Posted on 05/19/2006 9:53:45 AM PDT by Simi Valley Tom
War on Christianity has been declared. On which side of the battle line will you stand?
The movie version of Dan Brown's book, THE DA VINCI CODE, is now in theaters. Although the movie significantly waters down the unrelenting, anti-Christian attacks and virulent paganism and goddess worship of the novel, it promotes the book and contains enough falsehoods and scurrilous conjecture to distort the truth about Jesus Christ, the Bible, Christianity, and God. That, coupled with the book’s popularity and some Christians’ ignorance about their faith, leads us to believe that the movie, and the attention it draws, will increase people’s hatred and prejudice against Christians and Christianity.
If this sounds like an overreaction, consider this:
* THE DA VINCI CODE presents blasphemous fiction as fact in a deceptive fashion
* THE DA VINCI CODE book denies the divinity of Jesus Christ, claiming He was no more than a mortal prophet, and the movie says it doesn't matter whether Jesus was divine or not
* THE DA VINCI CODE alleges Jesus married Mary Magdalene with whom He had a child
* THE DA VINCI CODE falsely claims the Christian church has historically hidden these “facts” through deception, murder and conspiracy
THE DA VINCI CODE novel has already caused great harm. Over 45 million copies of Dan Brown’s book have been sold, and it’s been a staple on worldwide best-seller lists for two years and counting. Brown, however, doesn’t present it as an overt work of fiction. A simple statement in the prologue reads, “All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents and secret rituals in this novel are accurate.”
Many Christians are already theologically malnourished; how will they withstand the assault of distortions, lies and bigotry from THE DA VINCI CODE?
We must combat THE DA VINCI CODE’s attack on Jesus, the Bible and the very integrity of the Christian faith.
On which side of the battle line will you stand?
Note: See the News and Articles sections of www.movieguide.org for more analysis of Dan Brown's book, and see Current Reviews at www.movieguide.org for a review of the movie version.
I don't see any need to fight the thing at all. It's already being gored from all sides. After being convinced for all these months we had this cinematic juggernaut on our hands, we now have a flop.
What's not to like? On to the next battle, Christians.
Well, okay. But I would expect a lot of people who care about Lincoln and/or American history to have a problem with it.
In fact, they tend to. Usually, when someone writes some preposterous work that's heavily revisionist in its history, you can usually count on established historians to hit the morning news shows and denounce it all as bunk.
Thanks for the post and I agree with you, except I don't think it is only for money. I think Brown actually buys into the conspiracies. At least that is how I read his web page FAQ, where he states he disagrees with the critics who dispell the theories in his book. Then again, I suppose he could be just be saying that to keep up interest in his book. But I doubt it.
I have to ask, let's say Christ was married, so what? Jesus Chris came to earth and "became man." He thirsted, hungered, angered, cried, felt compassion and all the other emotions of man. Why not fall in love, marry and even father a child? This concept does not deter me in my love for Christ. As a matter-of-fact, it even makes his sacrifice that much more to me.
Well, so much for the First Amendment...
Oh migosh = what are you doing on this thread???? the voice of reason - finally.
Jesus spent three years teaching His Gospel - trying to teach us The Way. He told us we could be like Him, do the things He had done ( John 14:12 "... He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
I've always believed that Jesus, in teaching us to follow Him, and telling us that we could, if we believed what He taught us, do the things He had done - to be like Him - was the crux of His message. That has always comforted me. Was He some ethereal, untouchable being whose life was unreachable for us? That would sadden me.
If his being married would make him a 'lecher" and a "liar" and a "cheat" - where would that leave us?
Being married in the time of Jesus was Jewish Law, particularly for a rabbi. It was as expected and accepted as that the sun rises in the east. It would therefore not have been a thing that would be 'news' or 'different' needing comment.
If, however, He were not married, in contradiction to the Law - then it would seem it WOULD be loud and clear in the Gospels along with the precept for it
Interesting Cat. I like Eco and I may look for that collection. Thanks.
And you make a good point about Amadeus. (Almost makes me question my opinion on these issues : ) .
If you mean that if the author twists the facts too far the novel will not be believable and therefore not readable, I agree. If you mean it's improper or unethical for the author to do that, I disagree. I mean, an author could write a book about Abraham Lincoln's experiences in World War II right? Why not? Go right ahead. Of course, it's doubtful whether anybody would be interested in reading it.
The Da Vinci Code will only gain Dan Brown a warmer place by the fires in eternity. As for Opie and Tom Hanks........I won't be spending any money for their movies.
LOL, and to think earlier, you were talking about other people's convoluted logic!
Well Shadow and Cat and others -- you may have converted me --
I was just thinking, what if Dan Brown wrote a "novel" about Ronald Reagan being a traitor - let's say getting paid off by the Vietnamese to go easy on the POW issue or something. Wow, that would make me mad. I probably wouldn't try to have the book banned, but I'd sure be ticked, fiction or no fiction.
I have a publication that has ONLY the words of Jesus that are in the Bible - try as I might, I cannot find where He says He married the church or that the church is His bride and therefore, He could not marry a flesh and blood woman, as Jewish Law required...particularly for a rabbi.
Surely, if the church were to be His bride...he would have told us, unequivocally, in His own words - there would be no room ambiguity about it
The gays are already taking wild license with Lincoln - and about every other historical figure - claims them as gay - and not claiming their convoluted and disingenuous claims as 'fiction'
Are you upset about that?
LOL
only about every 4th post
What - and allow God's greatest gift to us - free will - to run rampant! :o)
Well by gum. There you have it
That's the best logic for censorship I've heard today /sarc
Everyone will know that's fiction, because Abraham Lincoln was gay. </sarcasm>
Shhh. There's no fiction there
You're right. Proof of plagiarism requires that the plagiarized book contains substantially identical blocks of text.
You obviously do no belong on this thread. The clean breath of reason is not wanted here.
(makes Him much more reachable to me also.)
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