The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
The Golden Compass is a interesting book. It is mentioned quite often along side of the C.S. Lewis' Lion, witch and the wardrobe Series. C.S. Lewis's series are sometimes referred to as christian allegories and contain christian motifs but interestingly enough, the Golden Compass tries to be the opposite.
The novel is interesting as it draws upon religious concepts which many are anti-Christian. The Church's General Oblation board is depicted as a tyrannical group in an attempt to sever humans from their daemons using a method called intercision. Daemons' are a visual representation of one's soul . When one is severed from their familiar, it parallels the effect of one losing their soul. They become blank and lifeless.
This act parallels the idea of Religion robbing us of our free will through its implication of limiting knowledge and free will. The context of free will in the novel is humanity it self. It draws parallels to the Bible's story of Adam and Eve, the couple are tempted and fall into sin resulting in their separation from God. All of our flaws contribute to our humanity. If one is perfect then how could we be considered human? Wouldn't we just be a bland perfect creatures ever to live on in perfection?
The novel brought an interesting perspective on the idea of religion and humanity's free will. Should one just succumb to accepting the doctrine delivered by an organization or should one pursue to find his own interpretation of answer? Part of growing up is to take a chance and explore outside of what is declared to be right. Would it be as far as defying authority and trusting your own experiences?
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