There shouldn't be any anti-Christian nonsense about this series, in my opinion. It's a fantasy and it so happens to be set with parallels to our life. He decided to use the church as an engine for his story like so many other people (Da Vinci Code, Narnia, Halo [yes, you heard me correctly, they have obvious references for those who pay attention]), albeit, a little openly for what the public is used to. It's just a good story, nothing more, nothing less. I do hope however, it'll be a good movie, too.
And American's don't know what the Northern Lights are?! Wtf? what do kids learn these days?