Spiritual Lessons from The Golden Compass

Spiritual Lessons from 'The Golden Compass'

Text by Donna Freitas

The upcoming release of "The Golden Compass," based on the first book in Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy, has been met with intense criticism from many Christians who see these books as an overtly anti-Christian tale intended to "sell atheism to kids." But in my view such accusations are a misunderstanding of Pullman's story.

In our book "Killing the Imposter God," my co-author Jason King and I, theologians and Catholics ourselves, argue that "The Golden Compass" is a magnificent epic, filled with spiritual themes, Christian virtues, and a glorious vision of God. Click through this gallery to read the top 10 spiritual lessons from Pullman's "The Golden Compass."


Donna Freitas is the co-author, with Jason King, of "Killing the Imposter God: Philip Pullman's Spiritual Imagination in His Dark Materials." She is one of Beliefnet's Idol Chatter bloggers.