Parents Concerns

    Since the "Golden Compass" and the rest of Pullman's work is meant for children, many Chrisitan parents are concerned that their child will pick up on and agree with Pullman's view on religion that he portrays through these stories. The story has many things that appeal to children such as talking animals, an adventure, a flying ship, etc.

From the League website:

'It is important that all Christians, especially those with children or grandchildren, read this booklet. Anyone who does will be armed with all the ammo they need to convince friends and family members that there is nothing innocent about Pullman's agenda. Though the movie promises to be fairly non-controversial, it may very well act as an inducement to buy Pullman's trilogy, His Dark Materials. And remember, his twin goals are to promote atheism and denigrate Christianity. To kids.'

Roker from the "Today" show, mentioned that the Catholic League is charging that Pullman's work is selling "atheism for kids." Here is Pullman's response:

'Well, you know I always mistrust people who tell us how we should understand something. They know better than we do what the book means or what this means and how we should read it and whether we should read it or not. I don't think that's democratic. I prefer to trust the reader. I prefer to trust what I call the democracy of reading. When everybody has the right to form their own opinion and read what they like and come to their own conclusion about it. So I trust the reader.'