HJWeasley,

First off, thank you for stating your opinion so politely. It’s very nice of you to warn parents ahead of time about the content their children are looking at. While I love the His Dark Materials books almost equally to Harry Potter (almost), I understand that some people find their content offensive or against their religous views. However, it is my opinion (and maybe it is biased, since I’m only thirteen myself) that children should be able to read what they want. It is, of course, a parent’s complete right to stop their kids reading something they deem inappropriate. But I think kids – and teens, for that matter – should be able to look at whatever book they want, whether is opposes their religous views or not. If the parents have given permission, which I would hope is given freely and openly with the knowledge that kids learn from other opinions as well as the parents, by all means encourage the reading. I know I have gained so much by being allowed to read things that are against my own beliefs, when they are age appropriate.

But again, thanks for giving such a repectful view of it!

HJ Weasley- I respect your opinion…but I definitely think you took Phillip Pullman’s quote out of context. I believe he was referring to killing God sarcastically after religious fundamentalists claimed that’s what he set out to do. If you’ve read the books, you’ll realize they’re actually kind of spiritual, and their only complaint is with ORGANIZED religion. Pullman himself says he’s more agnostic than anything. I’m a firm believer in God, and I still think His Dark Materials is the most beautifully written, human fantasy I’ve ever read (in addition to HP of course). However, I do agree that the second two books are for a more adult audience – but that doesn’t mean children can’t read them. I think they’re actually quite enlightening.

HJWeasley: I agree, 100% with Grace Weasley. It was very respectful of you to “warn” others of this movie….It’s a MOVIE, kids! It is fantasy. As is the book, I believe. Let us not forget that this site is for discussing Harry Potter and events surrounding this series. How interesting it is that this almost parallels the “discussions” reguarding JK Rowling and her beliefs (or lack thereof, according to some) PLEASE, let us not go there, ok?(jumping off my soapbox, apologies to TLC) Back “on topic”........Katie and Evanna looked beautiful! Premiers are so interesting, don’t you think? *)

BTW: My mom always told me “there are two things you don’t discuss at a party: Politics and Religion.” Evanna gets prettier, all the time, doesn’t she?!

I too love his Dark Materials, Narnia stories and most of all Harry Potter (of course!). Pullman is a full throttling aethist but that doesnt bother me. I personally dislike his public speaking attacks on CS Lewis and Tolkien (not sure if he attacked Rowling books too but I wouldnt be surprised) but it doesnt distract me from enjoying his epic trilogy which is brilliantly written. We are so much more better off with stories coming from different beliefs and perspectives. Children can make up their own mind what to believe as Layla above eloquently demonstrates. I think it would actually be very healthy to have your children watch/read these different films/books and then discuss with them their thoughts on the religious aspects of each film and weigh in your thoughts for them to consider.

HJWeasley, I completely agree. While I’m not going to discuss my deep personal feelings about His Dark Materials, I won’t read it in it’s entirety. I’ve skimmed through the book and read parts. I know what it’s about but what puts me off was the whole “kill God” part. And there was definitely much darker stuff than Harry Potter It’s just good to be cautious sometimes. Especially those with beliefs like mine… and also as humans, we all have our limits on what offends us the most. (At least what I believe).

Anyways, Evanna looks so cute and happy! Katie looks quite lovely.

You go, Layla finger snap Yeah, I definitely support your point of view.

I think it’s good to be exposed to new things, different things. People must learn that these are just books and it is possible (if you have different beliefs) to detach yourself but still enjoy a good story. You don’t have to believe everything you read. I think as long as children know that then they’re good, but I don’t like censorship because what it breeds; it just makes you even more curious. That curiosity might actually make you sneak around your parents and disobey their wishes instead of having an open relationship. But then again, I’m not gonna go to your house and say you must let your child read this book. If you find it that offensive then don’t mess with it. Heck, some people won’t read Huck Finn just because of a word. If they got past that word they’d see the story for what it really was; it’s like how some people can’t get past the witchcraft in Harry Potter so they miss out on this AMAZING story. :)

Anyway, I still think everyone should really give it a try.

See, when I used to wear clothes like Evanna’s, people tried to make fun…but noooow it’s cool to be original and distinguish oneself from all the trend copycats, haha. Better late justice than never ;) I am really digging those silver sequin Converse shoes! I love Katie’s bag as well. They both look so fashionable, yet so comfortably dressed!

No matter what a person believes they can still write a good book. Notice I say ‘a’ good book because The Golden Compass/Northern Lights is the only good one! People only like The Amber Spyglass because of the ending that made them cry. Well, it might have made me cry if I’d actually cared about what just happened in the last 400 pages or so! OK OK so maybe it DID make me cry a little, just a little bit…, but only because Lyra and Will are good characters. Regardless of the last two books, The Golden Compass is an out-and-out CLASSIC.

For anyone interested, Pullman (amidst much babbling) kind of promotes that worshipping one God is a bad idea that only leads to fear and conflict between people with different beliefs. In the books Lord Asriel (played by Daniel Craig in The Golden Compass) sort of sets out to show that Dust, which is like the Force midichlorians in Star Wars, is the source of all creation and life. Orgainized religion are the bad guys, which is the main reason the Church would have issues with the books.

Performingmonkey, you weren’t interested in Dr. Malone’s story? I thought the descriptions of the mulefa and their world were the best part of The Amber Spyglass; the fact that the ending was obviously supposed to make the reader sob merely annoyed me.

May I also add that to be perfectly honest, HP is the only fantasy book I will ever really read and enjoy so far. I mean, I’ve tried to read other books, but they never sparked my interest.

I LOVED that they were there. I mean as much as I don’t like Katie, I did love that she was there with Evanna. :D

Dakota Blue looked the best, so cute, and Eva Green looked amazing. I CAN’T wait to see the movie! :D

I haven’t finished the series, I have about 40 pages left in the Golden Compass, I can see why the Catholic Church might have a problem with the books, but it is set in a different world, because it is obviously fantasy it doesn’t go by the same rules. I agree that it is against organised religion. But you also get out of any book a lot of what you bring to it. It is a good idea for parents to know what their kids are reading, but what the author says outside of the books doesn’t have to affect how you read them, again…I still don’t see Dumbledore as gay…I just don’t see it…back to “His Dark Materials”....It is more difficult read and a lot more emotional and graphic, you have to know your child to know what age your child could handle the read. Maybe I enjoy it because I love science, its an entertaining read and after the first few pages you have curiosity and emotions invested in your main character, I would say it gives me WEF (weird emotional feelings). I don’t think reading this book or going to see the movie is going to make me or anyone else less of a Christian. As far as your children go, just be prepared to answer any questions they have (hopefully if you are letting them read the series they have a firm grasp of what is reality and what is make believe) and be ready with a hug and box of tissues. I hope I made sense.

by different world I mean I know its earth, but its more a parrell universe, and not any we live in because of obvious sci-fi/fantasy elements

HJWeasley: An atheist parent might as easily make the same comments against the Chronicles of Narnia, which is every bit as anti-atheism as His Dark Materials is anti-religion.