DaVinci Code Protesters

[tinatark]

Does people go to hell for lying, cheating, having pre marital sex, etc? Or just for reading a book?

My statement that you quoted was about people doubting their faith based on this movie/book. I'm sure many non christians will keep their stance based on what they see/read. I'm sure many christians who are of little faith will be of even less faith, if they see this as the truth. So, yes, reading a book or watching a movie can influence someone with little or no faith to continue in their distrust of the church/bible, everything.

 

[PixieDust32]

My statement that you quoted was about people doubting their faith based on this movie/book. I'm sure many non christians will keep their stance based on what they see/read. I'm sure many christians who are of little faith will be of even less faith, if they see this as the truth. So, yes, reading a book or watching a movie can influence someone with little or no faith to continue in their distrust of the church/bible, everything.

Oh OK!

Who knows what's really the truth?

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I live in MA.. and they were picketing outside the theatre in Boston when my daughter went to see it. She said there were nuns saying their rosary.....it unnerved her a bit, but she still saw it.

I do not get what the issue is....it is a fiction work, why can't we see it.

 

[NJBlackBerry]

Does people go to hell for lying, cheating, having pre marital sex, etc? Or just for reading a book?

They certainly don't appear to go to hell for molesting boys and then having the entire sordid mess covered up for decades... Or is that fiction?

 

[NewJersey]

They certainly don't appear to go to hell for molesting boys and then having the entire sordid mess covered up for decades... Or is that fiction?

How ironic, I guess?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

OK, I read the book: I saw the movie. OMG! What a dreadful movie! I have yet to see any protesters around here, but I am considering launching a protest to seeif I can get the price of my ticket refunded.

The way I have this book/movie figured... some people will not like the movie no matter what because they are offended by its premise -these are content in ignorance; some people will like it no matter what because they are titillated by the flagrant disrespect for Christian tradition -these mostly hide behind pseudo-intellectual defenses of what is actually literary piffle. Me? I am an evangelical Christian who has never seen the DaVinci Code as a threat. The book was a fair way to spend a couple of evenings. The movie is as sorry a film as I have seen in a long time. Super lame. That is worth protesting

 

[declansdad]

OK, I read the book: I saw the movie. OMG! What a dreadful movie! I have yet to see any protesters around here, but I am considering launching a protest to seeif I can get the price of my ticket refunded.

The way I have this book/movie figured... some people will not like the movie no matter what because they are offended by its premise -these are content in ignorance; some people will like it no matter what because they are titillated by the flagrant disrespect for Christian tradition -these mostly hide behind pseudo-intellectual defenses of what is actually literary piffle. Me? I am an evangelical Christian who has never seen the DaVinci Code as a threat. The book was a fair way to spend a couple of evenings. The movie is as sorry a film as I have seen in a long time. Super lame. That is worth protesting

Sorry but I have to disagree. I thought the movie moved along well and the performances of the actors were well done. They matched my expectations of how the characters should be based on reading the book.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

Sorry but I have to disagree. I thought the movie moved along well and the performances of the actors were well done. They matched my expectations of how the characters should be based on reading the book.

I'm with you. But we're in the minority as it seems most people haven't enjoyed the movie. But I wasn't expecting an Oscar worthy film. It entertained me just as the book did. No harm, no foul

Look, if people can't distinguish between fact and fiction, that's their problem. And I think it's crazy the way some people feel the need to protest. It's a movie! Give me a break. If you feel that threatened by a book that has been made into a movie then you obviously don't have a strong foundation for your faith anyway. I believe in God and never at any point did I feel that this book threatened my beliefs in any way. It was entertainment. It made me think and speculate. It made me want to learn more about the subject of Jesus as a person. His life and his death. And I think it opened up the opportunity for some really cool discussions. But that's for another topic entirely

 

[Disney Doll]

Isn't that exactly what the christian churches and other religions do? Selling fictions and fabrications

In your opinion, to which you are certainly entitled, yes.

In my opinion, to which I am certainly entitled, no.

 

[Disney Doll]

What would those people say if I'd protest in front of their churches, because I don't like what they do there?

BTW, I enjoyed the movie

Do you think a church has never had protestors in front of it?

As long as your protest does not break any laws, feel free to protest where you choose.

And I'll feel free to ignore you as I walk by on my way into church.

 

[sha_lyn]

The protesters were creating a traffic hazzard. They were blocking the view of on coming traffic for those making left hand turns into the shopping area that house not only the theater but several restaurants and shops.

 

[Disney Doll]

They certainly don't appear to go to hell for molesting boys and then having the entire sordid mess covered up for decades... Or is that fiction?

Actually, I am quite sure that the priests who committed those crimes will go to Hell, as will the other folks who covered it up. And that is right where they belong.

As I have said, oh....6 million times already, there are not many, if any, catholics who will tell you that was right or even defensible.

I'm also not quite sure what it has to do with a discussion about protesting the DaVinci Code, but, well...it wouldn't be a Catholic Church thread if someone didn't bring it up!!!! You DISers are getting so predictable.

As I have said 7 million times, I, and many other Catholics, have the ability to separate the human side of religion from the God side of religion.

It does get tiresome to rehash the same old arguments.

BTW, I'm a Catholic, liked the book, haven't seen the movie yet. I may see it in the movies, I may wait till it comes out on DVD. Reading the book didn't shake my faith at all.

Truly, I don't feel responsible for all the mistakes made by Catholic Church leaders over the centuries. I also don't feel responsible for all the white folks who owned slaves 300 years ago. I don't hold the German folks repsonsible for Hitler's actions.

I'm really trying to just do my best now...live my life, be nice, help other folks, practice my religion and maybe get to Heaven someday.

 

[Lisa_Belle]

Unless the law as changed, protesters do have a right to express their opinion, whether or not you believe what they have to say. We also have a right to freedom of religion and can believe and worship in whatever manner we choose - as long as our beliefs don't break other laws.

I have no problems with this book/movie being marketed as fiction, but I wouldn't even go so far as to include it as historical fiction. Historical fiction at least has a few facts thrown in (In Gone With the Wind, for example, there really was a Civil War, but no Tara). Come on, does anyone really believe that there is a bloodline to Jesus Christ through Mary Magdelene? The human race is pretty pompous. People scour ancestry lines trying to prove they are related to someone famous. I guarantee if someone in today's world could prove they are a direct descendent of one of the 20th century's most notable personailities, they would be throwing a press conference like we have never seen. Brown claims this bloodline is the result of the intermarrying of the descendents of Jesus Christ/Mary Magdelene and French royal blood. Since most European royals are at least distantly related through centuries of intermarriage, this would mean that most of the European bluebloods would also be related to this bloodline. Brown also asserts that Jesus had to be married for the simple reason that Jews did not remain single. Yet Josephus - one of the most notable Jewish scholars - was, in fact, single. Also the "Priory of Sion" which Brown says was founded in 1099 and included Newton, Boticelli and Da Vinci, was actually founded in 1956 by Pierre Plantard.

By marketing the book/movie as historical fiction, there are people who will assume that all parts of it historically accurate. Previous posters have attested they know people who believe these facts. It needs to be made clear that this book/movie is about as accurate as "The Devil Wears Prada".


Oh, yes I have had protestors in front of my church - with very graphic signs. Press, too. We just ignored them and they all went away.

 

[Lisa_Belle]

The protesters were creating a traffic hazzard. They were blocking the view of on coming traffic for those making left hand turns into the shopping area that house not only the theater but several restaurants and shops.

sorry sha_lyn, but blocking your view isn't enough to lawfully send them on their way. As long as there is no libel, slander or injury involved, they have a legal right to be there. Incidentally, I have a legal right to gather a group of protestors and park ourselves on the sidewalk in front of your house. Just like protestors have a right to congregate in front of George Bush's ranch.

 

[PixieDust32]

They certainly don't appear to go to hell for molesting boys and then having the entire sordid mess covered up for decades... Or is that fiction?

Bingo!

EDITORIAL

A note from the publisher of the National Catholic Register

The founder of the Legion of Christ, Father Marcial Maciel, has been accused of terrible crimes. Considering his advanced age — he’s 86 — and his frail health, the Holy See decided not to conduct a canonical trial. Father Maciel is confined to a life of prayer and penance, away from any public ministry.

He becomes like an accused priest awaiting trial. Only, in this case,there will be no trial.

Many newspapers are giving this story big play, repeating the accusations,
exploring the nuances of the Holy See’s declaration, and quoting opinions from supporters and detractors as to what the implications for the Legionaries are likely to be.

The Register is not taking that approach to this story, for a couple of reasons.

For one, that’s not what the Register does, ever. We don’t try to hide
difficulties in the Church — do a Google search of “National Catholic Register” plus “seminaries” plus “problems” and see for yourself.

But our policy is to focus on the vitality of the Church. If this story were about the founder of another congregation in the Church, we would merely note it and move on.

There’s another reason the Register is not covering it in the common
journalistic way: the example of Father Maciel.

He has been a sign of contradiction, starting with expulsions from seminaries, intensifying when he was a priest in his 20s, and continuing all throughout his long life. So it has been for many other founders.

He has always reacted the same way: seeing the cross as coming from God, refusing to defend himself, bearing malice toward none, continuing to do good, trying to serve the universal and local Church with many well formed priests, courageous lay apostles and vibrant works of apostolate.

Vindication has always come, because the Judge’s instructions to the jury have always been the same: “By their fruits you will know them.”

The vocation of a cofounder is to continue the good works of the founder.
The Legionaries will continue this as they also accompany their founder in this new stage of his life.

As Father Maciel has taught us, we see this cross as coming from God, the only Owner of our vineyard. Evidently, he has decided that we needed to be pruned in order to bear more fruit.

We are not afraid of this cross — on the contrary, we are honored by it.
If you pray for the Legionaries, don’t pray that the cup be taken away, pray that we be worthy of drinking it to the dregs.

As Father Maciel has taught us, we love the Church and the Holy Father. Not abstractly — personally.

We love and trust Pope Benedict. We do not question his decision or his wisdom. We do not doubt his love for us and for our founder. We are entirely at his disposal, to serve the Church.

We are ready.

 

[PixieDust32]

Sorry but I have to disagree. I thought the movie moved along well and the performances of the actors were well done. They matched my expectations of how the characters should be based on reading the book.

Same here!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Doesn't Brown say that his book is fiction? Like may others, I have no problem with the book or movie peddling itself as fiction. The fact is many Christians have tried to make a quick buck by hinting at some hidden bloodline of Jesus. I have long ago thrown it away, but I used to have a "geneaology chart" showing how the House of Windsor is descended from Jesus -funny thing was, I got it from a televangelist.

As for the actual theory Brown puts forth in his novel, it is a rugged form of gnosticism that easily dissolves when put to the test. The church has encountered it before and will again and again and again.

 

[DawnCt1]

OK, I read the book: I saw the movie. OMG! What a dreadful movie! I have yet to see any protesters around here, but I am considering launching a protest to seeif I can get the price of my ticket refunded.

The way I have this book/movie figured... some people will not like the movie no matter what because they are offended by its premise -these are content in ignorance; some people will like it no matter what because they are titillated by the flagrant disrespect for Christian tradition -these mostly hide behind pseudo-intellectual defenses of what is actually literary piffle. Me? I am an evangelical Christian who has never seen the DaVinci Code as a threat. The book was a fair way to spend a couple of evenings. The movie is as sorry a film as I have seen in a long time. Super lame. That is worth protesting

MAKE A PICKET SIGN FOR ME!! I would definately like my money back. I am glad I bought my two tickets at Costco. I would have freaked if I had paid $9.75 per ticket!. This is not a movie that I would get on DVD! I hope Tom Hanks can live it down.

 

[DISUNC]

Last night on the way to dinner we passed by a group of protesters near the theater. There must have been 40 or so of them in the median of the road in front of the theater.

They had signs up like

Buying a Ticket to Davinci Code is buying a ticket to Hell

Satan wants you to see Davinci Code

How can anyone take protestors holding signs like this Seriously!!!! Very Silly

ps I saw the movie and thought it was GREAT! Very true to the book. EXTREMLY well directed & well acted...and a very moving finale!

 

[PixieDust32]

How can anyone take protestors holding signs like this Seriously!!!! Very Silly

ps I saw the movie and thought it was GREAT! Very true to the book. EXTREMLY well directed & well acted...and a very moving finale!

I agree too.