Posted on 05/11/2006 5:16:09 PM PDT by NotchJohnson
'The Da Vinci Code': Why Christians Should Celebrate May 11, 2006
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Any Hollywood studio would pay big money for publicity like this.
In Rome, a top Vatican cardinal asks Catholics to boycott a soon-to-be-released movie. Another cardinal suggests filing a lawsuit against its makers. And three cardinals say the only reason there’s so much public interest in the film is because the general public is so ignorant.
In Athens, the Greek Orthodox Church condemns the film as “undermining religious knowledge in a treacherous manner.” In Manila, a top government official demands the Filipino government ban the film. The government of Singapore won’t let anyone younger than 16 see it. And the Catholic Secular Forum of India asks its followers to “fast unto death” unless the government takes action to block the movie from theatres.
Ironically, the only movie to stir up such worldwide protests from churches is not a movie about sex, violence, murder, lust, rape or buggering little children. It’s a movie about Jesus. Of course, I’m talking about “The Da Vinci Code,” based on the best-selling novel, set for worldwide release next week.
Today’s attacks by Christians against “The Da Vinci Code” and its author, Dan Brown, remind me of the attacks by Muslims against “The Satanic Verses” and author Salman Rushdie back in 1988. Except that no one has issued a fatwa against Brown. At least, not yet. You don’t know whether to get angry at such religious extremism or laugh at it.
Critics of “The Da Vinci Code” miss one important point. There’s a good reason over 40 million copies of the book have been sold, in 42 languages — not because it has anything to do with Jesus, but because it’s a damned good read. A real page-turner. It’s got murder, mystery, secret codes, heroes, villains, high-speed chases, surprise endings. What more do you want for entertainment? That’s why people bought the book in record numbers, and that’s why people will flock to see the movie.
That’s something else the religious fanatics don’t get: The more they protest, the more publicity they generate and the more successful the movie will be. Seriously, Columbia Pictures should pay the Vatican to have its cardinals kick and scream about “The Da Vinci Code.” Their efforts can only boomerang. They will guarantee a box office bonanza, which is the last thing the Vatican wants.
And why? That’s what I don’t understand. Catholic leaders are up in arms about “The Da Vinci Code” because it portrays Jesus as a married man. Married, in fact, to Mary Magdalene. Remember, this is a novel, a work of fiction, a movie. But even if it were historically verifiable, what’s so wrong with Jesus being married? The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a holy union. A sacrament, even. Surely it dignifies, not cheapens, the sacrament of marriage to know that Jesus Himself was a married man.
The truth is, we don’t know whether Jesus was married or not. The Gospels don’t tell us he was married, but they don’t tell us he wasn’t married, either. It’s left for us to speculate. And, based on the customs of the time — when a young Jew’s mission was to marry and propagate — one would more likely assume that Jesus was married, not single. It would be unusual for him not to be married. And you would expect something so unusual to be mentioned in the accounts of his life.
Scripture aside, it’s no secret why the Catholic hierarchy, in particular, is so upset with “The Da Vinci Code.” For 1,000 years, they’re been insisting that priests must remain celibate because Jesus was celibate. They realize that, once the world accepts Jesus as a married man, the church would have to change its policy and allow priests to marry — which, in my opinion, they should have done a long time ago. But whether their policy is right or wrong, it doesn’t justify making such a big fuss over a movie.
It seems to me that church leaders have it backwards. Imagine. Instead of glorifying sex or violence, Hollywood finally makes a movie that gets millions of people talking about eternal truths: Who was Jesus? What was his mission? Was he married? What’s the Holy Grail? What’s Christianity all about?
Instead of condemning “The Da Vinci Code,” the Catholic Church should celebrate it. I can’t wait to buy a ticket.
"Catholic Secular Forum of India asks its followers to “fast unto death” unless the government takes action to block the movie from theatres."
Not a good idea.
"Today’s attacks by Christians against “The Da Vinci Code” and its author, Dan Brown, remind me of the attacks by Muslims against “The Satanic Verses” and author Salman Rushdie back in 1988. Except that no one has issued a fatwa against Brown. At least, not yet."
Abject idiot.
Pardon my language but
what an asshole!
Who was Jesus? What was his mission? Was he married? What’s the Holy Grail? What’s Christianity all about?
if bill press has studied the bible as studiously as he has studied the communist manifesto and mao's little red book he wouldn't be asking the questions above.
JMHO
What did the movie makers expect? Did they expect the Pope to bless the release of it?
He and his Cardinals have dedicated their entire lives to their deeply-held faith now being slandered by this fictional story.
Some people actually take their religious faith seriously and deeply. They are deeply offended when their sincerest beliefs are mocked.
Believers would be hypocrites if they shrugged off such a slander and blasphemy because they would, in effect, admit they aren't that committed to their faith or to the truth of the Bible.
Large numbers of Christians believe in the literal truth of the Bible. Why wouldn't these folks be offended? They believe, as I also do, Jesus is the One True Son of God, Savior of our eternal souls and the Savior of the world.
Why would we be "OK" with a deliberate fraud about the earthly life of Jesus? This is a fraud committed to profit the book's author, publisher, the actors and the filmmakers.
Blasphemy and slander of Jesus for fun and profit!
Nice!
It is reminiscent of the Roman soldiers gleefully casting lots as to whom among them would "win" the robe of Jesus after they nailed Him to the Cross.
"See what happens when you do even a known FICTICIOUS picture on Christianity."
Regards, Mel
Press was in the seminary at 1 time, or at least he says.
Yet another illustration of just how clueless liberals are about religion and why they constantly turn off Christian voters.
'Today’s attacks by Christians against “The Da Vinci Code” and its author, Dan Brown, remind me of the attacks by Muslims against “The Satanic Verses” and author Salman Rushdie back in 1988. Except that no one has issued a fatwa against Brown. At least, not yet. You don’t know whether to get angry at such religious extremism or laugh at it. '
And we supressed to take this jerk seriously?
This commie ahole is considered to be a top political analyst in CNN.
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