Evanna and Katie look so cute! I wish Emma had been there though. I think I read somewhere that she liked the books. And in response to what someone mentioned earlier…Phillip Pullman has never, ever criticized JK Rowling. He actually said he’s read one of the books and found it well-written and funny. He and JKR have mutual respect and admiration for each other; I’ve read this in a couple of interviews. And some of you criticizing Pullman need to READ the books. Simply “skimming” them is not enough to arrive at a conclusion. You need to discover the themes in a broader context. If you still have complaints after reading, then criticize them as much as you want. It’s like people assuming Harry Potter promotes the occult without reading the books and realizing that they’re about friendship and love and self-discovery. Pullman’s books are essentially about the same themes…as well as the struggle to live a decent life on here on Earth rather than using organized religion as an excuse for your actions.

I need to re-post farseer0514’s comment, ‘cause it’s the only one that fully addressed the misconceptions in HJ Weasley’s assumptions.

“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.”

I love the HDM trilogy, I DON’T CARE that it’s seen as anti-religion or atheist. Authors should be entitled to write from whatever religious or non-religious perspective they want – it’s called living in a FREE SOCIETY.

The opinions of those who haven’t even read these books in their entirety do not hold sway with me anyway. But I don’t like suggestions that if something gives a different opinion from the ‘Christian norm’ then it should be warned against. In case people hadn’t noticed, not everyone is Christian, and not everyone is religious.

Katie and Evanna look lovely and I hope they enjoyed themselves. Can’t wait to see this film next week.

HDM, has some pretty intriguing points of view and its puts into contrast the bold reality that a lot of the Christian beliefs right now has veered off from the core concepts. Heck I’m a devout catholic and some of the “teachings” of catholics and christians in general are pretty annoying if not disgusting (like their treatment of homosexuality as some sort of sickness or sin). I blame it on the fact that priests and those in the church hierarchy are human and not infalliable like some weird catholics believe and I leave it to my gut feeling and my life experiences to accept which teachings I will follow. I believe God is in my heart and my heart will not lead me astray. I’d rather follow my heart than some priest or bishop who has his own agenda.

Of course HDM is heavily anti-Christian (although the film makers said they’re diluting that and making it more general rather than specifically targeting Christians) and any parent who wants their kids to read it should guide them through it.

Aw, it’s so cute how Katie’s always hanging out with the female cast members – she seems a real girl’s girl. One of the reasons why she’s my favourite Potter actress.

Hi everybody, I was looking at this comments page to enjoy a bit of gossip and what do I find? A discussion about Christianity…God and anti-religion…. ok we got to STOP this, this is just getting more and more ridiculous. I’m 24, italian and I come from Rome (and that’s where the POPE leaves) and I have been growing up believing that every Sunday I had to go to Church and that I had to thank God before every meal. Now, I don’t believe in God anymore… at least not in that God I grew up with, or Mary or the milions of Saints the Church canonizes every year. But I believe that there are so many people of all different cultures and religions who never complain because of the “anti-religiosity” of a book. Every time we read (or watch) something, we have to open this big discussion about “do you think it means that he wants to kill God?” or “someone can’t die and relive because only God or Jesus can do that?”. Let’s just enjoy what these amazing writers share with us without complaining everytime!!! Christians or not!!!

And one more thing, Do you parents think that after watching thins movie kids will organize some kind of mission to go and kill God????? Let them live and make their own choices…

It’s a shame Bonnie couldn’t attend the premiere =( She’s a great fan of Nicole Kidman!! She would have loved it!!

hmmmmm….... I don’t ever 1 saying the golden compass is against christian religion or something…I have not read the books but i will watch the movie! I was wondering is it against islam too! Coz i am muslim….and we believe in god ofcouse! Islam and christians are not very different if u ask me…apart from a few things that we think differntly!!! I love my religion and am sincere in it!! Anyway, this is off the topic….i wish emma attended the premiere but shes busy with school….and evanna looks cool!

I loved the books, I hope the films live up to them. the clips I have seen so far looks brilliant. His Dark materials are fantasy and total escapism, great books.

Yah! What FraA said. Can we please move on? I think that the HP cast almost always look good, at events.Especially the ladies. Premiers, Media Parties, Openings…..I’d love to see Alan Rickman or David Thewlis in a Tuxedo. Already seen Dan.

I think this book is as good for children as is Narnia and Harry Potter. Just because it “kills God” does not mean it’s bad. Just because Narnia supports “God” does not mean it’s good either. There are many viewpoints, and I believe children should have the right to choose religions, rather than be forced into them by parents.

Reading posts so eloquently written by eleven and thirteen year olds makes me have hope for today’s youth. Don’t take me wrong, I’m just so used to seeing young posters completely massacre their language online it’s a breath of fresh air to see the complete opposite. That’s what reading does for you and it shows.

I’ve never read His Dark Materials and now you’ve all piqued up my curiosity.

I think the warning is valid. I have read HDM and enjoyed the books until the end. The books are rather insidious. Readers are naturally on Lyra’s side and want her to prevail. It is only in the third book that you discover the evil forces represent organized religion and Lyra must kill God. Narnia is not as overtly religious. I mean, HP ends up with religious tones also but none as blunt and obvious as HDM. I have no problem with writing an atheistic book. My problem is that the symbolism is very hidden until the end.

@ Mars, a discussion for a different forum but…you worship at the Church of Mars? As someone once gently asked me “Are you smarter than the wisdom of thousands of years of scholarship? Have you really devoted your life to studying the Bible and all associated texts? If so, go with your gut. If not, you are creating your own religion.”

Reading some comments has brought up another issue that bothers me. Parenting. Each parent has a right to raises their child(ren) differently. And to say that, “oh they’re not good parents by not letting the kids read specific books,” is just wrong and it has to stop. Honestly, parents have boundaries to what their kids can do. I’m not saying sheltering kids is good but you can’t let them do everything.