This Christmas, Hollywood Wants You To Give Your Kids The Golden Compass Gift Of Demonic Possession
Pastor Dale Morgan
*This Christmas, Hollywood Wants You To Give Your Kids The Golden
Compass Gift Of Demonic Possession*
The Mystical Science of the Golden Compass
By Berit Kjos
December 12, 2007
"The Magisterium [the Church] wants to control every world…"[1] The
Golden Compass Press Screening Transcript
"The North is full of witches and armored bears. And a twisted church
and its allies have gotten into the business of separating children from
their soul-mate daemons, for reasons fraught with deeper metaphysics
than Hollywood can typically digest.... Mr. Pullman... has publicly
declared that his own books were intended to undermine Christian
belief."[2] Fate of the Cosmos (and of a Studio) Hangs in the Balance
"...you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination... and
you shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 13:23
The movie, "The Golden Compass," heralds a mysterious “compass,” but
this is no ordinary navigational guide. Instead, it's a divination
device -- an alethiometer -- energized by tiny, conscious "Dust"
particles. Though usually invisible, these Dust particles can be sensed
by the story's more psychically attuned characters. So when 12-year-old
heroine Lyra seeks guidance through her treasured "truth measure," she
invokes swirling masses of shimmering Dust that communicate the "true"
answers needed for the battles ahead.
Naturally, those answers affirm the occult worldview that author Philip
Pullman promotes. And unlike most of the mystical thrills that children
learn to crave these days, this complex tale incorporates an enticing
form of pseudo-science that has already been introduced in public
schools around the world.[3]
But why worry? Everyone knows it's just fantasy, don't they?
It doesn't matter. While they may know the difference between fact and
fantasy, they are likely to respond to the message with feelings rather
than intellect. Most viewers simply let their minds flow with the story.
Bypassing any discernment, the movie then plants unforgettable images
and suggestion in their hearts and minds.
The results are devastating to Christian faith. Captivating glimpses of
divination, magic, wise witches, and cute talking daemons (pronounced
demons) make the occult world seem increasingly familiar and normal --
even acceptable and good. But God warns us:
"...do not be conformed to this world.... Abhor what is evil. Cling to
what is good." Rom. 12:2, 9
Classroom Curriculum reinforces Movie
It's hard for children not to conform these days! The new Golden Compass
Curriculum helps break down any resistance. Using the dialectic process
to encourage conformity, it's designed to build group consensus and
imbed the story's occult themes into "open" minds. Ponder these
discussion topics:
* "What sort of dæmons might your friends, relatives, classmates, or
coworkers have? Describe your own dæmon."
* "The world of The Golden Compass is ruled by the Church.... What power
do you think the Church holds over its people?"
* "Is the author using this fantasy to explore the notion of psychic or
moral death?"
* "Curiously absent from The Golden Compass are four words that are
prevalent in most fantasy adventures: right, wrong, good, and evil. Can
these terms be applied to this story? How and why, or why not?"[4]
Notice how its Teacher's Guide distorts Biblical truth and invites
collective opposition to God's ways:
"NOTE TO TEACHERS. ... Themes of good vs. evil, betrayal, courage, fear,
trust, and love raise important questions, offering students a wonderful
opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue. This guide offers
questions for discussion and includes activities that connect the
language arts, social studies, science....
"Ask students to use the Bible, a storybook, or an encyclopedia to read
about the Garden of Eden and the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2, 3).
Have students discuss original sin, why God forbade Adam and Eve to eat
from the Tree of Knowledge, and how Adam and Eve’s lives changed once
they gained knowledge...."
"Art–Masks have been used through the ages to represent animals,
monsters, supernatural spirits, dream creatures, etc. Ask students to
think about which animal would most likely be their dæmon and create a
mask to represent that animal. Allow students time to share their masks
and to explain why they chose that particular animal as their dæmon.....
"How is Lyra’s storytelling different from Mrs. Coulter’s lying?"[5]
This mental exercise makes lying either good or bad, depending on the
circumstance. In light of the movie's context, Mrs. Coulter lies to
accomplish her evil purposes, while Lyra lies to entertain, deceive, or
accomplish her "good" purposes. Any facilitated classroom dialogue would
have to replace the Biblical standard for amoral, subjective opinion.
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for
light, and light for darkness..." Isaiah 5:21
Lyra's metaphysical world
From the movie's occult perspective, the self-willed Lyra fights on the
"good" side -- against the evil "Church" and Biblical authority. That
authority fades by the end of the trilogy, for its dying "God" has lost
his power. The actual regent of this "Church" -- a loveless Gnostic
archangel -- is also destined for destruction. In the end, humanity is
left with an evolutionary belief system that puts self-willed man in the
place of God.
In this pagan/humanistic context, there is plenty of room for the
psychic and demonic forces behind animism, witchcraft, and other forms
of Eastern and Western occultism. Forget history's testimony of the
cruel existence of terrifying superstitions in pagan cultures around the
world. Such politically incorrect information is rarely mentioned in
today's social study classes. The illusion of peace and the quest for
multicultural oneness is fast replacing any attempt at historical accuracy.
All this is driving the world deeper into ignorance, myth and
pseudo-science where the notion of multiple universes and conscious
evolution is no longer confined to popular fantasy. As Pullman told an
interviewer:
"There are quite solid theoretical foundations to the idea of parallel
worlds that would allow a multiplicity of universes differing in some
slight degree: something falls down heads instead of tails. The guru of
this idea, David Deutsch, argues that the existence of parallel
universes explains certain puzzling phenomena, such as the wave/particle
effect..."[6]
A quantum physicist at Oxford, Professor Deutsch is indeed exploring the
possibility of parallel universes and "conscious evolution." In fact,
some of his writings sound a lot like those of Dr. Willis Harman, who --
like global education leaders at UNESCO -- was inspired by Pierre
Teilhard deChardin [See Al Gore's Vision of Global Salvation].
In his 1988 book Global Mind Change, Harman introduces three steps that
have helped pave the way to this "creative" way of thinking. Notice that
the third stage totally rejects the fact-based "scientific method"
required by last century's true scientists:
"We who have been educated in modern society naturally assume that our
scientific view of reality is essentially correct and other
'pre-scientific' or “primitive” views are wrong. But we have to consider
the possibility that some of those other views ... are not so much wrong
as complementary....
"...let us think in terms of three basically different kinds of implicit
metaphysic."
• "M-1.[The standard scientific method] In the first of these, the basic
stuff of the universe is matter-energy. We learn about reality from
studying the measurable world."
• "M-2. [The transition stage] An alternate metaphysic is dualistic.
There are two fundamentally different kinds of basic stuff in the
universe: matter-energy stuff and mind-spirit stuff.... Thus there
develop, in essence, two complementary kinds of knowledge; presumably
there are areas of overlap (such as the field of psychic phenomena)."
• "M-3.[The final stage: trades factual certainty for fantasy and
intuition] Mind or consciousness is primary, and matter-energy arises in
some sense out of mind.... Ultimately the reality behind the phenomenal
world is contacted, not through the physical senses, but through the
deep intuition."[7]
Harman admits that the third stage "seems quite foreign to the Western
mind, or certainly would have a generation ago." But then he reminds us
that our Western culture has changed:
"It is not nearly so alien as it was even a quarter of a century ago, if
we may judge from increased overt interest in the Eastern philosophical
religions; purchases of books based around some sort of transcendental
theme; appearances of 'metaphysical' and Eastern transcendental
concepts, such as reincarnation, karma... participation in meditative
practices... interest in the phenomenon of 'channeling'."[7]
In other words, the third step brings us right back to ancient paganism,
medieval occultism, and Eastern mysticism. We see them all around us.
Both in and outside churches, people are fast turning away from the
moral boundaries of the Biblical God. Determined to write their own
rules, they drift toward what seems to be a more liberating spirituality.
The tyranny of the new "freedom"
So, while some fields of "science" are "freed" from factual
accountability, our culture demands "freedom" from Biblical
accountability. No wonder the movie's witch queen Serafina and the
cunning Ms.Coulter speak freely and shamelessly about their respective
lovers. (And this is supposed to be a family movie!) Morality is out!
Instinct and feelings reign. But there's a price to pay! We see it all
around us: moral corruption, broken families, chronic depression, and
social decay! (See Chart: Total transformation)
Yet we still have a choice. 1. We can follow the world's way -- which
actually means increasing bondage, not freedom. As God warns us:
"...the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness....
Professing to be wise, they became fools....
"Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their
hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves....
"God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the
natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men... men
with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the
penalty of their error which was due.
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God
gave them over to a debased [depraved] mind... being filled with...
sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of
envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness." Romans 1:18-29
2. We can choose God's way and find freedom in Christ:
"Jesus said... 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John
8:31-36
A book by Phillip Keller, author of A Shepherd looks at the 23rd Psalm,
summarizes the challenge:
"Often, young people boast of being free to do as they wish, to go
wherever they will, or become whatever they choose. This is only
partially true. For though they may not realize it, their decisions,
their behavior, their lifestyles are not those of their own free
will.... Jesus stated categorically: 'Every one who commits sin is a
slave to sin' (John 8:24).
"Those who brag about being free seldom realize they are inexorably
bound by their own destructive lifestyles. They are trapped in the toils
of their own destructive decisions and desires. Nor can they be loosed
except by the loving hands of the Good Shepherd."
"Few of us think seriously about the sinister and subversive character
of Satan.... The terrible truth is he is very real, very active, and
exceedingly deceptive. While appearing to give us liberty by allowing us
to do whatever we wish in response to our own inherent selfishness or
sin, he watches us enslave and destroy ourselves."
"... it is only the hand of God that sets us free. It is His strong
hands that can train us to move in new directions. It is His gentle, yet
strong, hands which can handle us with skill and love and strength...."[8]
The words of the faithful Old Testament leader Joshua are becoming
increasingly relevant once again:
“ Now therefore, fear the Lord [His judgment on sin, not His loving
presence]... and put away the [pagan] gods.... Choose for yourselves
this day whom you will serve.... But as for me and my house, we will
serve the Lord. ” Joshua 24:14
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See The upside-down world of Pullman's "Golden Compass"
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/007/compass-pullman.htm
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1. The Golden Compass Press Screening Transcript, 5-20-07,
www.hisdarkmaterials.org/news/his-dark-materials-movies/the-golden-compass-press-screening-transcript
2. Fate of the Cosmos (and of a Studio) Hangs in the Balance at
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/30/movies/30comp.html
3. www.crossroad.to/Quotes/globalism/julian-huxley.htm#teilhard,
www.crossroad.to/Books/BraveNewSchools/2-International.htm#global,
www.crossroad.to/Quotes/science/teilhard-Unesco.htm
4. Golden Compass Curriculum at
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375823459&view=rg
5. Random House Children's Teacher's Guide,
http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375823459&view=tg
6. Jennie Renton interviews Philip Pullman,
http://www.textualities.net/writers/features-n-z/pullmanp01.php
7. Willis Harman, Global Mind Change (Warner Books, 1988), pps. 33-35.
8. Phillip Keller, Lessons from a Sheep Dog (W Publishing Group, 1983),
pps. 5-7.