The Golden Compass, released Dec. 7, seems only to point toward controversy for groups that say the film encourages atheism for kids and flaunts an anti-Catholic bias.

The film is based on the first part of a fantasy trilogy by author Philip Pullman. The trilogy chronicles the adventures of two children as they journey between different universes. Pullman, an outspoken atheist, portrays the church and its leaders as antagonists. The books culminate in a battle between the evil forces of Heaven and the good army, led by the two children. The books have led many Catholic groups, including the Catholic League, to call for a boycott of the film.

While there is no question that the books and their author are critical of religion, their opponents have serious misconceptions about the books (often because they have not read them). One often trumpeted is that the main characters “kill God.” A discussion of the details would be out of place, but suffice it to say that the main characters actually indirectly cause the death of a character who is not God in any Christian understanding.

Secondly, while Pullman’s church is evil, it is not the Roman Catholic Church as we know it. Pullman’s church, analogous to today’s Church, is very different: it is in a different universe. John Calvin was a pope, the Vatican is in Geneva, the Church is horribly corrupt and fanatical, the Church kidnaps children to perform horrible experiments on them and Church leaders never make any mention of Christ and rarely of God. An observer cannot mistake this twisted Church for our Church, despite superficial similarities.

Thirdly, while the specific antagonist in the trilogy is modeled on the Catholic church, the books are truly indictments of overpowerful religion of any kind, Pullman said. Pullman’s church has a large standing army, controls all scientific research and rules the world by proxy. Pullman believes religion is most pure when it is most separated from worldly power. Christ Himself was the least powerful of men; compare Him to the powerful, worldly and corrupt clergy of the Renaissance.

There is no reason for religious people to avoid this film (which, by all accounts, makes nearly no reference to religion). While parents have the duty to monitor their children, they need not be overly alarmed by a philosophical fantasy epic which could lead to an excellent discussion of morality.