BEWARE: Hot-topic controversy abounds in this post!

Shall we explore the latest frenzy surrounding author Philip Pullman and his series/trilogy His Dark Materials, which begins with The Golden Compass? (Which I might add, was published almost 11 years ago, was titled Northern Lights in Britain, and was followed by two sequels with a fourth one now on the way.)

Just as with the Harry Potter debate and the Da Vinci Code controversy, I had to explore, research, pray, READ, and make up my own mind about this one, too. As a Christian who seeks to bridge the broken gap between acute awareness and blind, dogmatic, "religious" thinking, I never accept what someone "tells" me to think about a book. How could I face myself as an instructor of literature if I acted any other way? I would be leading a life of lies and deception of myself as well as my students. Rowling, Dan Brown, Lolita, Broke Back Mountain, Dracula, Nietzsche, The Koran, Freud: yes, I've read them all, and now Pullman (gasps from the members of the Southern Baptist Association in the room: "She goes to OUR church?" they whisper). And while the Harry Potter debate seems overzealous and the Da Vinci Code dilemma offered a challenge to the Church's traditional thinking (FICTION, PEOPLE), I do feel much more concern about Pullman's series and ideas, especially put in the wrong hands of weak-minded young people. So I guess this post's main context is to promote awareness and let you, the reader, make up your OWN mind about the subject at hand.

I want everyone to notice the new link I've posted to the left under "Cool People..." for the Film Chat/Pullman Interview. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE everyone who has questions or misgivings about this author/series to read this interview and the responses that follow. I know it's long, but it's quite interesting and sheds light on some important issues. Plus, it's a rare example of good-spirited journalism. And, while Pullman never comes out and says the point of the series is to "kill God," (per the latest SPAM email wave) he is quite adamant about his materialistic, atheistic beliefs. Beliefs, I might add, that could be quite dangerous to someone who is not strong in their faith in the first place. And, the fact that Pullman admits his background/childhood is steeped in an upbringing in the Church of England speaks VOLUMES and begs the question of what sparked his huge distaste for Christianity.

I went to check out Pullman's home page as well. I do, surprisingly, agree with one statement he makes concerning reading and the reader's responsibility for creating meaning within a text (AP kids, take note!). He says, "The democracy of reading means that as soon as a book is published you lose control of how it's interpreted anyhow, and so you should. To tell someone else how to read your book is to fall into the temptation of fundamentalism." Very true.

Finally, the following response appears as the next-to-last post at the bottom of the Pullman interview. I've copied it because it's too good to pass up, and in case most of you don't make it that far in the post. "Tiffany," I couldn't have said it better myself! My sentiments exactly, and I wish more Christians could embrace this way of thinking....

[quoting] tiffany said...

This interview was an interesting read...thanks for sharing it. As a Christ-follower, I'm concerned that some members of the Christian community have launched attacks against PP and his work - he has adamantly claimed to believe that there is no God, so how can you berate him for writing material that reflects his beliefs? How can Christians be angry with non-Christians for acting like non-Christians? I do not believe that followers of Jesus Christ should shut their eyes and ears to every idea that may contradict their own beliefs - if you are a Christ-follower, then the spirit of God lives in you and will help you discern which ideas are of God and which are not. We should be teaching the truths of God to our children so that they won't be swayed by every new idea or belief system that they encounter in life.

However, I don't believe anyone should say that someone is "deluded" for believing in God. Might I say that another person is deluded by believing there is no God? God has revealed himself through His creation to all man - however, man will not feel the need for God until God creates that need in his heart. Followers of Christ are simply those to whom the need for a Savior has been revealed. May God reveal the need for Himself to all men! If Christians will focus on spreading the light of Jesus Christ to the world, rather than tearing down those who do not know God, perhaps God will use us to make Himself known! [end quote]