Tuesday 27 November 2007

Fiction and Fact.

Have you read the trilogy of books by Philip Pullman: The Northern Lights, The Amber Spyglass and The Subtle Knife?

They were written for children but have a bit of a cult following amongst the adult/kids, like those on board our boat! The books are perceived by some as an account of the battle between good and evil, where evil is represented by the angels! Mmm...

If you haven't read them do try and get hold of a copy, they are great stories. What Pullman does is to describe a Universe not so different from ours where we can be more detached and less prejudiced. By renaming recognizable organizations, he invites a reassessment devoid of preconceptions. How can that be a bad thing?

The Golden Compass, a full length movie based on The Northern Lights (the first book), has its premiere today in London. Starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig (James Bond). I am even considering a trip back to Europe to watch this my favourite story come to life on the big screen. Here's the trailer:



I was astounded to see in today's Times newspaper that the North American Catholic League is attempting to ban the film in the same way that they have removed the books from library and school shelves in many provinces... Oh give me a break here!

What is going on in parts of the USA and Canada beggars belief, remember the Nazi's? Weren't they into restricting access to books, too?

What is it about organized religion that is so bloody disgraceful? Maybe they should look at their own organizations before casting stones at kids' books. Take at look at this trailer for the universally-acclaimed documentary, Deliver Us From Evil, about the scandal of pedophilia within the Catholic Church, sickening. And the Church thinks it can take the moral high-ground...

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