Am I the only one who knows nothing about The Divinci code?

[sodaseller]

I have read the book and found it mildly interesting. It posits the age old rumors that Christ was romantically linked to Mary Magdalene. In this particular variation of that long rumored dalliance, they married and produced progeny whose bloodline remains and is protected, while the Vatican seeks to suppress the "truth". At the risk of spoiling matters, the role of villain is appropriately enough cast on the actually evil Opus Dei.

I've read enough and thought enough to put little credence in the claim of bloodline and think the Church is acting silly in it's degree of protects, which seems to give unintended credence to the claims of truth suppression. IMO, I think that what the Church really fears is the small element of the book that is true, namely that the Church has long sought to suppress the history of the early Church with regard to the undisputed fact that women played a significant role in leadership in the early Church. I believe that Mary Magdalene was also close enough to Christ to have some insight into his teachings, but I don't believe there was any romantic relationship possibly beyond Tim Rice's imagined longings.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I read the book a couple weeks ago and thought it was fascinating, while realizing at the same time its FICTION. I think its so neat that Dan Brown can make all this up and make it believeable. Then I read Angels and Demons and that book was even better than TDC.

To the posters who wonder why their friends won't tell them about the book - I think it is because it is a very detailed, intertwined story that is hard to sum up. (if that makes any sense).

I think both these books require several readings to really be able to grasp it all

 

[DISUNC]

Nope, you are probably not alone in not knowing anything about this!

It was one of those books that I just couldn't put down! Fascinating history of how math & science & art coexist! LOTS OF FUN to read!
Started it one night, and called in sick to work the next day....HAD to finish it!

I dont understand the whole controversial aspect of it. This was NOT the first time the subject matter was brought up in books & movies!
It's more like a "what if" this was what happened!

I can't wait to see the movie!

 

[tiff211]

I emailed my DB back stating that it was a work of fiction, what's all the hoopla? This was his response.

again read the first page entitled Fact:
"All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate. " (Preface, unnumbered page 1 The Da Vinci Code)

this book has sold over 45 million copies. people are extremely affected by it, perhaps not those whom you have spoken to, but trust me many people are now skeptical of the Church, of Christ, and of Christianity.

people have had their faith shaken as a result of this book, and the movie is just going to accelerate it. I have spoken to people personally, and I have heard the testimonies

I would ask the people who don't really see the big deal, "have you read the book?"

that could make a world of a difference

 

[TurboKitty]

I haven't read the book yet and am waiting for the film release. It's not often I get to see the movie first, then compare it to the book.

I had to scroll fast on some of the replies here, as I don't want the story spoiled for me!

To the OP, I think some people just look for reasons to be offended.

Gotta run now, I'm still trying to levitate a feather like they did in the Harry Potter books. Surely THAT was real, right?

 

[MinnieM3]

I am also in the "No Clue About the Code" Club
I seriously thought I was the only one alive!!

 

[snowball22]

I read the book and thought it was very thought provoking. Fiction with some truths sprinkled through out the story. I think the movie will bring about some good discussion about religion. Any discussion on religion is a good thing!!

 

[MzDiz]

IMHO, people *should* be skeptical of the "church". Religious authorities have lied to people in the past, admitted that they lied, and are probably lying about something else right now. To believe otherwise is simply naive.
Religious organizations are, after all, a creation of man.
If you have faith, then this book will not shake it. It may make you think, it may make you wonder, but it will not separate you from your god.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

well he is right. The descriptions of the artwork, architecture, and secret societies in the book are verifiable fact. Opas Dei does exist and they do have headquarters in New York City. Dan Brown is certainly NOT the first person to ever theorize on the exact role of Mary Magdalene in Jesus's life. That particular "secret" has been around for a very long time.

As far as it making anybody skeptical of Christianity, not anybody I know. The "secret" doesn't make me doubt the authenticity of Jesus or his message.
The Bible tells us that Jesus came to Earth to live a perfect human life. Are the concepts of family and love not a valid part of humanity, that we're to think there is something sinful and unperfect about marriage? Jesus had a Mother, a Father, and siblings - is the thought of a wife and children all that outlandish? The thought of Jesus as a Father is apparently repugent to some, yet every Sunday morning we go into Church and pray "Our Father who art in Heaven...."

I'm not saying it true, just that if it were -- much like the female character in the book - it wouldn't upset me all that much.

However, the book is fiction.

 

[kelleigh1]

again read the first page entitled Fact:
"All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate. " (Preface, unnumbered page 1 The Da Vinci Code)

this book has sold over 45 million copies. people are extremely affected by it, perhaps not those whom you have spoken to, but trust me many people are now skeptical of the Church, of Christ, and of Christianity.

people have had their faith shaken as a result of this book, and the movie is just going to accelerate it. I have spoken to people personally, and I have heard the testimonies

I would ask the people who don't really see the big deal, "have you read the book?"

that could make a world of a difference

You can tell him that Yes, I have read the book and still don't see all the hoopla. And personally, I was skeptical of the church long before this book came out. This certainly didn't change that in any way.

I believe that one's faith is tested everyday. Hasn't the sex abuse scandal in the catholic church not shaken people's faith?

There are many things in Christianity that I've been questioning my entire life. If he believes so strongly in his faith, then that's good for him. He should hold true to that faith. But that doesn't mean he should be telling anyone else what to believe or do.

Yes, there are things in this book that are true, as prefaced on the first page. I'm not sure how he feels threatened by that. And his answer still doesn't clarify why he is so offended by a work of fiction. But regardless of what he feels, I don't believe anyone can have an educated opinion about something if they don't get to see it / read it for themselves. And honestly, if I hadn't read it already, his post would probably make me want to read it now. When the force of your convictions is that strong and it brings so much attention to a book or movie, it makes it all that much more enticing. It's the nature of the beast...people just have to see what all the hoopla is about.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Some of his "facts" are very flawed and skewed. The Prior of Scion did not exist before the 1960s (I forget the exact date) so Da Vinci could not have been a member!!! Also at most there were two members. The one who started it finally admitted that it was all made up because he wanted to show he was from royalty, which was not true.

 

[Teejay32]

Add me to the list, I know nothing about it.

 

[RitaZ.]

IMHO, people *should* be skeptical of the "church". Religious authorities have lied to people in the past, admitted that they lied, and are probably lying about something else right now. To believe otherwise is simply naive.
Religious organizations are, after all, a creation of man.

 

[Golf4food]

I have no problem with the book as a work of fiction. I do, however, have a problem with the author stating point blank at the beginning of the book that all descriptions of historical documents and artwork, etc are fact. The problem with that is that the majority of his comments about historical documents are not fact, they are plain wrong. I’ve read the fictional book and numerous books debating the truth or fiction behind it, written by both religious persons and non-religious historians.

It troubles me that Brown gets even simple facts wrong, such as when the dead sea scrolls were discovered (he is off by a full decade), what the dead sea scrolls cover (Brown describes them as important Christian texts – but they are all Jewish texts that have nothing to do with Christ or Christianity and therefore cannot possibly be important Christian texts as part of his plot – and yet he passes them off as such). He makes false depictions of other historical texts – mentioning them as being written in completely wrong languages, by wrong persons, etc. The Emperor Constantine had virtually nothing to do with anything that Brown gives him credit for, and yet Brown’s characters pass complete fallacies off as truth and there are people in the world who will believe the book without searching out the truth for themselves. That's just a few items of concern...

So if people take it as simply a work of FICTION, it is entertaining. My problem is that it tries to pass itself off as 100% truth, when most of it is completely false.

At least when Michael Crichton wrote “Eaters of the Dead” and claimed it was a real memoir, he included a note at the end of the book debunking his earlier claim and admitting it was complete fiction. Dan Brown evidently doesn’t have such decency as an author. (Besides the fact that he stole most of his ideas for the “Diainci Code” from a book written in the 1970s named “Holy Blood, Holy Grail.”)

If you are curious about what is truth and what is fiction, go grab a few books from the library. If you automatically distrust anything written by a religious person, check out one written by an atheistic historian – there are plenty of books from each side of the fence.

 

[Jpgirl]

Actually if you love a good mystery you'll love this one. Dan Brown writes good mysteries. The thing you have to remember is this is FICTION. I'm almost finished with the book and I avoided reading it because of all the debate over it. No where did the author say that it was non fiction. Yes there are truths that he writes about (ie secret faternal orginiztions and the grail idea) but it's still entertaining mystery reading. Just like that one author who is a forensic coroner writing about fictional cases. So if you like at it as entertainment and not the Gospel according to Dan Brown you'll be fine. It really is a good book-dh said that his other book based on the same character, Langdon, is better. It's called Angels and Demons and it actually comes before the Davinci Code in the time line-but aren't sequels.

 

[tar heel]

There's no consensus on Priory of Sion, but what mickeyfan2 posted is only one story/theory about it. Google the term and you'll get lots of information.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'm Catholic. I read it. It's a good murder mystery. It's a ficitional work. Many of the facts are "off" but work for his story.

If it were true that Jesus was married, it wouldn't really bother me. Jesus was God made human. If He was human, it would stand to reason that He might fall in love and get married. Doesn't change the end result.

I'm more of a destination girl.

 

[crazee4mickey]

The only thing I know about it is that Tom Hanks is in the movie with really, really BAD HAIR (worse than his usual!)

I do plan on reading the book one of these days though.

In all honesty, from what I've heard from those who have read it is that it is an excellent FICTION book and that people who are getting their underwear in a bunch over it are just looking for something to get them in a bunch about

 

[mickeyfan2]

Actually if you love a good mystery you'll love this one. Dan Brown writes good mysteries.

I love mysteries and this was not a good mystery. I figure out everything expect the "sex scene with the Grandfather" early in the book. I will not list them here so I don't give anything away.

Angels and Demons was his best book.

 

[OzFan]

Nope. The only thing I know is that Tom Hanks is in the movie.

I'm with you! Not seeing it either! Waiting for Pirates!