Angels and demons by Dan Brown...was Carlo Ventresca delirious?
354667
Dan Brown dosnt know anything about history.
482654
i am paraphrasing angels and demons by dan brown.\n\nif you had a son and could protect him would you?\nyes\nif your son wanted to skateboard would you let him?\nyes i would give him some safty advice and let him\nand what if he got hurt?\n\ni believe in god dont like him but that said he gave us words of advice and lets us make our own mistakes
274688
The Da Vinci Code is a novel written by American author Dan Brown and published in 2003 by Doubleday Fiction (ISBN 0385504209). It is a worldwide bestseller with 36 million copies in print (as of August 2005) and has been translated into 44 languages. Combining the detective, thriller and conspiracy theory genres, the book is part two of a trilogy that started with Brown's 2000 novel Angels and Demons, which introduced the character Robert Langdon. In November 2004, Random House published a "Special Illustrated Edition", with 160 illustrations interspersed with the text.\n\nThe plot of the novel involves a conspiracy by the Catholic Church to cover up the true story of Jesus. This implies that the Vatican consciously knows it is living a lie, but does so to keep itself in power. The novel has helped generate popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail legend and the role of Mary Magdalene in the history of Christianity. Fans have lauded the book as creative, action-packed and thought-provoking. Critics have attacked it as inaccurate and poorly written, and decry the many negative implications about the Catholic Church.\n\nThe book opens with the claim by Dan Brown that "all descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate"; but this claim is disputed by academic scholars in the fields the book discusses (see Criticisms of The Da Vinci Code and the further reading list below). As widely noted in the media, there has been substantial confusion among readers about whether the book is factual. Numerous works have been published which explain in detail why any claim to accuracy is difficult to sustain.
441915
it's fiction.  dan brown did a great job of interweaving facts with fiction, but it is fiction.  i really enjoyed the book, but man have you seem all the study guides and extra paraphanalia at Barnes and Noble.  It's getting rediculous.
194157
first off, turn off your caps lock and use spell check. you'll get a much better grade in class.  Secondly, it's really not that scary - it's an antiquated vision of hell. His discriptions are brilliant, but not that relevant to a modern reader. Yes, Dante probably would have approved of your reaction, but he wrote the book in the 14th century, for a different audience than school children. If you're really bothered by this, you might feel relieved by some of his other works. After all this is only one third of the divine comedy. He also wrote books about purgatory and paradise. Maybe reading a canto of paradise for each inferno canto would sooth your troubled mind.
510522
yes. you should read mary k. baxter's book on the divine revelations of the spiritual realm. she has visions of angels and demons and their role on earth. \n\nThere was a true situation where there were 2 men that took a kindergarten classroom hostage with 30 kids and 2 teachers. The men had bombs strapped on them and when the bomb went off, the 2 men died and the innocent people/kids were unharmed even though it blew up everything in the room. When the kids were interviewed, each one described the person/angel they saw and some were grandparents they've never met. \n\nMan, I have goosebumps. Praise God for the protection that He provides!
518048
It is a thriller story involving secret societies, conspiracies, the Catholic Church, and the fictional "truth" about Jesus Christ. Here is the author's own summary: \n\nA renowned Harvard symbologist is summoned to the Louvre Museum to examine a series of cryptic symbols relating to Da Vinci's artwork. In decrypting the code, he uncovers the key to one of the greatest mysteries of all time . . . and he becomes a hunted man.\n\nDuring the course of the novel it is alleged that the Catholic Church is perpetuating a major, centuries-long conspiracy to hide the "truth" about Jesus Christ from the public, and it or its agents are willing to stop at nothing, including murder, to do so.\n\nBefore reading the book, I would refer you to this literature that will give you a background of the basis of the book and the real historical fact.  http://www.crisismagazine.com/september2003/feature1.htm
450956
Well Dan Brown´s Illuminati is a very good idea.You should also try Stephen King´s books.They are fascinating.
573083
It is BUNK, a money making scheme, a lie from Satan himself, bent on casting doubt into hearts about the truth of Jesus and his promise to save any and all who even believe on HIS hame for salvation.  CHeck out one of His followers, a well educated Christian, who has done his homework.  If you are irreligious, this guy is for you to hear, because  he tells it like it is, so don't be afraid....see religion is man reaching up to God and getting nowhere, but Dr. James Kennedy shars Jesus' words and teaches salvation, GOd reaching down to man through Jesus, His only Son.  Who would love you enough to die for you?  Only Jesus.  IF you believe Jesus and his promise to save you, HE ALONE MUST BE FOUND FAITHFUL TO DO WHAT HE HAS SAID, so it only makes sense to believe the one who rose again...this is truth....HE is thr truth, the only way to the Father and eternal life.  Check him out! (And Dr. Kennedy too).\n\nThis week on The Coral Ridge Hour Dr. Kennedy debuts The Da Vinci Delusion, a documentary produced to coincide with the release of the The Da Vinci Code film. This documentary refutes the fraudulent historical claims made in Dan Brown's book and movie. With the help of world-renowned scholars, Dr. Kennedy will show definitively that the historical claims made by Brown are blatantly false and that the faith of Christian believers today is truly "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."
692356
Dan Brown's novels are actually nothing new in terms on actual information.  The ideas presented in the fictional novels are ideas that have been presented in various other books that have been published years before.  \n\nDan Browns novels are popular due to the hype, the publicity and the very Hollywood inspired feel the stories ride on to carry their ideas.\n\nMost people fear that the books (and in effect the movie as well) is meant to be anti-Christian and to buy them is to support anti-Christian ideas.  Such people have the right to feel that way.  Personally, however, I am a believer in God as well as in the importance for man to have the freedom to make educated decisions even in matters of Faith.\n\nThe novels Dan Brown has written are ultimately throught-provoking and possibly dangerous to those whose faith lack a true conviction.  In many ways, however I feel this is a good thing: if people do not TRULY believe, then they should be made to decide on whether or not they will change that. \n\nHow they choose to change that, however, should remain ultimately their right and decision to make.
457979
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.
649454
I just checked out the Gospel of Judas the other day @ the local B&N. Wow. It felt like a part of history jumping into my hands.\n\nKnowing what Judas was to become; reading what depictions he'd written of Jesus; the pieces of text felt so raw with emotion. They felt so real. Knowing the ending of the story of course, did make some of the pre-betrayal friendliness tough to swallow.\n\nThis brought me to the realization that these newer books need to be included, don't they? I haven't asked my priest at church, but a newer version has to be in the works.\n\nForget about red tape, just order the entries and publish the thing.\n\nWith the Da Vinci Code getting more publicity than the Dead Sea Scrolls, now'd be a pretty good time to release a newer, fuller edition of The Bible.\n\nThanks for answering my last question,\n\n-Justin
256800
I've seen highlander, but I can't remember that song for the life of me.  I read this book ("Good Omens", awesome book!) about an angel and a demon, where every time the demon left cassettes in his car for more than 2 weeks, they morphed into Queen songs.  So maybe you're not far off!\n\nPersonally, in my messed up mind, I imagine the damned sound an awful lot like Tiny Tim.  :D
988691
I can only speak from my personal experience in this life. I have read the bible and I have done some reseach. I have been in church and heard sermons. The conclusion I came to, is that the bible is for the most part a well intentioned spiritual text. It is written by men inspired by that which inspires all human kind. I do not believe it was written by God anymore than the Da Vinci Code is written by God.  Perhaps God wrote both? Perhaps Dan Brown in 1000 years will be considered a prophet of God. Who knows? The world is very crazy place. A person writes a book with certain intentions and before they know it , the world has twisted the message. So, quoting the bible to me as an authority on spiritual matters is a waste of time.  Just my two cents.
272886
Excellent, tragic book.\nI loved it, but it was really intense.  I have not read it again, as I usually do with a good book.
488168
The Da Vinci Code is a mystery/detective novel by American author Dan Brown, published in 2003 by Doubleday Fiction. It is a worldwide bestseller with more than 60.5 million copies in print (as of May 2006) and has been translated into 44 languages. Combining the detective, thriller and conspiracy theory genres, the book is part two of a trilogy that started with Brown's 2000 novel Angels and Demons, which introduced the character Robert Langdon. In November 2004, Random House published a "Special Illustrated Edition", with 160 illustrations interspersed with the text.\n\nThe plot of the novel involves a conspiracy by the Catholic Church to cover up the "true" story of Jesus. The Vatican knows it is living a lie but does so to keep itself in power. The novel has helped generate popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail legend and the role of Mary Magdalene in the history of Christianity. Fans have lauded the book as creative, action-packed and thought-provoking. Critics have attacked it as inaccurate, sacrilegious and decry the many negative implications about the Catholic Church and Opus Dei.\n\nDan Brown's novel was a smash hit in 2003, even rivaling the sales of the highly popular Harry Potter series. It spawned a number of offspring books and drew glowing reviews from the New York Times, the People Magazine and Washington Post . The novel has also inspired several tour groups like Da Vinci Code tours, and companies like Ravenchase Adventures to create Da Vinci code like races and adventures using codes, ciphers, actors and gadgets. It also re-ignited interest in the history of the Catholic Church. As well as re-invigorating interest in the church, The Da Vinci Code has also spawned numerous "knockoffs" (as they are referred to by Publishers Weekly) , or novels that have a striking resemblance to The Da Vinci Code, including Raymond Khoury's The Last Templar, and The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry.\n\nSony's Columbia Pictures has adapted the novel to film, with a screenplay written by Akiva Goldsman, and Academy Award winner Ron Howard directing. The film is set for release on May 19, 2006, and will star Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, Audrey Tautou as Sophie Neveu, and Sir Ian McKellen as Leigh Teabing.\n\nPlot summary\nSpoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.\n\nThe book concerns the attempts of Robert Langdon, Professor of Religious Symbology at Harvard University, to solve the murder of renowned curator Jacques Saunière (see Bérenger Saunière) of the Louvre Museum in Paris. The title of the novel refers, among other things, to the fact that Saunière's body is found in the Denon Wing of the Louvre naked and posed like Leonardo da Vinci's famous drawing, the Vitruvian Man, with a cryptic message written beside his body and a Pentagram drawn on his stomach in his own blood. The interpretation of hidden messages inside Leonardo's famous works, including the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, figure prominently in the solution to the mystery.\n\nThe main conflict in the novel revolves around the solution to two mysteries:\n\n•What secret was Saunière protecting that led to his murder? \n\n•Who is the mastermind behind his murder? \n\nThe novel has several concurrent storylines that follow different characters. Eventually all the storylines are brought together and resolved with the denouement.\n\nThe unraveling of the mystery requires the solution to a series of brain-teasers, including anagrams and number puzzles. The solution itself is found to be intimately connected with the possible location of the Holy Grail and to a mysterious society called the Priory of Sion, as well as to the Knights Templar. The Catholic organization "Opus Dei" (a caricature of the real Opus Dei) also figures prominently in the plot.\n\nThe novel is the second book of a trilogy by Brown in which Robert Langdon is the main character. The previous book, A
519225
I don't like the fact that some people are reading it as fact when it is fiction. The man who wrote it(Dan Brown) was charged with plagiarism. I haven't cracked the book but know someone who is reading it but aren't taken in by it's lies. I find it just as abusurd as the supposed "book of judas."  \n\nHere is one of the lies of this book and the truthfull answers to it.\n\nThe Da Vince Code says...\nIn 325 the council of Nicea decided by vote to make Jesus divine. "Until that moment in history, Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet." It was a close vote at that.  P.233\n\nFACT:\nThe council, of which we have the historical writings and decisions, had mothing to do with the divinity of Jesus. They were didscssuin Arius, who had begun teaching that Jesus was not eternally co-existent with the father but was divine, The discussion was around whether Jesus was eternally co-existant with the father not wherether Jesus was divine. The close vote.... was almost 300  to  2. WE WOULD call that a landslide in today's English. Consider these Verses.\n\nMatt 16:16  Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son fo the living God" NKJV\n\nMark 15:39  So when the centurion, who stood oppostie Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said,"Truly this Man was the Son of God!"\n\nLuke 4:41   And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying. "You are the Christ, the Son of God!?\n\nJohn 10:33  The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God."\n\nJohn 20:28  And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"\n\nThe Da Vinci Code says...\nThe church demonized the sacred feminine and the goddess by reaching teh concept of original sin, "whereby Eve tasted the apple and caused the downfall of the human race." P238\n\nFACT:\nThe Bible actually blames Adam much more that Eve and nowhere does the Bible mention an apple, merely fruit.\n\n! Cor 15:21-22  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.  22.  For as in Adam all\ndie, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.\n\nRom 5:12 Therefore, just through one man sin intered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-\n\nSo if they read the Bible they will see that the Da Vince Code is a joke. The fact that it is a novel: n. a fictious prose narritive of considerable length... fictious: adj. \n1. created or assumed for the sake of concealment; false.\n2. of or consisting of fiction; created by the imagination.\n\nThese definitons came from Websters Dictionary not something I made up.