The Da Vince Code

[mickeylove2]

I'm currently reading the book and so I thought I'd ask around...what's the big deal about the story??? I remember when the movie came out, people were all bent out of shape about it, today 1 of my co-workers asked me if I believed what the book says and I responded that I believed it as much as any Stephen King novel. She went into this tirade about inaccuracies and blasphemy, now I have a headache. To me it's just a book, a story, why would I put so much effort to either wholeheartedly believe it or spend all kids of enery trying to debunk the story, and I'm certainly not going to get into a heated argument with anyone over it. I just want to read a story, is that too much to ask?!?!? So tell me, what are your thoughts???

 

[Christine]

It's been awhile since I've read it (YEARS) and I think the big deal was that it put the Catholic church in a bad light. It basically said they covered things up and manipulated history.

Dan Brown sells the book as a work of fiction although he apparently did a LOT of research to make his statements.

The Catholic church were mostly very unhappy with the book.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I loved it and found some of the theories fascinating. I don't know enough about the bible since I didn't pay that much attention in Confirmation class, so I couldn't argue the points one way or another. Like you said, it's a good read.

 

[bicker]

It's been awhile since I've read it (YEARS) and I think the big deal was that it put the Catholic church in a bad light. It basically said they covered things up and manipulated history. Dan Brown sells the book as a work of fiction although he apparently did a LOT of research to make his statements. The Catholic church were mostly very unhappy with the book.

Yeah, that's the way I remember it. I think you're going to get that kind of flak anytime you present an alternative perspective on someone else's beliefs based on faith. By the same token, you're going to get similar flak when you present beliefs based on faith themselves, such as Mel Gibson got with Passion... It is just a natural consequence of putting matters of belief into the public arena, from any direction.

 

[GoodFairies]

As the book was never tried to be marketed as non-fiction, I'm not sure why all the offense from the church. For me it was just a fiction, "beach-type" read.
However, I would bold the fact that you have not finished it yet or else you might get some major spoilers in here that you don't want. This might be a discussion better left until you are finished.

 

[momof1princess]

basically, the da vinci code paints a different story of Christianity than the one offered by Christian churches. it also painted certain aspects of the Catholic religion in a less-than-flattering light. i could elaborate on these points, but doing that would spoil the book for you.

 

[mickeylove2]

I'm not worried about spoilers...I should be finished the book by bed time tonight, and my co-worker didn't mind spoiling anything for me anyway! lol I just am truly interested in people's thoughts or issues on the book.

 

[Darcy03231]

I read it as a work of fiction and really liked it (I liked Angels and Demons too).

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'm currently reading the book and so I thought I'd ask around...what's the big deal about the story??? I remember when the movie came out, people were all bent out of shape about it, today 1 of my co-workers asked me if I believed what the book says and I responded that I believed it as much as any Stephen King novel. She went into this tirade about inaccuracies and blasphemy, now I have a headache. To me it's just a book, a story, why would I put so much effort to either wholeheartedly believe it or spend all kids of enery trying to debunk the story, and I'm certainly not going to get into a heated argument with anyone over it. I just want to read a story, is that too much to ask?!?!? So tell me, what are your thoughts???

Well I was bent of of shape that Tom Hanks was cast as Robert Langdon. Oh and I still am.

 

[FergieTCat]

Many of the theories in "The DaVinci Code" were taken from the book "Holy Blood, Holy Grail".

 

[sbell111]

Many believe that the idea that Jesus had a physical relationship and fathered a child with Mary Magdelene is blasphemous.

 

[Christine]

As the book was never tried to be marketed as non-fiction, I'm not sure why all the offense from the church. For me it was just a fiction, "beach-type" read.

I would say because some of the "fictional theories" that Dan Brown presented were actually quite well-researched and highly plausible. The fact that they got so up in arms kind of speaks volumes about how close to the truth some of these "theories" were. Whether they are true or not, we'll never know but I found them to be quite compelling as I'm sure many people did.

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

I thought religion and the like were off limits here

 

[GoodFairies]

I would say because some of the "fictional theories" that Dan Brown presented were actually quite well-researched and highly plausible. The fact that they got so up in arms kind of speaks volumes about how close to the truth some of these "theories" were. Whether they are true or not, we'll never know but I found them to be quite compelling as I'm sure many people did.

Oh I agree, but getting mad at Dan Brown was misdirected. He never marketed his specific book(s) as anything other than fiction, nor did he come up with those theories all by himself. But I'm guessing it had to do with bringing those theories to a much wider everyman type of audience instead of a more limited group of conspiracy theorist types.

 

[Christine]

Oh I agree, but getting mad at Dan Brown was misdirected. He never marketed his specific book(s) as anything other than fiction, nor did he come up with those theories all by himself. But I'm guessing it had to do with bringing those theories to a much wider everyman type of audience instead of a more limited group of conspiracy theorist types.

Yes, I agree.

 

[Christine]

I thought religion and the like were off limits here

This thread is about a book. The poster wanted to know what the uproar was over the book many years ago. The uproar had to do with religion. We aren't discussing religion here for the sake of religion, nor are we arguing if the theories presented in The Davinci Code are true or false. We are talking about what, in the book, inspired a controversy and not debating the controversy itself.

Now, maybe I'm wrong and we can't discuss anything indirectly related to religion? If that's the case, we probably need to remove threads about what you do on Christmas Eve or Christmas day if anyone talks about going to church.

 

[FireDancer]

I just look at it as a fictional book, no more and no less. If someone doesn't like the story or the premise they should just not read it or watch it. I have no interest in the Harry Potter books but I'm not going to get all bend out of shape about it and picket the theater.

Some people just have too much time on their hands and have to take up ours by being offended by everything. I just ignore those people.

 

[Maridw]

I really liked the book, but I too, looked at it as fiction. That is the problem with some people. They can't seem to distinguish between what is supposed to be fiction and what isn't.

We had some people protest the theaters when "The Passion of Christ", "The Golden Compass" & "The Da Vinci Code" came out.

I did not see "The Passion of Christ", but I did see "The Golden Compass" & "The Da Vinci Code". I liked both movies. I did not read the Golden Compass, I just heard what was supposed to be in it.

I am Catholic but I was not offended by what was in the Da Vinci Code. You have to be open minded when you read things like this. Some things are always going to create a stir. You just need to know how to look past what people are saying and judge for yourself.

 

[mickeylove2]

Thanks for the replies...as I finished the book last night, I kinda see where people (my co-worker) are coming from. I went into reading the book as a work of fiction, just like any Dean Koontz, Stephen King, or Danielle Steelle book. When I finished reading it, I had the same mind set, so no, I will not lose any sleep over any theory in the book.

To the poster who mentioned the discussion about religion- that was not the intention of this thread, I simply wanted some ideas on the arguments surrounding this book. Being the granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Apostolic ministers, I know better than to open that can of worms, especially on a discussion board like this. But thanks for the warning anyway.

 

[dejr_8]

Well I was bent of of shape that Tom Hanks was cast as Robert Langdon. Oh and I still am.

Who did you want? Brad Pitt?