ROME (Reuters) - The Vatican stepped up its offensive against "The Da Vinci Code" on Friday when a top official close to Pope Benedict blasted the book as full of anti-Christian lies and urged Catholics to boycott the film.
The latest broadside came from Archbishop Angelo Amato, the number two official in the Vatican doctrinal office which was headed by Pope Benedict until his election last year.
Amato, addressing a Catholic conference in Rome, called the book "stridently anti-Christian .. full of calumnies, offences and historical and theological errors regarding Jesus, the Gospels and the Church."
He added: "I hope that you all will boycott the film."
The movie, which is being released by Sony Pictures division Columbia Pictures, stars Tom Hanks and premieres next month at the Cannes film festival in France. Sony Pictures is the media wing of Japanese electronics giant Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news).
Amato said the book, written by Dan Brown, had been hugely successful around the world thanks in part to what he called "the extreme cultural poverty on the part of a good number of the Christian faithful."
The book has sold over 40 million copies.
The novel is an international murder mystery centered on attempts to uncover a secret about the life of Christ that a clandestine society has tried to protect for centuries.
The central tenet of the book is that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had children.
In his address to the group, Amato said Christians should be more willing "to reject lies and gratuitous defamation."
He said that if "such lies and errors had been directed at the Koran or the Holocaust they would have justly provoked a world uprising."
He added: "Instead, if they are directed against the Church and Christians, they remain unpunished."
Amato suggested that Catholics around the world should launch organized protests against the "The Da Vinci Code" film just as some had done in 1988 to protest against Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ."
LATEST BROADSIDE
Amato's broadside was just the latest blast against the book and the film.
Just before Easter, another Vatican official railed against it at an event attended by Pope Benedict, branding the book and its film version as just more examples of Jesus being sold out by a wave of what he called "pseudo-historic" art.
Catholic group Opus Dei has told Sony Pictures that putting a disclaimer on the movie stressing it is a work of fiction would be a welcome show of respect toward the Church.
In the novel and film, Opus Dei is characterized as the latest in a series of secretive groups that worked over the centuries to obscure truths about Jesus Christ.
Opus Dei is a controversial conservative Church group whose members are mostly non-clerics and are urged to seek holiness in their everyday professional jobs and lives. It has rejected criticisms that it is secretive and elitist.
With the movie's opening less than a month away, Opus Dei and other Christian groups have been sponsoring Web sites and events telling people the novel should not be believed.
The book is a thriller in which the main characters must uncover clues they hope will lead them to an important religious relic. Their adversary is an Opus Dei member.
You know, my girlfriend is a Catholic and very religious. Church every Sunday. I am a heathen in comparison. But she can't wait to see this movie. Wanna know why? Because it's a freakin' movie! This reminds me of books getting banned in the dirty South back in the 50's. Close minded, pea brain, religious right dogma crapola that makes me want to flick these jackballs who believe it right between the eye with my middle finger.
I'm totally with you there, Heck. It's a MOVIE! They are NOT claiming that this is the truth, like the bible does. Sheesh... people get way too wound up over things in life that don't need it.
As Eddie Murphy said, years back in his RAW tour...
"Tell Mr Cosby to have a coke, smile, and to shut the **** up!"
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
I will not see it and I know that many other Christians will not see it. Yes I know it is a fictional story, but I find it VERY insulting what they have done to Jesus. It is in extremely poor taste to take our Lord and Saviour and pimp him out for profit and betray everything he stood for just to make a buck.
Now I am not saying that no one should go see it, but I do not think anyone who doesn't want to see it should be chastised for their choice.
I don't think that anyone should be chastised for their choice in seeing it. My problem is that there are christians who want something mentioned about this film being fictional, because it goes against what they believe. But, if there is a movie made, such as "The Passion of Christ" why isn't their a statement before hand, stating this this is only fiction? It might not be fiction to the believer, but to others, it is. That's the thing that has people upset.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
The Passion was based on the Bible. IF you are religious then you know that to be the source. There is a world of difference between the Bible and a book by a fiction author.
I personally do not think it needs a disclaimer. People should be smart enough to figure out that this is a fictitious account.
I will tell you this, I will not see ANYTHING done by Ron Howard again. He and Tom Hanks are on my list of people that I refuse to watch their movies. This movie is a slap in the face to Christians. It is highly offensive.
Sherry, the bible isn't truth to everyone. So, in telling someone that makes something, depicting something about christ, that they are wrong... that makes a statement of... "The bible is THE truth... you're wrong about everything else." What gives ANYONE the right to say that their version, of ANYTHING is truth? It's a faith based thing... that's what I'm trying to say. Each person has the right to believe what they want.
As far as boycotting anything from Ron Howard, or starring Tom Hanks... thats a decision for you, and you alone. I don't agree with it... but, that's what makes life wonderful... we all have the right to decide what we want, and don't want.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
Kris, I do realized that the Bible is not believed by everyone. Still it is and has been the truth to millions of people.
Even if you do not believe the Bible, the Da Vinci code is in such poor taste it is amazing. It shows zero religious tolerance, and it is abundantly clear that the book and movie are anti-Christian. I guess I find it amazing that so many people think it is o.k. to take something that millions of us believe and hold dear to our hearts and piss on it. That is exactly what the Da Vinci code has done.
Yet, playing devil's advocate here... the bible doesn't "piss on" others religions, beliefs, etc.... ?
I can see both sides of the coin, because of where I stand with my religious views. I still believe that non are the full truth... yet, there is some truth in all.
I had this book... and started to read it, and never finished! Why? Because I was sick at the time, and it bored me, to death. I will reread it, because I want to. I have had many a conversation with people, including my mother, and Jill (my pastor) about this book. Our church even had a study group on this book, and people loved it... they loved reading it, disecting it, and having in depth discussions on it. I respect that. They don't all have the same opinion on it. Some of them were like you, upset with the book, while others thought that it was great. The good thing about it.... it brought intelligent debate in a group of people who have different points of view, and everyone loved that.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
In my dealings with young people I have found that many of them believe this book to be true. Oh I know thats its suppose to be fiction but they have not heard it. They say "but the guy has facts to back it up".
For those out there who are questioning their lives and their worth or their relationship to God this book is devistating to them.
Also one more thing to ponder. What to you think would happen if Tom Hanks and Ron Howard did a movie about Salmon Rushties book on mohammad?
"A child is a highly inteligent human being-- sensitive, humorus, open minded, eager to learn, full of excitement, energy and curiosity about the world in which he lives. Lucky is the adult who manages to carry these same characteristics into adult life. It usually makes for a happy and successful individual."
---Walt Disney
fuscia said this in post #7 : The Passion was based on the Bible. IF you are religious then you know that to be the source. There is a world of difference between the Bible and a book by a fiction author.
I personally do not think it needs a disclaimer. People should be smart enough to figure out that this is a fictitious account.
quote:
I find it amazing that so many people think it is o.k. to take something that millions of us believe and hold dear to our hearts and piss on it.
If you know it isnt real...then why the issue? I mean really now.
Im not trying to say that you dont have the right to choose between seeing it and not...but you are on here ranting about what a slap in the face it is to your religion...but I didnt see you having an issue when the church was all ranting and raving about Harry Potter. You did see that did you not? Does the Bible not speak against sorcery and witchcraft? Yes, I believe it does.
So, please tell me...what makes this fiction different than that? And dont give me the one defaces Jesus and the other doesnt. They both are against the talk of the Bible. Sounds to me that perhaps you are picking and choosing based on convenience...and not on what you really and truly believe.
No offense of course...but this is just another form of hypocrisy Ive seen all too often in religion. And people wonder why others question this type of faith.
Of course thats just my opinion....I could be wrong. (Dennis Miller)
"You might be the toughest little whacker. . .but in my world, you're about as worrisome as a cloudy day." (Dutch Dooley)
Lawless said this in post #10 : The good thing about it.... it brought intelligent debate in a group of people who have different points of view, and everyone loved that.
But Kris...many religious people (not all mind you...but many) dont allow or wont accept different points of view but their own.
The one thing that gets me the most is those that argue its wrong, but refuse to see it. How can one debate something when they dont have all views of the argument?
One would flunk a simple debate class if they could not argue both sides. So how can one argue this without knowing the other?
The Bible may be truth to some...but I have yet to meet anyone who can prove 100% that the Bible is truly fact. How is one to say that Christianity reigns over any other religion with different beliefs? Or ANY beliefs for that matter?
Oh well...I dont get it.
Of course thats just my opinion....I could be wrong. (Dennis Miller)
"You might be the toughest little whacker. . .but in my world, you're about as worrisome as a cloudy day." (Dutch Dooley)
But Kris...many religious people (not all mind you...but many) dont allow or wont accept different points of view but their own.
The one thing that gets me the most is those that argue its wrong, but refuse to see it. How can one debate something when they dont have all views of the argument?
One would flunk a simple debate class if they could not argue both sides. So how can one argue this without knowing the other?
The Bible may be truth to some...but I have yet to meet anyone who can prove 100% that the Bible is truly fact. How is one to say that Christianity reigns over any other religion with different beliefs? Or ANY beliefs for that matter?
Oh well...I dont get it.
I can't, and won't, speak for any other religions, or churches, etc...
I just know that at my church, it was an amazingly open discussion. My church is an open and affirming church, so, it goes against the flow already. The people there are some of the most open minded people I've ever met.
There was no right, or wrong, in this group. Whether you believed it or not. They just simply discussed, and talked about their thoughts, and opinions.
Most places... most people... aren't this open minded in life. That is why I attend this church, and have such a close relationship with the people there.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
dsheppar1 said this in post #11 : In my dealings with young people I have found that many of them believe this book to be true. Oh I know thats its suppose to be fiction but they have not heard it. They say "but the guy has facts to back it up".
For those out there who are questioning their lives and their worth or their relationship to God this book is devastating to them.
Also one more thing to ponder. What to you think would happen if Tom Hanks and Ron Howard did a movie about Salmon Rushties book on mohammad?
You know, it's absolutely NO different when a parent reads the bible to their child and teaches them it's the truth. Playing the devil's advocate, once again.... what makes you right in saying that the bible is truth? It's truth to YOU. It isn't to someone else. So, if their belief is different than yours, it doesn't make you right and them wrong. It's two different views into something.
What would happen if they made a movie about Salmon Rushties book on mohammad? You know, I have no idea. But, as I've seen other things happen, I'm sure that there would be a HUGE backlash. And probably worse, since many of them tend to take to violent acts. But, it doesn't matter. EVERYONE has the right to their beliefs. Doesn't mean that they are right... it just means that they are right to THAT person.
Even within a specific religious belief, there are different views, and opinions.
This book has just as much right to be available to the public as the bible, or the mormon book, or the book of mohammad, or anything else.
Someone might see the world in black and white, while someone else sees it in technicolor. Who's right? Neither. It's all a matter of perception.
:::>^..^<::: ~*~The Journey is more important than the end or the start~*~ :::>^..^<:::
04-28-2006 09:49 PM
