Did The Da Vinci Code offend anyone here

[georgina]

I haven't read it, but they were asking people to sign petitions after Mass in our church to protest the making of the movie! I thought that was ridiculous.

 

[lovingthemouse]

Read the book and then read it again. Although I am religious, I found the fiction entrancing. Have to admit that I have looked at the Last Supper again, noticed the V, and more carefully at the person thought to be Mary Magdelene. Looking forward to seeing the movie.

 

[Mom2be]

Actually, I don't think the Church had a problem with HP. At least none that I remember. I think it was more of the evangelical churches.

I thought daVinci Code was pretty interesting. I haven't read Angels and Demons yet. My son is reading it now.

Nope the Catholic Church does take issue with HP. The current Pope (back when he was a Cardinal) wrote a letter/article about how HP was promoting witchcraft and satan worship.

~Amanda

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Nope the Catholic Church does take issue with HP. The current Pope (back when he was a Cardinal) wrote a letter/article about how HP was promoting witchcraft and satan worship.

~Amanda

That is one man's opinion, though. Not the Church. I don't think the Church made any kind of statement on it.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I should add that there are many other bishops and priests who say HP is okay.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I am not Catholic, so I am not stating this as fact, but they probably had a problem with it because there really are a lot of people out there that look at it as non-fiction. I have even read posts by people on this site using it as an argument in religious debate threads.

I have found this to be true too. There is a great documentary on the history or discovery channel about this. After watching that, it was even more obvious that he really stretch history. I recommend the documentary.

 

[Tanuki]

The way that things are presented as facts when they actually are not is my biggest problem with the book.

I thought it worked well as one long chase scene and the puzzles were interesting but the ending was so lame that I ended up not liking the book.

Since I had been to a discussion group about it at my church and had already gotten the "heads up" about what was pure fiction (but presented as fact) before I read it, I was able to read the book with an informed eye.

But the majority of readers didn't have that opportunity before they read it so I am concerned about how many people might have been mislead by such a popular novel.

 

[disneymom3]

Well, first off, I have to say that while he himself wasn't Pope at the time, wouldn't you say the Pope does pretty much represent what the Catholic Church believes?

Anyway, I also think that the reason the Church did not like DaVinci code is because of the fact that the book claims that the Church supressed books of the Bible to fit its own agenda. Plus this concept that Jesus was married is not going to fly.

However, it was a book of fiction. Heck, the Rose Line doesn't even go through many of the places he claims it does!

 

[bicker]

It is important to remember that, while the book is fiction, some of the details within it were based on fact, and pretty reliably shake some of the assertions that the Roman Catholic Church contends is truth. That was the reason for the controversy, really. If it was just a fabrication of lies clothed in fiction it wouldn't have captured much attention. It was the small bits of uncomfortable fact that was woven into the story that caused such concern in those who would rather their beliefs no be challenged.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Well, first off, I have to say that while he himself wasn't Pope at the time, wouldn't you say the Pope does pretty much represent what the Catholic Church believes?

Anyway, I also think that the reason the Church did not like DaVinci code is because of the fact that the book claims that the Church supressed books of the Bible to fit its own agenda. Plus this concept that Jesus was married is not going to fly.

However, it was a book of fiction. Heck, the Rose Line doesn't even go through many of the places he claims it does!

Not since he wasn't Pope at the time. And other bishops and priests say it's okay. So, no I can't say what he said before represents what the Catholic Church believes at all.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

It is important to remember that, while the book is fiction, some of the details within it were based on fact, and pretty reliably shake some of the assertions that the Roman Catholic Church contends is truth. That was the reason for the controversy, really. If it was just a fabrication of lies clothed in fiction it wouldn't have captured much attention. It was the small bits of uncomfortable fact that was woven into the story that caused such concern in those who would rather their beliefs no be challenged.

Out of curiousity, what details do you feel based on fact shake the assertions of the Church? As a Catholic, I really didn't see that or feel that the beliefs/teachings of the Church were shaken.

 

[Micca]

Mostly the only thing that offends me is ignorance.

 

[Disney Doll]

Nope the Catholic Church does take issue with HP. The current Pope (back when he was a Cardinal) wrote a letter/article about how HP was promoting witchcraft and satan worship.

~Amanda

And that is his opinion, which does not necessarily express the "official" opinion of the Catholic Church. Particularly since, at the time he shared his opinion, he was not the Pope.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I just read the book, yes, I am a bit behind the times. I am on to Angels and Demons next.

The book did not offend me at all, but then again, I am not a Christian. The "royal bloodline" makes a lot of sense though. And this is a theory that is out there, not just Brown's. Jesus was Jewish, and a Rabbi. In the Jewish religion Rabbi's are supposed to be married. It is shall we say encouraged. So I find that theory very believable. It was a fact that Jesus was a decendant of King Solomon and King David. This lineage is kept track of, since the Jewish Messiah is said to be born of that lineage.

Let's see, the Freemasons exist, Knights of the Templar, Opus Dei, Priory of Scion these are all real organizations. Granted what was written about them was a fictional account.

The bible. Ok, the Old Testament was written by a group of Hebrews called the Pharisses ( I am sure I am spelling this wrong) and they wrote their versions of history and stories. For example, the story of the Macabees and Chanukah is not in the Old Testament. They weren't of the Pharisses sect, so they got booted. I am sure the New Testament is similar. They men writing it, put in the Gospels they wanted in. It was their version of history and what happened. The dead sea scrolls, the Gospel of Mary, and the ones they just found from Judas, all tell different versions of what happened in their times.

I am sure 2000 years from now, some people will be discussing the Bill Clinton VS G W Bush presidential years!!

Just remember, there are 3 sides to every story. His version, her version, and the truth. Since most of us aren't objective, and just see things, or interpret them differently, stories get scewed. That is life.

I liked what Dan Brown wrote about Faith. It is just believing in something even if there is no proof to back it up. That is what believing in religion is.

 

[Micca]

I haven't read it(I'm the only one), but I'm interested in it. I will see the movie at some point. As a godless heathen, little offends me.

 

[PixieDust32]

I LOVE IT!
It's fiction come on, big deal.

 

[PixieDust32]

And who knows if everything in the bible is 100% true of if not all the information is there.

 

[Daxx]

Nope the Catholic Church does take issue with HP. The current Pope (back when he was a Cardinal) wrote a letter/article about how HP was promoting witchcraft and satan worship.~Amanda

Well, not exactly ... read the following from The Internet Writing Journal:

In 2003, a Vatican spokesman said Pope John Paul II approved of the Harry Potter books, saying, "They help children to tell the difference between good and evil." The Vatican under John Paul II regarded the books as children's fiction, not theological treatises. The current Pope Benedict XVI may not be a fan, however. Before he was elected Pope, Joseph Ratzinger wrote a letter to a friend noting the "subtle seduction" of the Harry Potter books which "distorted Christianity." The letters have never been authenticated, however, and it's far from clear whether Pope Benedict has even read the books. Since he was elected Pope, he has made no statement about Harry Potter. Amazon.com has reported that it has shipped a number of copies of the books to the Vatican over the years, so someone there is reading them.

 

[ReggieB]

I remember reading The DaVinci Code and saying to my DH that I had read pretty much the same story about 10 years ago...which turned out to be the book by those guys that tried to sue Dan Brown. The premises are really that close, though one purports to be fact, the other fiction. I seem to remember some deviation in the endings, it's all popped out of my head a long time ago though.

 

[PixieDust32]

Why does the Vatican has to approve everything? If is not approved by the Vatican is a big sin.

People can read or watch whatever

I watched a show called Sience of the bible ( National Geographic or Discovery science channel ) very interesting.