The Golden Compass thoughts

Jayme's first thoughts upon hearing about TGC.

-ooooh...that's bad news. that's not good. don't want any anti-christian stuff popping up in culture. must be careful.

Neal's first thoughts upon hearing about TGC.

--Oh great. There go Christians again. Jumping all over something that probably isn't worth jumping all over...making Christianity look bad. Before I get on the bandwagon...I better go read the whole trilogy myself...and then do some research on this Pullman dude.

Jayme's next thoughts:

--Oh. Well..yeah...that makes more sense than just freaking out.

Ok...so. Yes. Phillip Pullman is an atheist. But did you know that he stands on that position because of organized religion...(hypocritical Christians)...rather than because of his feelings toward God? You know...hateful power hungry Christians who love to get all political rather than being Jesus? Don't dare try to tell me those people aren't out there. Let me tell you. I've lived there...and I have the T-shirt.

So...what happens when Pullman gets tired of being told what to think and believe by nasty people claiming Christianity...writes a book to make a point...and then Christians freak out and declare him unsafe without reading his stuff??? Ah...Pullman wins and Christians look bad. Sigh.

So...now that I have read TGC...here are my opinions.

1. Pullman is an amazing story teller. Amazing. His story is awesome. Its a tale of a brave little girl doing her best to find her way using love, strength, compassion, truth, and values to guide her. The story is rich with fictional cultures and peoples. The sacrifices in the story move you. Its a great great great story.

2. Pullman did a poor job of creating an allegory. I had to have Neal explain to me what he was really trying to say. It's a stretch. And soooo not threatening.

3. Pullman never attacks the nature of God is this first book. He might in others...I haven't read them and won't claim to know. Pullman does attack organized religion...especially the Catholic church. I don't blame him.

4. I have heard...from Neal...and he's pretty reliable...that later in the trilogy one of the characters does kill God. By reaching out and touching him and all his particles explode into nothingness. Ummmmmm...you have got to be kidding me.

5. I know that my God is all powerful, all knowing, the creator of all things good, wiser than me, everywhere, gracious, compassionate, loving, gentle, jealous, real, living, never agings, never sleeping, never failing, and giving. Why would I ever be threatened by this book and some sad man's views of religion and maybe God. I'm not. Jesus is so much bigger than TGC.

6. I would use TGC as a tool with my kids if they were older...to teach them about how sad it is when church isn't safe for people, how lost people are without Christ to guide their minds and hearts, to remind them how big God really is, to shine the beauty of Christ into thier minds. It might even be an interesting place to discuss the nature of our souls...and how they were made to follow God's plan and how we need him so badly.

7. I'm ashamed of how some people claiming Christ have been so threatened and freaked out about TGC. It isn't "bad news". Its news we need to hear and then respond in love knowing how awesome our God really is.

8. If anyone ever tells me again how TGC is a bad story...I'm going to tell exactly why I think its a good story. Both for its literary value and its value beyond. I would also suggest they pray for Pullman to find someone who can demonstrate the true nature of Christ to him...and pray for the souls of those who must have hurt him so badly in the name of Christ.

"If we are the body...why aren't his arms reaching...why aren't his hands healing...why aren't his feet going."

and..................I cut 6 inches off my hair today. I'll post a picture sometime. :)