US bishops seek to educate about Jesus prior to release of Da Vinci Code film

Catholic News Agency ^ | March 10, 2006

[NYer]

Washington DC, Mar. 10, 2006 (CNA) - In an attempt to clear up any confusion about Jesus and Christianity that might emerge with the theatre release of The Da Vinci Code, the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Communication Campaign has made available key resources with accurate information about Jesus and the Church.

The documentary “Jesus Decoded” presents authentic Catholic teaching about Jesus Christ. It will be available to NBC-TV stations for broadcast starting the third weekend of May.

The film, produced by NewGroup Media, offers a solid Catholic response to “Da Vinci Code believers,” concentrating especially on the first three centuries of the development of the Church. The program includes interviews with international scholars versed in art, history, and Scripture that help separate Catholic truth from popular fiction.

The Web site for the documentary — www.jesusdecoded.com -- was launched March 9. It includes articles from theologians, media commentators and art experts. Opus Dei will contribute to the Web site.

A booklet, entitled The Authentic Jesus, is also available this month. It, too, addresses questions raised by The Da Vinci Code and presents authentic Catholic teaching about Jesus and his divinity, the New Testament, Gnosticism, women and the Church, and other topics explored in The Da Vinci Code.

The DVD documentary and 16-page booklet are available for purchase. Call USCCB Publishing at 1-800-235-8722.

[xzins]

This really does have a comparison problem.

It certainly is accurate in terms of dollars. The Passion took in about 5 times as much money.

But the media support for Brokeback was beyond total. It received front page, TV, radio, award, news anchor, etc. promotion beyond what could be considered reasonable. It simply didn't have to pay for the enormous amount of publicity it received.

All of liberal America actively promoted Brokeback.

One can only wonder what would have transpired with The Passion if Gibson's film had gotten the same treatment.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Nah--- but I did catch Dan Brown on the TV twice. Bunkum all the way to the bank. A religious charlatan.

[kerryusama04]

Yeah, my wife told me she saw Brown on History Channel and he believes his book to be true. This may be a momentus occaison, Mrs. Don-o, but I agree with you entirely on this one.

[Mrs. Don-o]

You 'n' me!

[Jeff Chandler]

US bishops seek to educate about Jesus

Taking time out from their socialist agenda, I see.

[Salvation]

BTTT!

[NYer]

Thank you for researching those numbers. If I recall, there were quite a few in the Motion Picture Academy who refused to preview 'Passion' last year; hence fewer awards. Their consciences couldn't handle it, but they had no problems watching two men engage in a love affair.

40 years ago, Hollywood turned out such classics as 'The Ten Commandments', 'The Silver Chalice', 'The Robe' and other great religious epics, just in time for Easter. Now they challenge each other to redefine deviancy as normal. They probably don't miss my contributions at the cinema. Then again, based on the numbers you have posted, they don't need to; they are already their own supporters.

[Blzbba]

"Just curious but how did "Passion" box receipts compare to "Brokeback Mountain"?"


Complete destruction. Hell, the movie about the sled dogs currently out is going to pass the overrated 'Brokeback Mountin'.

[trisham]

bookmark

[AlaninSA]

Great website...I've been checking it out. Nice response to the wackos.

[Ohioan from Florida]

Yeah, whatever happened to good ole Opie? It's amazing to see what he's done with his time once he grew up. I have lost whatever respect I had for Ron Howard from his earlier days.

[Martina]

I think Holly weird is going after the Catholic Church as a backlash to Mel Gibson and his success with the Passion of the Christ.

[SaltyJoe]

It's best for a husband to never enter a stripper nudey club. The consequences can be devistating to his relationship with wife as well as to his Creator. Why give Satan a toehold to break apart a Sacred Marriage. And if a nudey bar is so deadly to the soul, why only limit the temptations of lust to avoiding naked slithering women? And, are married men the only members of the male sex that should avoid nudey clubs? Thus, all men and boys should avoid all temptations of lust (pornography included).

So why talk about temptations of lust when it comes to anti-Christian literature? Because there's no relationship more important to the soul than having a relationship with God. If historical facts are so perverted as to distort the Holiest of Truth into mere novelty/fantasy, then why give the diabolical a toehold as an edge against our intellect.

Eve gave pause to listen to Satan's devilry and he ensnared her interest and will. Adam chose loyalty to Eve over Love of God and he, too, sinned. Though there are plenty of men who won't fall to lust if they page through a dirty magazine or visit a strip club; but, there are many many men who won't or cannot overcome the powerful images of lust or lap dance. Avoiding the temptation shows a higher devotion to soul's relationship to Our Creator as well as giving wisdom to not tease a personal weakness.

Avoid anti-Christian literature that is clearly meant to entertain a wicked way. Love delights in the Truth rather dwelling with infatuation upon falsehoods. There are intellectual minds strong enough to discern and resist such evil. All others seeking to remain in Communion with God should rejoice in the trust that Faith shows to be either good and of God or evil and not of God.

It's been well established that "The Da Vinci Code" is so far out of bounds that it cannot lead a soul to find Jesus or a better relationship with God. Eating this fruit is to put the intellectual mind at risk of believing and participating in the lie that "we can become like gods".

[Ohioan from Florida]

That is as good a theory as any. They are collectively jealous of what Gibson has done.

[SaltyJoe]

Oopss,

1. Third paragraph, delete "; but" to read:

"Though, there are plenty of men who won't fall to lust if they page through a dirty magazine or visit a strip club, there are many many men who won't or cannot overcome the powerful images of lust or lap dance." (insert comma after "Though")

2. Forth paragraph, insert "than", "dwell" instead of "dwelling" to read:

Love delights in the Truth rather than dwell with infatuation upon falsehoods.

English...sigh. What a language.