conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

I almost saw that on Saturday - as somebody who loved the Narnia books as a kid of course I was curious what an apostate or non-Christian trying to rubbish them would do. (As I imagine sound-as-a-pound Roman Catholic Tolkien would have enjoyed - he never forgave Lewis for what he saw as a dumbed-down, preachy ripoff of 'Lord of the Rings'.) Also it looked well made. I found other things to do and I understand 1) it flopped and 2) like the Hollywood treatment of some religious stories it was homogenised with all the controversial 'good stuff' watered down or taken out.

I have not read the books though they have been recommended to me. I am afraid to see the movie. If it is horribly watered down ala Eragon, then I really don't want to waste my money.

I went to the movie on Monday and enjoyed it, but kept wondering why they seemed to be skipping over so many details and leaving loose ends. Then I discovered that the movie itself really didn't end as such... There have to be more, the way they left it.

Not a bad film though, and I enjoyed the effects and the characters. I want to read the book(s) now, as I suspect they'll fill in a lot of details.

We did get a fax at my church yesterday condemning the film. Some Christian group or the other claiming that the aim of the books and the film was the destruction of Christianity. On that recommendation alone I now want to take a church group. ;-)

I purchased/read the books back when they first came out. I was captivated by the first book. Disappointed by the second, and utterly repulsed by the third. By the time I finished the trilogy, my experience recolored how I felt about the first book, and made me realize what a colossal waste of time I'd been engaged in.

Whatever his talents, and they are on display in the first book, Pullman ultimately degenerated into sheer illogical propaganda by the end of the trilogy, and cheapened and demeaned what he'd done. He'd also become an utter hypocrite, committing all the sins he lobs at Lewis, only without the charm.

Clearly I reject Pullman's agenda as demonic (a word I'm using quite intentionally), but his ability to carry it out is utterly pedestrian, sheer agitprop and worthy only of comparison to Soviet-era propaganda, a la Orwellian 1984.

He's a hack.

I've read the books and seen the movie, and as far as a good story goes, I thoroughly enjoyed both. Additionally, I think all the Christian hype about how it is a terrible movie that will make all our children atheistic is a load of crap. The way I see it, if the Church is acting like the "Magisterium" then, it should be opposed. If you've not read all 3 books and don't want the ending to be spoiled then don't read the next few lines... In the 3rd book, Pullman 'kills god.' Well, the character that is referred to as "The Ancient of Days" is killed off. That character was not God, only an old angel who decided to be god and convinced everyone that he was. And, that kind of god should be done away with and a church as evil as the Magisterium is purported to be should also be done away with. Those are the very kinds of people and groups that prevent us from truly knowing and communing with the real, Triune God.

So, thank you, Pullman, for illustrating very clearly the evil that comes when we try to be God or when we try to rule in the name of God for our own gain and power.

All that aside, I really enjoyed reading the story. It is just a story after all.

14 years ago I read Clive Barker's novel 'Imajica', the only one of his books I've read. It's in the fantasy genre and has a very similar anti-religious story including the ending. I wonder if Pullman pinched some of the plot from that.

I too read Imagica, and found it dull and boring and the plot inexplicable.

Pullman is similar but not as dull and boring.

The film left out the ending of the first book - perhaps they'll tack it on to the second film.

Tripp,

I have enjoyed your blog very much for some time. Time I told you. Keep up the good works.

As to Pullman, I loved the books, but the faxes and emails are, for once, really onto something. The books have to be seen as militantly atheist and even anti-Christian, which is one thing, but the fact that they are marketed to children is another. I mean, really, a Christian should be able to read a good criticism of Christianity without getting up in arms, but immature minds, I don't think so.

DWL

DWL,

Thank you very much for the compliment. And keep on reading. I'll try to keep things up on my end.

And I guess I need to read through these books.

Be well, all!