'Da Vinci' churches ripped

The Washington Times ^ | 3 January 2006

[Aussie Dasher]

LONDON -- Westminster Abbey has implicitly criticized churches that opened their doors to the filming of "The Da Vinci Code" last year by denouncing the thriller as "nonsense" that should be exposed by Christians.

The abbey barred the filmmakers from its premises in June, saying that the best-selling Dan Brown novel on which the film was based was "theologically unsound."

But Lincoln and Winchester cathedrals cooperated with the Hollywood adaptation, as did Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland.

The film -- starring Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou and Sir Ian McKellen -- is expected to be one of the blockbusters of the year when it is released in May.

The novel, which has sold more than 25 million copies worldwide, is replete with secret societies, cryptic clues and an albino assassin.

Now Westminster Abbey's canon theologian, Nicholas Sagovsky, has entered the fray, arguing that numerous factual errors in the book undermine its author's claims to have based it on solid research.

[Mamzelle]

re: But a conspiracy about old art that just hangs there on a wall? How is it movie material?))

Wondered, likewise. I guess they'll get Uma Thurmond to play Mary Magdalene.

The ignored and very interesting stories about the Mary's in Jesus's ministry goes untold. The most interesting Mary (other than the blessed virgin) IMO, is not the Magdalene but Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha.

[Banjoguy]

"theologically unsound"? I just thought it was a heap of cr*p!

It's FICTION! You know, totally made up...sheesh!

[NoCurrentFreeperByThatName]

Belated welcome to FR.

[bronxboy]

It is anti-Christtian and anti-Catholic in particular. The producers won't be able to help themselves from making it a real hit piece, therefore, I predict this piece of garbage will fail in terms of the box office. I attempted to read the book and found (like another poster) that it is poorly written. I can't imagine a book as badly written as this one becoming a movie, but I guess it is quite similar to the other anti-Christian garbage spewed by Hollywood.

[bronxboy]

The guy claims certain things as 'fact' but offers no proof that I could see.

[bluefish]

so you found a quote where brown acknowledged that some art and buildings in his books actually exist. take a bow.

Wow. Just like Dan Brown, you take incredible liberties with the truth, don't you? Your characterization here is off base. It was not just "some art and buildings" as your sleazy altered version of the post implies. Brown said "ALL OF IT."

You have been refuted and you now try to slither out from under that refutation with ad hominem attacks and mischaracterizations of the post to which you reply.

Your reply was pathetic and intellectually dishonest. I can only conclude that you have some sort of emotional attachment to Brown's work remaining "fact." This would explain your refusal to acknowledge the countless exposes demonstrating the fraud that was perpetrated on you. Brown should be ashamed of himself for claiming the book is historical fact and you should be ashamed of yourself for holding on to the lie, despite all contrary refutations from much more esteemed scholars.

[bluefish]

if you ever see him interviewed, he is the most annoying, effeminate twerp.

Never seen him interviewed, but pictures or video shots of him made me think "that is Dr. Niles Crane from the show Frasier!"

[CzarNicky]

I haven't read the book nor have I seen Brown's interviews regarding it but after reading some of the posts here I wonder what these same posters would say if this were a book about islam and the muslims were blowing up about it. My bet is there would be posts of "Get over it it is a work of fiction" and "it's nothing to lose your head over" by some of the very same posters that have excoriated this book.

[truemiester]

Your wrong. There was an invasion. It was on the radio. The goverment wants it covered up. Dont you remember the big meeting we had? Where we all agreed to keep if from the crazy people because we thought they might....ooops!
Never mind! (Joke)

[Hardastarboard]

I remember all the backward playing of music where people said the DEVIL was talking to people speaking evil through it.

I've been wondering how the ministers were playing CD's backwards now that those are the dominant format. Got any clues there? :-)

[sadimgnik]

(laughs)

I read the first two or three chapters of Digital Fortress - and then left the book on the rear shelf of my car.

After a few days of our summer heat, the binding failed and the pages all came unglued from the spine, and each other.

When I opened a window while driving, the pages were 'randomised' in the back of my car.

The book made more sense that way :-)

Sadim

[Cronos]

it's BAD fiction, like any of Michael Moor's books.....

[wolfcreek]

Let's talk about Ducks! ( and not argue about a work of fiction)

[Mamzelle]

Brown implies, and many times, that his is a work of historical fact and keen scholarship. He never says that it is make-believe, a story just for enjoyment. But, I wouldn't have really enjoyed the work if he had been an honest broker, because it is poorly executed.

It'd take a writer of far more courage than coyness to expose the origins of Islam, so don't wait for the likes of Brown to do it. It's easier to mock and sneer at Christians (and Catholics in particular).

[bigsigh]

she was raised a catholic and is not in the church anymore. I think her response has to do with her attitude about the church.

C-Ya

[Rudder]

"theologically unsound"? I just thought it was a heap of cr*p!

Then you'll be delighted to learn that this book is a fictional novel.

[don asmussen]

Are these books related to the 'Da Vinci' issue?

Beyond Belief
Address:http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1550824/posts

[Canard]

I was shocked when, several years after reading Robert Harris' Fatherland, I discovered that the Nazis had not in fact won the war. Shocked, I tell ya.

[Always Right]

As FR's resident agnostic ;) I can say this book is garbage, and I don't care how many people say otherwise.

The left has become quite fond of fake but accurate. As long as it trashes the values of the right, it is accurate enough for the left.

[thefactor]

go to your local bookstore. find a copy of the book. now, look up and see what section of the store in which you found the book. it will say "fiction."

i sincerely doubt mr. brown would think the book would be in any other section. actually, his publisher probably asked him in which section they should place the book. and he told them, "put it in fiction." he panders to the lowest common denominator of this country who actually want to believe in this stuff. he wants to sell books. so would i.

and actually, sir, you seem to be the pathetic one around here. i find it odd that otherwise intelligent people would get so wound up about a fictional piece of literature.