Da Vinci Code...True or False?
607912
It's a novel. Novels are fictional by definition. It was never meant to be taken as truth. I really don't understand why some people think it is.
489352
Could it be...the DaVinci Code...
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.
171955
It could be most of it fiction or reality.Still yet, whe don`t know if The Holy Grail really existed.Holly Blood And Holly Grail is the main book used in  Dan`s Brown book"The DaVinci Code".
90231
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
658625
Another Dan Brown and Da Vinci Code question. While it is true of the existence of the Gnostic writings, most of these were incomplete as Dan Brown indicates, and the liberties that he took in writing his book. Also of the existence of an organization know as "The Priory of Sion", an actual organization that was founded in 1956, therefore impossible for Davinci himself to belong to the organization as Brown tells in his fable. True there was a man known as Jesus, and that he was crucified. Jewish scholars have written this down as evidenced in the writings of Josephus.\n\nThis is directly from Dan Browns website\n\n"HOW MUCH OF THIS NOVEL IS TRUE?\nThe Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction. While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history." \n\nand the writings of Josephus Antiquities 18:3:3...\n\n"3. Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ. And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, (9) those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; (10) as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day."\n\nRead and believe the following, if you are interested in the truth.
614798
Most of the book is a fabrication.  The National Geographic channel and 60 min. recently had specials on this topic, exposing the completely fraudulent claims made in the book. \n\nThe thing I find the most humorous is that numerous non-Christians have exposed many of the false claims.  Any knowledgeable historian who has looked into the matter will tell you the same thing.\n\nA plethora of books have been published exposing the bogus claims of the book, including the "FACT PAGE".  \n\nThe title itself is repugnant to art historians.  da Vinci means "from Vinci", it is not a last name. Any art buff will tell you they refer to him as "Leonardo". Furthermore, Leonardo experts will tell you that he did not put hidden meanings into his paintings.  In his painting of the Last Supper, there is a picture of John to Jesus' left. The book claims that this is actually Mary Magdalene. John has a somewhat feminine appearance, but John was young. Leonardo and others painted what we know was John many other times with feminine looking features, we still have these paintings.\n\nThe book claims that there was a secret organization called the Priory of Scion created to protect documents that proved Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married. THERE IS NO FACTUAL EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THIS CLAIM.) On a logical level, if this secert were so terrible, then why wouldn't they just destroy the documents? It doesn't make sense. \n\netc.etc.etc.
149233
Da Vinci code can not be proven true.  People are playing it off to be a huge conspiracy.  I think it's a load of horse pucky. If it were true it would have been completely covered up YEARS AGO.  The church has a huge amount of power, even still today.
402425
No...and I believe the following will enlighten you to some of the falsities of The Da Vinci Code.  It was a very good book, and I enjoyed it, but remember, it's fiction.  It's not a historical account, a classroom text, or any other nonfiction work.  It does not have to be (and is not) true.\n\n\nThe Da Vinci Code, the Catholic Church and Opus Dei\nA response to The Da Vinci Code from the Prelature of Opus Dei in the United States. \n\nApril 17, 2006 \nMany people are intrigued by the claims about Christian history and theology presented in The Da Vinci Code. We would like to remind them that The Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction, and it is not a reliable source of information on these matters. \n\nThe Da Vinci Code has raised public interest in the origins of the Bible and of central Christian doctrines such as the divinity of Jesus Christ. These topics are important and valuable to study, and we hope that interested readers will be motivated to study some of the abundant scholarship on them that is available in the non-fiction section of the library. \n\nThose who do further research and exercise critical judgment will discover that assertions made in The Da Vinci Code about Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene, and Church history lack support among reputable scholars. By way of example, The Da Vinci Code popularizes the idea that the fourth century Roman emperor Constantine invented the doctrine of the divinity of Christ for political reasons. The historical evidence, however, clearly shows that the New Testament and the very earliest Christian writings manifest Christian belief in the divinity of Christ. Other examples of discredited claims presented in The Da Vinci Code can be found in this FAQ from Catholic Answers or at the US Bishops' website, www.jesusdecoded.com. For those who are willing to take the time to get to the bottom of the issues raised in The Da Vinci Code, we recommend reading The Da Vinci Deception, De-Coding Da Vinci, or The Da Vinci Hoax. \n\nWe also want to point out that The Da Vinci Code’s depiction of Opus Dei is inaccurate, both in the overall impression and in many details, and it would be irresponsible to form any opinion of Opus Dei based on The Da Vinci Code. Those interested in learning more about the real Opus Dei may wish to read What is Opus Dei?, by Dominique LeTourneau, or Uncommon Faith, by John Coverdale. For those interested in further information about the various false impressions The Da Vinci Code gives of Opus Dei, please continue reading. \n\nPlease let us know if you need someone to speak about Opus Dei for a panel or other event about The Da Vinci Code -- we may have a speaker available in your area.  Also, free resource downloads for study groups and parishes are available from the group, Da Vinci Outreach.\n\n\n1. Opus Dei and monks \n\n\nThroughout The Da Vinci Code, Opus Dei members are presented as monks (or, rather, caricatures of monks). Like all Catholics, Opus Dei members have great appreciation for monks, but in fact there are no monks in Opus Dei. Opus Dei is a Catholic institution for lay people and diocesan priests, not a monastic order. \n\nOpus Dei’s approach to living the faith does not involve withdrawing from the world like those called to the monastic life. Rather, Opus Dei helps people grow closer to God in and through their ordinary secular activities. \n\n“Numerary” members of Opus Dei – a minority – choose a vocation of celibacy in order to be available to organize the activities of Opus Dei. They do not, however, take vows, wear robes, sleep on straw mats, spend all their time in prayer and corporal mortification, or in any other way live like The Da Vinci Code’s depiction of its monk character. In contrast to those called to the monastic life, numeraries have regular secular professional work. \n\nIn fact, The Da Vinci Code gets Opus Dei’s nature 180 degrees backwards. Monastic orders are for people who have a vocation to seek holi
1147963
The "Da Vinci Code" is basically a mixture of distorted facts and fiction. I think the book is composed of about 90% fiction.\n\nThe author, Dan Brown, claims in his fact page that all his depictions of artworks, secret societies, and rituals are true. However, his main sources for the his 'facts'--"Holy Blood, Holy Grail" and "Templar Revelation"--are only pseudo-histories. Even the authors of "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" accept that Jesus MIGHT have been married, but it is UNLIKELY.\n\nThe Da Vinci Code supports the claim that Jesus might have been married by mentioning the Gnostic gospels. In reality, the Gnostic gospels don't mention much about Jesus's life. The only Gnostic gospel that suggests that Jesus was married was the Dead Sea Scrolls--but it is impossible to know whether the word "companion" meant "wife," because the words are in Coptic and they can't be translated the way Dan Brown says.\n\nOne more thing Brown claims to be true is that a secret organization, the Priory of Sion, exists to protect the "secrets" of Jesus's real life. The Priory of Sion was NOT created by Godfrey of Bouillon in the 11th century, it was only actually created in the 70s by an anti-semitic supporter of the Vichy government, Pierre Plantard, fir personal gain. He wrote a family tree of the Merovingian royal family and included himself on the list. He also made a list of the "Grand Masters" of the Priory of Sion. A great Renaissance painter, Leonardo Da Vinci, was included in the list. After writing all those documents, Pierre Plantard deposited them in the Bibliotheque Nationale and claimed to have "found" them years later. So the Priory of Sion was actually only a fake organization created by Plantard.\n\nBrown also says that the Church "demonized" Mary Magdalene. But she is actually a saint in both the Catholic and Orthodox churches. The only thing close to "demonizing" Magdalene that the Church did was sometime during the 6th century when Pope Gregory merged three women named "Mary" in the Bible into one person.\n\nOne more thing, Brown says that Jesus's divinity was created by the Council of Nicaea. The Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 was actually a response to the threat of the Arian heresy, which claimed that Jesus was a semi-divine creature, not of the same being as God. This was quickly becoming a popular belief and threatening the unity of Christianity. \n\nThere are more facts that I can write, but I hope what I did write is enough. Read the books below in the sources.
672417
The problem with "The Da Vinci Code" is that is starts by claiming that the Catholic Church is portrayed accurately. The trouble is, no distinction is made between the factual elements, and the purely fictional. As a result, people might come away believing fictional elements to be totally non-fictional.\n\nSome of the bigger fallacies claimed are:\n\nJesus is not God; he was only a man. \n\nJesus was married to Mary Magdalene. \n\nShe is to be worshiped as a goddess. \n\nJesus got her pregnant, and the two had a daughter. \n\nThat daughter gave rise to a prominent family line that is still present in Europe today. \n\nThe Bible was put together by a pagan Roman emperor. \n\nJesus was viewed as a man and not as God until the fourth century, when he was deified by the emperor Constantine. \n\nThe Gospels have been edited to support the claims of later Christians. \n\nIn the original Gospels, Mary Magdalene rather than Peter was directed to establish the Church. \n\nThere is a secret society known as the Priory of Sion that still worships Mary Magdalene as a goddess and is trying to keep the truth alive. \n\nThe Catholic Church is aware of all this and has been fighting for centuries to keep it suppressed. It often has committed murder to do so. \n\nThe Catholic Church is willing to and often has assassinated the descendents of Christ to keep his bloodline from growing.\n\nAnyone with a solid understanding of Catholic Church Doctrine and history, can easily discern fact from fiction. However many cannot, and therein lies the real danger.
606281
I do believe that there is some truth to the Code and to the subjects covered in the book. I have reexamined the painting of the The Last Supper and I absolutely see the image of Mary Magdalene in the picture and I believe that Jesus could have been married and also fathered a child. You have to have an open mind and want to contemplate the possibilities that it could be true because I truly believe that it is very possible.
568228
All the hype around the Da Vinci Code makes me laugh.  The book is listed as SPECULATIVE FICTION.  That means that there is some historical facts but the basis is fiction.  I haven't read it, nor will I see the movie.  I have my own theories on Jesus and him being married.  I have more of a chance of being accurate than the book.  You see Jesus was jewish and became a rabbi.  Rabbinical law back then stated that a rabbi HAD TO BE MARRIED.  So the wedding at Caanan was his to Mary Magdelen.  He probably did have kids and that was the Medici line of rulers that claimed "divine right of rule".
628800
The best info on it...\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Da_Vinci_Code\n\nCan I get 10 points for that?
638113
The Da Vinci Code isn't completely true. What bothers me is that the Vatican is complaining. They thought Catholics would see right through a book based solely on speculation and stories that are probably false, oh wait.....
373455
it only claims that it is based on facts that doesn't even exist.  like for one, in the book's fact page, the priory of sion was being mentioned as an organization in the early 1099. in 1975, the Les Dossiers Secrets was discovered in Paris's Bibliotheque Nationale identifying Leonardo Da Vinci as member of the org. this is the major basis of the novel.  but the truth of this is that the Priory of Sion did not exist until 1957.  How can Leonardo Da Vinci be a member or a grandmaster for that matter he has already rotten?  Everything that Dan Brown has written about the Priory of Sion was based not on historical facts but rather on claims found in the Priory of Sion documents – all bogus works of historical fiction stemming from Plantard's fertile imagination (and what gave them a deeper ‘esoteric’ flavour was Philippe de Chérisey's input, who tried to decorate the fantasies in a surrealist fashion).\n\nit has misrepresented the church as a murderous institution and that Christian faith is utterly false.  \n\nIt isn't a defense to say that The Da Vinci Code is a work of fiction. Fiction can't change the basic facts about major historical figures without being subject to criticism. People would be outraged if Doubleday printed a novel portraying Adolph Hitler in a positive light. Christians have a right to be outraged when the basic historical facts about Christ are falsified. The criticism will be even more intense when a publisher releases a book parodying the most sacred beliefs of others in this fashion.\n\nFurther, as we have seen in this special report, the book takes great pains to create the appearance of factuality, including placing the infamous "fact" page at the beginning of the novel. Brown has stressed the ostensible accuracy of the book on his web site and in interviews. This is not a case where an author and a publisher have produced an ordinary novel. They have gone to great lengths to mislead people into thinking that the novel has a historical basis. They deserve especially sharp criticism for this, and when criticism is made they cannot hypocritically hide behind the "It's just fiction" allegation after having made such extensive efforts to convince the reader that it is not "just fiction."
480865
The secret behind the Da Vinci Code is that it's claims are flat wrong and that the major basis of has already been proven bogus and manipulated.  \n\nIt tried to disprove the bible.  Dan Brown claims that:\n\n-"The Bible is a product of man...not of God." (Page 231)\n-"The New Testament is false testimony." (Page 345)\n-"The New Testament is based on fabrications." (Page 341)\n-"The Bible... has evolved through countless translations, additions, and revisions. History has never had a definitive version of the book." (Page 231)\n\nIs there a woman in Leonardo’s Last Supper?\nLet’s do the math. Jesus and twelve apostles (all men) = 13 people. That’s how many people are in the picture. If Leonardo wanted Mary Magdalene in there, he would have to paint 14 people. \n\nLet’s do the history. The Last Supper was painted to decorate a dining room of a group of Dominican friars. Anyone of them was surely capable – especially when the painting was fresh and new – of noticing and asking why a woman was in the painting. But there is no record of anyone thinking that the figure to Jesus’ right was anyone but St. John because St. John was usually portrayed as a beardless, “pretty” rather than handsome youth. This “prettiness” was the artist’s way of highlighting his youth.\n\nLog on to www.wga.hu, click on Enter Here, click on “B” under “Artist Index,” scroll down and click on Bassano, Jacopo, scroll down his paintings and click on his Last Supper to get an enlarged view and see another young and “pretty” St. John.\n\nOr just think of Jeffrey Hunter playing Jesus in the “King of Kings” for a modern counterpart.\n\nAllow me to refer you to websites that would provide answers to your questions.