The DaVinci Code :Good Or Bad ?

[Reverend Jim]

Fellow members, I am currently reading the DaVinci Code which is a Fictional Tome currently burning up the best seller charts....


FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE....

This intelligent and lucid thriller combines an international murder mystery with secret religious societies and religious cover-ups. Even though it’s a work of fiction, there must be something to it since it has many people crying “religion-bashing,” and/or “Catholic-bashing.” Our local freethinkers who have read it recommend it highly.
Book Description

While in Paris on business, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon receives an urgent late-night phone call: the elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum. Near the body, police have found a baffling cipher. While working to solve the enigmatic riddle, Langdon is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden in the works of Da Vinci -- clues visible for all to see -- yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.

Langdon joins forces with a gifted French cryptologist, Sophie Neveu, and learns the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion -- an actual secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci, among others.

In a breathless race through Paris, London, and beyond, Langdon and Neveu match wits with a faceless powerbroker who seems to anticipate their every move. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle in time, the Priory's ancient secret -- and an explosive historical truth -- will be lost forever

http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/product1757.html

I know many Christians will have trouble with the concept of Jesus having a sexual relationship with Mary Magdelene and producing offspring But Brown makes several good points and leaves a lot of speculation for the reader...

Brown takes one part James Bond, one part Indiana Jones, and one part Agatha Christie to make a great novel. One should familiarise themselves with the Priory Of Sion and The Mervogonian Bloodline before reading this book

I liked it very much...what do you think ?

 

[kdet]

Hi, Reverend Jim! I was just thinking about that book today and thinking about buying it.

 

[Krystina661]

Great book! I absolutely loved it. Definitely a page turner.

 

[Priest]

Read it enjoyed it half the way though, but then the ending was predictable, kinda ruined it for me. REMEBER that book is fiction though, not based on facts even though it is presented as though. Luckily I am not catholic they bash them pretty good.

 

[Filia Mariae]

Luckily I am not catholic they bash them pretty good.

Your apparent lack of concern for the slander of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is disturbing.

The DaVinci Code is garbage.

Cracking the Anti-Catholic Code

Cracking the Anti-Catholic Code Part II

Dismantling the DaVinci Code

 

[Reverend Jim]

Your apparent lack of concern for the slander of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is disturbing.

The DaVinci Code is garbage.

Cracking the Anti-Catholic Code

Cracking the Anti-Catholic Code Part II

Dismantling the DaVinci Code

I beg to differ Carly, The DaVinci Code is a great book and a lot of the so called Anti - Catholic things you mention are quite true....

Is it Catholic Bashing to expose the R.C. Church's many sins especially the pedophilia scandal ? Or the R.C. Churchs support of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan before and during WW2....

I'm a FORMER Roman Catholic now Presbyterian and I have'nt looked back since. Salvation comes from faith in Jesus Christ not from the Virgin Mary or lighting 200 or so candles, or saying 50 Novenas...

Write On Dan Brown !!!!!!!

 

[Filia Mariae]

Is it Catholic Bashing to expose the R.C. Church's many sins especially the pedophilia scandal ?

A Protestant researcher found that the rate of sexual abuse among Catholic priests was actually the same as that of Protestant clergy and I fail to see what this has to do with the discussion.

Or the R.C. Churchs support of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan before and during WW2....

Please, try doing some research. Many Jews spoke out in praise of the Church's actions during WWII, mass media attempts to malign the Church falsely notwithstanding.

I'm a FORMER Roman Catholic now Presbyterian and I have'nt looked back since.

I am a FORMER Protestant who left the mass doctrinal confusion for the True Church and never looked back.

Salvation comes from faith in Jesus Christ not from the Virgin Mary or lighting 200 or so candles, or saying 50 Novenas...

If you think Catholics believe that salvation comes from the Blessed Mother or candles or novenas, you don't have a clue what Catholics believe. You should correct your erroneous assumptions.

Write On Dan Brown !!!!!!!

Yeah, write on Dan, we all know that Christ's Church is going to persecuted, He promised!

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

I beg to differ Carly, The DaVinci Code is a great book and a lot of the so called Anti - Catholic things you mention are quite true....

Is it Catholic Bashing to expose the R.C. Church's many sins especially the pedophilia scandal ? Or the R.C. Churchs support of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan before and during WW2....

I'm a FORMER Roman Catholic now Presbyterian and I have'nt looked back since. Salvation comes from faith in Jesus Christ not from the Virgin Mary or lighting 200 or so candles, or saying 50 Novenas...

Write On Dan Brown !!!!!!!

Hmm, I am Catholic and I believe as all Catholics do that salvation ONLY comes from the redeeming act of Jesus Christ.

The persecution continues.

 

[Filia Mariae]

The persecution continues.

"When you feel the assaults of passion and anger, then it is time to be silent as Jesus was silent in the midst of His ignominies and suffering."
- St. Paul of the Cross

 

[SeRapH&CheRi]

MOD HAT ON:
Okay peoples, I am starting to foresee the beginnings of a flame-fest in here. I suggest that we all refrain from hijacking this thread and return to the OP. Thank you and carry on. MOD HAT OFF.

S&C

 

[BeanMak]

I throughly enjoyed the book. It wasn't the Catholic Church that was involved, it was a splinter renegade priest. The actual church had no knowledge of his schemes.

 

[Reverend Jim]

Part of the reason I left the R.C. Faith was the sanctamonious dismissal of the past atrocities like The Spanish Inquisition and the crimes of the Jesuits (Society Of Jesus) in Political Intrigues...

However to speak of such things in considered UN -P.C.

 

[Filia Mariae]

Please, come to OBOB, where we would be happy to talk about it with you.

The mod's have already asked us to get this thread back on track.

 

[Reverend Jim]

Please, come to OBOB, where we would be happy to talk about it with you.

The mod's have already asked us to get this thread back on track.

An Interview with Dan Brown
'I consider myself a student of many religions. For me, the spiritual quest will be a life-long work.'





Excerpted from www.danbrown.com.

Your book mentions "the greatest conspiracy of the past 2,000 years." What is this conspiracy?

Revealing that secret would rob readers of all the fun, but I will say that it relates to one of the most famous histories of all time…a legend familiar to all of us. Rumors of this conspiracy have been whispered for centuries in countless languages, including the languages of art, music, and literature. Some of the most dramatic evidence can be found in the paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci, which seem to overflow with mystifying symbolism, anomalies, and codes. Art historians agree that Da Vinci's paintings contain hidden levels of meaning that go well beneath the surface of the paint. Many scholars believe his work intentionally provides clues to a powerful secret…a secret that remains protected to this day by a clandestine brotherhood of which Da Vinci was a member.
How did you get all the inside information for this book?

Most of the information is not as "inside" as it seems. The secret described in the novel has been chronicled for centuries, so there are thousands of sources to draw from. In addition, I was surprised how eager historians were to share their expertise with me. One academic told me her enthusiasm for The Da Vinci Code was based in part on her hope that "this ancient mystery would be unveiled to a wider audience."

This novel is very empowering to women. Can you comment?

Two thousand years ago, we lived in a world of Gods and Goddesses. Today, we live in a world solely of Gods. Women in most cultures have been stripped of their spiritual power. The novel touches on questions of how and why this shift occurred…and on what lessons we might learn from it regarding our future.

The topic of this novel might be considered controversial. Do you fear repercussions?

No. As I mentioned earlier, the secret I reveal is one that has been whispered for centuries. It is not my own. Admittedly, this may be the first time the secret has been unveiled within the format of a popular thriller, but the information is anything but new. My sincere hope is that The Da Vinci Code, in addition to entertaining people, will serve as an open door begin their own explorations.

This novel unearths some surprising Christian history. Are you a Christian?

I am, although perhaps not in the most traditional sense of the word. If you ask three people what it means to be Christian, you will get three different answers. Some feel being baptized is sufficient. Others feel you must accept the Bible as immutable historical fact. Still others require a belief that all those who do not accept Christ as their personal savior are doomed to hell. Faith is a continuum, and we each fall on that line where we may. By attempting to rigidly classify ethereal concepts like faith, we end up debating semantics to the point where we entirely miss the obvious-that is, that we are all trying to decipher life's big mysteries, and we're each following our own paths of enlightenment. I consider myself a student of many religions. The more I learn, the more questions I have. For me, the spiritual quest will be a life-long work in progress.

Parts of the Da Vinci Code describe the activities of the religious group Opus Dei. How does Opus Dei feel about your novel?

I worked very hard to create a fair and balanced depiction of Opus Dei. Even so, there may be those who are offended by the portrayal. While Opus Dei is a very positive force in the lives of many people, for others, affiliation with Opus Dei has been a profoundly negative experience. Their portrayal in the novel is based on more than a dozen books written about Opus Dei as well as on my own personal interviews with current and former members.

 

[pmarquette]

Part of the reason I left the R.C. Faith was the sanctamonious dismissal of the past atrocities like The Spanish Inquisition
all sides of the " faith " have done horrible things in Jesus' name ;
all have swept things under the rug .... anabaptist's , calvanists, reformed,
catholics , anglicans , etc.

Mother Church , does not have the corner market on dogmatic and doctrinal problems : Jimmie Swaggart , Jim & Tammy Baker , Tilton , Hinn .... all
have embarassed both church and brethren that trusted them ... ; nor do they stand alone in hatrocities during the reformation ; nor do they stand alone in scandals Jim Jones , Waco Texas - branch davidians ....

The media makes out that 90% of us are flakes and 9% are hypocrites and only 1% actually do the will of God .... not so is it ?

and the crimes of the Jesuits (Society Of Jesus) in Political Intrigues...
Jesuits had problems during the 2nd inquisition and Dominicans during the first one ... but within both camps , there are sincere good people , as there is within all the flock of God ( the remnant of all nations and denominations )

However to speak of such things in considered UN -P.C.

happend due to the lust of the eyes , lust of the flesh , and the pride of life ; granola bars in postiions of authority [ fruits, flakes , & nuts ] ... over , caused by the devil and servants --- forget what is behind and press forward to the prize .... fellowship , reconciliation , redemption , Jesus

 

[Filia Mariae]

An Interview with Dan Brown
'I consider myself a student of many religions. For me, the spiritual quest will be a life-long work.'





Excerpted from www.danbrown.com.

Your book mentions "the greatest conspiracy of the past 2,000 years." What is this conspiracy?

Revealing that secret would rob readers of all the fun, but I will say that it relates to one of the most famous histories of all time…a legend familiar to all of us. Rumors of this conspiracy have been whispered for centuries in countless languages, including the languages of art, music, and literature. Some of the most dramatic evidence can be found in the paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci, which seem to overflow with mystifying symbolism, anomalies, and codes. Art historians agree that Da Vinci's paintings contain hidden levels of meaning that go well beneath the surface of the paint. Many scholars believe his work intentionally provides clues to a powerful secret…a secret that remains protected to this day by a clandestine brotherhood of which Da Vinci was a member.
How did you get all the inside information for this book?

Most of the information is not as "inside" as it seems. The secret described in the novel has been chronicled for centuries, so there are thousands of sources to draw from. In addition, I was surprised how eager historians were to share their expertise with me. One academic told me her enthusiasm for The Da Vinci Code was based in part on her hope that "this ancient mystery would be unveiled to a wider audience."

This novel is very empowering to women. Can you comment?

Two thousand years ago, we lived in a world of Gods and Goddesses. Today, we live in a world solely of Gods. Women in most cultures have been stripped of their spiritual power. The novel touches on questions of how and why this shift occurred…and on what lessons we might learn from it regarding our future.

The topic of this novel might be considered controversial. Do you fear repercussions?

No. As I mentioned earlier, the secret I reveal is one that has been whispered for centuries. It is not my own. Admittedly, this may be the first time the secret has been unveiled within the format of a popular thriller, but the information is anything but new. My sincere hope is that The Da Vinci Code, in addition to entertaining people, will serve as an open door begin their own explorations.

This novel unearths some surprising Christian history. Are you a Christian?

I am, although perhaps not in the most traditional sense of the word. If you ask three people what it means to be Christian, you will get three different answers. Some feel being baptized is sufficient. Others feel you must accept the Bible as immutable historical fact. Still others require a belief that all those who do not accept Christ as their personal savior are doomed to hell. Faith is a continuum, and we each fall on that line where we may. By attempting to rigidly classify ethereal concepts like faith, we end up debating semantics to the point where we entirely miss the obvious-that is, that we are all trying to decipher life's big mysteries, and we're each following our own paths of enlightenment. I consider myself a student of many religions. The more I learn, the more questions I have. For me, the spiritual quest will be a life-long work in progress.

Parts of the Da Vinci Code describe the activities of the religious group Opus Dei. How does Opus Dei feel about your novel?

I worked very hard to create a fair and balanced depiction of Opus Dei. Even so, there may be those who are offended by the portrayal. While Opus Dei is a very positive force in the lives of many people, for others, affiliation with Opus Dei has been a profoundly negative experience. Their portrayal in the novel is based on more than a dozen books written about Opus Dei as well as on my own personal interviews with current and former members.

Is there a specific reason you've posted more of Dan Brown's unhistorical, biased, and unsubstantiated personal opinion?

 

[kdet]

After reading this thread I decided to not buy this book. I want things that help me grow as a Christian and I don't think this book would do that.

 

[Filia Mariae]

Good thinking my friend.

 

[luvmyirishman]

After reading this thread I decided to not buy this book. I want things that help me grow as a Christian and I don't think this book would do that.

I have not read this book, but I read the first book 'angels and demons'. After reading that and then seeing so much controversy over Divinci Code I don't think I will read it either.....

 

[Reverend Jim]

Is there a specific reason you've posted more of Dan Brown's unhistorical, biased, and unsubstantiated personal opinion?

Yes, to show that Mr. Brown is not a wild eyed fanatic who writes Anti-Catholic tracts for $$$$ and just a man who wants to express a creative form...

I recall the R.C. Church took the same approach to Nikolai Copernicus and Gallileo....