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But in thinking about it I should not have been that surprised. After all, fantasy adventures are supposed to appeal to that part of humanity that reaches out for that which transcends our ordinary existence. Pullman’s atheism likely turned many off. When you deny that there is a transcendence then what savor can any fantasy story written by him or any atheist possibly have.
As it is his story reads more like science fiction than fantasy. It involves a parallel world with the technology of the late 19th century. It involves the search for "dust", that is subatomic particles that supposedly influence human behavior. It also involves searching for a way to travel to other parallel worlds. This of course runs afoul of the Church(no Protestant reformation in this world) because it smacks of heresy.
Here is where Pullman’s attitude makes itself manifest. He frames the narrative as a conflict between dogmatic conformity verses "free thought", the pressure to toe the line as opposed to objective inquiry. He takes liberties with the story of the Fall as told in Genesis, adding a few twists to fit his parallel world. This is typical rationalist railing against the "evil Church " ,as it supposedly squashes free inquiry in order to hold on to power that permeates much of Science Fiction.
Many secularists were wailing and gnashing their teeth when the movie allegedly toned down the anti Church elements in the book. But they needn’t have gotten all bent out of shape. They did not tone it down but merely disguised it. It is true that the movie did not use the word "church" (using the word magesterium instead)but it portrayed the "magesterium as even more power hungry than the book! Also, the word "heresy" is still used, making it obvious who is being referred to.
To most the book and movie seems merely to rail against ‘organized religion" and not spirituality in general. But Pullman seems to be influenced by sci-fi writers such as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert A. Hienlien among others. I have read many of their works and believe me, they have no use for any belief in transcendence but were firmly wedded to a positivistic world view where anything can be explained without reference to a deity. Pullman uses the same language and ideas these writers and rationalists in general use to undermine religion in general.
Its funny though, Pullman wrote these books as a response to C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. It doesn’t appear that Compass, will beat Narnia at the box office. This may well reflect the fact that spirituality is stronger in this country than many believe. It also shows that we need not be afraid of atheists and rationalists expressing their views in movies and tv. Let them do so, we will respond, not with hysterical rancor , but with their own weapons, reason and argument, secure in the knowledge that human spirituality can not be easily dismissed.
Well I finally seen The Golden Compass. (And read the book)It is a shame I did not do it sooner in order to stay current. But then the fact that it is not current and that it did not do as well at the box office as expected in this country is news in itself. Apparently the calls for boycott the film by Christians on account of the author Phillip Pullman’s atheism have worked! I was sure the controversy would have boosted ticket sales, as controversy usually does.
Fantasy appeals to Transcendance
But in thinking about it I should not have been that surprised. After all, fantasy adventures are supposed to appeal to that part of humanity that reaches out for that which transcends our ordinary existence. Pullman’s atheism likely turned many off. When you deny that there is a transcendence then what savor can any fantasy story written by him or any atheist possibly have.
More like Science Fiction
Pullman's Outlook
Here is where Pullman’s attitude makes itself manifest. He frames the narrative as a conflict between dogmatic conformity verses "free thought", the pressure to toe the line as opposed to objective inquiry. He takes liberties with the story of the Fall as told in Genesis, adding a few twists to fit his parallel world. This is typical rationalist railing against the "evil Church " ,as it supposedly squashes free inquiry in order to hold on to power that permeates much of Science Fiction.
Secularist grumbling
Many secularists were wailing and gnashing their teeth when the movie allegedly toned down the anti Church elements in the book. But they needn’t have gotten all bent out of shape. They did not tone it down but merely disguised it. It is true that the movie did not use the word "church" (using the word magesterium instead)but it portrayed the "magesterium as even more power hungry than the book! Also, the word "heresy" is still used, making it obvious who is being referred to.
Sci Fi outlook
To most the book and movie seems merely to rail against ‘organized religion" and not spirituality in general. But Pullman seems to be influenced by sci-fi writers such as Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert A. Hienlien among others. I have read many of their works and believe me, they have no use for any belief in transcendence but were firmly wedded to a positivistic world view where anything can be explained without reference to a deity. Pullman uses the same language and ideas these writers and rationalists in general use to undermine religion in general.
Desired Christian response
Its funny though, Pullman wrote these books as a response to C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. It doesn’t appear that Compass, will beat Narnia at the box office. This may well reflect the fact that spirituality is stronger in this country than many believe. It also shows that we need not be afraid of atheists and rationalists expressing their views in movies and tv. Let them do so, we will respond, not with hysterical rancor , but with their own weapons, reason and argument, secure in the knowledge that human spirituality can not be easily dismissed.
1 comment:
Amen.
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