Golden Compass article needs balance

I am writing because of the article in the Gulf Breeze News about "The Golden Compass."

I have read the books and do not think it is only about atheism. I could look at the story as evil vs. good instead of killing God or atheist views.

The quote in the paper "My book is about killing God" seemed to be misquoted if you read the rest of the quote:

"I'm a great fan of J.K. Rowling, but the people - mainly from America's Bible Belt - who complain that Harry Potter promotes Satanism or witchcraft obviously haven't got enough in their lives. Meanwhile, I've been flying under the radar, saying things that are far more subversive than anything poor old Harry has said. My books are about killing God."

I think (if you read his bio) that he is saying that killing his false God is killing organized religion (in the books).

If you look at recent interviews with him he is not trying to force his beliefs on people and turn them into atheists as is the message I gathered from your article. I wish there had been more than one view in the article.

I hope you do not find this offensive for I did not mean any offense. The point I am trying to make is to immediately boycott a book or movie without reading it first is not good.

This is an interesting quote also, "The writing of his 'Dark Materials' is so masterful that it is bound to spark the spiritual imagination of anyone who reads it," said Craig Detweiler, co-director of Reel Spirituality, a pop culture and religion think tank at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif.

Detweiler accused conservative Christian activists like Baehr and Donohue of cashing in on the controversy for their own gain, just as they accuse Pullman of doing. And he thinks the controversial author could actually have the opposite effect on readers than the one he or his critics think - and lead people to find faith in a true higher power instead of merely a dogmatic, power-hungry establishment.

"It undoubtedly makes people question, but inspires them to look harder for more authentic religion," Detweiler said. "Pullman takes license in pointing out the scary, false gods and destructive idols we've created. In that sense, I think he's doing a great service."