Posted on 05/11/2006 10:23:37 PM PDT by MadIvan
Scratchcards, usually associated with National Lottery games offering "instant cash prizes", are to be put to a more elevated use - debunking The Da Vinci Code.
The Christian Enquiry Centre is distributing 270,000 specially designed cards today to every cinema screening the Hollywood version of the Dan Brown bestseller when it is released next week.
The film is expected to be one of the biggest hits of the year despite being denounced as "stridently anti-Christian" by Vatican officials.
The cards feature 10 claims made in the book. Cinema goers are asked to judge whether they are fact or fiction by scratching the appropriate box.
For example, the cards state that "the marriage of Jesus and Mary Magdalene is a matter of historical record". If the box marked "fact" is scratched off, it will reveal a cross, while the box for "fiction" will show a tick.
The cards, which will be placed in racks in cinema foyers, will also encourage film goers to apply for a free booklet called Cracking the Da Vinci Code by Mark Stibbe, which examines the claims in more detail.
The £20,000 "scratch-for-truth" scheme is part of a campaign by the churches to capitalise in the interest in the book, which has already sold more than 40 million copies since its publication in 2003.
"In The Da Vinci Code story, several of the lead characters make highly contentious claims about secret gospels, the relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene, and whether the Church has been engaged in a cover-up for the past 2,000 years," said Jeff Bonsor, the director of the centre.
"We want to set the record straight and introduce people to the real story of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and the events surrounding the life of arguably the most influential figure in history."
Following an attack on the book on Easter Sunday by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the Church of England has launched a website challenging people to make up their own minds.
The website quotes the Rev Richard Burridge, the Dean of King's College, London, which appears in the book, saying: "The Da Vinci Code is a cracking read, a real page-turner of a novel. One of its appeals is that we all like secrets.
"But its claims about Jesus are cracked. In fact, sometimes the real truth is stranger than fiction. Get exploring!"
A more confrontational approach has been taken by the Vatican, with senior bishops calling for the film to be boycotted. Archbishop Angelo Amato, of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said: "If such lies and errors had been directed at the Koran and Holocaust they would have justly provoked a world uprising."
Cardinal Francis Arinze, who was tipped to become Pope last year, said: "Christians must not just sit back and say it is enough for us to forgive and forget. Sometimes it is our duty to do something practical."
Not even a third of Rip Taylor
Well I had some earlier and i do feel a bit clammy. I have a haddock too.
Ding ding ding! We have a winner!
I never noticed it before, but he has a striking resemblance to Buster Keaton, no?
For God's sake, it's a work of FICTION!!!!! Anyone who actually believes that Dan Brown is doing anything with this book other than chortling all the way to the bank and thanking the Vatican for their hyper-sensitivity and ridiculous attacks isn't firing on all cylinders!
We saw this same hysteria over Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ" and it amounted to nothing. Again, the same with "The Temptation of Christ" and nothing happened.
I don't understand how Mel Gibson could make such an unfunny re-make of 'The Life of Brian'. I didn't laugh once.
"It's just another example of the triumph of hype over substance."
Just like Star Wars then eh?
However, for at least 30 to 40 years or so, the Judeo/Christian paradigm has constantly been attacked, ridiculed, weakened and harrassed.
Too many unchurched folks have so bought into the 'situational ethics' of today---- They do not recognize right from wrong, good from evil.
They are easily led.... and while many seek to fill the God void in their hearts, minds and souls.....this movie only confuses and blasphemes.
This movie is dangerous.
Once upon a time it probably would not have been....
I appreciate any and all efforts to refute this movie and book!
or one fourth of a Paul Lynde
I'm a Christian, albeit an undeserving hypocrite and sinner, but the fact is that Christianity can withstand a stupid movie. We as Christians have been fed to lions, crucified upside down, burned alive, and the deliverer of the message sacrificed himself by allowing himself to be tortured and crucified.
The Christian message is so much stronger than a movie....even one that purports to "humanize" Jesus.
I'll tell you what would REALLY be bad...how about a novel about homosexual infiltration of the Roman Catholic Church that would allow homosexual pederasts to roam amongst the male children of the congregation going from church to church without being turned in to the authorities.
Or a fictional account of how "annulments" are sold to politically connected or wealthy people in order for them to financial reimburse dioceses that allow that sort of thing.....
or even a novelette about how say..... liberal socialists have put themselves in position of the church to encourage socialism and even illegal immigration in order to undermine a representative democracy.
you see, fact is even stranger that this fiction... worry about what is real, leave the stories to the story tellers.
By the way, I'm not looking forward to the scene wear two old folks do the nasty in front of 50 chanting robed people and their granddaughter....yuck!
One major difference. George Lucas didn't give interview after interview suggesting that Star Wars was, in fact, real.
Dan Brown wrote a work of fiction, sold it to publishers as fiction but then began stating that the information in the book was true.
BIG difference.
"BIG difference."
I understand your point, but I disagree on the impact and motivation. It's just marketing at its sleaziest, no different than Alex Haley (sp?) claiming that Roots was actually based on his ancestors' experiences.
Dick, I'm a Christian, and sometimes we're called on to defend the Faith!
You make my point exactly. It isn't marketed as "just" a novel.
Just because the Catholic Church has gotten all the press on pedophilia - doesn't mean it hasn't gone on in many other denominations. It has.
Catholic bashers tend to ignore that fact.
Dan Brown makes Michael Moore look good by comparison.
...onward Christian soldiers...
as far as homosexual predators, you're correct they are in all areas where young men congregate. They need prison not counseling.
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