The new movie “The Golden Compass” is a slick, expertly crafted and captivating piece of pop culture entertainment but it goes out of its way to convey aggressive anti-religious messages. The bad guys in the fantasy film are involved with an international conspiracy called “The Magisterium,” headquartered in imposing cathedrals, and trying to force free-spirited children to follow its rules. Unlike the Harry Potter series, the movie is based on books by an author who’s proud of his atheist, anti-Christian agenda. Some commentators say that children should be allowed to reach their own conclusions about the messages of the movie, but parents who make big sacrifices for religious education should think twice before exposing their kids to such seductive propaganda for allowing emotion to triumph over authority. After all, how many religious households would welcome the idea that the word “daemon” applies to cuddly, protective animal companions that accompany each child—until the mean, fun-killing Magisterium tries to remove them?