www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall The da Vinci Code ... A Poll

The first two sentences in the article about The da Vinci Code read:

So I was wondering ...

Have you read "The da Vinci Code"? single choice
	Yes
	No
Votes accepted starting: 12/31/69 08:00 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

Are you planning to see the movie? single choice
	Yes
	No
	I haven't decided yet.
Votes accepted starting: 12/31/69 08:00 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

I wouldn't spend money on either the book, or the movie. Don't want to reward them for attacking the Truth.

Me either. But the assertion of the article that it is unlikely that you know anyone who hasn't read the book or who is not planning to see the movie sounded wrong to me. I know a quite a few people who haven't read the book and don't plan to see the movie.

I just wanted to test my theory that the first sentences in the article are wrong.

I read the book, but have no plans to see the movie.

My reason for reading the book was that I know many who have read it and actually believe much of what's in there. So I wanted to read it to be able to answer their inquiries about it. Of course, I borrowed it from the library - no way was I paying money for it!

No and no. On principle. I have followed the phenomenon at length, though, to be able to answer questions from those who have.

My opinion is I can't criticize something I haven't read or seen, so I've read the book, and I'll probably see the movie, though I'll wait to rent it, mostly because I don't go to movie much.

I think this film is a great opportunity for us to explain the faith to the many people who will undoubtedly become interested as the film hits. As for those who think it's all true, and the Church is hiding this big cover-up, they're idiots. There's little you can do with them.

I am going to have to read the book and see the film now and it is all your fault. I am also going to have to check up on the facts so as to get a proper balance to the story. The only reason this book and film are doing (or going to)so well is because people keep going on about the book and the film. How shocked they are etc etc. about a book they never read and film they never saw. Thank God hearsay is not admissible in Court.

ICXC
NIKA

I don't need to watch a murder to know that murders occur. Renounce the devil and be done with it. I won't waste God's money on such crap.

CDL

Yes but as you were not there you might not know it was manslaughter after all.

You Parish Priest will be pleased to know that money in your wallet is God's, as he has a few extra purchases he has in mind for the parish.

ICXC
NIKA

Pavel,

Everything either of us borrows for a time belongs to God. You know the story about the old tightwad who on his deathbed insisted that his wife put all of his money in his casket? As the guests passed his casket they found a check signed by his widow.

God owns it all. What we do with it here reflects our understanding of that reality.

As much as I love my priest I think both he and I understand that the Church extends well beyond the local building.

CDL

I have no interest in seeing the movie or reading the book for many reasons. Not the least of which is that the genre doesn't appeal to me, the subject matter sounds trite and contrived. And I have heard from people whom I respect on matters literary that the writing is pretty poor.

I also don't see movies in the theater that I cannot take my daughter to. With the cost of going out for a day at the movies it has to be a family affair and something well worth seeing. TDVC doesn't meet those criteria.

We'll be seeing "Over the Hedge" instead!

I like that one.

ICXC
NIKA

I polled that I had not read the book, but I do plan to read the book (not an option in the poll). I think an informed Christian should be able to refute anything false, but if one does not know the contents it will not be possible to prepare a refutation.

Religious fiction is nothing new. Much of the apocryphal literature from the early centuries is just that. So is the "Left Behind" series of nonsense. Remember "the Bible Code"? same thing, it scared a lot of people into church. Even "The name of the Rose" by Umberto Ecco is religious fiction that puts monasticism in a very bad light and may have even harmed vocations (but I am a big fan of the story ). Umberto Ecco starts out the book by claiming to have found a lost manuscript with the details of the story.. Oh Pleeese!

Interestingly, last weekend I was rummaging through the library book sale and found a battered up hardback copy of "the Code" for 50 cents. The spine is actually split and it looks like it was read a lot.

I bought it, sorry. I couldn't help it. If not for that I was going to wait until it came out in DVD and rent it.

The fact is it has taken a place in the media of popular culture and we are going to have to deal with it. Just like we have to deal with New Age, Paganism, Scientology and Jehovah Witnesses.

We should as well as read a "cracking the code" book, but not only that. I suggest that everyone read up on early church history and theology. Amazon has hundreds of excellent titles by scholars of note (Pelikan, Chadwick), so does Paulist Press and Oxford University Press etc. etc.

Let's get informed and deal with the subject intelligently, the Dan Brown genre of books and movies is not going away any time soon, it makes money.

+T+
Michael

Years ago I read "Holy Blood, Holy Grail", so when I learned of "The Da Vinci Code" I was unimpressed, seeing it as just speculative fiction. Nowadays the line between truth and fiction is more readily blurred by writers who see an opportunity to make a buck.

And despite what the media would have you believe, it is not necessary to read everything that is printed just so you can carry on a conversation with those who have read it. One doesn't have to experience everything first hand to be sociable. After all, Jesus himself didn't do that.

Dear Carole,

I don't know how I could enjoy a book when I know that everything within it is fabricated. First of all the pretence of a 'Vatican' cover up. Well what about the Eastern Churches? :rolleyes:

Actually the problem with the book is that everything in it is a lie, and so what's the point of reading a book if I can't find some truth in what is presented. As far as I can tell, every book should have an element of truth, so that it can add to our experiences and knowledge. The expressions of an author should help form and endow our opinions on matters. So at least some of the subject matter should be informative.

Well in my case, I know a little too much regarding the subject matter to find any element of truth within it...so it certainly would not give me any knowledge above and beyond what I know, or add to any of my experiences.

Obviously the author is a total idiot in spiritual matters because he is confusing our dimension with our human passions, with a dimension he is totally ignorant of...and by doing so, it appeals to those equally ignorant. Basically, he doesn't know the simplest concepts of the Christian faith.

As far as knowing someone that read it, well yes I do, unfortunately. A very young person in my family has read it, but that person does realize that it is fiction. I frankly wouldn't advise it for anyone, because it's bound to place doubt in those that are not spiritually grounded.

I know that when the book first came out, it was blasted by some historians on EWTN because of all it's historical innacuricies. They consulted experts in everything, and showed the falsehood...and that included the paintings, etc. Well maybe some 'experts' will be able to get on some media stations and do the same. I think that is sorely needed, because let's face it, most people are spiritually ignorant. Oh and especially in Europe, where the book seems to be the biggest hit.

Zenovia