<quote>
The pivotal scene in book 3 is
where the Cliff-ghasts (ghosts and nightmares given form) drag the
weakened
Oldest One (possibly not the right term but it was something like that)
and
devour him/it which is, of course a veiled metaphor on the suppression
of
personal religion by organised intercessory religion.
Pullman attacks not religion but organised religion, not Christanity
but the
monolithic control of The Church. The Witches' personal religion where
they
have individual contact with the divine (something that cropped up
regularly
as a heresy to be suppressed in our world) is left alone although
Pullman
values empirical knowledge over revelatory beliefs. He believes in
science.
Belief in God seems perfectly acceptable as long as it does not lead
you to
reject an objective truth.
</quote>
Damn! This was the point I would have liked to make
(but lacked the clarity of mind and stability of my computer :-)
This is the argument I would bring aganist those who would suppose the
HDM to be anti religion. I shall give you 4 smileys in return:
:-)
:-)
:-)
:-)
