, or even Jesus' Church. It was well structured and a pretty good beginning for a story. Nicole Kidman was brilliant. Pullman is being deliberately controversial, down to calling the souls "deamons." (That would be "demon" in American English.) And it bothered me less than I thought it would.

[loki]

I tell you what. When organized religious groups and followers start to respect my personal belief's and keep their noses out of my personal business , then I will start to respect theirs and do the same. But when someone chooses their preferred spiritual entity to pray to, they shouldnt try to force their choice upon others. Like Jesus, talk about it, discuss it. But dont go out and physically force it down others throats and not expect to be met with resistance and dislike.

[loki]

Like I said before, I wouldnt get to worried about it. Its not like these religious fanatics will cause any real damage to the film. After all, they were suppose to boycott all the Harry Potter books and films, and as you can see it really hurt J.K Rowlings , the publisher and the movie studio. I mean, as you all can see, they are surly suffering from the wrath of Gods hand upon their evil stories.
These are people who cant decide a thing on their own, so they are easily herded to organized religion, but even once there, they have no idea of what to do even when told. So they really never act upon the head con mans , oops I mean preachers words.
And most of the others who are in organized religions is for self gain only, and they only pretend. Such as American style Capitalist and those with Criminal intent. They still do everything they want once outside the church doors. Some do it inside the doors too.

[blublu]

The Christians want books banned because they
"teach" atheism, others find cartoons insulting to their religion.......not much difference, really.

[thethyme]

I don't think people have a problem with belief's you can believe anything you want. It is when you espouse on these beliefs you can expect people to call the BS out... just b/c you believe some doesn't make it true or not true... if you want to believe in the supernatural go right ahead, but realize that your enemy in this debate is reason.

The real joke here is how evangelical Christians now try to play the intolerance card... too funny

[rwe]

Pullman's rights are not being stepped on ... his religion of atheism is his own business as is the parents rights to deterimine what their children should be exposed to. This is not a matter of rights or censorship... I wonder if Pullman stood up for Rushdie or for those cartonnists?

[MamaBird62]

What a publicity bonanza for what is reportedly a boring film. The Pullman books are marvelous and I recommend them. The protesting group, "The Catholic League," seems to be speaking to fellow non-critical thinkers, saying, let us decide for you, let us tell you what to think. That's the antithesis of Pullman's books. The irony is rich.

[Fuji]

As a progressive, you should be equally appalled by the utter disregard so-called progressives have for religious people. No respect for another person's rights.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

As a Christian I am appalled at the utter disregard that my fellow Christians have for other people's beliefs. No respect for another person's rights.