Specifically, yes, I CHOOSE to believe these things are true based on my own research and the research of others.
But, riddle me this, Batman.
1. Was Leonardo DaVinci a real person?
2. Is the Louvre a real art gallery?
3. Are some of Leonardo DaVinci’s works of art displayed at the Louvre?
4. Is Paris a real city in France?
5. Is the Louvre in Paris, France?
6. Is Robert Langdon a real person?
7. Is London a real city?
8. Is England a real country in Europe?
9. Is London in England?
10. Was Jesus a real person?
11. Is Indiana Jones a real person?
12. Did Indiana Jones really find the Ark of the Covenent?
13. Did Indiana Jones really take the Ark of the Covenent away from the Nazis?
14. Did Indiana Jones really find the Holy Grail in a cave guarded by a 700 year-old knight?
If you answer ‘yes’ to any of questions 1 - 10, then you agree with Dan Brown that the factual underpinnings of the story are true. These are the factual underpinnings about which he speaks. He does not and never has claimed that the STORY is true, anymore than the Indiana Jones stories are true.
BUT . . . . . while the Indiana Jones stories touch on Biblical stories, they didn’t touch the third rail of Christian theology, e.g. anything that dares to suggest that Jesus might have been as real in his day as you and I are. And, part of that reality is that Jesus acted in a way that was natural for a man of his day.
The fact is that we don’t really know what Jesus did in His 33 years among us. MAYBE He took a wife, MAYBE He didn’t. MAYBE He knew from the beginning that He was the Son of God and MAYBE He didn’t.
The point is that we choose to believe the things we want. You choose to disbelieve that the DaVinci Code is a story that Brown claims to be true. I choose to believe that the story is an interesting story of speculation, but nothing more. Philosophically, it presents an interesting “What if?
speculation; just like Indiana Jones.
The difference between you and I is that I know that the DaVinci Code isn’t real anymore than Indiana Jones. You choose to believe that Brown, despite his numerous claims to the contrary, presented the story as being 100% factual, even though he says the opposite in his own words on his own website. One of the great things about America is that we can choose to believe or disbelieve what we want. We can agree or disagree as we choose and, at the end of the day, life goes on.
Including Brown, whom you agree with. Unfortunately the statement you agree with is only supported by forged documents of admitted fraud. You have other support? Please post it.
If you answer ‘yes’ to any of questions 1 - 10, then you agree with Dan Brown that the factual underpinnings of the story are true.
No-sequitor. Brown is specific in what he claims to be true underpinning his fictional book. That Leonardo DaVinci was a real person is not part of this. Why substitute this for the facts under question?
The point is that we choose to believe the things we want.
Perhaps you do, I hope to seek truth. And, most certainly, you cannot dismiss this discussion in such a fashion. It's about what is fact and what is proven not to be fact that Brown claims as fact.
You choose to believe that Brown, despite his numerous claims to the contrary, presented the story as being 100% factual
No, he presented as factual what he presented as factual - precisely what I've posted twice already. Did you really not read and understand this?
One of the great things about America is that we can choose to believe or disbelieve what we want.
Most certainly, friend. I'm arguing facts with you - and making my case in a debate about what is true. If truth has no value, then we disagree. Otherwise, post your arguments defending what you believe is true in a logical fashion.
I don't think you've done a very good job of that so far. I'll consider whatever you'd like to post in another attempt.
Thanks for your reply.