The Da Vinci Code Hoax
As any rational person should realize, The Da Vinci Code is fiction, and not much else. It's just ::amazon("1400079179", "a novel")::, just ::imdb("tt0382625", "a movie")::. Why, then, are many Christians up in arms over the story, if that's all it is? The answer is simple, as Massimo Introvigne points out:
People who ask this question usually have not read the page of The Da Vinci Code titled Fact, where the author, Dan Brown, asserts that "all descriptions of [..]documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate" and are based specifically on the fact that "in 1975 Paris’ Bibliothèque Nationale discovered parchments, known as Les Dossiers Secrets" which reveal the story of the Priory of Sion.
Some Christians are arguing that The Da Vinci Code is a positive because it is getting people to think more about early Christianity. In reality, I think that the only thing people will really think about early Christianity is, "Is that true?" This surface-level response to mainstream entertainment will not provoke further discovery of Christ and the actual events of early followers. In addition, many non-Christians will likely believe the fictional "facts" and incorporate them into their already wavering view of Christianity, religion, and God.
So, all things being equal, feel free to believe everything you read/see in The Da Vinci Code if you also readily believed all the "facts" given in movies such as National Treasure, too.
I will not attempt to list the problems in The Da Vinci Code. It is, after all, just a movie. For more information on The Da Vinci Code and its fallacies, check out these informative pages:
- Da Vinci Answers — Josh McDowell's podcast discussing The Da Vinci Code
- "The Da Vinci Code FAQ, or Will the Real Priory of Sion Please Stand Up?" — Massimo Introvigne
- "The DaVinci Scam" — Terry Paige, Houghton College professor
- "The Da Vinci Scam • Decoding Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code"
- The Da Vinci Code Discussed — The Life
One interesting fact regarding the filming of the movie: Westminster Abbey refused to allow filming on location, stating "theologically unsound" premises in the book. Filming was moved to Lincoln Cathedral, whose bell "Great Tom" was silent for the first time since World War II during filming on August 15 – 19, 2005.
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May 18th, 2006 at 19:04
I haven't read the book. I'm not sure if I will see the movie. I'm not a huge fan of the story myself because it is blatantly saying that everything I've firmly believed in my entire life is a lie.
Just a thought…when something comes up that goes against (insert any other religion/group here), it's understandable and accepted that people from that group get upset and apologies are issued etc, etc. But when something like this comes up and is going against the traditions of Christianity, Christians are expected to be OK with it and just take it. Double standard much?
Anyway, here's a site for discussing all things Da Vinci
May 18th, 2006 at 20:13
Cool site, Jim. I've added it to the list on the post. Thanks.