84 replies to this topic

[Dave Burrell]

I've heard of one church buying all the seats for one showing so they can discuss with its members the facts/fiction in the movie.

Our church, Bayside, is advertising in the theaters before each showing and will devote services next weekend to "Breaking the Da Vinci Code."

Here's the website that will be advertised in the theaters:

http://breakthedavincicode.com/

The church looks at this as an opportunity for outreach. According to the website:

"We’ll separate the fact from the fiction in a dynamic message by Ray Johnston. We’ll also have resources available for you to take with you, because the questions raised by The Da Vinci Code can launch a lifelong journey of discovery."

Now thats cool - AND educational. I'm not religious but this sounds interesting and might be worthwhile attending to learn more about it all.

I think its much better to address the issue then try and tell a congregation to boycott (hide) from it - ignorance is not always best

[bishmasterb]

This makes much more sense than boycotting the film.

And it's fully endorsed by Sony Pictures!

[bobb]

Read all of his books in order to get a feel for Dan Brown's thought processes. Yes, Deamons and Angels was better. Remember if your going to look for it in the book store it is in the FICTION section.

[tgianco]

Well, the critics at Cannes didn't like it. Some left during the screening since the film, apparently, just drones on and on and on.

http://www.msnbc.msn...2855/from/RS.4/

There were even a few laughs...but not where filmmakers intended. It sounds like this is not Tom Hanks best moment, and, judging by his hair, certainly not the best he has looked on film, either.

[Jolene]

We'll be at the Saturday afternoon showing. Even though I enjoyed the book, I don't hold high hopes for the film, since even though I enjoyed his early work, it's been a long time since Tom Hanks has done something I've enjoyed.

Also, the book is ALWAYS better than the movie. (With the exception of The Notebook, which movie I adored but couldn't stand the way the book was written.)

[lisasellshouses]

I've heard of one church buying all the seats for one showing so they can discuss with its members the facts/fiction in the movie.

Our church, Bayside, is advertising in the theaters before each showing and will devote services next weekend to "Breaking the Da Vinci Code."

Here's the website that will be advertised in the theaters:

http://breakthedavincicode.com/

The church looks at this as an opportunity for outreach. According to the website:

"We’ll separate the fact from the fiction in a dynamic message by Ray Johnston. We’ll also have resources available for you to take with you, because the questions raised by The Da Vinci Code can launch a lifelong journey of discovery."

i agree with farley. why is the catholic church so afraid of people opening their minds and seeing a different view on things? I think Bayside (i am not a member of that church) is taking the mature approach and opening up the dialog gates.

i was raised catholic but this is another example of why i have a hard time with following the catholic church. I dont want to shut my mind down to other peoples views. doesnt mean i am going to believe them or convert. Give us more credit than that. i want my kids to learn about all the religions.

and if someone does choose to believe differently? thank god for free will......

[Orangetj]

We'll be at the Saturday afternoon showing. Even though I enjoyed the book, I don't hold high hopes for the film, since even though I enjoyed his early work, it's been a long time since Tom Hanks has done something I've enjoyed.

Also, the book is ALWAYS better than the movie. (With the exception of The Notebook, which movie I adored but couldn't stand the way the book was written.)

I don't get it...Why are you going?

[Farley]

In 2005 Brokeback Mountain was a financial success. The gay cowboy gimmick brought Ang Lee's repressed romance to the dance, but Focus Features' marketing and distribution savvy made it an irrepressible success. More than just a movie of the moment, this picture resonated after posting the biggest per theater average for a live action movie on record, and it played well outside of the big cities, making more than most Westerns and gay movies ever do. What at first looked like a picture that needed Academy Award nominations to find an audience turned into a cultural phenomenon, generating far more talk than its gross would imply.
http://www.boxoffice...?id=2012&p=.htm

I am anxious to see how well DaVinci Code does. I am pretty sure it will be a financial success, even if the movie isn't the greatest.

[Steve Heard]

Many movies are offensive to one group or another. I think the people who will see DaVinci Code understand that Tom Hanks isn't really some sort of investigator, that he is an actor, playing a fantasy role, in a made up story. They know it's just pretend.

[forumreader]

why is the catholic church so afraid of people opening their minds and seeing a different view on things?

I dont want to shut my mind down to other peoples views. doesnt mean i am going to believe them or convert. Give us more credit than that. i want my kids to learn about all the religions.

The Da Vinci Code is fiction, NOT comparative religion. The Catholic Church has no problems with studying other religions and world views. In fact, most, if not all, Catholic high schools, universities and seminaries teach the classics and comparative religion. Moreover, the Church is a leader in ecumenism.

As previously posted, the concern with this book and movie, is that those with an unclear understanding of Christianity will become confused and further misinformed about the truths of our faith.

Personally, I think tearing apart the Da Vinci Code is an excellent way to learn the truth.

The call from the Vatican to boycott the film stems in great part from Ron Howard's refusal to include a simple disclaimer in the film....I'm sure that the co-producer's statement that the film is anti-Catholic also had something to do with the Vatican's response.
----------------------------------------------------------

[QUOTE from NewsMax}

Ron Howard: No 'Da Vinci Code' Disclaimer

"Da Vinci Code” director Ron Howard has said there would be no disclaimer in the film labeling it as a work of fiction – and Catholic League President Bill Donohue is deeply disturbed by Howard’s stance.

"The book which the film is based on begins with three ‘facts,’ all of which are malicious lies, yet Ron Howard says no disclaimer is needed because ‘this is a work of fiction,’” Donahue said in a statement. "He is disingenuous.”

As Donahue points out, the following got a disclaimer in a fictionalized TV show or film:

Asians: "Year of the Dragon”
Blacks: "Birth of a Nation”
Gays: "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”
Jews: "Merchant of Venice”
Mormons: "Big Love”
Muslims: "True Lies”
Native Americans: "Pocahontas II”
Nearsighted: "Mr. Magoo”
Wolves: "White Fang”

Donahue declares: "That’s right — even wolves merited a disclaimer. Disney put a disclaimer in ‘White Fang’ saying there is no evidence of a healthy pack of wolves attacking a human in North America.

"Forget about wolves. If Howard were as sensitive to Catholics as those responsible for ‘La Vita E Bella’ were to Jews, he would have acceded to our request to inject a disclaimer. That 1998 film — a dark comedy about the Holocaust — opened with a voice-over saying it is a fable. So is ‘The Da Vinci Code.’”

Donahue said in his statement: "John Calley, a co-producer of ‘The Da Vinci Code,’ has admitted that the film is anti-Catholic.

http://www.newsmax.c...2045.shtml?s=en

[Orangetj]

Thanks, Forum Reader, I think you hit the nail exactly on the head. The concern is that many people think this movie is actually just a "different view", when in fact it is pure fiction.

[bishmasterb]

Okay, how about a compromise. I'll get Ron Howard to put a disclaimer on The DaVinci Code if the Pope agrees to put a disclaimer on the Bible.

Cool?

[folsom500]

Okay, how about a compromise. I'll get Ron Howard to put a disclaimer on The DaVinci Code if the Pope agrees to put a disclaimer on the Bible.

Cool?

sounds fair to me ...

cheers
F500

[bishmasterb]

sounds fair to me ...

cheers
F500

I was thinking of something like:

"Only a few gays were hurt during the production of the Bible. But the authors in no way endorse the use of violence against homosexuals."

Since forumreader quoted the fact that "Jay and Silent Bob" included a disclaimer regarding the use of derogatory remarks against gays during the film, it only seems logically consistent that the Bible should include a similar disclaimer since parts of it include actually killing gays.

[folsom500]

Here is my take on the book and the movie...
First to preface- I hear the movie is true to the book-- so that it should cover most of what the book entails.. although I do imagine that a 2 hour movie could not get into all of the many nuances that are detailed in the book..

1. I would expect the movie to generate further sales of the book and also Angels and Demons as well...
2. Considering the secondary market for books, I would suspect that the 60 million books sold have been read by 70-80 million people or more....
3. I woud think that a portion of those 70-80 million people have gone to church or have looked into traditional religion AS A Result of their questions after reading the book...
4. I would parly a bet that there are many that have actually converted or reaffirmed thier beliefs after checking out sources and getting into the church to counter their past understandings and those presented in the book.
5. I would also suspect that the number of previously religious persons that have turned away as a result of reading the book to be very small... but having said that - I also surmise that a large number of those in the Church have increased their challenge to what they thought was the truth in their search for new information and answers.
5. As I have , not knowing diddly about the Catholic religion other than to understand that it is a religion of rote and hail mary's to endless degrees.... that many of the readers and the movie goers would want to read and understand more about this religion and religion in general... good, bad or otherwise....

I know I found both the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons quite interesting not just for the basic story line but the facts and other references that they included... and have looked up, read other books and seen more information on religion , the bible and other works than ever before in my life...
the Cult of the Catholics seems to facinate many of us... even those ( and maybe especially ) those that I know that had turned away from it after years of masses and K-12 education within it...

I also know that learning about the OTHER books of the bible that were not included and some of the reasons for it are also informative.... ( something that is not told to the congregaytions) and TELLING of how the church has manipulated what is and what is NOT included in todays versions.... as well as how different the various Bibles of different christian faiths vary and how they got the that difference...

I don not mean to say that I am any more religious than I was before I started this , but I do know a heck a lot more than I did in the past.. and from other references-- I would not discount the control and brainwashing that the CHURCH has over its patrons in believing what is written is true and the only truth....

Is it really true ? or is it Fiction.... Which book ....

.. and what is it with all the Hail Mary's - thought false idols were not allowed ....

think about it

Cheers
F500

Edited by folsom500, 18 May 2006 - 10:47 AM.