Posted on 05/17/2006 5:54:17 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
May 17, 2006
If the Da Vinci Code was already feeding the flames of controversy with its challenge to the basic tenets of Christianity, actor Ian McKellen managed to throw a refinery tank's worth of gasoline on the fire on this morning's Today show, asserting that the Bible should carry a disclaimer saying that it is "fiction."
Matt Lauer, on his second day "On The Road With The Code," was in Cannes for the film festival, where the Code will have its debut. It has already been screened to some critics, who have given it decidedly mixed reviews.
As I reported here yesterday, NBC reporter Melissa Stark timidly dipped a toe in the sea of controversy when yesterday she interviewed Code director Ron Howard, asking how he reacted to the controversy the movie has created . . . for the Church! Sounding more like the Delphic oracle than a Hollywood director, Howard offered up some ambiguous prose about it being healthy thing for people to engage their beliefs.
Lauer took the bull of controversy more directly by the horns when he interviewed the cast and director Howard today. Said Lauer:
"There have been calls from some religious groups, they wanted a disclaimer at the beginning of this movie saying it is fiction because one of the themes in the book really knocks Christianity right on its ear, if Christ survived the crucifixion, he did not die for our sins and therefore was not resurrected. What I'm saying is, people wanted this to say 'fiction, fiction, fiction'. How would you all have felt if there was a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie? Would it have been okay with you?"
There was a pause, and then famed British actor Ian McKellen [Gandalf of Lord of the Rings], piped up:
"Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. I mean, walking on water, it takes an act of faith. And I have faith in this movie. Not that it's true, not that it's factual, but that it's a jolly good story. And I think audiences are clever enough and bright enough to separate out fact and fiction, and discuss the thing after they've seen it."
With the camera focused on McKellen, one could hear a distinctly nervous laugh in the background, seeming to come from either actor Tom Hanks or director Howard. McKellen's stunning bit of blasphemy is likely to test the adage that all publicity is good publicity.
Finkelstein, recently a guest on the Lars Larson Show, lives in the liberal haven of Ithaca, NY, where he hosts the award-winning public-access TV show 'Right Angle'. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
Like Barney says, "Nip it in the bud."
I saw a program on The History Channel two nights ago about the stuff in HBHG, and the crap about "The Priory of Sion" was ADMITTED to be a made up fraud by its creator.......
I agree. I really don't think so many have knotted their knickers this tight over a novel since Uncle Tom's Cabin. (unless you want to consider The Satanic Verses by Rushdie)...
I don't disagree with you at all on that. I would be less than honest if I did not confess that much of what I believe is incredible too-- Jesus' virgin birth, His miracles, walking on water, His resurrection, etc. etc. (Thanks be to God).
I have not read the book and probably won't see the movie, but my wife has read the book. We were discussing this claim about Jesus having married and having children. To me this would not, if true, detract from His divinity in the least, and would frankly go even further in showing His fully human side. Part of being human is knowing the joys, frustrations and sorrows of marriage and parenthood. I believe the scriptures say, "He was in every way tempted as we are, yet without sin." I am no Bible scholar (but I am trying), but at least some of the assertions made in the Code, if they were true, would not shatter my faith. That is not to say that I believe them, only that I strive for my faith to be deeper than that, deeper even than disagreements about the "proper" content of the Bible and its authority.
I had forgotten about The Satanic Verses. Maybe we need to put a price on Dan Brown's head! LOL
Well, unlike most people who reject parts of the Bible that don't fit their lifestyles, at least he does it literally, not just in practice.
I'll show them: I'm not going to see it a hundred times!
No big deal. Always remember this: Actors and actresses are children, and always will be. They are also, as a group, some of the dumbest people that God ever made. I have interviewed dozens of them, and believe me, they are boobs.
"The DaVinci Code" will probably be a big screen stinker. So why bother with all of this outrage. It's a "blivet." Do you remember what a "blivet" is? That's right. Ten pounds of crap in a five pound bag.
Same message as Islam in denying Jesus Christ, while agreeing that He existed.
"Come on, guys, don't fall for this. They NEED the controversy now that the critics have panned this movie."
Exactly right. Apparently (and stunningly) the movie is worse than the lame book.
I really think people are making a bigger deal out of this than is justified.
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I am inclined to agree with you. The people involved with making this movie welcome the controversy, as protesting gives it more publicity.
Would this actor be so "courageous" to say the same thing about the Koran or does he prefer to keep his head?
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Good one!
Actors usually have the qualities of enormous egos, with narcissism and exhibitionism leading the pack of "qualities."
When these are combined with the standard actor I.Q., that is, dumb as a box of hair, you get sound bites like Ian McKellan's.
NO DOUBT he thought he was being VERY clever.
His LIFE is fiction. He spends his life pretending to be other people.
Ignore the homo! He and everyone else connected to the movie love the attention.
Ian said his next 'fictional' film would be to show the evils of the Jewish conspiracy in a movie titled "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion"! Look for it next high holy season. < /sarc >
Goebbles would be proud of such propaganda coming from the Hollyweird.
The scary thing is, Brown throroughly believes his piece of fiction is factual...
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Well, we know whose bidding he is doing, and it isn't our God's.
Biblical scholaship from a pathetic old HIV+ flaming queer.
Apparently Matt and the Today Show staff also feel the urgent need to fuel the fires.
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And they have achieved their objective, as we and many others are talking about this.
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