84 replies to this topic

[bishmasterb]

I didn't see them as "bad guys who are Catholic". Sure they are a sect of the Catholic church, but in the movie it made it clear that it was just a sect, and not the entire Catholic population that use self-inflicted pain to be closer to Jesus/God.

I'm not saying the movie portrayed ALL Catholics as bad!? But Catholics in the movie, in general, were portrayed as some of the bad guys.

The Cardinals giving the Opus Dei money to "take care" of the Priory? After the meeting, the lead Cardinal asking the Bishop if he was going to kill the Priory members?

Payoff and killing are typical actions of "bad guys" in movies.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Are you stupid enough to believe the Da Vinci Code is true? (Slate's title, not mine)

[bishmasterb]

Are you stupid enough to believe the Da Vinci Code is true? (Slate's title, not mine)

One could replace "DaVinci Code" with "Bible" in that sentence and still have a legitimate question.

There certainly are outrageous, unscientific, wildy unhistorical claims in the Bible as well.

Even if both events are false, I'd be more likely to believe that Constantine established Christ's divinity within the church than I would be to believe that there was a world-wide flood that covered all land on Earth 4000 years ago.

[MSgt]

Even if both events are false, I'd be more likely to believe that Constantine established Christ's divinity within the church than I would be to believe that there was a world-wide flood that covered all land on Earth 4000 years ago.

Of course most people would rather believe this lie (that Constantine established Christ's divinity), that way they don't have to deal with Christ. Christ extablished his own divinity, He didn't need Constantine to do it. Not believing it doesn't make it any less true.

[bishmasterb]

Of course most people would rather believe this lie (that Constantine established Christ's divinity), that way they don't have to deal with Christ. Christ extablished his own divinity, He didn't need Constantine to do it. Not believing it doesn't make it any less true.

Okay. But that's why I chose something less subjective than "Christ's divinity" as an example, that's why I chose the flood.

The Earth was not completely covered in water 4000 years ago. To believe that, requires a complete disregard for all scientific evidence in favor of taking the word of some ancient Mediterranean sheepherders. Not that there's anything wrong with that, just be clear that that is what you're doing.

So, like The DaVinci Code, the Bible contains fiction as well.

Luckily, the really important stuff in the Bible (love your neighbor, be kind, gentle, honest, etc.) is all good advice, IMHO.

[swmr545]

Of course most people would rather believe this lie (that Constantine established Christ's divinity), that way they don't have to deal with Christ. Christ extablished his own divinity, He didn't need Constantine to do it. Not believing it doesn't make it any less true.

This is what I don't understand of religious people who believe in a god or gods. How can there be such blind faith in something?

If you tell a story that is passed on for a couple hundred years before it is every written, doesn't it get twisted in some way (let's play a year long game of telephone and see what the story is at the end)?

I'm not saying that having faith in something is bad, I just don't understand why people would hand over their money/lives to an institution that can give no solid answer on any question other than saying "Because God made it that way" or "that's the way the gods intended it to be".

And not this is not just about Christianity, I feel the same towards most, if not all organized religions that claim that if you do not accept their belief your soul is condemned to an eternity of damnation in heck or a heck-like place.

I know of many people in my life that do not subscribe to the belief of an ultimate being that controls everything, and they happen to be some of the most peaceful, loving, kind, caring, virtous people I have met; and if they are going to heck just because they don't believe in a certain God just doesn't make sense to me.

[tgianco]

And not this is not just about Christianity, I feel the same towards most, if not all organized religions that claim that if you do not accept their belief your soul is condemned to an eternity of damnation in heck or a heck-like place.

I know of many people in my life that do not subscribe to the belief of an ultimate being that controls everything, and they happen to be some of the most peaceful, loving, kind, caring, virtous people I have met; and if they are going to heck just because they don't believe in a certain God just doesn't make sense to me.

I understand where you're coming from, and I would hope you don't feel anyone here feels that you are going to heck just from the fact you are gay or that you are not a believer (there might be a couple who do feel that way, but not the majority of Catholics/ Christians/ Jews...don't know enough about Islam to say that).

By the same token, faith is not measurable. There are just times when you feel something in your gut that you know is true. While I respect and advocate scientific research and findings, science cannot answer all the questions of the universe.

If I was in your shoes, I can understand your apprehension with different faiths, especially in light of the general way homosexuality has been treated. Hopefully, there will be a day when that becomes less of an issue for you, and that you, believer or not, will also respect the beliefs of those that do believe in a higher power.

[benning]

Very well put. Nice post

[ngilbert]

Are you stupid enough to believe the Da Vinci Code is true? (Slate's title, not mine)

Good article - thanks. The thing that's been driving me crazy has been the whole set of serious documentary tie-ins with the movie that The History Channel and such have been running that are setting Dan Brown up as some kind of historian. They'll say "According to Dan Brown's theory, Jesus had a wife and kids and settled down in the suburbs" or whatever. It's a mystery novel! That's like saying "According to George Lucas' theory, tall furry beings named Wookies wearing nothing but ammo belts co-pilot spaceships"

Dan Brown just cobbled together some conspiracy theories from others, punched them up a bit, threw in some 7th Grade level dialog, and came up with a story for people to read on airplanes. That's it. You shouldn't have to remind people to take fiction with a grain of salt. But the seriousness with which these documentaries are treating this is not helping. Yeah yeah, I know it's all tie-in hype to sell tickets.

I did feel sorry for the poor Opus Dei guy they interviewed. He was llike "ummm... we've only been around since the 1950's. Why are you asking me these questions about the Middle Ages?"

[benning]

That's like saying "According to George Lucas' theory, tall furry beings named Wookies wearing nothing but ammo belts co-pilot spaceships"

Don't you remember the uproar (pun intended) amongst the nonwookies who were demanding a disclaimer on the movie? They were worried that people would start believing in hiring the nearly nude wookies to co-pilot their spaceships. Everyone knows that flying in spaceships, no matter who the pilots are, requires faith.

Seriously though, good article.

Here's what Roger Ebert said.

Dan Brown's novel is utterly preposterous; Ron Howard's movie is preposterously entertaining. Both contain accusations against the Catholic Church and its order of Opus Dei that would be scandalous if anyone of sound mind could possibly entertain them."