Well, it was bound to happen.

[pipistrellafelix]

So prepare yourself: the Catholic League launching an attack, or at least releasing an aggravated statement, condemmning The Golden Compass Movies.
I said something similar in lacylu42's journal: I can see why these books, much more than Harry Potter, can be seen to promote atheism. And I can see why the Catholic Church would get their knickers in a twist, because the books are rather attacking organized religion. But they're so much more complex than that. Have they* read the books I wonder? For me it was always an attack--if that word's even right, which I'm not sure it is--on what happens when organized religion goes bad and loses sight of the principles on which the religion was founded in the beginning. Pullman certainly condemns that. Actually, I think I've heard Pullman condemning all organized religion (I think he had bad childhood experiences...), but I've never heard him condemn religion outright. Anyway, I find the whole thing fascinating but I'd like to know I'm arguing against people who've read and understood the book.

And really, people: "The trilogy, His Dark Materials, was written to promote atheism and denigrate Christianity, especially Roman Catholicism." Are you sure? You can read implications into it all you like (& I'm not suprised they are), but no one ever said that.

"Atheism for kids. That is what Philip Pullman sells." Whoops. Guess because I bought all his books as a kid and devoured them and loved them, I am an atheist. Oh...but wait. That's not strictly true. Whoops.

*sigh*

[* So of course this "they" is another issue because I don't know how many people that encompasses, whether some or all have read or understood the book. I just think you ought to be on the same playing field to have an argument about something. Is that reasonable?]

Comments

[neoweezel.livejournal.com]

(I see your edging-hysterical league of catholics and raise you one act of amazing Chinese totalitarianism: http://www.boingboing.net/2007/08/22/china-to-tibetan-bud.html)

I always find it interesting that they feel the need to pro-actively defend them selves to such an extent. Catholicism--hell, lets go broader, Christianity--is a rather ancient institution with a steadily increasing rate of conversion and literally more money, collectively, then God. Somehow I don't think it's going to collapse through the power of a fantasy-fiction trilogy alone, even an amazingly brilliant and deep fantasty-fiction trilogy. BUT ITS THE PRINCIPAL OF THE THING.

[elanor-two.livejournal.com]

I heard about this! It makes me laugh..."an important move to institutionalize management of reincarnation."

Ahahaha! Oh, China...I mean. I only find this hilarous because how are they supposed to enforce this?

As for your second point, it logically makes sense. But they feel threatened, & anyone who's threatened rarely reacts logically...