Church rejects boycott calls for new film

The film, an adaptation of the first book in Philip Pullman's His Dark materials trilogy starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, opens at cinemas on Wednesday.

There have been calls from some sections of the Christian community for the film to be boycotted because of its perceived attacks on organised religion.

But the Kirk's Mission and Discipleship Council has taken the opposite view, and hope the film will spark debate about moral and spiritual issues.

A church statement said the film was "an invitation to dialogue on human purpose and destiny, the abuse of power, the making of choices and the meaning of life".

The Church of Scotland is even set to publish a leaflet to mark its release.