I have read The Da Vinci Code and was shocked at the amount of rituals that have crept into it.Also the importance of priests are also on the rise.Do you beleive that this will obscure Christ's teachings and instead encourage people to make do with adhering to mere rituals and practises?
217843
If you do a little anthropological or sociological research on religions, you will learn that *all* religions require rituals (or sacred ceremonies) and priests (or other officiants) to perform those rituals.\n\nAs for "The DaVinci Code" ... Its a work of **fiction**!  Ie, not real.
320144
YOUR "FACT" is completely flawed, I keep hearing so-called experts on television say that, and it's complete rubbish.  In Ancient Judaism there were always so-called "priests" that served as the religious leaders of Jewish society.  Many of them never married as they remained free of anything secular (including family life), often traveling into the wilderness and building entire communities that were similar to what we know as monasteries.  Research the term "Qumran" on yahoo or google as it is one of the most popular and well-researched Jewish monasteries that actually existed during the lifetime of Jesus.  In fact, Qumran was located very close to the caves that held the Dead Sea Scrolls, and it is probable that the very UNMARRIED Essene monks at Qumran authored the scrolls, as many of the scrolls outlined the lifestyle of the Qumran inhabitants in detail.\n\nFurthermore, if you read any of the writings of Paul in the New Testament of the bible, you will see that only a few years/decades after Christ religious men were clearly encouraged NOT to marry, as families would serve as distractions from God's service, and do you really think that in a few decades habitual tradition concerning religious men changed that rapidly? \n\nBut I DO agree with you that it wouldn't be so bad if Jesus did have a wife and children.  It's just that it doesn't fit at all with how we know Jesus lived. Therefore, it's just not true.  \n\nAnd as far as "The DaVinci Code" controversy, I seriously doubt anyone feels threatened by the novel and movie because they are "insecure" in their own faith.  THATS NOT THE CONTROVERSY.  I know that on TV the media is talking it up, and I know that some, not most, but SOME Christians have been complaining about the movie.  But it has NOTHING to do with their own faith.  It is the duty of any good Christian to have compassion for the non-believer.  The Great Commission according to the Bible is to go and teach the world the Good news that Jesus Christ is Lord.  That is something that should be held close to the heart and sacred for any Christian.  \n\nSO, I don't think ANY Chritian opposes "The DaVinci Code" because he is afraid for his OWN faith, but because of the damage it does to the possible or POTENTIAL faith of the non-believer.  It is hard enough in this world to spread the Word and to share the Gospel without these multi-billion dollar enterprises like "The DaVinci Code" working directly against you.  In other words, the Christian believes that he is already informed of the Good News, and so of course he does not feel personally threatened by a novel and movie.  But any Christian or layperson should be intelligent enough to also realize that there are plenty of weak-minded people out there that will be duped into believing the book and movie are fact, and in believing such a tale it is that much harder for them to become a believer; to become a Christian.\n\nThe DaVinci Code story is passed off as fact.  And it just isn't at all.  It's fiction.  Yet because people believe it, there literally are those among us now in this world that believe Christ was not divine at all, but a man that married, had children, and that such children prove Jesus was NOT the Son of God.  That's the danger of this story and movie that you see some clergymen talk about on TV.\n\nThat said, I am a Christian and I WILL be seeing the DaVinci Code, as any story relating to church history attracts me greatly.  I can't wait to see the movie after church this Sunday!
35620
Hi there,\n\nThe Da Vinci Code is a book by Dan Brown.\nIt is quite fascinating to know that Da Vinci hid clues in his pictures. The book also discusses the story of Jesus and Mary Magdaline. And some fascinating inventions by Da Vinci. It also tells us about a brotherhood who protect these children of Jesus and Mary Magdaline, and also safe-guard the holy-grail. The book is quite interesting and I suggest you read it.\n\nrule wid style n luv@vinny
615976
"I found Angels and Demons to be too far fetched, what with Langdon falling out of a plane and surviving!! But I suppose it is possible that the Vatican could be breached, since 9/11 it's painfully clear that nowhere is safe."\n\nTrue but if you needed that as evidence then you are to naive. Vatican can be breached but people smart enough to do so would also be smart enough to realize the negitive consequences of doing so.
285186
Apparently, we share the same problem. The problem of how to treat this book - as a fiction or as a fact. However, it is a fact that some people, after reading this book, started attending church or became even more religious. It would seem that the Pope has not heard about those people. \nThe Catholic Church has always been against anything that would make it look bad in the eyes of its weaker followers. The Church was a supporter of ancient knowledge, which was gradually deconstructed by scientists. Why was the reason for the Inquisition to treat as threatening some great scientists from the Renaissance period like Da Vinci or Galilei? \nAs I say it, treat it like a fictional book/movie. If you want to learn more, try and comfront the book with the Bible and/or any other writings. There is another book, I don't know how it is called in English, but it would sound something like "Breaking the Da Vinci Code".\nEnjoy the movie... It comes out on the 19th of May.\n\nPS: how would you feel if you break a request from a religious leader (the Pope) who doesn't even know you? let's make a bet: he will have a private copy of the movie, by the time it gets on the big screen.
478222
I agree... it's sensationalistic and it's disgusting how the movie studios, men who exist in their field to make money, set their sights on making money from Christians and they knew how to do it.  The marketing materials, free screenings for ministers so they'd guide their flock to see the movie too.\n\nFor those saying "Read the bible, it's true."  I also read Harry Potter and saw the movie... does that mean Harry Potter really happened, too?  Same logic, different outcome.  Funny.
228748
I just saw the film.\n\nThe part about how Christianity took pagan beliefs and mixed them in is correct. The fact that Constantine changed the religion (at least to a degree) is correct.  In fact when he ruled that in order to hold government office you had to be a Christian he managed to turn a bunch of pagans into Christians (in name only) over night.  Their underlying pagan beliefs remained the same, they just changed their title.\n\nThe part about the museum having bathroom windows that can be opened is absolutely false. Nor does the museum have bar soap that you can stick a GPS tracer into, they have liquid soap in the bathrooms.\n\nThe Priory has been pretty much determined to be a fraud. (Discovery Channel ran a series of shows which demonstrated this.) Of course, the paranoid will say that the "fraud" is just a cover story and it is exactly what the Priory wants you to think so that they stay secret.  \n\nThe idea that the "royal bloodline" filters down to one and only one woman in Europe seems pretty unbelievable. The Merovingians had many kids, there would have to be several thousand Merovingians by this point in history.\n\nThe idea that Jesus and Magdelene were married, well, not much proof one way or the other. Even if they were, it is that thing about rising from the dead that still sets things apart.\n\nOne idea that I don't think most people have considered is the possibility that the entire DaVinci Code movie and book might just be designed as a meme (brain virus as it were). Designed to "inject" the concept of this bloodline into the populace. Then, when the time is ripe, "they" will unveil a person who is supposedly the descendant in question whom "they" want to setup as a One World Leader.\n\nFrankly I think there is more "fact" in "The Norman Rockwell Code".
264241
No this is not true. I saw a documentary on Discovery channel, and the Da Vinci code is fiction pure and simple, created by three guys in France back in the seventies. All the documents were faked, and their is no evidence that Jesus married Mary Magdalene or fathered any children. It's just something to confuse people, none of it is true. Check your local listings for the Discovery/Times channel and they'll be playing it again, I think it's titles "the real Da vinci code" or something along those lines.
262932
Why is "The DaVinci Code" not fiction anymore? I missed that announcement...Anyhoo, if you want to hear solid evidence for Christ, I suggest reading The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel. I am reading it right now, so I can't tell you too much about it, but he talks to all sorts of scholars, some Christian Bible Scholars, some atheists like himself. He presents the evidence (eyewitness, documentary, corroborating, rebuttal, scientific, psychological, circumstantial, and fingerprint evidence). I'm still in the chapter about eyewitness evidence, but it is really, really good. Reading this is a great way to get multiple views, so you can choose.
234005
Well, Jesus turned a lot of heads in the Bible.  I'm sure he'd do the same if he were here today.  As for going to the strip clubs and seeing the da vinci code ... a whole other subject.\n\nNote that when Jesus spoke to the woman at the well he was very kind to her.  He spoke of her sin and told her to change her ways.  He didn't engage in the sin itself.\n\nYes. It would affect my faith.
220122
I have not had the opportunity to read the book or see the movie. My son is reading the book and telling me about it. We are both Christians. We believe it is possible that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. The Church, in all its "wisdom," removed many books from the Bible many centuries ago. I think it's a tragedy that they felt they had to do our thinking for us. I am looking forward to reading the book. I believe we are all intelligent enough to decide for ourselves what we believe. The Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction. I'll probably wait to see the movie when it comes out on DVD.
206733
It is all open to conjecture. Some of the characters or events are actual historical persons/events e.g. Mary Magdalene did exist..whether she was indeed the "wife" of Jesus is open to debate...the Knight's Templar did exist..whether they were privy to "the great secret of Jesus's marriage and blood descendants" is another story...same goes for Leonardo da Vinci. Dan Brown does not make claim that any of these events are in fact true; they are loosely based on historical facts. Archaeology and in deed biblical history/archaeology has a hard time reconciling events in the bible to factual historical accounts. This is because the bible was borne out of oral traditions. There is little that is "eye witness testimony". It is however safe to say that christian beliefs, rituals and practices are an amalgamation of other religious traditions since nothing is born in a vacuum.
400143
Not really.\n\nThe Catholic Church has not declared the prophecies as divinely inspired. \n\nSome modern scholars even think they are a forgery.\n\nWith love in Christ.
243860
I am shocked and amazed.\n\nI truly had no idea that so many Christians do not know God.  To view this piece of fiction as an opportunity to 'save' or 'win' souls is hypocrosy.\n\nTo not understand what is so blasphemous about the movie, regardless if you are a Catholic or not, just shows laziness.  And, that your relationship with Christ needs to grow deeper.\n\nThe book says that Jesus is not God.  That Jesus was a person not the Son of God.  This is blasphemy to ANYONE who believes that Jesus was their Savior. For, a man cannot save us --- only God.  And, if Jesus was a mere man we, as Christians are idolotors.  Now do you understand why the Catholic church condemning it?  All Christians should be saying the same thing.\n\nYes, I think by condemning it the church is just making it more attractive.  But, they are also standing for what they believe in --- regardless of what the media says.  So, I'm glad someone understands why Jesus has to be divine. And, why this is so important to my faith.  And, is standing up for it on an international level.\n\nBTW, HOW on this Earth could anything be more important to you or your church as Christians than saying your Savior, Jesus Christ, was a man.  He was not divine.  He cannot save your sins.  That Christianity is a farse and stamps it down to idolotry...\n\nFind a new pastor!
148368
First and foremost of all, the "DaVinci Code" is a work of fiction; however, within its pages it contains informations based on historical facts and/or theories.  Now, as to the question asked:\n\nThis is a very grave matter to be discussed because, the very core of this topic can very well destroy, not only the Roman Catholic Church but also, the whole Christianity.  Still, one cannot deny the fact that, the "what-if" can be very possible.\n\nThere are things which were not clear about Jesus as presented in the Christian Bible, and that part is what made people starting to ask these "what-if" questions.  The Bible did state that, Jesus "loved" Mary Magdalene more than his followers; thus, what is meant by this "love"?  Indeed, a very likely hint, isn't it?\n\nSo, what we are left are two choices:\n\n- Stand firm in the Christian Faith and, consider this "DaVinci Code" as just another nonsense.\n\n- Venture beyond the "point of no-return"...
265030
Well I´ve read the book and enjoyed it throughly! But sad to say there is a lot of thingd in the book that is false, \nbut it does makes you wonder. \n\nWhat I can´t understand is that a few years ago there were some old scripures found, but wouldn´d be accepted by the church. These scriptures underwent all the neccassary test to prove its validity(and it was found to be written the time Jesus was alive and 100 after he died).But it was a little bit contridicting to what is in the bible.\n\nAnyway what the da vinci code does is start to put doubt in the minds of people, and why did  the church reacted so strange to this book which is a novel! \n\nAnd okay the thought that Jesus actually has a living heir is strange, but Dan Brown was not the first to write about this there are many other listed books. And ´if´ that were true then the church would clear not want that knowledge to be known because it would loss a lot of credibility.\nSome modern writers,including Dan Brown, have come forward with claims that Mary Magdalene was the wife of Jesus. These writers cite Gnostic writings to support their argument. Sources like the ´Gospel of Philip´ do depict Mary Magdalene as being closer to Jesus than any other disciple. \nHowever, there is no known ancient document that claims she was his wife and Gnosticism was generally non-supportive of sexuality. The closeness described in these writings depicts Mary Magdalene, representing the Gnostics, as understanding Jesus and his teaching while the other disciples, representing the Church, did not.\nMary Magdalene appears with more frequency than other women in the canonical Gospels and is shown as being a close follower of Jesus. Mary's presence at the Crucifixion and Jesus's tomb, while hardly conclusive, is at least consonant with the role of grieving wife and widow, although if that were the case Jesus might have been expected to make provision for her care as well as for his mother Mary. Given the lack of contemporary documentation, this scenario cannot be proven, and although some consider the idea desirable to believe, most scholars do not take it seriously.\n\nAn argument for support of the married status of Jesus is that bachelorhood was very rare for Jewish males of Jesus' time, being generally regarded as a transgression of the first mitzvah (divine commandment) — "Be fruitful and multiply". According to this reasoning, it would have been unthinkable for an adult, unmarried Jew to travel about teaching as a rabbi.\nA counter-argument to this is that the Judaism of Jesus' time was very diverse and the role of the rabbi was not yet well defined. It was really not until after the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in A.D. 70 that Rabbinic Judaism became dominant and the role of the rabbi made uniform in Jewish communities.\nPaul of Tarsus was an example of an unmarried itinerant teacher among Christians. Jesus himself approved of voluntary celibacy for religious reasons and explicitly rejected a duty to marry: "There are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it." (Matthew 19,12)\n\nThe idea that Mary Magdalene was the wife of Jesus was popularized by books like the pseudo-historical Holy Blood, Holy Grail (1982) and The Da Vinci Code (2003), a novel heavily influenced by the former book. These assertions have found no acceptance from scholarly circles.\n\nAnd secret societcy are meant to be kept secret so I don´t expect the historians to find a lot of concrete information about the Priory of Sion. \n\nAnd maybe Leonardo did discover something and instead of just saying or exposing it out right he decided to be clever and hide it within his works of art. After all he was known as a genuis.\n\nSo I(am born and raised catholic, but was taught to have an open mind about things.) personally an very intrigued by this idea of Dan Browns, but I am neither for it nor against it. I
275895
I've noticed they don't teach logic classes or ever use the word "fallacy" any time during Sunday School.\n\nThough I did pick up a tract today "disproving" the Da Vinci Code.  It was actually very convincing, but it was sort of like a book explaining why Santa Claus's sleigh has to be red and why he can only use flying reindeer as opposed to flying horses.