Da Vinci Hubbub
The Da Vinci Code movie is coming out this month and already the Catholic Church among others is lining up against it. Sunday morning I heard a Christian radio personality say, “this story is obviously a plot from the depths of hell.” You can’t buy publicity like this.
I have started reading the book in preparation for the movie. Tom hanks with Ron Howard directing? Got to be good. So far it is a pretty decent mystery type story. Mystery and detective works aren’t my favorite genre so I have delayed reading it until now. With so much negative press from the church, I have to wonder: is the book and its concepts evil?
If the church was really smart, it would recommend the book and demand everyone read it. Then nobody would, but this violent reaction, does that not cause an opposite reaction, stirring people’s curiosity? Are religious leaders afraid that people’s faith is so weak that reading this book will un-convert them? I grant the argument that someone who is new to the faith might be confused by the book, but is that enough reason not to read it for what it is…a good story.
What do you think? Have you read the book? Was your faith damaged? Would it be better for Christians not to read it? I’ll let you know when I finish.
I have started reading the book in preparation for the movie. Tom hanks with Ron Howard directing? Got to be good. So far it is a pretty decent mystery type story. Mystery and detective works aren’t my favorite genre so I have delayed reading it until now. With so much negative press from the church, I have to wonder: is the book and its concepts evil?
If the church was really smart, it would recommend the book and demand everyone read it. Then nobody would, but this violent reaction, does that not cause an opposite reaction, stirring people’s curiosity? Are religious leaders afraid that people’s faith is so weak that reading this book will un-convert them? I grant the argument that someone who is new to the faith might be confused by the book, but is that enough reason not to read it for what it is…a good story.
What do you think? Have you read the book? Was your faith damaged? Would it be better for Christians not to read it? I’ll let you know when I finish.
posted by Death Warmed Over | 2:33 PM
10 Comment:
any Christian who can't read it for what it is - a FICTION novel... needs to re-evaluate their faith anyway.
.. why dont the go out and ban lotr for freaks saek - they tried to get rid of harry potter!
the information on Mary Magadelene is derived from the incomplete Gospel of Thomas - and its very incomplete. The story of the illuminiati reflects gnosticism - a ancient congolomeration of religions.
I read the book; I personally think it is a poorly written novel. I was lucky to get the hardcover with all the images that the writer refered to...but as for the so-called religious conspiricy, it's absurd. I won't waste your comments on all of it, but there is nothing new in attacking the Catholic Church and sometimes it is deserved, but one who knows people who walk with God in the faith cannot call it false.
I'm sorry that the Church fears it; they needed to fear Emperor Henry II way more--he was a bigger threat.
I haven't read it for the same reason as you, although I've considered it just because the church is against it. They always do silly things like that - rant and rail while taking actions that accomplish the opposite of what they intended, then sit back and say "Well, we tried."
I should clarify my comment; I've known some cool Catholics and I read books by Catholic writers that edify me greatly. I don't know much about the writer, but as a medievalist (that was my field), he had some sloppy data although he was right about the Templars. I agree with Grant insofar that the Church creates more problems with its list of forbidden fruit, but that could be said of any religion. The movie might be better than the book, but if we were neighbors, I give you my copy; even though I didn't like the book, the art is way cool.
Our church has dealt with this in completely the opposite way...we have not been discouraged from reading it...our pastor is actually using it as a tool to answer questions, and to teach us (memebers of the church) how to address non-believers questions.
Why bury our heads in the sand? What makes the Christain faith powerful is that we are allowed to make choices, in side of God's will or outside of it.
The Catholic Church has been through the wringer though and I understand their position against it. The book is full of poop! :) And ETOR is correct, it was poorly written.
The book sucks for two reasons.
1) The writing was trite and formulaic. The only reason it has become a bestseller is because it's a bestseller... people want to buy it and get in on the controversy.
2) The book begins by stating that "all descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate".
Quite frankly, that is complete bullshizzle. In fact, very few of Dan Brown's descriptions are accurate... we must assume that he got lucky on some.
I don't have any problem with fiction... but when you make a claim like Dan Brown did at the begining of this book... you had better be ready to back it up.
I think, from reading the posts, that we all agree that we don't want to be told what we should or should not be exposed to. Part of developing a strong faith is exposing yourself to points of view that may be in conflict with that faith. Not everyone believes or agrees with Christianity and if you're going to be a Christian you need to explore these positions like MV said her church is doing.
The more I read this book the less impressed I am. As literature...well maybe the movie will be better.
DWO I've lurked around some now and I think I'd enjoy your blog. I've not read the book, and now I am choosing not to read the book (partly thanks to the neg criticism), but rather see the movie. I saw some commentary today on tv, I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing that the church opposes it, of course they would, but it's also good that it can be used as a tool to further the truth and true words of Christ. In order to take one side of an argument or discussion it is necessary to know the other side.
ptheimp-ur welcome any time and thaks for including me on the Bored blog
I wasn't damaged.
I stopped reading it though. It made me mad. It was good right up until the part where you start figuring out that the authour is implying that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and had a kid.
Stupid.
I threw the book somewhere and never picked it back up.
People being shaken from their faith?? Ridiculous, it's classified FICTION for a reason. People need to RELAX.
Although, I have to say, even as a child, I always wondered who the heck that woman was beside Jesus in the painting of the Last Supper. I was quite the observant 6 year old I guess...LOL.
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