Volume 6/ Number 2 (116-127) September 2019 https://jurnal.ugm.ac.id/rubikon

MAGISTERIUM AS THE ENEMY OF LIBERAL THOUGHTS IN PHILLIP PULLMAN’S NORTHERN LIGHTS

Nabil Bakri e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT Article information Received: 9 August, 2019 Pullman‘s Northern Lights is considered by many as a representation of Revised: 23 August, 2019 negative criticism toward religion, especially Christianity, for its Accepted: 6 September, 2019 depictions of the Magisterium. Many researches aim to unravel Pullman‘s criticism and prove whether or not the novel is about ‗killing God‘, resulting in the general perception that Northern Lights is a condemnation of religion. By comparing the novel to the history of Medieval Church and the power of Magisterium to the Bible, this analysis means to prove whether or not the criticism is addressed to religion and to figure out who really ‗kills God‘ that becomes the essential point of Pullman‘s criticism in the novel. Using Marxism and its relation to power abuse, this analysis attempts to relate Pullman‘s Magisterium to the real Magisterium and how the institution gains its power from God as mentioned in the holy Bible. Magisterium in Northern Lights does not represent God‘s will. It serves instead as a critic of who kills God and therefore, it is not a form of literature to condemn religion.

Keywords: magisterium; medieval church; scripture; fantasy; power abuse

DOI : https://doi.org/10.22146/rubikon.v6i2.61493 Available at https://jurnal.ugm.ac.id/rubikon/article/view/61493 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

INTRODUCTION at the exact same time continuum or paradigm as Disney‘s The Chronicles of In 2007, New Line Cinema (which Narnia (which was about to release its previously gained its highest momentum as it second entry Prince Caspian), Warner‘s released The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) Harry Potter, and Fox‘s (now Disney after released The Golden Compass, a then new Disney CEO Bob Iger officially purchased fantasy film based on the work of English 20th Century Fox) Eragon. It was certainly novelist Philip Pullman. The film was before the age of Superhero films (as Iron released during the public‘s continuing Man was released merely a year after The fascination toward fantasy as it was released Golden Compass and started the long journey Nabil Bakri – Magisterium as the Enemy of Liberal Thoughts in Pullman’s Northern Lights of the Marvel Cinematic Universe) and ask the obvious question of why the film therefore, the film was expected to be both based on a bestseller released during the peak critically and financially successful. It was of fantasy film trend could ended up as a rather safe to assume that the film would be a forgotten piece of Technicolor reels. The Los success considering the achievements of its Angeles Daily News, however, found a rather already popular source material and the surprising reason regarding the failure of the growing success of fantasy series (namely film during an interview with Reverend Greg The Lord of The Rings, Harry Potter, and the Garman that Christians were being then newest entry The Chronicles of Narnia: encouraged not to see the film (Daily News, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe) and 2007). This surprising discovery led to the yet, the film tanked in the box office chart investigation of the source material which is and completely shut any opportunity for its the actual book written by Philip Pullman, sequel to be filmed. Northern Lights.

One of the most recognizable film critics It is widely known that Philip Pullman is Roger Ebert gave The Golden Compassa an atheist and his famous work His Dark perfect 4/4 score, noting that the film is Materials trilogy is criticized for being a actually ―a darker, deeper fantasy epic than condemnation towards religion (especially the "Rings" trilogy, "The Chronicles of Roman Catholicism and Christianity). The Narnia" or the "Potter" films‖ (Ebert, 2007). writer himself even stated that his book is The Golden Compass was considered a actually ‗about killing God‘ and therefore, he Special Effect masterpiece, indeed, as the was actually expecting for negative responses DVD released after the Academy Awards from readers all over the world, though ceremony boldly included the Oscars‘ Best finally Rowling‘s Harry Potter surpassed its Visual Effect of 2008 logo to show the controversies and hid Northern Lights tightly gravitas of the fantastical innovations in the ‗below the radar‘ (Bruner from Garrahy, recreation of the novel‘s fantastical storyline. 2009, p. 106). Most readers, however, might However, according to Box Office Mojo(a not be aware that the depictions of an popular box office count aggregator, an authoritative institution called the international online gateway to films‘ Magisterium is believed, by many critics, financial reports), the film could only make religious leaders, and Pullman himself, to be $372 million from its $180 million Pullman‘s criticism towards religion. Unlike production budget. Regardless of how Ebert many non-Catholic readers who might guess praises the film, the numbers cannot be that the Magisterium in Northern Lights is manipulated, meaning that the film was a simply a make believe institution equal to the financial nightmare that can be interpreted as church or Papacy, readers belong to a proof of extremely low numbers of viewers, Christianity or Roman Catholicism are and The Guardian even released an article supposed to notice the fact that there really is under the title ―The Golden Compass recap: an institution named the Magisterium under how a literary triumph was turned to dust‖ in the Papacy in the real world—The 2013 to remember how bad the film really Magisterium in Northern Lights is parallel to was and how an opportunity was skillfully The Magisterium in the reality. Yet, many wasted to dust. It is logical, then, for one to young adults do not notice the actual

117 RUBIKON Volume 6/ Number 2 September 2019 meaning of his Magisterium disguised those meanings are intended to be discovered beneath Pullman‘s fantastic words in by readers. In fact, Pullman was so ready for Northern Lights. massive backlash but ended up being surprised that his controversial masterpiece Pullman‘s extraordinary ability to was actually less debated than theHarry deliver his visions of fantasy through words Potter series despite containing more makes Northern Lights a highly favorable sensitive issues—the way Northern Lights novel among young adults. Northern Lights view the Fall or sin of man being one of wins The Carnegie Medal and the Guardian those issues. Award, for it mesmerizes not only children and young adults, but also adults who fall in In Northern Lights, Pullman does not love with its fantastic-adventurous theme. resemble the Fall of human simply as a ‗sin‘ The fascination towards the work, however, like those depicted by C.S. Lewis in his usually makes it impossible to unravel hidden popular series, The Chronicles of Narnia. messages behind its chapters because the Lewis, who was extremely open about his readers usually have no time to scrutinize the conservative-religious views in both his life work during the reading process. They really and his works (in both academic and non- become attached to the adventure, mystery, academic) (Colbert, 2006), wrote the Fall as and action depicted by the novel and the somewhat destructive and therefore the eagerness to know ‘what is next’ so they depictions of the ideology of good and evil simply miss, or sometimes ignore, Pullman‘s arevividly described. According to Northern intentional message to ‗kill God‘. Lights, however, the Fall cannot be seen as Nevertheless, readers who read it more something negative, for it is necessary in the carefully or simply have an understanding of shift from childhood into adulthood—that to the Papacy, will be able to recognize the experience sin is a natural part of the process writer‘s criticism towards religion. of growing up (Cuthew from Rihane, 2013, p. 5). Thus, instead of interpreting the act of In Fantasy in Northern Lights: Between killing as a sin, for example,Northern Amusement and Ideology, Rihane concludes Lightsquestions whether the act of killing is a that there is no children‘s or young adult‘s sin if it is based on a right purpose. The main literature that is free of ideology (2013, p. 7). character Lyra questions the notion of Pullman manages to delight young readers as whether Dust (a mysterious particle) is purely well as adults so they mostly miss the hidden wicked as adults say, or is actually good, ideology concealed in the work. However, it which means that the adults are wrong or does not mean that there is no hidden being manipulative to their children. ideology at all in the work, for a hidden message is something that embodies each and The hidden ideologies areat hand and every literary work including Northern soon after the hype of criticizing Harry Lights. Although the popularity of the Potter grew dim, people started to criticize elements of fantasy in Northern Lights and condemn Northern Lights. In 2002, Peter eventually surpass the popularity of hidden Hitchens from The Mailon Sunday titled ideology in the book, Pullman explained that Pullman as the most dangerous author in there are hidden meanings of his work and Britain (Garrahy, 2009, p. 106). Jessica

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Garrahy in her journal His Controversial confirmation regarding the proper use of a Materials: Pullman and Religious Narrative valid theory from Karl Marx‘s ideas, the Identity published on 19 December 2009 in Marxist theory concerning power within Literature and Aesthetics explains how most societies. readers are likely to view Northern Lights, its People have been led to believe that their criticism towards religion, and its ability to ideas, their cultural life, their legal change people‘s religious belief, in certain systems, and their religions were the creations of human and divine reason, ways. However, to change someone‘s belief which should be regarded as the is not an easy task and though Northern unquestioned guides to human life. Marx Lights might have the ability to do so, reverses this formulation and argues that Garrahy believes that it is not supposed to all mental (ideological) systems are the change someone‘s belief, but to open further products of real social and economic discussions about religion for a better existence. The material interests of the understanding on human history and dominant social class determine how people see human existence, individual humanity itself. and collective. Legal systems, for Pullman claimed that his book is about example, are not the pure manifestations of human or divine reason, but ‗killing God‘ and many people address their ultimately reflect the interests of the negative responses to it. People belong to dominant class in particular historical Christianity find the novel as an insult to period (Selden and Widdowson, 1993, their religion and many critics agree with pp. 70-71). their perspectives. However, does Northern Based on the excerpt added previously, Lights really kill God? In order to explain it is clear that the Marxist theory does indeed evidences about Pullman‘s criticism towards tackle with the matters of power within religion in his novel, apparently, is not a human societies. The theory is surprisingly in difficult task and to do so will not make this line with cultural studies which observes the analysis the first, but to answer whether or correlations between power and the creation not the criticism really is addressed to of popular cultures. According to cultural religion is rather difficult, because there are studies, power pervades every level of social lots of human‘s involvements in the forging relationships and acts as a concept that binds process of Christianity that can make people societies together since power enables social wonder about the specific individuals that relationship and social order (Barker, 1999, abuse religious power bestowed upon p. 10). Marx‘s argument that human ideas, them.The power bestowed upon religious lifestyles, legal systems, and religions are leaders, similar to any kind and/or access to ―products of real social and economic power, according to Karl Marx, is prone to existence‖ provides the idea that those power abuse causing conflicts between social concepts (including religions) are created out classes (Barry, 2009, p. 167). This analysis of social interactions and powers, bearing means to disclose the origin of power certain mortal (instead of divine) interests. bestowed upon religious leaders involved Newer idea concerning the initial reason of specifically in the Magisterium and the the establishment of religions is addressed by actual target of criticism in Northern Lights. Yuval Noah Harari in Sapiens: A Brief In order to do so, this analysis sought

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History of Humankind (2015) which Lord Asriel to stop him from a further study concludes that, based on historical on Dust in the second chapter of the novel perspectives, religion emerges through shows his fear of the Magisterium and the human‘s need to thrive through teamwork terrible cost Lord Asriel, Jordan, and Lyra (Harari, 2015, pp. 209-236). Ideas on power should pay if Lord Asriel continues his do not necessarily mean to demolish power scientific research on Dust, for it is widely (and religion) because those very same ideas known that the study of Dust is restricted as also acknowledge the importance of power the Master talks to the librarian, ―Hardly (and religion) in the existence of humankind. anyone would be happy for that idea (to kill However, those ideas allow the public to Lord Asriel), Charles. The question was question the bearers of power, their motives, whether doing that would be worse than the and whether or not they abuse their powers. consequences of not doing it,‖ (Pullman, This kind of correlation between power and 1995, p. 20). It is clear, then, that to defy the the abuse of power is ultimately scrutinized Magisterium means to defy literally in this qualitative analysis. everyone, even one‘s dearest friend, for the Magisterium‘s rules are made to be absolute DISCUSSION and its punishments are undoubtedly fearful.

Northern Lights, popularly known as Since the death of Pope John Calvin, the The Golden Compass, tells the story of a Papacy is abolished and the Magisterium mischievous girl named LyraBelacqua who takes its place as the supreme power to views the world as the place of adventures control people‘s life. The Magisterium has and her acts resemble her belief that all rules the total power claimed to be given by God are made to be broken. Her uncle, a highly to govern practically everything and respected scientist Lord Asriel, put her in therefore, there are only two possibilities of Oxford‘s most respected College called rules: whether something is good or bad (or Jordan in which she learns about secrets whether something is right or wrong). There considered as restricted by the supreme is no room for questions and once an action institution, the Magisterium. The institution is sentenced as ‗bad‘, people must accept the controls not only people‘s religious aspects belief that the action is ‗bad‘. Lyra, however, but also every single aspect of human‘s life, questions whether or not Dust is ‗bad‘ since including politics, science and what should the Magisterium (and everyone) say that Dust and should not be taught in schools and is bad and evil, and therefore motivate Lyra‘s colleges. The Magisterium considers any curiosity to prove whether Dust is truly evil science related to a mysterious particle or there might be a chance that it is actually known as Dust as a conviction of defiance good. The particular plot criticizes the fact towards the institution and therefore the that people cannot question God while subject who practice the research of Dust Pullman‘s character cannot stop her question should be punished. The punishment is not because the decision made by the always given by the institution directly, but it Magisterium for science is somewhat is also possible for people in general to illogical. The way the Magisterium is punish the action of disobedient towards their explained in the novel and Lyra‘s thoughts ultimateruler. Jordan Master‘s plan to kill and actions to defy the institution make many

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Nabil Bakri – Magisterium as the Enemy of Liberal Thoughts in Pullman’s Northern Lights people believe that Pullman has an intention Lights to unravel its true criticism and to to criticize religion, for any action to defy the whom it is addressed. A skeptical attitude to institution means to defy God Himself. people‘s criticism is necessary since the writer does expect such responses from the Rihane believes that Northern Lights readers (Garrahy, 2009, p. 106) and therefore carries different ideologies of sexuality, being suspicious towards people‘s suspicion morality, and religion. Since he analyzes the of the novel‘s position as a religion critic is novel as a children‘s literature, he means to reasonable. prove Peter Hunts‘ claim that no children‘s text is free of ideology (2013, p. 7) though a Magisterium and the Medieval Church children‘s literature might be able to provide the reading enjoyment so the reader cannot The medieval period shows the growth perceive the ideology hidden by the author. of church that leads to the wealth of Similar to public‘s opinion, Rihane mentions ministers, monks, and nurses. Karen ‗religion‘ as one of three major ideologies Armstrong in The Battle for God: A History of Fundamentalism mentioned about the Pullman gave to his novel with the religion ideology being the strongest point. On her growthin medieval European and that ‗Life journal, Garrahy explains about the religious was slowly becoming secularized in controversy and many scholar‘s and Europe…‘ and how ‗the increased Christian‘s condemnations toward Northern productivity and healthier livestock affected Lights. Though she does not criticize the everybody‘s life‘ (2000, pp. 62-66). The novel as being a criticism towards religion, proof that the wealth brought negative impact she examines how people should react came from Martin Luther (1483-1546) who towards the controversy. Both Rihane and was one of the first Europeans to promote the Garrahy do not defy nor deny the public separation of church and state. Martin Luther criticism upon the novel and therefore condemned the coercive methods of the strengthening the belief that Northern Lights Roman Catholic Church to use the state to is a refusal of God and religion. impose its own rules and orthodoxy (Armstrong, 2000, p. 67). It is not surprising and rather logical that people interpret the novel as a religion critic, The petition to separate politics and and an important one since it is published as religion designates the indication that the a children‘s book. However, the fact that it is Church misused its power for its own written for children while it has what people benefits and no one should question the believe as the ‗wrong‘ ideologymakes many Church‘s activity to gain wealth through its people suggest that the novel should be privilege given by God. Pullman‘s banned. Rihane, in his conclusion, says that Magisterium, once a respected religious Pullman‘s novel can be considered as being institution, misused its power and transforms intrusive on some levels and may be seen by itself into a divine yet fearful institution conservatives as downright sinister (2013, p. dictating people‘s life. The Magisterium 7). The petition to ban the book and people‘s claims that their dictation is for the benefits seemingly endless hatred towards the novel of the society, but apparently there is no suggestan in depth analysis onNorthern other option but to obey the Magisterium and

121 RUBIKON Volume 6/ Number 2 September 2019 therefore, it is not an effort to bring benefits spread the gospel, to form a teaching to the society, but a force to make the society authority to pass and spread Jesus‘ teachings. obey the Magisterium. The teaching of the The role of the apostles then succeeded by Magisterium, which concerns of both bishops and the assembly is called the religious and secular aspects, is claimed to be Magisterium which means ‗teaching office‘. the teaching of God and therefore, not even a Although the Magisterium is under the scholar is permitted to examine Dust authority of the scripture, it does have a scientifically, for it is banned by the power, that is, ‗The Magisterium speaks with institution. The Magisterium in Northern the authority of Christ, guided and Lights is an extreme example of power empowered by the Spirit of Truth‘ abusethat is not entirely impossible to happen (D‘Ambrosio, 2016) and therefore, it is in the real world since such abuse in which infallible. The privilege, however, is given in people in religious power do anything to order to support the process of teaching the keep his power and privilege at hand already gospel and not to support bishops‘ personal happened in the medieval church, though it interests. Bishops, though they hold the was not as extreme as Pullman‘s teaching role, share the teaching duty with Magisterium. A question of how it is possible the Pope who is considered as the successor for a religion institution to misuse its power of Peter, one of the discipleswhom the emerges. In order to answer the question, apostles gathered around to. Thus, as Jesus however, it is necessary to analyze how the gathered the apostles around Peter, the institution gained its privilege, started from relation between bishops and the Pope in the the beginning of Jesus‘ ministry (Pollock, teaching process is inseparable. Pollock 2002, p. 13) stated in Luke 4:16-19: explains the influence of Peter which makes And he came to Nazareth, where he had the evolvement of his successor, the Pope, in been brought up; and, as his custom the Church essential: was,he went into the synagogue on the Given the information from the gospels, Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. it‘s not surprising that Peter should And there was delivered unto him the emerge immediately after the death of book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he Jesus as the leader of the earliest church. had opened the book, he found the place Peter dominated the community for where it was written, nearly fifteen years following the ‗The spirit of the Lord is upon me, Resurrection. It was he who raised his because he hath anointed me to preach voice and preached at Pentecost, the day the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to when the church came into being. It was heal the broken-hearted, to preach he who served as an advocate for the deliverance to the captives and apostles before the Jewish religious court recovering of sight to the blind, to set at in Jerusalem. It was he who led the liberty them that are bruised.‘ others in extending the church…(2002, To preach the acceptable year of the p. 18). Lord. (Luke 4:16-19) Indeed, Jesus Christ is considered as the The Lord asked Jesus to preach the invisible head of the Church, but it is gospel, but Jesus did not spread his teachings believed that by his authority the Pope all by Himself. He gathered the apostles, the becomes the visible head of the Church early Christians embarked on journeys to (Pollock, 2002, p. 27). He is the ultimate

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Nabil Bakri – Magisterium as the Enemy of Liberal Thoughts in Pullman’s Northern Lights teacher of the gospel inspired by the Holy Magisterium no less than a government Spirit and therefore he is considered as a institution that governs both religious and person unable to make any error in the matter secular aspects. There are The Consistorial of teaching the gospel. The Magisterium, Court of Discipline, The General Oblation which then also becomes infallible, teaches Board, The Society of the Work of the Holy discipline, doctrine and dogma. Discipline is Spirit, and other institutional parts of the the rules made by the Church related to the Magisterium involved in political fights. current moral aspects and manners, which Pullman describes it not as an institution as means it depends very much on the current we know it, but a religion institution of paradigm and the teachings will be changed which religion is not the ultimate concern if the paradigm is shifted. Doctrine and and goal, but a tool to control politics, dogma, on the other hand, are the truth cultures, and social lives. The description of spoken by God and therefore, they do not the Master‘s conversation with the Librarian change through time (D‘Ambrossio, 2016). shows how the Magisterium turns into a In order to ensure the continuity of passing fearful institution. the gospel through generations, it is The Librarian was silent in his turn. Ever necessary to give the Pope, bishops, and the since Pope John Calvin had moved the Magisterium the authority to make certain seat of Papacy to Geneva and set up the Consistorial Court of Discipline, the rules so that the teaching process meets no Church‘s power over every aspect of life obstacles. With information provided by the had been absolute. The Papacy itself had religion, D‘Ambrossio explains the privilege been abolished after Calvin‘s death, and of authority and infallibility owned by the a tangle of courts, colleges, and councils, Magisterium: collectively known as the Magisterium, So while there are different sorts of had grown up in its place. These Magisterial teaching with differing agencies were not always united; degrees of authority, the willingness to sometimes a bitter rivalry grew up submit loyally to the Magisterium must between them. For a large part of the be the rule, even if that teaching is not previous century, the most powerful had per se infallible. For the Church is no been the College of Bishops, but in mere human institution. Birthed by the recent years the Consistorial Court of Spirit, it was endowed with the Spirit Discipline had taken its place as the most with certain gifts. One of the greatest of active and the most feared of all the those gifts is the charisma of truth given Church‘s bodies (Pullman, 1995, p. 21). to the apostles successors that guarantees The religion makes the Magisterium that the Church will remain a pillar and bulwark of the truth (I Timothy. 3:15) till infallible, but abolishing the Papacy would the end of time (D‘Ambrossio, 2016). be a violation to the religion which clearly made the Papacy, bishops, and the Phillip Pullman does not describe the Magisterium inseparable. Jesus made the Magisterium the way it is in the real life. Pope the head of the church based on the Though it is clear that the Magisterium needs influence of Peter and the apostles who then the Pope‘s authority, Pullman‘s Magisterium became responsible to the Magisterium. abolishes the Papacy and becomes a divine Pullman‘s Magisterium terminates the institution made up of several different Papacy and therefore terminates the right of authorities. These authorities make the

123 RUBIKON Volume 6/ Number 2 September 2019 its divine authority, for it is not possible to many aspects included in the term ‗power have one without the other (D‘Ambrossio, abuse‘: 2016). The Magisterium in Northern Lights, Likewise, those in spiritual positions of then, has no rights to claim the God given authority can violate our trust. It‘s authority to pass its teachings. Christianity possible to become so determined to defend a spiritual place of authority, a does not give its authority to the Magisterium doctrine, or a way of doing things, that to eliminate the Papacy and to control every you wound and abuse anyone who aspect of life. Thus, the Magisterium questions, disagrees, or does not described in the novel does not represent the ―behave‖ spiritually the way you want teaching of Jesus and Christianity. them to. When your words and actions tear down another, or attack or weaken a Magisterium, the Holy Bible and Power person‘s standing as a Christian – to Abuse gratify you, your position, or your beliefs, while, at the same time, Pullman‘s Magisterium exercise its weakening or harming another – that is authority to the society and therefore, it spiritual abuse (Johnson and Van signifies the term ‗power abuse‘ mentioned Vonderen from Haon, 2013, p. 106). by Abel Haon in his paper ―Identifying The Magisterium earns its authority Leadership Power Abuse and its Prevention from God. This fact makes people think that in the Local Church Context‖. The way the Northern Lights insults Christianity simply Magisterium allows any possible precaution because the religion gives such power and to prevent a further ‗independent study‘ of infallibility to the Pope and bishops. The Dust shows how the institution forces its novel becomes more than a mere fantasy teachings to be ‗blindly‘ accepted by the literature but a question to religion, doubting society. The word ‗blindly‘ has a relation to the decision of bestowing the divine authority the phrase ‗independent study‘ and signifies to the ‗mere‘ people while it is indeed no an even further power abuse done by the room for questions in religion or it will not Magisterium, for the institution does not be a religion at all, for the decisions of God purely eliminate scientific research, but means the end of the discussion—it is, by all controls and/or supervises any scientific means, absolute (D‘Ambrossio, 2016). research if it to be conducted. However, the However, the Holy Bible does not allow any relation suggests a contradiction. The person or institution with the privilege of Magisterium allows only its division to power from God to exercise the power for analyze Dust and therefore, it is impossible to any reason but to teach the gospel through expect the result of the research to be kindness. The books of Matthew and Mark in independent or objective (unbiased). Thus, the Bible contain almost similar verses people can only accept the information of talking about power abuse among many other Dust provided by the institution ‗blindly‘ books and verses about the same subject: with no room to question its validity or even But Jesus called them unto him, and its methodology. Abel Haon recites David said, Ye know that the princes of the Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen‘swriting Gentiles exercise dominion over them, about ‗spiritual abuse‘, a term in which in and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

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But it shall not be so among you: but are for the society‘s benefits. The General whosoever will be great among you, let Oblation Board, which has the responsibility him be your minister: to eliminate Dust, assures the society that And whosoever will be chief among you, Dust is the representation of sin and therefore let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be must be destroyed. The reason to interpret ministered unto, but to minister, and to Dust as the representation of sin comes from give his life a ransom for many. the fact that Dust only attracted to adults and (Matthew 20: 25-28) adolescence and not to children before puberty. Thus, Dust appears and attracted to Indeed the religion asks the successor of someone only after he commits his first sin Peter to teach the gospel and he is attributed intentionally. To analyze the phenomenon with infallibility through the guidance of the using kidnapped children, members of the Holy Spirit, but he must not ‗exercise General Oblation Board justify their action authority upon them‘ (the people) and he is by assuring themselves and all who got bowed to ‗give his life a ransom for many‘. themselves involved in the process that ‗it is The rules are obvious among the privileges for their (the kidnapped children‘s and and it is said that the Holy Bible and Jesus children in general) good as well as ours‘ and Christ are the ultimate authorities to spread blatantly reject to call the children they the words of God and therefore, the Pope and kidnap as the sacrifice even though the the Magisterium are bowed to the ultimate children are treated as sacrificial objects: authorities. Thus, there is nothing wrong with Sacrifice is rather a dramatic way of the religion as long as it remains pure. In putting it. What‘s done is for their good Northern Lights, however, the authorities as well as ours. And of course they all secularize the religion and therefore, it is come to Mrs. Coulter willingly. That‘s ‗they‘ (people bestowed with divine why she‘s so valuable. They must want authorities) who exercise their powers to take part, and what child could resist through spiritual abuse which is a form of her? And if she‘s going to use you as power abuse. Thus, Northern Lights well to bring them in, so much the better. I‘m very pleased.‖ He smiled at her in examines the phenomenon so close to human the way Mrs. Coulter had as if they were beings which Karl Marx believes comes both in on a secret. She smiled politely along the way with power (Barker 2000, p. back and he turned away to talk to 10) that leads to conflicts between (social) someone else (Pullman, 1995, p. 61). classes (Barry, 2009, p. 167). The Magisterium uses the authority Pullman‘s Magisterium consists of bestowed by Christianity to oppress the several institutions in which all of the society which has to obey the institution institutions fight for the highest position because the ‗oppression‘ is ‗for their good as though they belong to one major institution. well as ours‘. The institution is responsible The competitions between institutions, for the abduction of children who will be the however, do not disrupt Magisterium‘s works objects of their scientific experiments. to govern the society. Despite of the However, they do not consider the abduction Magisterium‘s fearful decision to eliminate as a crime, but the children‘s spiritual freedom, the institution assure that their rules determination, for they become the object

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‗willingly‘. It is clear, then, that the scowl on the fatal harbinger announcing the institution manipulates religion since the subdivision of the duperies on which they decision to eliminate the Papacy and live‖ (Dawkins, p. 137). As a result, it is becomes the supreme institution to govern obvious that the point of the criticism is ‗the every aspect of life in order to ensure their priests‘ and not the ‗different religious sects‘, power and to fulfill its own interests. meaning that Northern Lights does not However, Christianity does not allow both criticize Christianity as a religion, but the power and spiritual abuse and therefore, the Christian authorities who deliberately use institution kills the gospel to create a new their power to manipulate others for their teaching based on the need of the institution. own benefits—those religious leaders, Northern Lights put it simply, are the true CONCLUSION form of hypocrisy in human society.

The moment a reader finds out that REFERENCES Pullman is an atheist and an influential critic to give The Chronicles of Narnia, a highly Adamson, Andrew (Director). (2005). The respected religious series, a negative Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the response, it is possible and reasonable that Witch and the Wardrobe. The Walt the reader will not view Pullman‘s Disney Company/Buena Vista descriptions of the Magisterium and Dust as Distribution/P.T. Vision Interprima mere fantastic plot but a piercing and rather Pictures: DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) straight-forward criticism towards Region 03/NTSC SLS NO: Christianity. Though there are many people 154/DVD/R/PA/9.2009/2008. express their negative responses toward the Armstrong, Karen. (2000). The Battle for novel for its content, there are many people God: A History of Fundamentalism. who criticize Northern Lights for its target New York: The Ballantine Publishing reader. It is considered fine for a novel to Group. carry subtle and controversial ideologies, but not as a children‘s (and young adult‘s) book. Barker, Chris. (2000). Cultural Studies: Apart from the readers‘ mixed responses, Theory and Practice. London: SAGE however, the Bible provides the evidence that Publications Ltd. the power abuse done by Pullman‘s Barry, Peter. (2009). Beginning Theory: An Magisterium is not allowed by Christianity Introduction to Literary and Cultural (and other religions) and therefore, Northern Theory (Third Edition). Manchester: Lights means to criticize people who own Manchester University Press. religious authority and act as a reminder that Box Office Mojo (Editors). (2019). The ‗power‘ can be used for both good and bad Golden Compass. Retrieved July 11, deeds. Northern Lights perfectly captures 2019. Thomas Jefferson‘s criticism recited by Colbert, David. (2006). The Magical Worlds Richard Dawkins in his controversial book of Narnia. Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka The God Delusion, ―The priests of different Utama. religious sects…dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight, and

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Nabil Bakri – Magisterium as the Enemy of Liberal Thoughts in Pullman’s Northern Lights

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