ABC Special Explores if Jesus Had Wife

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 10.30.03 | DAVID BAUDER

[mhking]

NEW YORK — ABC News correspondent Elizabeth Vargas concedes her network is stepping into a theological minefield with its one-hour exploration of whether Jesus Christ had a wife.

The ABC News special, "Jesus, Mary and DaVinci," is scheduled to air Monday at 8 p.m. ET.

"You can't talk about this subject without intriguing people or offending people," Vargas said Thursday. "We're trying to do it as respectfully as we can."

ABC screened the special for some reporters and religious leaders on Thursday. The program is based on the best-selling novel, "The DaVinci Code," which claims to be partly grounded on historical fact.

The book asserts that Mary Magdalene was Jesus' wife — not a prostitute, as in some teachings — and that she fled Jerusalem with his child following his crucifixion.

The story was kept alive for centuries by a secret society that included the painter Leonardo DaVinci, who supposedly inserted clues about it in his art, the book claimed.

The ABC special outlines the theories and speaks to several theologians who either discount the story or assert that it is possible.

The show unravels like a mystery perpetuated by secondhand gossip. Vargas said ABC found no proof that Jesus had a wife, but couldn't completely discount it, either.

Vargas, who was raised a Roman Catholic, said her own parents said to her, "Oh, my goodness, what are you doing?" when they found out she was working on the story.

She said she was never aware of the power struggles and political intrigue that went into how her faith is taught today.

"For me, it's made religion more real and, ironically, much more interesting — which is what we're hoping to do for our viewers," she said.

It drew some immediate criticism, particularly from a representative of the Catholic League, who said ABC News relied too heavily on the opinion of Father Richard McBrien of Notre Dame, who believes Mary Magdalene's importance has been historically understated and that it's possible she was his wife.

"I think it was not sufficiently balanced," said Joseph DeFeo, policy analyst for the Catholic League. "The majority of the people who spoke believed in either the plausibility or the outright truth of (book author) Dan Brown's claims. The facts themselves scream out that this is a crackpot theory."

The show even drew criticism from Nikki Stephanopoulos, mother of ABC News correspondent George and the communications director for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. She the special might offend people who believe that women have a more prominent role in the church.

[biblewonk]

What a joke.

[AmishDude]

Look, there's an easy way to disprove it: There is no way that any descendant of Jesus would ever be French.

[carton253]

ABC does one of these specials once a year... They are inane, poorly researched, and only have one point of view.

[xsmommy]

Ok, i am Catholic. I believe that Mary was conceived without original sin, because God could not repose in the womb of a sinridden body. so then, from that perspective, it would be equally impossible for God to be joined with a sinner, in such an intimate way.

[ArGee]

It is a mark of the ahistorical ignorance of our society today that such tripe as the DaVinci Code is read and taken seriously by millions.

Ain't that the truth. The whitewash of Church history was so gross that I almost couldn't complete the book.

The worst is, it was handed to me by a Christian who completely missed the goddess worship the author wants the Christian church to "return to."

Shalom.

[Xenalyte]

Doesn't the "conception" of Mary and Jesus sanctify the vessel?

This is a great discussion, and I really do appreciate your taking time to help me.

[xsmommy]

no, if that were the case, Jesus could have been born to just anyone. But he was born to someone specially chosen for the task, someone chaste and holy. for THAT reason.

[ArGee]

In His childhood, youth, and early adulthood, He had a life that presumably was full of the best life has to offer the best Man who ever lived

I hope you'll forgive me if I have speculated on His early life. I have often wondered if Joseph ever had to punish Him. The Bible tells us that the father who loves his son disciplines him and I'm sure Joseph loved Jesus. On the other hand, would you want to punish G-d? Can't you hear Mary saying, "Don't spank Him until I get out of the house."

Shalom.

[Xenalyte]

That does make sense. Do we have any idea, theologically speaking, of how Mary's mother was chosen?

[ArGee]

It's a load. I am not Jesus' eighty-somethingth great grandkid. Trust me.

OK. But I AM His adopted brother.

Shalom.

[xsmommy]

well remember they did yell at him, when he stayed behind in the Temple to talk/preach and they left without him! he was still little at the time!

[xsmommy]

Lordy, you got me. i am drawing on Catholic school education, pre-Vatican2 at that, some 35 years ago. i know her name was Ann, and that is my middle name. But to as to how/why she was chosen, i don't know.

[Bohemund]

The person on Jesus's right is John, who was frequently portrayed as an attractive young man.

There is no evidence that DaVinci was part of any group that believed anything unorthodox about Mary Magdalene and Jesus.

[ArGee]

Ok, so CBS is trashing Reagan, ABC is trashing Jesus, who's NBC susposed to trash?

Well, if they attempted to trash Ann Coulter I might watch.

Depending on who played her.

Shalom.

[Hat-Trick]

Well, I don't buy this Jesus marriage business for one second, but I was once told that the 1st documented case of PMS is in the bible, where we learn that Mary rode Joseph's a$$ all the way to Bethlehem.

Hat-Trick

[ArGee]

What kind of moron are we dealing with here?

I dunno. What kinds are there?

Shalom.

[Dionysius]

We will only see more of this. The secular humanists will do everything in their power to trivialize Christ and Christianity to thwart the impact of Mel Gibson's "The Passion" when it is released next spring. They fear a wholesale return to religious values which will tend to defeat their goals.

[ArGee]

well remember they did yell at him, when he stayed behind in the Temple to talk/preach and they left without him! he was still little at the time!

Did they do the, "I'm not gonna yell at him. YOU yell at him." routine?

Shalom.

[Gargantua]

I pray for God's "Sweeps Week" to begin. This garbage is getting out of hand, and it's time to clean house.

You can't say anything that might offend some butt-slamming fag or a child-incinerating Muslim, but let's psychologically rape every Christian in sight, right?

The time is coming, and it can't happen soon enough.

;-/

[xsmommy]

i think they both yelled, but i don't think he got his butt beat for it, which i definitely would have....