Christian groups slam Golden Compass

[Alex]

I would say there is an important difference in approach between defending oneself from an attack and saying that an opposing idea should be avoided as completely as possible.

"These ideas are too dangerous to even be seen" is not a defense against attack, in my opinion, it is an infantilization of the membership. "Examine this idea, think about, and here are the reasons we think it faulty/inadequate/scurrilous/etc and are confident your faith will come out strong on the other side" is defense.

I do agree that the market is overcrowded with epic fantasy adaptations (particularly YA epic fantasy) but think this is one of the better examples and I'd gladly swap the final two Harry Potter movies for two more in this vein.