Well I forced myself to finish the first book and when I reached the end I couldn't stop. I went through the other two in a couple of days with ever-increasing momentum. I was sceptical at the beginning but now It is in my top three (and I am not easily impressed).
Is it better to enjoy life or is it better to endure life ? basically that is what the author stated, depending on one's beliefs , be it religious or otherwise, everyone must make a decision on how to live their life and what path they shall choose..... God is everything around us and through us but we must decide on our own what we will do with our lives, we make the choice of how we will think & feel. Nothing is more important than kindness
But clearly kindness isn't the most important: devotion and honesty trump kindness. If someone lives a life that is self-destructive is it not cruel to encourage them to follow a path that leads to annihilation?
I agree with you on most of that. I don't know what you believe but I believe that those who don't believe in God reject him and it says in the Bible that there should be no other 'gods' before Christ. But just because someone is an atheist does not make him/her a evil demon worshiper, but we all have sinned done wrong things and so that makes us ALL sinners including Christians. But as a Christian i follow my God growing in a relationship with Him, dedicate my life to serve him and serve others
I read the books when I was a kid so I forgot pretty much everything. I emember enjoying them a lot, there were many crazy events that took place in the last two books.
I have read 'his dark materials' when I was 13. It made such a great impact on me. It opened my mind in an imaginative and critical way. It is a shame that some of the conclusions that people have come up with is about 'brainwashing' or about this idea of 'atheism'. We are not thoughtless beings that sway to 'group think' and those who are, are evidently overly sheltered by the very people who want to obstruct freedom of storytelling! It was a wonderful story that I hope many children will have the opportunity to read!
This is a very good book, I read them in the 6th grade, before I knew about anything religious. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials is nothing more than fantasy! It's like the chronicals of Narnia (sp?)from an atheists point of view. I never finished The Amber Spyglass, so I can't honestly say anything without biased opinions, but it's a masterpiece and is nothing more than fiction. A story!
Good for you. I read the Narnia series back when I was in middle school. All the Christian messages went completely over my head. To me, it was just a fun fantasy series with alternate universes, talking animals, witches, fauns etc. That sounds cool. It wasn't until I watched a documentary about the auther that I learned about the religious themes. That was much later. The show compares Aslan to Jesus and other such things. My mind was blown. I am glad I am not alone in missing a theme of a story as a kid. I do like His Dark Materials too. Both are great series. Both have the same agenda to engage the reader. I am impressed by how nuanced Pullman gives as an answear.
today in my class, we atlked exactly about "its just a movie". if some kids see the movie then they want the books which are extremly clear of taking God of children's hearts. even philip pullman himself said he doesnt believe in God and wants to destroy the faith of Christians and all other religions.
Couldn't care less about the whole religion thing. Say whatever you want about him, Pullman's a fricken awesome author- by far the best I've ever read.
he handled this answer beautifully. I think christians should remember that their God gave us all a choice to be what we want to be and use our talents, and the man clearly is a talented and artful writer and should be given credit. Honestly, I think the hullabaloo about this man making little children want to kill god or whatever is complete rubbish.
This interview sounds alot different than what fundamentalists would have you to believe about the authors intentions. Personally, I want to present as many paths to my children as I can. It is ultimately up to them which one to follow. I'm a Unitarian Universalist, by the way.
The Amazon reviews of his third book indicate that he completely forgot everything he said here. Even atheists were put off by how transparently preachy it was.
The whole trilogy is a criticism of organised religion, but the third book was far too on the nose, not that im offended (im an athiest) but it is far too preachy, and I can see how this could dampen a religious person's enjoyment of the books.
i agree. I loved reading the story so much... and he puts up a good point about organized religion nonetheless, even if he was writing for the story's sake. Religious people should still read his books, just for entertainment and well-roundedness.
there is no contradiction here he didn't sugest for an instant that he wasn't an athiest he simply eaplained that his books, for whatever else they they may inspire or promote, are first and foremost intended for enjoyment. they are and amazing read
Nah,cuz Lewis and J.R.R.Tolkien were friends back in the day. And they were both and still are geniuses to me. ^_^ This guy ain't got nothing on Tolkien or Lewis. But,you have yer opinion and I have mine.
"I was being rash,unkind,and hateful. I'm sorry." Wow. I've been taken aback. I guess I misjudged you. I guess we all sometimes get caught up with our emotions and beliefs. To that end I accept you apology and I apologise in turn for calling what I did as well.
"Supposedly God?!" He IS GOD!!! Jesus said "When you've seen me,you've seen the Father." And yes,He DID die. And then came back to life on the third day.
If you are so insecure in your faith that you think reading a book will turn you into an athiest, you are either extremely gullible or aren't very faithful in the first place.
@Pandaren123 The Film actually according to what I read cost approx. $180 million and it grossed approximately $70 million in U.S. by time it was relased world wide it grossed approximately $372 million dollars and that's not counting TV broadcasters, DVD and Blue Ray releases however the rights to the film according to what I read were sold so most of the profit did not go to New Line Studio that produced it.
@Pandaren123 - I am sorry to hear that it has not done so well. I have read two of the trilogy and have found The Golden Compass and the other book to be quite entertaining - not at all "anti-religion" or "anti-christianity".
responce to oprachik we all ready have a golden compass that points to the truth its called the bible. and the truth shall set you free, no one who listens to the truth will become an A-theist which just means with out God lets face it most people are in fact A-theist.
Perhaps someone can tell me how the book championing good qualities when Lord Azriel, one of the heroes of the story, severs Roger, his daughter's best friend, from his deamon and leaves him to die in the artic.
I love the trilogy...does it make one think? Yes, curiosity...yes...I loved the books and the movie. I watch the movie at least once a year if not more. I was so waiting for the follow-up...heard the Vatican put a stop to that...
susanne chakan the Vatican ‘put a stop to it’...??? 😂 Hollywood puts out loads of anti-Christ evil filth and degeneracy all the time. The Vatican doesn’t stop anything. Hollywood just decides what it shows or produces. I’m sure the Vatican would stop every film out there that produced degeneracy and evil if it could, before stopping a kids film !
@@steffyweffy777 more filthy degeneracy is generated by the systematic paedophilia of your church in one year than Hollywood could produce in a century
Interesting interview. Pullman is so nuanced here, he is impressive. It is better to take a subtle approach to themes nd aim for making a good solid story first. The Golden Compass book does do the right thing for a more subtle theme. Instead of saying something is bad right away, it is better to show how it makes characters suffer. Then the audience can come to their own conclusions. The series actually starts out this way. Kids start disappearing. Thier families suffer because they are worried sick. Then Lyra goes on a big quest to save them. This is a major part of the Golden Compass. Later Lyra finds out what happened to the kids, and it is scary as all heck. It scared me more as an adult than as a kid. It shocks me that the Church of the story takes away the animals from the children. There is the suffering of a dying miserable boy who misses his Ratter. Lyra herself suffers when the Church almost takes away her Pan. She was terrified. Yes, crap got real. The story sets up animals as close spiritual companions to people. They get so much buildup. So cutting them away is messed up.. I am a major animal lover myself,, and that really unsettled me. From the parts of animal separation, the story gets more direct with the themes. It is easier to go along with that, since we know how cruel the Church can be. There is a reason why Lyra tries her best to stay away from Mrs. Coulter for much of the series. That lady is a wolf in sheep's clothing. One great part in the second book is about the witches. Witches in the series are set up to be allies for Lyra, and they are really helpful. At one point, a which proposes to fight against the Church. One reason she gave is because Churches in some worlds kill witches and burn them alive. It is just a little bit of dialogue in a whole novel. Yet this bit really struck a cord for me. I am not a Christian, because there are some things about the religion that turn me off. My pet peeve is the witch hunts and the inquisition. It is hard to go along which a religion who has committed such heinous atrocities for the sake of religion. It is messed up. If there was ever a thing to put in this series to win me over, it is addressing the witch trials in some way. Heck Mrs. Coulter tortures two witches to get information. The first one dies, and the second is fed by a specter.. That is a clear reference to what happened in real life. That has witch sufferering that further shows the Church is in The wrong. I didn't think of His Dark Materials as being atheist. I am not sure where that came from. Did I miss something? I am rereading the series. I just started reading book three. So maybe I missed something in book 3. The theme to me seems more like anti Christian. If I were to be generous, I would say anti Abrahamic religion. Going against that, doesn't have to be automatically atheist. There are other options. One can have Dharmic religion, like Hinduism or Buddism. One can have a Chinese religion, like Taoism or Confucianism. Personally, I am Pagan. I find enough in this series I can relate to. The good guys have animal companions, witches, magical items, a shaman and a polar bear. Pagans are really into animal companions, like totems and familiar. So the taking of animals is more of a shock to me. The theme can resonate me as well. Pagans are arguably the biggest real world enemy of the Chruch back during the Inquisition. So a story that goes against the Church especially the humanity crimes is one that I can agree with. Any other non-Christian that has felt the pressure to convert could resonate with this theme. It doesn't have to be strictly athiests.
knife-edged skills... he is avoiding the controversy... and still he is accurate about what he is doing... do people just think he is a storyteller just wanting people to turn over the pages of his books...? why is he choosing to tell these stories? is he absolving himself of his position in the world...? is he just selling more fantasy, just like hollywood spills out..? or is there more depth to his stuff...? more gravitas to his motives...?
When I read these books as a kid I never thought "anti-religion". God exists in the books! No one in the book is an atheist, nor should they be! But it does shed light on how things would be if God were a real part of the world. If you're part of reality you get treated like a real being. Meaning not everyone is going to unquestioningly kiss your ass just because you made the universe(s).
You know what,kubush? All this started just because I left a comment of MY opinion of this. I have every right to have an opinion about something just as you do. Just because you don't like my opinion doesn't mean you can try and correct me on it.
I'm a Christian, I plan on seeing the movie with my Christian boyfriend. We don't have any kids so it will just be the two of us to discuss the film afterwards and decide if we want the books or not. xD
He sacrificed Himself for our sins. And let me ask you something. Have YOU ever gotten whipped on the back? Beaten? People calling you names? Mocking you? Have you ever carried a heavy cross on your shoulders? He sacrificed Himself so that we may have Life.
Hmmm but now that I think about it, I guess believing in God isn't really "religion". Or is it? I kind of thought it was. I guess the book is sort of anti-organized-religion, isn't it? But that's just because those guys were jerks. There could have been some nice ones and nobody would have hated them. Buuuut there weren't.
"And don't be calling me "darling"" Seeing as you have been name calling me since the getgo, I shall offer you the same kindness you extended to me....bitch. Too bad I had to stoop to your level to communicate with you. Sad.
Simple. If you say birds cannot fly,and you look up and there are two flapping above your head,that means birds CAN fly! If you say that there in no God,and you look at the birds flying,you're saying that the God who created those birds to fly doesn't exist. Thus,makes you a hypocrite.
Loved the movie and I'm about to watch it again today. Another story I happen to love is Bram Stokers "Dracula". Lots of vampire movies, but, I wonder if people have actually read this book. It is great and visual. You can certainly feel like you're in this story in with all your senses. The hypocrite Christians of his time probably were having panic attacks lol.
I am NOT an athesist, but I think that all you close minded people should actually stop preching to us and read the damn books before you actually judge the books, and call all of us who enjoy them athesists. Seriously if you would read the books, you would know that SPOILER ALERT..that in the Amber spyglass, both Will and Lyra actually try to save the authority. So iam sick of all you people saying that the books are about something that they are not.
I'm still trying to figure out exactly what it is you're trying to say about my statement with regards to it being "something I have no idea about". and for the record, i'm not an atheist, just very frustrated with what has become of the christian faith i've grown up with. You've sort of gone back to your old ways of yelling "witch" at anyone who doesn't completely correspond with your beliefs.
PHILLIP PULLMAN YOU ARE AZRIEL , AND I THANK YOU FOR THE COURAGE , IMAGINATION EXPRESSION THERE OF AND BLESSED TO HAVE READ 4 NOW OF YOUR BEUTIFUL BOOKS THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU ARE A EMBODIMENT OF DUST AND ITS WILLS THERE OF AS SUCH ITS WILL AND YOURS ARE NOT SEPERATE THERE IS NO CHOICE ONLY VISION ONLY FREEDOM AND TRUTH THE FIRST ESSENCES OF EMBRACEFUL LOVE (DUST) AND THERE IS NO BETTER TIME THAN THE PRESENT TO REVEAL THEM THERE IS NO COMFORTABLE WAITING OR LOFTY STEAD TO PERCH FOR TRUTH IT IS THE OCEAN WE SWIM THOUGH MANY DENY DROWN IN PANIC ANXIOUNESS AND OTHER MENTAL STUMBLES , NEVER HIDE YOUR TRUTH YOU NOT TO PLEASE YOUR EGO BUT TO REDEEM THE HEART OF CRITICS VENOM YOU ARE A HERO OF THE YOUTH OF TOMMORO WI ALREADY FORSEEN MUCH OF THIS AND KNEW IT WELL , BUT LACK COMMUNICATION FINESE WISDOM TO APPLY WHAT WE KNOW IN HEART IN SO MUCH REJECTION OF THE POSSIBLE A CANDLE WICK SUCH AS YOURS WILL LIGHT MANY ANOTHER CANDLE BEFORE YOUR FIRE DIMS. LOVE AND BLESSING TO YOU PHILLIP PULLMAN THANK YOU , I NOW PROMOTE YOUR BOOKS WHEREVER I GO YOU KNOW MORE THAN KNOW AND PORTRAY ELIQUENTLY VAST WISDOM THIS I **KNOW** THE SAME AS YOU IN THE FREE HEART OPEN TO DUST IT SEES CLEARLY LIKER THE ELECTRIC PULSES RETNAS FIRE TWICE AS VIVID IN UNDERSTANDING OBSERVATION AND PROCESSING IT , I KNOW THE VASTNESS OF THE SYMPHONY THE DANCE IN WHICH TELL SO IMAGNITIVLEY AND RELATABLE IT INCREDIBLE AT SAME SO APPLYABLE TO REALISTICNESS IT STRECHS THE AWARNESS LIKE A MUSCLE AND EXERCISES THE CONCIOUNESS TO EXPAND WITH RENEWED FUEL REMEMBERENE OF THINGS AS CHILDREN ARE DENIED ........THE CHILDREN SUCH AS THESE SHALE KNOW AND HOLD THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ....FOR YOU BIBLICALS MISS THAT LOOK UP JESUS AND CHILDREN I BELIVE ITS IN JOHN ...AND THEN GO LEARN BIT ABOUT INDIGO VIBRATION , TRUTH VIBRATION ....NATURE JAH , LOVE BEEN CALLING IT MISSES ITS CHILDREN THAT HAVE LOST THERE WAY CUT FROM NATURE CUT FROM SOUL WITH FEAR OF DEMONS AND HERITICS......YOU WILL WRITE EVEN GREATER NOVELS ON THOSE POINTS AND DO EVEN GREATER THINGS TO COME PHILLIP PULLMAN AND THIS I AWAIT WITH ANTICIPATION AND GRACE. OUR WORLD IS BLESSED WITH YOUR PRESENCE AS IT IS WITH ALL LIVING BEINGS WHOM STOP FROM FLOWING DOWN INTO THE ABYSS AS WILLESS SHEEP AND HOLDFIRM NOT TO RIGID BELIEF BUT TO UNCHANGING IMPERMANENCE LOVE EVERGROWING CURIOUS EVERMORE AS THE DANCE GROWS DEEPER ENTRANCED AND VIVD IN THE MINDS EYE YOU ALL ARE EQUAL TO AS BEING FOR OF TO LOVE GODS KINGS QUEENS ACT AS YOU ARE AND KNOW THYSELF LOVE THYSELF , LOVE IS ALL ALL ELSE IS ILLUSION , LOVE IN ALL OR CANT SEE LOVE AT ALL AND CLAIM GOD IS LOVE SEES FEAR IN ALL IT IS FEAR YOU WORSHIP AND FEAR YOU FEED IGNOURENCE MANIFESTS AND FRUITS OF BURST HATE ANGER ENVY LOST FROM WISDOM OF KNOWING , YOU ARE NOT ALONE BUT IT IS YOU WHOM ALWAYS HAS YOUR BACK THE WIND NEVER DISCONECTS FROM YOU THE AIR THE WATER ALL OF IT AROUND YOU NOTHING IS SEPERATE I BREATH OUT AND YOU BREATH IN PARTICLES WE ARE AND PARTICLES BETWEEN RESONATING ENERGY INTERLACED UNSEEN YOU ARE NOT BEING WATCHED BUT YOU WATCH OUT FOR YOURSELF AS LIKE YOUR DEATH AWAITS AROUND THE CORNER KNOW AND BE PREPARED NOT FEAR IT NOR ASK FOR IT LISTEN TO IT....EACH ONEANOTHERS KEEPER AS WE ARE OUR OWN INDEPENDENCE , SPIRITUALITY CULTURE LANGUAGE EACH BEING HIS OWN NATION A LIBARY OF KNOWLEGE IN THE MIND , A GOVERNING SOURCE HEART LOVE , THE ONLY LAW WHICH ARE GUIDES TO OVERSTAND WISDOMS OF THE CONSTANTS .....THIS IS MUCH MORE BUT KNOW IT IS NOT A PEEPING FATHER OR A LEECHING MOTHER ......YOU ALL ARE GODS AND MORE SO THAN AND THAT IS WHAT IS FEARED YOU ARE INFINITE LOVE INEXAUSTABLE MORE BECOME OWN BEING LESS IGNOURENCE HOLD SWAY LESS MANIPULATION ...LESS FATE MORE WILL TO DESTINY RANDOM FATE IF YOU WILL .....TAKE FREEDOM BACK OUT OF CONTROL LOVE IS TO BE CONTROLED BY NONE. IT IS TO BE EXPRESSED BOUNDLESSLY WITH ALL THE FIRE OF YOUR BEING
Look,kubush. It seems we'll never see eye to eye on this. And this could go on forever. But I choose to put it to an end now. So,I'm sorry I called you names and I'm sorry for not respecting your opinion as a person. I was being rash,unkind,and hateful. I'm sorry.
which of the 66 books are you refairing to ? i left the pre fix A as it stands for the english word without theio being the word for god A-theist without god and I dont have a religion i am A-relegious but not A-theist their far too fundamentail for me!
I do know the difference between right and wrong. I know that trying to push any religion on others is wrong. I'm not doing that here. I am giving an opinion. I hope you can find some sort of confidence in yourself so that you don't feel it necessary to be as abrasive as you seem. I will pray for you.
Thats not true at all. Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia is a type of shadow or form of Jesus. When Aslan sacrificed himself on the stone table that was based off of the Crucifiction of Jesus. So C.S Lewis was never out to disaprove christianity.
I remember when I was in my early 20's ... as I began to awake to really being an atheist, it was scary. For several years before that, I had though of myself as an "agnostic", partly because it was safer. To come out and just say "I'm an atheist" felt nakedly aggressive. It felt 'way out there', it felt almost mean. It is no surprise how people react, and that they do not see the irony of one kind of indoctrination trying to prevent another ...
maybe if they read both they could develop their own opinion? rather than the one you feel they should have. an agenda is an agenda be it atheist or religious.
This was one of my favorite movies in my childhood, and so was Narnia, and I knew nothing about religion at the time. I became an atheist through logic and reason, no kid would have known if u didn't tell them
Animals arent defined by their ability to drive a car or living in the wild. Or talking. Look up the definition of "animal". We are part of the animal kingdom. We ARE animals.
Nothing but a godless shell of man, and he insults my catholic faith, i don't know that he knows anything about how good God is, and how merciful he can be.
Björn Alvinge you need to read some history books then if you think someone who ‘never existed’ would influence society for 2000. That would be an immense achievement for someone who ‘didn’t exist’. Grow up. 😝
doesn't is say somewhere in the bible that man has error, man has sin? not in those exact words but something of that sort? and if the bible says this then how can you read a book written by MAN and believe it. i have my own beliefs, no I'm not atheist but the bible is a load....
I am using the Christian definition of "God". And the Christian God is all-powerful and eternal; therefore there is never an instance that he dies or does not exist. I dont see how you come to conclude that, by stating the obvious, I am a knowitall.
Are you so weak minded that everyone around you has to think the way you do, otherwise you'll all of a sudden change your belief system? Give me a break. The strongest Ideas are the ones that can withstand challenging ideas. If you're secure in your religion that his books wouldn't bother you,nor would his statement about trying to undermine Christianity.
windex, evolution is a scientific fact. The theory of evolution is simply a model of HOW evolution works. The fact that you dont understand that makes you ignorant. And I am not saying that as an insult. You simply dont know.
Just like evey other author is trying to get into the minds of kids and tell them that there is a god. Of course you dont have a problem with them. Hypocrite.
"talking to someone who believes that mankind evovled from an animal!" U do know that human beings are animals right? Once again. You think you are the only one entitled to an opinion.
Feel see and enjoy a story that so happens to depict god as an evil angel? Uses "daemons" as an allegory to blaspheme the bible and draw parallels to "biblical misinterpretations"?
Well I forced myself to finish the first book and when I reached the end I couldn't stop. I went through the other two in a couple of days with ever-increasing momentum. I was sceptical at the beginning but now It is in my top three (and I am not easily impressed).
Is it better to enjoy life or is it better to endure life ?
basically that is what the author stated, depending on one's beliefs , be it religious or otherwise, everyone must make a decision on how to live their life and what path they shall choose..... God is everything around us and through us but we must decide on our own what we will do with our lives, we make the choice of how we will think & feel.
Nothing is more important than kindness
But clearly kindness isn't the most important: devotion and honesty trump kindness. If someone lives a life that is self-destructive is it not cruel to encourage them to follow a path that leads to annihilation?
I love this old man. He's so cool!
I agree with you on most of that. I don't know what you believe but I believe that those who don't believe in God reject him and it says in the Bible that there should be no other 'gods' before Christ. But just because someone is an atheist does not make him/her a evil demon worshiper, but we all have sinned done wrong things and so that makes us ALL sinners including Christians. But as a Christian i follow my God growing in a relationship with Him, dedicate my life to serve him and serve others
This isn’t atheism, it’s anti-religious philosophy in the form of sci-fi.
I read the books when I was a kid so I forgot pretty much everything. I emember enjoying them a lot, there were many crazy events that took place in the last two books.
I have read 'his dark materials' when I was 13. It made such a great impact on me. It opened my mind in an imaginative and critical way. It is a shame that some of the conclusions that people have come up with is about 'brainwashing' or about this idea of 'atheism'. We are not thoughtless beings that sway to 'group think' and those who are, are evidently overly sheltered by the very people who want to obstruct freedom of storytelling! It was a wonderful story that I hope many children will have the opportunity to read!
Hate to break it to you but just by a cursory glance at society nowadays most of us are definitely groupthinkers
Where in the bible does Mary say that?
This is a very good book, I read them in the 6th grade, before I knew about anything religious. Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials is nothing more than fantasy! It's like the chronicals of Narnia (sp?)from an atheists point of view. I never finished The Amber Spyglass, so I can't honestly say anything without biased opinions, but it's a masterpiece and is nothing more than fiction. A story!
I wouldn't even say atheist, just more based on scientific theory and speculation
Good for you. I read the Narnia series back when I was in middle school. All the Christian messages went completely over my head. To me, it was just a fun fantasy series with alternate universes, talking animals, witches, fauns etc. That sounds cool. It wasn't until I watched a documentary about the auther that I learned about the religious themes. That was much later. The show compares Aslan to Jesus and other such things. My mind was blown. I am glad I am not alone in missing a theme of a story as a kid. I do like His Dark Materials too. Both are great series. Both have the same agenda to engage the reader. I am impressed by how nuanced Pullman gives as an answear.
@@SealwithwificonnectionOh it's definitely atheist. Very anti-Christian too.
today in my class, we atlked exactly about "its just a movie". if some kids see the movie then they want the books which are extremly clear of taking God of children's hearts. even philip pullman himself said he doesnt believe in God and wants to destroy the faith of Christians and all other religions.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Golden Compass trilogy! :) I think it's time to revisit the books.
Couldn't care less about the whole religion thing. Say whatever you want about him, Pullman's a fricken awesome author- by far the best I've ever read.
he handled this answer beautifully.
I think christians should remember that their God gave us all a choice to be what we want to be and use our talents, and the man clearly is a talented and artful writer and should be given credit. Honestly, I think the hullabaloo about this man making little children want to kill god or whatever is complete rubbish.
"Tolkien would read his books,set them down and call them...RUBBISH."
Here is an idea! How about you let him speak for himself.
This interview sounds alot different than what fundamentalists would have you to believe about the authors intentions. Personally, I want to present as many paths to my children as I can. It is ultimately up to them which one to follow. I'm a Unitarian Universalist, by the way.
The Amazon reviews of his third book indicate that he completely forgot everything he said here. Even atheists were put off by how transparently preachy it was.
The whole trilogy is a criticism of organised religion, but the third book was far too on the nose, not that im offended (im an athiest) but it is far too preachy, and I can see how this could dampen a religious person's enjoyment of the books.
i agree. I loved reading the story so much... and he puts up a good point about organized religion nonetheless, even if he was writing for the story's sake. Religious people should still read his books, just for entertainment and well-roundedness.
The thing is that he should have followed his own words after the golden compass was the only none preachy one
there is no contradiction here he didn't sugest for an instant that he wasn't an athiest he simply eaplained that his books, for whatever else they they may inspire or promote, are first and foremost intended for enjoyment. they are and amazing read
thank you!
Nah,cuz Lewis and J.R.R.Tolkien were friends back in the day. And they were both and still are geniuses to me. ^_^ This guy ain't got nothing on Tolkien or Lewis. But,you have yer opinion and I have mine.
Have your read any of Pullmans books?
Just enjoy the stories he creates!
HIS DARK MATERIALS IS THE BEST!
Not Really THE BEST, but still good.
Tolkien was the one who got Lewis into being a Christian!! Tolkien was a Christian himself!! Don't believe me?! Read his books!!
"I was being rash,unkind,and hateful. I'm sorry."
Wow. I've been taken aback. I guess I misjudged you. I guess we all sometimes get caught up with our emotions and beliefs. To that end I accept you apology and I apologise in turn for calling what I did as well.
Talking polar bear? SWEET!
The last book was pretty preachy.
"Supposedly God?!" He IS GOD!!! Jesus said "When you've seen me,you've seen the Father." And yes,He DID die. And then came back to life on the third day.
Let it go, you’re in anti-religious territory. I’m warning you as a fellow Christian.
i love theses books
yea i bet i will.
...oh by the way...how did you know this bit of information? did you see it in your crystal ball?
If you are so insecure in your faith that you think reading a book will turn you into an athiest, you are either extremely gullible or aren't very faithful in the first place.
@Pandaren123 The Film actually according to what I read cost approx. $180 million and it grossed approximately $70 million in U.S. by time it was relased world wide it grossed approximately $372 million dollars and that's not counting TV broadcasters, DVD and Blue Ray releases however the rights to the film according to what I read were sold so most of the profit did not go to New Line Studio that produced it.
@Pandaren123 - I am sorry to hear that it has not done so well. I have read two of the trilogy and have found The Golden Compass and the other book to be quite entertaining - not at all "anti-religion" or "anti-christianity".
responce to oprachik we all ready have a golden compass that points to the truth its called the bible. and the truth shall set you free, no one who listens to the truth will become an A-theist which just means with out God lets face it most people are in fact A-theist.
Perhaps someone can tell me how the book championing good qualities when Lord Azriel, one of the heroes of the story, severs Roger, his daughter's best friend, from his deamon and leaves him to die in the artic.
gastronomist So everyone's simply good or bad? Good people are only ever good and can't do bad things and visa versa?
Yup.
I love the trilogy...does it make one think? Yes, curiosity...yes...I loved the books and the movie. I watch the movie at least once a year if not more. I was so waiting for the follow-up...heard the Vatican put a stop to that...
susanne chakan the Vatican ‘put a stop to it’...??? 😂 Hollywood puts out loads of anti-Christ evil filth and degeneracy all the time. The Vatican doesn’t stop anything. Hollywood just decides what it shows or produces. I’m sure the Vatican would stop every film out there that produced degeneracy and evil if it could, before stopping a kids film !
@@steffyweffy777 more filthy degeneracy is generated by the systematic paedophilia of your church in one year than Hollywood could produce in a century
@@steffyweffy777They still try, maybe are too selective and it makes them look bad, though.
Interesting interview. Pullman is so nuanced here, he is impressive. It is better to take a subtle approach to themes nd aim for making a good solid story first. The Golden Compass book does do the right thing for a more subtle theme. Instead of saying something is bad right away, it is better to show how it makes characters suffer. Then the audience can come to their own conclusions. The series actually starts out this way. Kids start disappearing. Thier families suffer because they are worried sick. Then Lyra goes on a big quest to save them. This is a major part of the Golden Compass. Later Lyra finds out what happened to the kids, and it is scary as all heck. It scared me more as an adult than as a kid. It shocks me that the Church of the story takes away the animals from the children. There is the suffering of a dying miserable boy who misses his Ratter. Lyra herself suffers when the Church almost takes away her Pan. She was terrified. Yes, crap got real. The story sets up animals as close spiritual companions to people. They get so much buildup. So cutting them away is messed up.. I am a major animal lover myself,, and that really unsettled me. From the parts of animal separation, the story gets more direct with the themes. It is easier to go along with that, since we know how cruel the Church can be. There is a reason why Lyra tries her best to stay away from Mrs. Coulter for much of the series. That lady is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
One great part in the second book is about the witches. Witches in the series are set up to be allies for Lyra, and they are really helpful. At one point, a which proposes to fight against the Church. One reason she gave is because Churches in some worlds kill witches and burn them alive. It is just a little bit of dialogue in a whole novel. Yet this bit really struck a cord for me. I am not a Christian, because there are some things about the religion that turn me off. My pet peeve is the witch hunts and the inquisition. It is hard to go along which a religion who has committed such heinous atrocities for the sake of religion. It is messed up. If there was ever a thing to put in this series to win me over, it is addressing the witch trials in some way. Heck Mrs. Coulter tortures two witches to get information. The first one dies, and the second is fed by a specter.. That is a clear reference to what happened in real life. That has witch sufferering that further shows the Church is in The wrong.
I didn't think of His Dark Materials as being atheist. I am not sure where that came from. Did I miss something? I am rereading the series. I just started reading book three. So maybe I missed something in book 3. The theme to me seems more like anti Christian. If I were to be generous, I would say anti Abrahamic religion. Going against that, doesn't have to be automatically atheist. There are other options. One can have Dharmic religion, like Hinduism or Buddism. One can have a Chinese religion, like Taoism or Confucianism. Personally, I am Pagan. I find enough in this series I can relate to. The good guys have animal companions, witches, magical items, a shaman and a polar bear. Pagans are really into animal companions, like totems and familiar. So the taking of animals is more of a shock to me. The theme can resonate me as well. Pagans are arguably the biggest real world enemy of the Chruch back during the Inquisition. So a story that goes against the Church especially the humanity crimes is one that I can agree with. Any other non-Christian that has felt the pressure to convert could resonate with this theme. It doesn't have to be strictly athiests.
knife-edged skills...
he is avoiding the controversy...
and still he is accurate about what he is doing...
do people just think he is a storyteller
just wanting people to turn over the pages of his books...?
why is he choosing to tell these stories?
is he absolving himself of his position in the world...?
is he just selling more fantasy, just like hollywood spills out..?
or is there more depth to his stuff...?
more gravitas to his motives...?
Is there any contradiction?
The book was excellant but the film horrifially mauled it. Though I am curious about how the sequals will get around the gay angels and killing God.
His message was one of freedom from a higher power. He considers a god cold hearted and tyrannical and he wants kids to know it.
When I read these books as a kid I never thought "anti-religion". God exists in the books! No one in the book is an atheist, nor should they be!
But it does shed light on how things would be if God were a real part of the world. If you're part of reality you get treated like a real being. Meaning not everyone is going to unquestioningly kiss your ass just because you made the universe(s).
GuacamoleKun god is real
You know what,kubush? All this started just because I left a comment of MY opinion of this. I have every right to have an opinion about something just as you do. Just because you don't like my opinion doesn't mean you can try and correct me on it.
I'm a Christian, I plan on seeing the movie with my Christian boyfriend. We don't have any kids so it will just be the two of us to discuss the film afterwards and decide if we want the books or not. xD
He sacrificed Himself for our sins. And let me ask you something. Have YOU ever gotten whipped on the back? Beaten? People calling you names? Mocking you? Have you ever carried a heavy cross on your shoulders? He sacrificed Himself so that we may have Life.
How am I a hypocrite by saying there is no god?
Hmmm but now that I think about it, I guess believing in God isn't really "religion". Or is it? I kind of thought it was. I guess the book is sort of anti-organized-religion, isn't it? But that's just because those guys were jerks. There could have been some nice ones and nobody would have hated them. Buuuut there weren't.
this man is no J.R.R.Tolkien nor a C.S.Lewis.
I don't like him.
"And don't be calling me "darling""
Seeing as you have been name calling me since the getgo, I shall offer you the same kindness you extended to me....bitch.
Too bad I had to stoop to your level to communicate with you. Sad.
How do you know its true?
I didnt say I dont like Lewis.
hear hear!
philip pulman is...... ALIVE!?
omg YAY!!!
Simple. If you say birds cannot fly,and you look up and there are two flapping above your head,that means birds CAN fly! If you say that there in no God,and you look at the birds flying,you're saying that the God who created those birds to fly doesn't exist. Thus,makes you a hypocrite.
Loved the movie and I'm about to watch it again today. Another story I happen to love is Bram Stokers "Dracula". Lots of vampire movies, but, I wonder if people have actually read this book. It is great and visual. You can certainly feel like you're in this story in with all your senses. The hypocrite Christians of his time probably were having panic attacks lol.
True words
Oh,you weren't talking about me? Ooops sorry about that,dude. I did'nt mean to say that I am so sorry!! I thought you were talking to me. My bad.
wel im a young christian not gunna read book or see movie but i think we should just ignore and let god sort it out
He definitly ownes Lewis.
Thank you. And apology accepted as well.
We can be friends if you want,but if you don't want to I understand.
I am NOT an athesist, but I think that all you close minded people should actually stop preching to us and read the damn books before you actually judge the books, and call all of us who enjoy them athesists. Seriously if you would read the books, you would know that SPOILER ALERT..that in the Amber spyglass, both Will and Lyra actually try to save the authority. So iam sick of all you people saying that the books are about something that they are not.
I'm still trying to figure out exactly what it is you're trying to say about my statement with regards to it being "something I have no idea about".
and for the record, i'm not an atheist, just very frustrated with what has become of the christian faith i've grown up with. You've sort of gone back to your old ways of yelling "witch" at anyone who doesn't completely correspond with your beliefs.
PHILLIP PULLMAN YOU ARE AZRIEL , AND I THANK YOU FOR THE COURAGE , IMAGINATION EXPRESSION THERE OF AND BLESSED TO HAVE READ 4 NOW OF YOUR BEUTIFUL BOOKS THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU ARE A EMBODIMENT OF DUST AND ITS WILLS THERE OF AS SUCH ITS WILL AND YOURS ARE NOT SEPERATE THERE IS NO CHOICE ONLY VISION ONLY FREEDOM AND TRUTH THE FIRST ESSENCES OF EMBRACEFUL LOVE (DUST) AND THERE IS NO BETTER TIME THAN THE PRESENT TO REVEAL THEM THERE IS NO COMFORTABLE WAITING OR LOFTY STEAD TO PERCH FOR TRUTH IT IS THE OCEAN WE SWIM THOUGH MANY DENY DROWN IN PANIC ANXIOUNESS AND OTHER MENTAL STUMBLES , NEVER HIDE YOUR TRUTH YOU NOT TO PLEASE YOUR EGO BUT TO REDEEM THE HEART OF CRITICS VENOM YOU ARE A HERO OF THE YOUTH OF TOMMORO WI ALREADY FORSEEN MUCH OF THIS AND KNEW IT WELL , BUT LACK COMMUNICATION FINESE WISDOM TO APPLY WHAT WE KNOW IN HEART IN SO MUCH REJECTION OF THE POSSIBLE A CANDLE WICK SUCH AS YOURS WILL LIGHT MANY ANOTHER CANDLE BEFORE YOUR FIRE DIMS. LOVE AND BLESSING TO YOU PHILLIP PULLMAN THANK YOU , I NOW PROMOTE YOUR BOOKS WHEREVER I GO YOU KNOW MORE THAN KNOW AND PORTRAY ELIQUENTLY VAST WISDOM THIS I **KNOW** THE SAME AS YOU IN THE FREE HEART OPEN TO DUST IT SEES CLEARLY LIKER THE ELECTRIC PULSES RETNAS FIRE TWICE AS VIVID IN UNDERSTANDING OBSERVATION AND PROCESSING IT , I KNOW THE VASTNESS OF THE SYMPHONY THE DANCE IN WHICH TELL SO IMAGNITIVLEY AND RELATABLE IT INCREDIBLE AT SAME SO APPLYABLE TO REALISTICNESS IT STRECHS THE AWARNESS LIKE A MUSCLE AND EXERCISES THE CONCIOUNESS TO EXPAND WITH RENEWED FUEL REMEMBERENE OF THINGS AS CHILDREN ARE DENIED ........THE CHILDREN SUCH AS THESE SHALE KNOW AND HOLD THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ....FOR YOU BIBLICALS MISS THAT LOOK UP JESUS AND CHILDREN I BELIVE ITS IN JOHN ...AND THEN GO LEARN BIT ABOUT INDIGO VIBRATION , TRUTH VIBRATION ....NATURE JAH , LOVE BEEN CALLING IT MISSES ITS CHILDREN THAT HAVE LOST THERE WAY CUT FROM NATURE CUT FROM SOUL WITH FEAR OF DEMONS AND HERITICS......YOU WILL WRITE EVEN GREATER NOVELS ON THOSE POINTS AND DO EVEN GREATER THINGS TO COME PHILLIP PULLMAN AND THIS I AWAIT WITH ANTICIPATION AND GRACE. OUR WORLD IS BLESSED WITH YOUR PRESENCE AS IT IS WITH ALL LIVING BEINGS WHOM STOP FROM FLOWING DOWN INTO THE ABYSS AS WILLESS SHEEP AND HOLDFIRM NOT TO RIGID BELIEF BUT TO UNCHANGING IMPERMANENCE LOVE EVERGROWING CURIOUS EVERMORE AS THE DANCE GROWS DEEPER ENTRANCED AND VIVD IN THE MINDS EYE YOU ALL ARE EQUAL TO AS BEING FOR OF TO LOVE GODS KINGS QUEENS ACT AS YOU ARE AND KNOW THYSELF LOVE THYSELF , LOVE IS ALL ALL ELSE IS ILLUSION , LOVE IN ALL OR CANT SEE LOVE AT ALL AND CLAIM GOD IS LOVE SEES FEAR IN ALL IT IS FEAR YOU WORSHIP AND FEAR YOU FEED IGNOURENCE MANIFESTS AND FRUITS OF BURST HATE ANGER ENVY LOST FROM WISDOM OF KNOWING , YOU ARE NOT ALONE BUT IT IS YOU WHOM ALWAYS HAS YOUR BACK THE WIND NEVER DISCONECTS FROM YOU THE AIR THE WATER ALL OF IT AROUND YOU NOTHING IS SEPERATE I BREATH OUT AND YOU BREATH IN PARTICLES WE ARE AND PARTICLES BETWEEN RESONATING ENERGY INTERLACED UNSEEN YOU ARE NOT BEING WATCHED BUT YOU WATCH OUT FOR YOURSELF AS LIKE YOUR DEATH AWAITS AROUND THE CORNER KNOW AND BE PREPARED NOT FEAR IT NOR ASK FOR IT LISTEN TO IT....EACH ONEANOTHERS KEEPER AS WE ARE OUR OWN INDEPENDENCE , SPIRITUALITY CULTURE LANGUAGE EACH BEING HIS OWN NATION A LIBARY OF KNOWLEGE IN THE MIND , A GOVERNING SOURCE HEART LOVE , THE ONLY LAW WHICH ARE GUIDES TO OVERSTAND WISDOMS OF THE CONSTANTS .....THIS IS MUCH MORE BUT KNOW IT IS NOT A PEEPING FATHER OR A LEECHING MOTHER ......YOU ALL ARE GODS AND MORE SO THAN AND THAT IS WHAT IS FEARED YOU ARE INFINITE LOVE INEXAUSTABLE MORE BECOME OWN BEING LESS IGNOURENCE HOLD SWAY LESS MANIPULATION ...LESS FATE MORE WILL TO DESTINY RANDOM FATE IF YOU WILL .....TAKE FREEDOM BACK OUT OF CONTROL LOVE IS TO BE CONTROLED BY NONE. IT IS TO BE EXPRESSED BOUNDLESSLY WITH ALL THE FIRE OF YOUR BEING
You have your opinion and I have mine. But its obvious that anyone that has an opinion that differs from yours, you just tell them to "shut up".
Look,kubush. It seems we'll never see eye to eye on this. And this could go on forever. But I choose to put it to an end now. So,I'm sorry I called you names and I'm sorry for not respecting your opinion as a person. I was being rash,unkind,and hateful. I'm sorry.
haha wow. i'd love to see where you got that.
which of the 66 books are you refairing to ? i left the pre fix A as it stands for the english word without theio being the word for god A-theist without god and I dont have a religion i am A-relegious but not A-theist their far too fundamentail for me!
nice.
He sacrificed Himself by dieing for us!! How is that a myth?! He's the Son of God!!!
I do know the difference between right and wrong. I know that trying to push any religion on others is wrong. I'm not doing that here. I am giving an opinion. I hope you can find some sort of confidence in yourself so that you don't feel it necessary to be as abrasive as you seem. I will pray for you.
Thats not true at all. Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia is a type of shadow or form of Jesus. When Aslan sacrificed himself on the stone table that was based off of the Crucifiction of Jesus. So C.S Lewis was never out to disaprove christianity.
I remember when I was in my early 20's ... as I began to awake to really being an atheist, it was scary. For several years before that, I had though of myself as an "agnostic", partly because it was safer. To come out and just say "I'm an atheist" felt nakedly aggressive. It felt 'way out there', it felt almost mean.
It is no surprise how people react, and that they do not see the irony of one kind of indoctrination trying to prevent another ...
maybe if they read both they could develop their own opinion? rather than the one you feel they should have. an agenda is an agenda be it atheist or religious.
I didnt say u that u told me to shut up...look at a few posts back...you told klickenpod to 'shut up' because he agreed with me.
Still waiting for an answer as to why in a godless universe Pullman thinks we OUGHT to value anything at all
why couldn't you value something unless there was a god
@@mur2932 Hi! I'll answer your question if you answer mine :)
This was one of my favorite movies in my childhood, and so was Narnia, and I knew nothing about religion at the time. I became an atheist through logic and reason, no kid would have known if u didn't tell them
Are you sure you didn't become an atheist through atheist propaganda? I did, not anymore.
@@JesusProtects bruh wtf, no such thing
Animals arent defined by their ability to drive a car or living in the wild. Or talking.
Look up the definition of "animal". We are part of the animal kingdom. We ARE animals.
Nothing but a godless shell of man, and he insults my catholic faith, i don't know that he knows anything about how good God is, and how merciful he can be.
You're right. And I'm sorry.
*sigh* Yeah,you're right,windexkleenex.
And I apologize.
you know there's know objective evidence of jesus? if of course you have blind faith
Björn Alvinge you need to read some history books then if you think someone who ‘never existed’ would influence society for 2000. That would be an immense achievement for someone who ‘didn’t exist’.
Grow up. 😝
🤔
nope.
So he didnt sacrifice ANYTHING. He just had to take some pain and ridicule for a few hours. People have gone through worse.
and neither has it been proven correct.
No,and I don't want to.
thats not cool.
That doesnt make me a hypocrite. That makes you ignorant using a non sequiter argument.
Birds evolved to fly. They werent created.
doesn't is say somewhere in the bible that man has error, man has sin? not in those exact words but something of that sort?
and if the bible says this then how can you read a book written by MAN and believe it. i have my own beliefs, no I'm not atheist but the bible is a load....
I am using the Christian definition of "God". And the Christian God is all-powerful and eternal; therefore there is never an instance that he dies or does not exist. I dont see how you come to conclude that, by stating the obvious, I am a knowitall.
If you never read any of his books how can you honestly critisize his abilities as an author? I think your just being bigot because he's an atheist.
Are you so weak minded that everyone around you has to think the way you do, otherwise you'll all of a sudden change your belief system? Give me a break. The strongest Ideas are the ones that can withstand challenging ideas. If you're secure in your religion that his books wouldn't bother you,nor would his statement about trying to undermine Christianity.
Funny how there's never controversy over selling chrisitanity to kids (cough *Narnia* cough)
windex, evolution is a scientific fact. The theory of evolution is simply a model of HOW evolution works. The fact that you dont understand that makes you ignorant. And I am not saying that as an insult. You simply dont know.
Just like evey other author is trying to get into the minds of kids and tell them that there is a god. Of course you dont have a problem with them. Hypocrite.
Yep he is a story teller thats all....
What exactly did he sacrifice? And sorry to break it to you but yeah, he is a myth.
Dark Materials s the best!
"talking to someone who believes that mankind evovled from an animal!"
U do know that human beings are animals right?
Once again. You think you are the only one entitled to an opinion.
Feel see and enjoy a story that so happens to depict god as an evil angel? Uses "daemons" as an allegory to blaspheme the bible and draw parallels to "biblical misinterpretations"?