Churches Worried "Da Vinci Code" Is Sowing Doubts among Faithful

[BurtWorm]

Jesus' descendants live in France? Are we going to have to start calling them Holy fries now?


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/27/books/27CODE.html?hp


April 27, 2004
Defenders of Christianity Rebut 'The Da Vinci Code'
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

Fearing that the best-selling novel "The Da Vinci Code" may be sowing doubt about basic Christian beliefs, a host of Christian churches, clergy members and Bible scholars are rushing to rebut it.

In 13 months, readers have bought more than six million copies of the book, a historical thriller that claims Christianity was founded on a cover-up — that the church has conspired for centuries to hide evidence that Jesus was a mere mortal, married Mary Magdalene and had children whose descendants live in France.

Word that the director Ron Howard is making a movie based on the book has intensified the critics' urgency. More than 10 books are being released, most in April and May, with titles that promise to break, crack, unlock or decode "The Da Vinci Code." Churches are offering pamphlets and study guides for readers who may have been prompted by the novel to question their faith. Large audiences are showing up for Da Vinci Code lectures and sermons.

"Because this book is such a direct attack against the foundation of the Christian faith, it's important that we speak out," said the Rev. Erwin W. Lutzer, author of "The Da Vinci Deception" and senior pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, an influential evangelical pulpit.

[Delano]

1. LOL

Jesus as a mere mortal? NO!!! I HAD NEVER CONTEMPLATED THAT POSSIBILITY! Why, it never occcurred to me to question the fairy tales I learned in Sunday school. I mean, sure, I learned very early on that Santa & the Easter Bunny were fake, but it never occurred to me to apply the same logic to Jesus. I mean, THAT's in the BIBLE!, and people 2000 years ago NEVER lied or used metaphor or hyperbole, RIGHT????

Oh, wait - I forgot, the BIBLE was written by GOD HIMSELF! Silly me.

LOLOLOL

[Screaming Lord Byron]

2. Who hadn't heard of the Holy Blood theory long ago?

It's hardly a secret, the whole Priory of Sion / St Clair business.

[stopthegop]

3. just one more silly heresy...the church can handle it...eom

[Skittles]

13. the church IS silly heresy

nt

[NewHampster]

4. Opus Dei has been fighting it for awhile now

http://opusdei.org/art.php?w=32&p=7017

Seems to me that when the reaction to a book is so strong, there must be some truth there.

Also. I can't imagine a 30 year old charismatic Rabbi of Jesus's time not having children. Never made sense to me, but heck I'm a heathen, Christ killing Jew so what do I know.

On edit: the book they're backing http://opusdei.org/art.php?w=32&s=379

[KamaAina]

14. *Falsely* depicts Opus Dei as having unenlightened views on women?!

The Da Vinci Code falsely depicts Opus Dei as having unenlightened views on women and their role in Church and society. The reality is quite otherwise:

Oh, really? Then why did they just recently, in 2001!, build a fancy new headquarters building in Manhattan, with separate entrances for men and women, on separate streets!!??

http://www.maypinska.com/pages/projects/buildbodylex.htm

This is a quiet street wall building on a corner in the Murray Hill section of Manhattan in New York City. It is primarily a residential building for a Catholic religious group. It may be seen as the functional equivalent of a convent and a rectory combined in one building; and including a conference center at the top. The program is extremely complex and requires that the architect deal with such issues as:

* Separate entrances for men an women, on separate streets.
* The design of seven chapels and sacristies and their service requirements.
* Six dining rooms, all served from one kitchen.
* Separate on-site parking for men and women. (Well, at least they let women drive </sarcasm> -Ed.)
* Generous lobby and foyer spaces with multiple staircases connecting levels.
* Separation visually and acoustically of men and women within the building.
* Bedrooms, living rooms, and offices for approximately 100 residents.

[NewHampster]

16. I'm amazed they let women in at all

A very sick Cult following lies.

[Rowdyboy]

5. I didn't think the DaVinci Code was that radical....

Obviously, the early church had different factions. There were hundreds of "gospels" and many varied traditions. Those gospels selected for the Bible tended to be those that lent support to the hierarchy which was decidedly anti-matriarchal and anti-woman.

Jesus was almost certainly married. An unmarried man in his mid-30's in those days would have been highly unusual. As to any children, its a possibility though no direct proof survives. In reality, proof probably does exist but it is undoubtedly stored deep in the innermost vaults of the Vatican and will never be revealed.

Guess that's what makes fiction interesting.

[bmbmd]

8. Highly unusual?

Jesus, no matter how you look at Him, was nothing if not "Highly unusual". Everything He did was "highly unusual".

[Southpaw Bookworm]

6. Oh my stars!

To paraphrase arwalden. (I'm not gay, so I left that part out.)

I'd be surprised if Christian organizations DIDN'T attack the book because it might cause people to call into question their beliefs. Can't have anyone doing any further research into their faith beyond what the good reverend tells 'em, now can we? Critical thinking and an eye toward history? Never! :eyes:

[loftycity]

7. A Satire of the "Left Behind Series" would really put their shorts

in a bundle.

[yellowcanine]

9. The phrase is "panties in a wad".

"Shorts in a bundle" just doesn't create a vivid enough mind picture for me.

[Rowdyboy]

12. Or "knickers in a knot"

I like that one too...

[noonwitch]

10. The kind of churches that would worry have few members who would read

"The Da Vinci code". The catholic church has a list of banned books, if I remember correctly. Conservative protestant churches might not have a list and they might not tell people what they can and cannot read, but their members are not likely to read a book with that type of theme.

Liberal churches will encourage their members to read it and will discuss it with their members.

[Mr. Blonde]

11. And yet they do nothing

when George Carlin talks about the overall lack of a God in this universe.

[gpandas]

15. if there is a god...

she's a bitch