"Far from condemning the film, the Kirk looks forward to its release and the opportunities that it presents," the Church of Scotland concluded.

Pullman has hit out at critics, denying that he is using his books to sell "atheism for kids" on the US "Today" show with Al Roker.

Speaking on last Thursday's show, he said, "Well, you know, I always mistrust people who tell us how we should understand something. They know better than we do what the book means or what this means and how we should read it and whether we should read it or not."

"I don't think that's democratic," he continued. "I prefer to trust the reader. I prefer to trust what I call the democracy of reading - when everybody has the right to form their own opinion and read what they like and come to their own conclusion about it. So I trust the reader."

Kidman, a Catholic, has defended her role in the film by saying she would not want to star in a movie that was anti-religious.

The Catholic League, however, remains unconvinced by Pullman's assurances.

On its website, the group says: "It is his objective to bash Christianity and promote atheism. To kids."

President Bill Donohue voiced his scepticism in a statement last Thursday: "The last thing Pullman trusts is the people.

"That is why he tries to sneak his atheism in back-door to kids. If he had any courage, he'd defend his work, but instead he continues to do what he does best - practice deceit."

Donahue also doubted Pullman's claims that the he just intends readers to get a "good experience of a good story", pointing to a comment made several years ago by the writer.

"I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief," said Pullman in an article by The Washington Post, adding that CS Lewis, the Christian author of Chronicles of Narnia, would describe his books as the "Devil's work".

[Editor's note: Katherine T Phan in the US contributed to this article]