Golden Compass Author on the Nature and Meaning of Dust

[AkasukiKain4545]

What I don't see is why Christians make such a big deal about not letting their kids read this because they have the right (as I know as a Catholic) to confirm whether or not they want to remain a Catholic. I think parents should let their kids be open to other religions (or no religion at all) because no parent decides their children's life for them, or at least shouldn't.

[poliwhirl16]

loll at people believing two nudists took dietary advise from a talking snake and that the world is flat

[Funkyflorist]

Replace the word 'Dust' with 'God'...

I kept coming away from the movie (and then the book) that it was more 'pro-religion' or at least 'supporting a personal relationship between humans and god'.

"Maybe (God) is good."

[megablade3331]

He doesn't believe in god there for I hate him and his movie and books.

[toReasonWhy]

Wow. This conversation was a bunch of dust. Not like the form of matter in his books, like actual dust. Floating around, meaningless, full of airy pompousness and mutual masturbation. Wait, I guess that last part makes this conversation different from dust. One dust particle doesn't flatter another just to get laid after an interview.

[thisisjustamisnomer]

@toReasonWhy Wow. Touché good sir... or madam. Touché.

[yamara34]

@toReasonWhy LOL

[SarahsObsessed]

Didn't he base Dust on the Dark Matter that scientists are trying to figure out?

[melvinhendrikse]

Dust is the same as independent thought, and thus it should not be feared but cherished.

[alliterativeaudrey]

Umm, why would God know the future? That doesn't make sense.

[sages1011]

god knows everything what do u mean?

[alliterativeaudrey]

I don't want to be insensitive, but where does the bible ever say that God knows the future?

[sages1011]

it doesnt say he knows the future but it says he knows everything.

[alliterativeaudrey]

Where? By all means, give me a quote from the book that man wrote.

[toReasonWhy]

@alliterativeaudrey

How could he not know the future? He is omnipotent, not to mention omniscient. It is in the definition of both of those that he must know literally everything. Luckily, he doesn't actually exist.

[leeroynaggins]

What? I always thought Dust was a coded reference to his hidden coke habit!

[gvjuiceman1]

But if god knows everything including the future, he knew lucifer would fall and fight him and bring his creations (us) down with him. Why would God allow such a thing to happen? BTW, this movie was awesome and I'm annoyed all that made up crap was spread around about it.

[taskotal]

Before Lucifer persuaded Adam and Eve to eat from the tree, they loved God because God made them like that.So Adam and Eve were force top love God.But God wanted Adam and Eve(people everywhere)to love him just because they want to.Adam and Eve were disobedient which showed God that they didn't love him.

[93alvbjo]

how do you even know it was satan? it just said it was a serpent.

[montreal961]

IMO. " dust'" is sin. In the first movie,That lady with the blond hair ( nicole kidmen ) said something like " our ansestors ( adam and eve ) did something very bad. And thats when the authority ( god ) sent dust ( sin ) into the world.

Thats what i thought about that conversation. It just made sense. But im probably wrong.

[G0thDetect1ve]

In the books, the Magisterum (Religion), decide that dust is sin. But that is only because they want to cast it as a bad thing.

Further into the story, and perhaps all the way at the end, we know that dust certainly isn't a bad thing at all and all existence relies on it.

[enlighteningtheworld]

montreal961 Sin to me is unconsciousness or not being aware of something - to forget. Which can be an [d]evil force when you need that knowledge to do GO[o]D in the world. It is lack of knowledge or the limiting beliefs that destroy the people of the world. People usually fear what they do not know, and keep the knowledge in fear of wat they do know.

[montreal961]

Okay, thats one way to think about it, i guess.

[Looooorah]

I read an interview of Philip Pullman, and h implied that dust was the manifestation of consciousness and independent thought (which is why the Church fears it, because they don't want their loyal followers leaving them). I agree with this because in the last scene where Lyra and Will are close (and they reach sexual maturity), their dust settles.

[Qrazii]

I would further propose that the Christian theology would be saying that if God did anything else but create Lucifer in spite of knowing Lucifer's future, God would be a dictator and not the Father that they believe in.

[Qrazii]

Doesn't Christian theology relate that their God didn't create Satan, that God created Lucifer and that by choice Lucifer became Satan? I would propose that just like parents raise good children and didn't birth evil children that the children eventually make their own choices to become whomsoever they pleased, be it good or evil.

[trentspencerktm]

Jesus loves you so much that the trinity created "Satan". Also don't try and tell me that "god" didn't know what Satan would turn out like and do. Assuming that there is a divine power behind everything I very much doubt that its the flawed one that Christianity or any other worldly religion portrays.

[Sergionewyork]

RELIGION IS BAD!

[jonkind]

why the hell do you always have to mention religion in books ? whats wrong with you ?this is fantasy..think of it how you like just dont ruin it ! This is a great book! just enjoy it !

[mrMONDAY9]

people work in there own ways

[gastronomist]

I have read all three books. This comment is based on what he says in the first book and repeats in the video. Perhaps you should watch it again.

[gastronomist]

Pullman's logic: People have been doing frightful and terrible things in the name of getting rid of Saddam Hussein. These people who have being doing wicked things say that Saddam was bad. Therefore Saddam must have been good!

[M4CHIN4]

That's really faulty logic.

[lovelierlex]

but Dust isnt a person...

[Morrinn3]

You obviously havent read the books,

gastronomist.

How about you do a little reaserch before making these bold, and somewhat moronic, assumptions.

[rugby16161616]

no pullmans logic is that to get rid of some thing bad becuase its bad means that you shouldn't do bad things to get rid of it becuase then you become what you are destroying that makes sense

but saddam is differn't hes very bad and the army have done some minute bad things but mostly good things to get rid him and by getting rid of him they have stopped more bad things

hes logic is right but you have claimed wrong things about it which arn't true

you have a bad understanding of logic

[gastronomist]

You apparently have bad listening comprehension skills because he makes no such argument in this video.

You are in particular missing the part where he concludes that dust must be good because people are doing bad things to get rid of it.

[Frosh50]

does this guy realize that he writes fiction?

[gastronomist]

I've been trying to figure out if he believes the stuff he writes about and so far it's looking like does.

[Sibzlipz]

He looks like he's thinking "Who is this crazy religious freak-o woman and all her spirtual Dust/God weirness?" lolz

[natwick]

He does seem uncomfortable. And she is speaking almost beatifically, in overly-Christian terms (love of Creation, Pullman as theologian, Dust as the Divine). I almost expected her to say "It was so exciting to me, as a...Christian..." but she skirts around it. I wonder if her book has a similar tone.

[zeropopulationgrowth]

"Dust" is lust is the end product thus far of evolution. "Dust", I think, based on my own personal journey through biology and anthropology, is the skills and physical atributes we've accidentally acquired through natural selection and mating process.

[fronzman8]

very very good. this man sees very clearly. i find that the reaction of the christian community towards this film and the books only strengthens the point that he makes. if they have so much faith in their religion then i don't see why they fear this so much.

[mrlittlemarvel]

@fronzman8 That depends on the side, I see on the other side the atheist much fear of Christianity, I welcome Pullman for one can not feel the strength of temptation if one does not resist it and overcome it so the temptation to doubt if resisted may lead you to knowledge to assure you of the truth.

[yamara34]

@mrlittlemarvel "the temptation to doubt if resisted may lead you to knowledge to assure you of the truth." That's so stupid. Doubt leads to truth. Either back to what you were once certain of, after you've weighed the facts, or to what is actually true

[lionheart95100]

@fronzman8 Phillip Pullman has a key misunderstanding of who the God is, and even more so who Jesus Christ is. Even the most intellectual people can miss the point.

[amindbody]

If the religious have faith, what's their problem? They don't want atheistic indoctrination but don't mention theistic indoctrination.

"How fortunate for leaders that men do not think."

"I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature."

"Any system of religion that has anything in it that shocks the mind of a child, cannot be true."

[hjmatabu]

fasfsadaa

[galadriel22]

The Christians who speak against the movie make huge mistakes:

1. Now more people want to see it

2. They assume that what the books/movie depictes IS the Catholic Church or Christianity (in other words, they implicitly and ultimately accept the worst aspects of it)

3. They confirm point 2 by telling people what to do: "don't watch the movie", and thus give reason and real substance to the fiction created by Pullman.

[garoosh05]

Good piont. It is very importnat to keep an open mind when talking about tese ideas, you can't be tyranical or absolute.

P.S. dont be to open minded your brain might fall out.

[hjmatabu]

omfg its juz a movie guys..an entertainment...n also a fantasy..if pullman hates god then leave him be...u choose ur own decision wether to believe there is god or no....

movie=entertainment,not change of beliefs!!!

[emphaticapathy]

You're point seems popular, but that doesn't make it true. It's a sad fact that the most glib and meaningless comments get the most recognition. We are not all the same, and simply saying so will not gloss over the anornous problems caused by the clashing of peoples fundamental beliefs. A athiest cannot truthfully respect a religous persons view.

[adobster]

"A athiest cannot truthfully respect a religous persons view."

That's because a religious view isn't based on fact and observable reality. It's an individuals belief system.

[galadriel22]

Agree, and I also believe that atheists are more likely to "respect a religious persons view", than religious persons are to respect atheism and/or other religions different from their own. Just look in history.

[spewdaddy12]

im somewhat religious part of the reason im not as much as i should be is because of how judgemental religious ppl are. i have respect for religious ppl and for atheists and i think the reason religion gets so much grief is cuz they bring it on their self i mean from what i believe there is a god.

[spewdaddy12]

but sometimes the misguided ppl who think they serv him are the ones who give religion a bad name. as for this movie its great fiction. in my opinion if any view wants respect they have to show it. and many times neither side does by the usual arguement "ur wrong im right" why cant ppl accept each person has there own right to make decisions

[adobster]

spewdaddy12,

You are the type of religious person which deserves respect and can be reasoned with. Unfortunately more people don't see things like you and that creates alot of the problem.

[snapascrew]

but u havent seen part 3 of the movie/book, where he kills god? n00b

[sanguinerabbit]

be great if you all could just focus a little more on right here right now, this world, this time, these hungry, these homeless, and what your 'love' is focus less on what's coming up next... because actually you dont KNOW... you 'believe'

:)

[IzzyPepper]

we are all the same? if you are really a christian you would never say that saved and unsaved were the same. Atheists are going to hell. Christians are not. Is that the same?

[adobster]

Can Atheists go to a place that doesn't exist? ie hell?

[lig3r7]

omfg bunch of retards its a god damn fatanasy its not tru n if it is, its prolly pure coincidental so stfu

[GhostJournal]

Philip Pullman is clearly a person who trusts his audience to make their own decisions with regard to the meaning of his books. It worries me when people insult and ridicule each other because of what they believe in.

Nobody knows whether or not God exists - period. A trilogy like 'His Dark Materials' (which is great so far) should, in a reasonable world, stimulate discourse rather than hatred.

[IzzyPepper]

so are you agnostic, or simply lazy? there are no laws in nature or science disprove God. But I appreciate your comments about "our own decisions." Of course if you know Mr. Pullman you would know that he is a huge atheist and does whatever he can to say there is no God. His Dark Materials were written directly against the Chronicles of Narnia. So, while he might not command us to believe him, anyone is justified in being mad.

[GhostJournal]

I've read his essay on 'Narnia,' and Pullman was criticizing the series as one that he felt promoted violence, sexism, and whatnot.

What surprises me is how Lewis's 'Narnia' series, which promotes Christianity outright, can be praised wholeheartedly, while Pullman's 'His Dark Materials,' which suggests that powerful religious groups are capable of bad things, is harshly condemned.

God's existence cannot be proven; misdeeds of religious organizations throughout history can.

[fullygodfullyhuman]

atheism is attacked just as much if not more.

Most people seem to think it is "ok" to hate an atheist because they are evil, but don't hate someone who believes in a different god because that would be mean.

[sanguinerabbit]

p.s. Donna Freitas is gorgeous isnt she?! :)

[IzzyPepper]

her beauty won't matter that much in hell.

[OrchidMaroon]

Hell. Bahahahahaaaaaaaaaa.

[sanguinerabbit]

oh for goodness sakes! this is creativity and Philip Pullman is a genius author who has written a very beautiful story. why does everything need to be this them vs us deal when it comes to 'beliefs'. why can't you all just believe what you believe and treat each other with respect. if your beliefs are as strong as you believe them to be then surely they can take a little questioning? if your god is so big then I'm sure he does not need you to vindicate him... :)

[cyric582]

I totally agree and i thank you for saying this sanguinerabbit. It seems that everything today has to be debated what it "truly" means. Just go on with your own beliefs and stop criticizing everything.

[lovelierlex]

rock on sanguine

[sanguinerabbit]

hey back at YOU lovelierlex :)

[906087]

Wow, so that's the man behind the best trilogy that I've ever read

[jenglo]

He is not lost! What do you think lies behind the frequently quoted christian term 'dust to dust'? And what's the deal with trying to assert that there are more christians than atheists? Is this a competition??

There is more truth in His Dark Materials, than in the bible.

[laura9995]

So now we come from dust! He is so lost! There are more Christians than Atheist get over it.

[empireoats]

prove it.

[laura9995]

Why?

[d1molenaar]

There are more christians than there are Atheists? So does that mean since there were more Nazis in Germany than Jews, that the Nazis were on the side of righteousness?

[laura9995]

Humm Nazis and Atheists what do you think same thing?

[d1molenaar]

Are you trying to suggest that all Nazis were atheists? Lets not forget that it was the Vatican who first came up with the idea of forcing Jews to wear gold stars on their clothing, which the Nazis adopted, that it was the church that demonized Jews in the first place making them easy targets as so-called "Christ killers," and not mention the fact that Hitler frequently referred to the divine, and even had "god with us" inscribed on every belt buckle of the nazi army... whoops!

[d1molenaar]

The Government of the Reich, who regard Christianity as the unshakable foundation of the morals and moral code of the nation, attach the greatest value to friendly relations with the Holy See and are endeavouring to develop them."

-Adolf Hitler, in his speech to the Reichstag on 23 March 1933

[d1molenaar]

"Almighty God. Dear heavenly father in thy name let us now in pious spirit begin our instruction, enlighten us. Teach us all truth, strengthen us in all that is good, lead us not into temptation, deliver us from all evil in order that, as good human beings, we may faithfully perform our duties and thereby, in time and eternity, be made truly happy. Amen."

-Adolf Hitler

[d1molenaar]

And finally, isn't it ironic that if the Nazis were atheistic, that Hitler outlawed the atheistic and freethinking groups in germany in the spring of 1933? Why would he alienate his supposed constituency?

[emphaticapathy]

I think Nazism actually goes to show why religion is such an awful thing (ironically). Nazism was the belief in a fallacious ideal, pursued with the vigour of fundamentalist religious fanatics. The real problem is going beyond reason, and relying on emotive rallying (such as in religion and nazism).

[amindbody]

Hitler was an atheist and he purely was pushing white supremacy. Hitler himself was a Catholic as a child.

[unitstudio]

correction, he was and remained a catholic until his death - hitler followed a strange mix of catholicism, neo-paganism with some other pseudo-scientific stuff thrown in. He was not an atheist.

[amindbody]

I was wrong; Hitler never said he was an atheist, you are right. Hitler could have said he was a Hindu. The old cliche is: actions speak louder than words. Talk is cheap, but for you and I, that is all we have because we will never meet.

[unitstudio]

Well possibly not Hinduism but there was a very prverted element of Buddhism thrown into the mix.

While we'll never meet it certainly doesn't mean that issues can't be discussed civilly and with a tone of respect. I think we're doing well here. Nice to meeting amindbody, albeit virtually! :)

[empireoats]

"why?"

..why do you think you dumb bitch. BECAUSE your statement has no backing to it and justifiable evidence, which makes it an uncredible statement, and overall highlights your obvious stupidity.

i will ask again - WHERE is the proof??

i hope for a less stupid answer next time.

[subgerocallidus]

dust to me is the essense of what makes humans what wee think we are. It gives us questioning thought and creativity and passion. Things that the church HAS tried consciously to stomp out in the past. By means vicious and cruel

[hawkfreak87]

this guys a freak

[empireoats]

coming from the guy with the word 'freak' in his name

[cyric582]

I bet this hawk guys hasnt even read his books or anything. Just spits out words and hopes people takes him seriously. Grow up hawkfreak

[manofsan]

I don't think so. I think that those with preconceptions about the man will see whatever they want to see. Conspiracy theories aside, I don't see which event or idea in the book is anti-Christian.

[havock89]

Yeah he looked well peeved.

[kenyaqueen]

and he look upset that she said the word christan