Suppose you walked into a bookstore. Upon looking around, you see that the shelves are lined with cereal, vegetables, breads and other things you would expect to see in a grocery store. Puzzled, you ask a sales associate where the books are. He says, “Why, there right there,” gesturing to the rows of produce, cereals and vegetables.

Such will be your experience if you try to find the truths of Christianity in the United Church of Canada(UCC), though such was not always the case. Today’s  UCC retains some of the forms of Christian worship, but has replaced the Bible with the knowledge of this world

    This statement does not seek to replace the Twenty Articles of Faith included in the United Church’s 1925 Basis of Union. The Twenty Articles have historical significance for the church, being an expression of the theological agreement negotiated among the founding denominations, which allowed significantly different bodies (the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist denominations and the Local Union Churches) to come together as one united church. -  Appendix A

However, it does. Those original Articles of Faith are basically the fundamental truths of Christianity. The new ambiguous  “Statement” of Faith merely views the Bible as “one truth” and Jesus as “a way.” The foundation of the United Church of Canada was undeniably and exclusivly Christian in nature:

We receive the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, given by inspiration of God, as containing the only infallible rule of faith and life, a faithful record of God’s gracious revelations, and as the sure witness of Christ.  - Article 2

Compare that to these exerts from the “Statement of Faith(SOF)”

    The statement employs and honours the traditional image of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), but also offers other images, such as Mother, Friend, Comforter, Source of Life, Living Word, Bond of Love. Words are a significant means of understanding and relating to the Holy, and the statement of faith recognizes the adequacy of all images or metaphors that speak faithfully of “the One on whom our hearts rely.” However, the first designation of God in the statement of faith, that of Holy Mystery, serves as a reminder that all subsequent attempts to name the Divine are simply that—attempts to describe a reality that is always greater than human language can encompass.    At times the use of inclusive language demands a certain amount of “verbal gymnastics” or awkwardness of phrasing, and perhaps this is not a bad thing. It reminds us that the object of worship is ultimately God and not our images of God. - SOF, Appendix B

The use of multiple genders and awkward verbal gymnastics only serves to transform the personal identifiable God into a new age androgynous deity of whom nothing can be known or understood. Essentially a form of monotheistic polytheism, whereby any and all images of god become God. If they sincerely wanted to know the names of God, all they would have to do is consult the Bible. Anything that creates confusion about God’s indentity is a bad thing. Changing the words of the Word of God is a bad thing(On a side note, one can see very evidently the change of not only words, but also meaning in Eugene Peterson’s terrible so-called paraphrase “The Message”).

     The United Church, in its use of scripture, exhibits an approach that seeks to take the Bible seriously, but not literally. Biblical study and interpretation in the United Church often take into consideration scripture’s historical context, its literary value and function, the diversity of voices and perspectives being represented, and the voices not being represented.  - SOF, Appendix D

The new SOF also attacks those who would take Biblical scripture literally in the main body of the “poem.” (This form presents an awkward expression for a Faith Statement, but given the current confusion of truth in the United Church, it is understandable).

 The Spirit judges us critically when we abuse scripture
by interpreting it narrow-mindedly,
using it as a tool of oppression, exclusion, or hatred. - UCC SOF Poem

Mat 7:13-15  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  (15)  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Scripture is narrow, it proclaims Christ is the only name under heaven whereby man must be saved(Acts 4:12). It would be hard pressed to use scripture honestly interpreted for oppression(The Bible does state that the worker is worth his wages Matthew 10:10). The Bible does call the truth to be preached in love. The person who views the Christian rejection of same sex “marriage,” abortion, gender identity as hatred, has either met some false brethren, or has not stopped to examine the Bible’s message. The Bible has much to say about the sanctity of life and marriage. The Bible proclaims that truth is to be preached in love (Ephesians 4:15). The UCC proclaims that Love is to be preached at the expense of truth. In its earnest desire for social and political relevance, the UCC has changed its foundations. It attempts to be a church for all faiths united in diversity under different gods, and even the lack of God altogether.

The wholeness of scripture testifies
to the oneness and faithfulness of God.
The multiplicity of scripture testifies to its depth:
two testaments, four gospels,
contrasting points of view held in tension— UCC SOF poem

Compare that to the view in the Articles of Faith from the UCC’s founding:

We receive the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, given by inspiration of God, as containing the only infallible rule of faith and life, a faithful record of God’s gracious revelations, and as the sure witness of Christ.  - Article 2

The Gospels complement each other, not contrast. The harmony of the Bible, inspite of its being written over the course of centuries by princes and paupers, global rulers and clergy, prophets and lawyers in 3 languages and several countries is simply miraculous. For thousands of years the scriptures have stood. More early manuscripts and witnesses attest to the accuracy of the books of the Bible than any other, and many newer works.

 So in short, if you live in, or plan on visiting Canada and you want to go to a Christian church, do not go to a United Church. They are a church preaching the broad way and forsaking the narrow way of Christ. In addition to my studies of their Faith Statements, from personal experience, I can attest that the United Church preaches nothing of the Bible. The one service I attended while on vacation in Canada was nothing other than singing a few songs and witnessing some bizzare meditation about finding “something” at the end of one of three paths.

   The New Black Panther Party for Self Defense has officially endorsed Barack Obama as the “ONLY choice” for the militant racial separatist in their magazine. This group openly longs for the killing of “white folks.” You might think that it is because he’s the first seriously  possible Black candidate for the US presidency. You can be assured that if this distinction were to go to someone like Condeliza Rice, Colin Powel, or Alan Keyes, that they would protest them with even more tenacity than they did Bush (you know, the Nazi). They would only come out and support a main stream candidate if that candidate was likely to advance in some way, their views on “whitey”.

After reading about the deletion of a supposed Black Panther Endorsement on Obama’s official website, I decided to check it out for myself. The endorsement was in fact real, as verified by The New Black Panther(TNBP):

In this same issue, here is the full page endorsement:

The 10th point in their official party platform is this:

10. WE DEMAND AN END TO THE RACIST DEATH PENALTY AS IT IS APPLIED TO BLACK AND OPPRESSED PEOPLE IN AMERICA. WE DEMAND FREEDOM FOR ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS OF THE BLACK RED AND BROWN NATION!
We want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice and peace. And, as our political objective, we want NATIONAL LIBERATION in a separate state or territory of our own, here or elsewhere, “a liberated zone” (“New Africa” or Africa), and a plebiscite to be held throughout the BLACK NATION in which only we will be allowed to participate for the purposes of determining our will and DIVINE destiny as a people. FREE THE LAND! “UP YOU MIGHTY NATION! YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU WILL!” BLACK POWER! History has proven that the white man is absolutely disagreeable to get along with in peace. No one has been able to get along with the white man. All the people of color have been subjected to the white man’s wrath. We believe that his very nature will not allow for true sharing, fairness, equity and justice.
Therefore, to the Red Man and Woman, to the Yellow and to the Brown, we say to you

“THE SAME RABID DOG THAT BIT YOU, BIT US TOO!” ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

Found on Obama’s Website. Rolling stone even had the disgrace to use the title of the original star wars (A new hope) to describe a man who’s bitter defense of late term abortion, and sickening regret about trying to save a starving woman would make a dark lord of the Sith Jealous. Utterly sickening messiah style worship here:

A New Hope

| March 06, 2008

By JANN S. WENNER

The tides of history are rising higher and faster these days. Read them right and ride them, or be crushed. And then along comes Barack Obama, with the kinds of gifts that appear in politics but once every few generations. There is a sense of dignity, even majesty, about him, and underneath that ease lies a resolute discipline. It’s not just that he is eloquent - with that ability to speak both to you and to speak for you - it’s that he has a quality of thinking and intellectual and emotional honesty that is extraordinary. (if you like mega spending-americana83)

…Throughout the primaries, and during a visit he paid to our offices, we have come to know Barack Obama, his toughness and his grace. He would not be intimidated, and he declined to back down, when Senator Clinton called him “frankly, naive” for his willingness to meet leaders of hostile nations. When one of her top campaign officials tried to smear him for his earlier drug use, he did not equivocate or backtrack. On the matter of experience and capability, he has run an impressive, nearly flawless campaign - one that whupped America’s most hard-boiled political infighters. Indeed, Obama was far more prepared to run a presidential campaign - from Day One - than Senator Clinton. And at no point did he go negative with personal attacks or character assassination; as much as they might have been justified, they didn’t even seem tempting to him.

Obama has emerged by displaying precisely the kind of character and judgment we need in a president: renouncing the politics of fear, speaking frankly on the most pressing issues facing the country and sticking to his principles. He recognizes that running for president is an opportunity to inspire an entire Nation(of Islam-americana83).
Read the full article from Rolling Stone

(warning: Contains unadulterated messiah praise and worship of Barack Obama may induce nausea, vomiting or orwellian though control…)

Article source (same warning applies)

http://www.barackobama.com/2008/03/06/a_new_hope.php

I don’t generally nitpick and judge people in regards to their private faith. However, when a person boasts that not only are they a Christian, but a devout Christian, they open their personal faith up to public scrutiny. Let’s see what Obama said about his faith, and compare it to what the bible says, and what Obama does.

In terms of my faith, you know, there has been so much confusion that has been deliberately perpetrated through emails and so forth. So, just here are the simple facts. I am a Christian. I am a devout Christian. I have been a member of the same church for 20 years. Pray to Jesus every night, and try to go to church as much as I can when they are not working me. Used to go quite often. These days, we haven’t been at the home church, I haven’t been home on Sunday, for several months now. So, my faith is important to me. It is not something that I try to push on other people. But it is something that helps to guide my life and my values.

-Barack Obama

Perhaps as a “devout Christian,” Obama should consider these doctrines:

(in regards to his recent regret of trying to save Terri Schiavo’s life from death by dehydration)

For I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
(Matthew 25:42-45)

In regards to his choice of church, which has a pastor which exalts racist Loius Farrakhan:

Acts 17:24-26 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; (25) Neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; (26) And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

Acts 10:34-35  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  (35)  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

In regard’s to his fervent support of abortion and his killing of “Born Alive” in Illinois (you could even put his stance on Terri here too)

Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: (17) A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (1 A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, (19) A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

How he figured out that Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount condones Homosexuality.(see verses here) is beyond me.

Barack’s recent escalated trumpeting of Christ’s name seems merely an attempt to counter the circulating rumors and Farrakhan(Nation of Islam) connection that seem to align Obama more closely with Allah than Jehovah. Perhaps a form of Islamic Christianity? (I mean, Farrakhan would not endorse an infidel)

They surely are Infidels who say, “God is the third of three:” for there
is no God but one God: and if they refrain not from what they say, a grievous
chastisement shall light on such of them as are Infidels.

(The Qur’an (Rodwell tr), Sura   5 - The Table).

When ye encounter the infidels, strike off their heads till ye have made
a great slaughter among them, and of the rest make fast the fetters.

And afterwards let there either be free dismissals or ransomings, till
the war hath laid down its burdens. Thus do. Were such the pleasures of God,
he could himself take vengeance upon them: but He would rather prove the one of
you by the other. And whoso fight for the cause of God, their works he will
not suffer to miscarry

(The Qur’an (Rodwell tr), Sura  47 - Muhammad)

How Obama can claim to be a devout Christian when he promotes the slaughter of the innocent and other abominations is completely beyond me. There can be no doubt this is a political ploy attempting however vainly to present himself as a moderate friendly to Christian values.

Be not deceived. This man is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

As we near the end of Black History Month, let us consider the famous words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr:

That is the dream, whereby man would look beyond the surface and judge men by their values, beliefs and standards. Much progress has been made in that direction in America.

We have gone from a time where the legal system looked another way when a black man whistled at a white woman. Racism has been evicted from America’s public square. By and large it only finds refuge in the hearts of men (and women) who’s hearts are hardened, who’s minds are narrow, who’s only claim to self worth is the putting down of another based on the color of their skin.

Today, however, skin color has again returned to America’s public square. As we race towards the 2008 presidential elections, change has become the buzz word. In many circles the prospect of a Black or woman president has trumped all other issues.

McCain, Bush, the Clintons are painted as stogy old white establishment types. Relative youth and skin color are trumpeted as the best assets of a candidate this year, in 2008.
The truth of the matter is this: once you peel off the surface, there is no substantial difference in the agendas that will be pursued by a President Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.

There is a song that has been co-opted in some areas as a sort of theme song for this years election season: Matchbox 20’s “How far we’ve come.” The music video to this song seems to attempt a historical chronology of the women’s and civil rights movements, cumulating in cheering images of Barack Obama’s and Hillary’s supporters.

There is no doubt that the Civil Rights Movement and certain aspects of the women’s movement have legitimately leveled the social and economic playing fields. However, the problem comes when the cumulation of these efforts is presented as Hillary and Obama. The Euphoria over the potential of a “first” black/woman candidate has completely hijacked democrats and would be social progressives. Any attack that would be directed at Obama’s policies or values can, and sometimes is, twisted into racism. Gender and skin tone becomes a defense in liu of answers.

Barack Obama himself says he is gaging racism by whether or not whites vote for him.

This is audacious in every sense of the word. Ignoring the issues and diving straight for the cover all. I would vote for the President regardless of his or her color, that stands closest to what is best for America.

Barack Obama’s massive spending/taxing plans, advocacy for homosexuality, blanket amnesty for illegal immigrants, abortion views to the left of NARAL and NOW, coolness towards Israel, and his flippant attitude towards drugs will send this nation on a crash course with economic recession and moral decline. Ultimately the other 2 candidates, Hillary and McCain, are watered down versions of Obama’s radicalism (though in Hillary’s case only very slightly so).

It will send the message: Skin matters more than issues.

It sure seemed like we’ve come along way since Dr King’s famous speech. However, here we are as a nation still judging people by the color of their skin.

It will only be a matter of time before we are all judged for our actions this year. This election has the potential to change the heart and soul of a nation.

If you LOVE America, if you sincerely want the best for this country look behind the smooth talking, the glitzy publicity war, the buzz words and rock concert style slogans and chantings.

Look at the issues. Pray. We’re not voting for the next American Idol here. Image and stage presence are not going to save us all.

King was murdered for his bold position, that all men are equal. If you love civil rights, if you support on any level the legacy he has handed us down through the civil rights movement, then reject the politics of “famous firsts.” Focus on the issues. Focus on America.

Let’s live the dream.

After perusing some new information, I can no longer truthfully claim that presidential contender Barack Obama is a socialist. It seems that Obama’s personal mentor, referred to in one of his books as “Frank” is Frank Marshal Davis. Davis is who Obama credits with helping him to find his identity. Frank Marshal Davis is a Communist. A favorable article about Frank M Davis still shows the communist aspect(Note communist buzz words like fascism, class struggle and imperialism).

And of course World Net Daily, has an article that ties in some of Barrack Obama’s current political and social communist leanings.

From the article:

Remember, we had a president who admitted to “smoking pot” but boldly and sincerely claimed “I did not inhale.” I would further add that the shock troops of Lenin, Mao the Viet Cong and Castro were likely not “hard-core academic Marxists” and yet they believed, they placed HOPE in the concept of communism, that it would eliminate inequality, sexism, racism, or whatever problems they were facing.

Lenin himself “campaigned” on the hope of PEACE! BREAD! LAND! Barrack Obama’s campaign is focused on PEACE! (ending the iraq war and raising peace time spending to the current war level) HEALTHCARE! (that would raise everyone’s cost of living and cost some there livings) HOPE! (a vague hope that seems solidly grounded in “change”).

Interestingly, the Bolsheviks came to power in Russia promising change to a citizenry that was tired of Czarist corruption. What they brought was one of the most abusive, abrasive and intrusive regime of the 2oth century.

So basically, Barack is NOT a socialist, he is a Communist speaking in the language of “liberal democracy and socialism” He hides his radical views in charismatic speech, catchy graphics and clever phrases. He will press for greater social spending and taxing than any president in history.

For those who think Communism is dead, consider this: over a billion people live in an openly communist country, China. The progressive income tax, universal health care, massive social spending (RE: Medicare, welfare, social security, etc) as all tenets of progressive socialism/communism, and are used as tools to extract money from private individuals and companies and give it to the government to trap the downtrodden.

I conclude with the words of a self proclaimed American Socialist:

– Norman Thomas, American socialist

For our economy, our safety, and our workers, we have to rebuild America. I’m proposing a National Infrastructure Reinvestment Bank that will invest $60 billion over ten years. This investment will multiply into almost half a trillion dollars of additional infrastructure spending…

And where’s that additional 500 billion dollars going to come from?

My energy plan will invest $150 billion over ten years to establish a green energy sector that will create up to 5 million new jobs over the next two decades - jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced. We’ll also provide funding to help manufacturers convert to green technology

From what programs will this money be transferred, or better to ask, how much will taxes be raised to cover this economic spending? Those 5 million people aren’t going to work for free. Massive state companies were set up in China, and only survive by subsidy, in fact they are even selling some of them off.

I’ve paid for every element of this economic agenda - by ending a war that’s costing us billions, closing tax loopholes for corporations, putting a price on carbon pollution, and ending George Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans.

By the way, those corporations are NOT going to absorb that added tax burden, it will be passed along to john doe consumer. Carbon pollution? Now that’s nice and vague. What are you going to do, add a carbon tax to power plants and other factories? It may sound nice to revoke those tax cuts for the “wealthiest 2%” but when you have a so-called “progressive” income tax those in the top brackets are paying the largest percentage of their incomes.

I’ve proposed a fund that would provide direct relief to victims of mortgage fraud.

Hmm, I smell more taxes

I won’t wait another ten years to raise the minimum wage - I’ll guarantee that it keeps pace with inflation every single year so that it’s not just a minimum wage, but a living wage.

Sound’s like a recipe for spiraling inflation. Whenever it becomes more expensive to produce a product, that cost is passed on the consumer, or the company finds a way to make the product more efficienty (RE: Fewer workers)

In addition to cutting costs for working families, we also need to help them save more - especially for retirement. That’s why we’ll require employers to enroll every worker in a direct deposit retirement account that places a small percentage of each paycheck into savings.

So, in addition to the necessary tax increases to fund federal social and economic spending, the government is going to be telling you what to do with YOUR money. Very nice to say a “small percentage” when for the poorest, every small percent helps!

..ban [credit card] rate changes to debt that’s already incurred; and ban interest on late fees.

Again, this sounds like a nice way to “stick it to the credit cards” however, it will only reduce credit available. As a [likely] unintentional side affect, this reduction could actually be good in the long run if it forces people to live more within their means.

Every American would be able to get the same kind of health care that members of Congress get for themselves, and we’d ban insurance companies from denying you coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

Here’s where we get into the real meat-and-potatoes of tax mania, the Universal Health Care cure-all. The thing about the government providing the health care that Obama seems to be ignorant of here, is that there would likely be little if any private market left for health insurance, hence insurance companies would cease offering health insurance, in large part to the high cost of pre-existing conditions. Example: Person needs high cost surgery, buys health insurance, gets the surgery and drops the insurance. The companies will just cease the coverage rather than see the complete draining of their monies.

And the main difference between my plan and Senator Clinton’s plan is that she’d require the government to force you to buy health insurance and she said she’d ‘go after’ your wages if you don’t. Well I believe the reason people don’t have health care isn’t because no one’s forced them to buy it, it’s because no one’s made it affordable - and that’s what we’ll do when I am President.

Presumably, Hillary would offer the same kind of “affordable” health insurance. You dodge the issue of whether or not you’d force it by merely addressing that you’d make it “affordable.” But if your going for so-called “universal health care” you are going to have to opt people into the system. Thanks but no thanks

Source for Obama Speech Quotes: barackobama.com

Introduction:

Having read all the books comprising the “Golden” Compass Trilogy (officially known as His Dark Materials), I can tell you that, unlike what the commercials say, this book/movie is definitely *NOT* in the tradition of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter or Chronicles of Narnia. In fact, the whole thrust of this series, and that of the movies (assuming they remain anywhere near true to the books) is nearly the exact opposite of those great classics (technically, Harry Potter has not yet been around long enough to be a classic)

All three books are treated within this quasi-review. The sequels to the current movie will be made assuming this first one is a success. There will be possible spoilers for those who would see this movie, but I hope that you will save your money for something else, as these movies have no redeeming value and will only serve to deceive and confuse children. (Not to mention the great “morals” of lying and situational ethics that will be learned here!).

Virtues of the “good guys”

Lying is the greatest virtue present in this book. While lying and deception have their consequences in other stories, in this lying is the salvation many times for Lyra, the chief character in the film.

At one point the “redeemed” leader of the evil forces of the Christians counts her vile deceptive past (lying, kidnapping, torturing children in the service of the church) as an asset to fool the Metatron, the chief angel of “God” In fact, she wished she had done worse things!

“I told him I was going to betray you, and betray Lyra, and he believed me because I was corrupt and full of wickedness; he looked so deep I felt sure he’d see the truth. But I lied too well. I was lying with every nerve and fiber and everything I’d ever done…I wanted him to find no good in me, and he didn’t. There is none. But I love Lyra. Where did this love come from? I don’t know; it came to me like a thief in the night, and now I love her so much my heart is bursting with it. All I could hope was that my crimes were so monstrous that the love was no bigger than a mustard seed in the shadow of them, and I wished I’d committed even greater ones to hide it more deeply still…
-His Dark Materials, book 3: The amber spyglass (p229)

In fantasy, many times animals are personified (given human abilities, such as thinking, forming friendships, exercising morality). In book 3, we find the personified bear Lorek doing what any good friend would do after a friend has died:

And because the Texan aeronaut was one of the very few humans Lorek had ever esteemed, he accepted the man’s last gift to him. With deft movements of his claws, he ripped aside the dead man’s clothes, opened the body with one slash, and began to feast on the flesh and blood of his old friend. It was his first meal for days, and he was hungry.
-His Dark Materials, book 3: The amber spyglass (p26)

In book 2, Lyra consults her “compass” to see if Will, who becomes her love interest, to see if he is trustworthy (Very ironic that Lyra “Silvertounge” would worry about someone being trustworthy!).

She had asked:What is he? A friend or an enemy? The alethiometer answered: He is a murderer. When she saw the answer, she relaxed at once. He could find food, and show her how to reach Oxford, and those were powers that were useful, but he might still have been untrustworthy or cowardly. A murderer was a worthy companion. She felt as safe with him as she’d felt with lorek Byrnison, the armored bear.
-His Dark Materials, book 2: The subtle knife (p1

What about God?

The Golden Compass: The movie has likely been cleaned from what little overt anti-Christian message it contained, however it is only the first of 3 books penned by the same author. All 3 books come together to attack most specifically Christianty and the Bible. Despite MSNBC and other’s claims to the contrary, if they had read the books, they would see clearly the assault, not merely on religion or authority in general, but in Jehovah God. I must take a side bar and say that one of two things must be true: Al Roker of the Today show book club has never read Pullman’s Trilogy, or 2: he is an ignorant fool. The books are choke full of anti-Christian propaganda as well as promotional plugs for atheism, wiccan style pantheism (earth/nature worship) as well as humanism (man is God).

Some of the more obvious Anti-Christian quotes (with my comments):

It is more subtle (sort of) in book 1, but there are examples like this:

“But…” Lyra struggled to find the words she wanted: “but it en’t true, is it? Not true like chemistry or engineering, not that kind of true? There wasn’t really an Adam and Eve? The Cassington Scholar told me it was just a kind of fairy tale.”

“The Cassington Scholarship is traditionally given to a freethinker; it’s his function to challenge the faith of the Scholars. Naturally he’d say that. But think of Adam and Eve like an imaginary number, like the square root of minus one: you can never see any concrete proof that it exists, but if you include it in your equations, you can calculate all manner of things that couldn’t be imagined without it.

“Anyway, it’s what the Church has taught for thousands of years. And when Rusakov discovered Dust, at last there was a physical proof that something happened when innocence changed into experience. “Incidentally, the Bible gave us the name Dust as well. At first they were called Rusakov Particles, but soon someone pointed out a curious verse toward the end of the Third Chapter of Genesis, where God’s cursing Adam for eating the fruit.” He opened the Bible again and pointed it out to Lyra. She read: “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return….”Lord Asriel said, “Church scholars have always puzzled over the translation of that verse. Some say it should read not ‘unto dust shalt thou return’ but ‘thou shalt be subject to dust,’ and others say the whole verse is a kind of pun on the words ‘ground’ and ‘dust,’ and it really means that God’s admitting his own nature to be partly sinful. No one agrees. No one can, because the text is corrupt. -book1 p224.

Throughout the books, Pullman draws on a mystical definition of “original sin” In reality, the intimate and immediate physical relationship with God was broken when man broke God’s one law regarding the forbidden fruit. That is all the original sin was, breaking God’s law. God created man from the dust of the ground, very lowly material. Fellowship was broken when man disobeyed God by listening to the words of the serpent. Thereby man was corrupted, choosing the shortcut to knowledge (without wisdom) instead of waiting for God to teach them. Through the books, the example of the serpent that tempted Adam and Eve is looked to as a wise guide. In book 2, lyra is told by the alethiometer to play the serpent(p150).

Further , Lord Asrael’s rebellion against “God” is linked to the one lead by Satan, though never by that name.

“Well, Lord Asriel has never found hisself at ease with the doctrines of the Church, so to speak. I’ve seen a spasm of disgust cross his face when they talk of the sacraments, and atonement, and redemption, and suchlike. It’s death among our people, Serafina Pekkala, to challenge the Church, but Lord Asriel’s been nursing a rebellion in his heart for as long as I’ve served him, that’s one thing I do know.” Book 2, p28.

Atonement and Redemption in the true Christianity is a sign of God’s love, that he gave himself to take our punishment and condemnation. He does illustrate a truth here, however, that rebellion begins in the heart, and it began in Philip Pullman’s heart long ago.

I’d be afraid to speak it aloud to you if you weren’t a witch and beyond the power of the Church; but that makes sense, and nothing else does. He’s a-going to find the Authority and kill Him.”

“Is that possible?” said Serafina.

“Lord Asriel’s life has been filled with things that were impossible. I wouldn’t like to say there was anything he couldn’t do. But on the face of it, Serafina Pekkala, yes, he’s stark mad. If angels couldn’t do it, how can a man dare to think about it?”

“Angels? What are angels?”

“Beings of pure spirit, the Church says. The Church teaches that some of the angels rebelled before the world was created, and got flung out of heaven and into hell. They failed, you see, that’s the point. They couldn’t do it. And they had the power of angels. Lord Asriel is just a man, with human power, no more than that. But his ambition is limitless. He dares to do what men and women don’t even dare to think. And look what he’s done already: he’s torn open the sky, he’s opened the way to another world. Who else has ever done that? Who else could think of it? So with one part of me, Serafina Pekkala, I say he’s mad, wicked, deranged. Yet with another part I think, he’s Lord Asriel, he’s not like other men. Maybe… if it was ever going to be possible, it’d be done by him and by no one else.” book 2, p 29.

Throughout the series you have reference to the serpent, and his rebellion, however, never does Pullman call the Serpent and leader of this rebellion by his other more familiar names: Lucifer, Satan.

“Scientist Dr. Mary” (who becomes Lyra’s friend) on God:

“Ah, but I knew about them. I used to be a nun, you see. I thought physics could be done to the glory of God, till I saw there wasn’t any God at all and that physics was more interesting anyway. The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake, that’s all.” -book 3, p249

After this, she goes on into a discourse about how she had wanted to serve Jesus and but that somehow serving God is against romantic love, so she reasons:

There’s no one to fret, no one to condemn, no one to bless me for being a good girl, no one to punish me for being wicked. Heaven was empty. I didn’t know whether God had died, or whether there never had been a God at all. Either way I felt free and lonely and I didn’t know whether I was happy or unhappy, but something very strange had happened….“And I took the crucifix from around my neck and I threw it in the sea. That was it. All over. Gone.” -book 3, p251.

Never mind that forced celibacy (non-marriage) is nowhere commanded in the Bible. True romance was authored by God for marriage. Marriage was authored by God as a blessing to man, as was physical intimacy:

(Heb 13:4) Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Here’s a gem:

There are some people who claim that God is dead already. Presumably, Asriel is not one of those, if he retains the ambition to kill him.”

“Well, where is God,” said Mrs. Coulter, “if he’s alive? And why doesn’t he speak anymore? At the beginning of the world, God walked in the Garden and spoke with Adam and Eve. Then he began to withdraw, and he forbade Moses to look at his face. Later, in the time of Daniel, he was aged, he was the Ancient of Days. Where is he now? Is he still alive, at some inconceivable age, decrepit and demented, unable to think or act or speak and unable to die, a rotten hulk? And if that is his condition, wouldn’t it be the most merciful thing, the truest proof of our love for God, to seek him out and give him the gift of death?” -book 3, p185.

Here we have the Hero Asriel out to kill an aging senile pseudo-deity. Pullman draws on a very deceptive chronological use of the names and actions of God. Also, as a side note, this is an endorsement of so-called “mercy killing” And finally, we have the death of God(surely this isn’t an attack on Christianity or a promotion of atheism(note: sarcasm)

Will cut through the crystal in one movement and reached in to help the angel out. Demented and powerless, the aged being could only weep and mumble in fear and pain and misery, and he shrank away from what seemed like yet another threat.

“It’s all right,” Will said, “we can help you hide, at least. Come on, we won’t hurt you.”

The shaking hand seized his and feebly held on. The old one was uttering a wordless groaning whimper that went on and on, and grinding his teeth, and compulsively plucking at himself with his free hand; but as Lyra reached in, too, to help him out, he tried to smile, and to bow, and his ancient eyes deep in their wrinkles blinked at her with innocent wonder. Between them they helped the ancient of days out of his crystal cell; it wasn’t hard, for he was as light as paper, and he would have followed them anywhere, having no will of his own, and responding to simple kindness like a flower to the sun. But in the open air there was nothing to stop the wind from damaging him, and to their dismay his form began to loosen and dissolve. Only a few moments later he had vanished completely, and their last impression was of those eyes, blinking in wonder, and a sigh of the most profound and exhausted relief. Then he was gone: a mystery dissolving in mystery. Book 3, p 231

There it is. This passage is almost like a side note, indicating that such an event was inconsequential and in no way shocking. A dumb senile god, this is the being that Pullman has clothed in the names of Jehovah God.

Al Roker and the Today Show Book Club

Al Roker’s article is called “Pullman not promoting atheism in ‘Golden Compass’” which, is a bold faced lie, in the style of Lyra Silvertounge, intended to deceive well meaning parents into buying this trilogy by a self proclaimed God killer.

Pullman on CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia

Pullman hates CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, alleging that the books are racist(Ha!) and that they do not contain Christian love (ironically, Pullman’s books don’t contain any at all!). He must have missed when Aslan the Lion gave himself to die in place of the Edmund who was a traitor. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Conclusion:

Philip Pullman is much like his Lyra Silvertounge, a liar. He is much like his beloved serpent, leading a rebellion not only against moral absolutes, but ultimately against the God of the Bible and those who worship him.Due to its release timing, you could aptly call it “the anti-Christmas story”

What some others are saying about this series

Chuck Norris on The Golden Compass

WorldnetDaily Commentary on The Golden Compass

Urban Legends: Is the Golden Compass anti-religious?