Why I Will Not See The Da Vinci Code
I have not read the book or seen the movie. I'm not for book banning or movie picketing; it's a free country and you can do what you want. But I know enough about the content and plot of the movie to know that I, personally, do not plan to spend 2 1/2 hours of my life going to a theatre to see it. Here's some thoughts:
(1) I do not have to personally experience something in order to make valid comment. It really has to do with the nature of what I have to say. Of course, having never viewed the movie, I would have no right to do a critical and extensive review. But I have read and heard reviews pro and con, have watched interviews, and know those who have read the book. I choose to make a personal judgment not to support such a negative and false portrayal of something very important to me
(2) The movie is an insult to my Christian faith. My exposure to the study of history convinces me that Leonardo was a devout follower of Jesus Christ, and would never support such an insulting understanding of His nature and behaviour. There is absolutely no valid scriptural or historical evidence that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and procreated children. The idea that the resurrection was faked has been effecively rebuffed throughout history. And, the ludicrous storyline portraying so many leaders/adherents to the Christian faith as evil, mean, and lying is intended to make my faith look bad. I know the mantra of Dan Brown, Ron Howard, etc. is to counter with a sly smile, “It's just a jolly-good story. Lighten up!” Why? If you insulted my mother is such a way, I wouldn't just laugh it off. Jesus Christ is the most important person in my life; I want Him to be treated with respect.
(3) Hollywood is hypocritical when it comes to the treatment of sensitive subjects, and particularly religion. When do you think someone like Ron Howard will come out with a movie portraying the Jewish Holocost as a fabrication of the liberal elite- that Hitler was really a good guy, duped and destroyed by a Jewish secret society? Of course it will not happen; it would be an insult to millions of decent people. Or, maybe they will produce a movie purporting to be the “real life” of Christopher Reeve. He was just faking his paralysis, spoofing the public for fun and profit. Actors could portray he and his wife lying in bed, laughing at those with real handicaps. Again, it would be incredibly insensitive to a genuine hero and all who deal daily with these issues. Again, why don't they put out a film about the Prophet Mohammed as a pedophile, and Iranian Imams greedy politicians with no real interest in God. They could curse and laugh at God in private. Well, of course these movies will never come across our screens. But to insult the followers of Jesus Christ is “cool”, in vogue, and earns accolades from their all important likeminded friends.
(4) I will consider spending my money to view the future products of those who have been a part of this movie. Why? Because a well-made movie is a tremendous vehicle of communication. I've shared movie reviews before. I like a good movie. It does not have to be religious, or agreeable to my points of view. I learn and grow from a powerful film. Tom Hanks is a great actor. I enjoyed and benefitted from such classics as Forrest Gump and The Green Mile. But I am a discerning movie goer, and especially if I know that a movie is a deliberate attempt to insult something that is at the core of my being, I'll stay away.
05.20.06 (7:53 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
lynnkramer (
reply)
post date:
05.20.06 (3:05 pm)
Dave, we know that responding to trash usually ends up promoting trash, but I urge all christians to go see this movie and read the book. Be informed but just don't buy it. read a copy from the library. see a copy of the movie from the library. JUST DO NOT BUY IT. Don't give your money to foolish causes.
posted by:
lynnkramer (
reply)
post date:
05.20.06 (3:07 pm)
Dave, we know that responding to trash usually ends up promoting trash, but I urge all christians to go see this movie and read the book. Be informed but just don't buy it. read a copy from the library. see a copy of the movie from the library. JUST DO NOT BUY IT. Don't give your money to foolish causes.
posted by:
crazyfeline (
reply)
post date:
05.20.06 (3:45 pm)
right on dave! i agree wid yah.. da vinci code is a very influential movie... im not gonna watch or read it either...
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.20.06 (3:50 pm)
Reply to: lynnkramer
I'll ask, "Why read it? Why see the movie?" Reviews, interviews with the actors and director, tell us it is a blatant slap at the historical Christian faith. It is purported to be fiction, but it is far from a lighthearted attempt at entertainment. We are dealing with the divinity of Jesus Christ here. For those of us who are Christians, it is an essential element of who we are. I will understand for those who are devout, and want to understand the movie so they can more effectively dialog about the issues. But I do not think I need to watch the film to do so.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.20.06 (3:52 pm)
Reply to: crazyfeline
I believe in "soul competency". It's a fancy theological term, but it simply means that every believer should search his own heart, and pray to His own God, and come to a personal understanding about matters like this. No religious authority, except God, has a right to tell you what to do. Having said that, I think you have made a good decision.
posted by:
Cutter (
reply)
post date:
05.20.06 (6:13 pm)
If it spits in the face of the church, I'll pay double. So, you don't have to bother.
posted by:
babe4jesus55 (
reply)
post date:
05.20.06 (9:16 pm)
I think it's all stupid-- the book, the movie, the hype. This whole garbage has been around for millenia under the guise Gnostism. They formed not too long after the Resurrection but were driven underground by the early church a few centuries later. I am not surprised these beliefs have resurfaced now in such a troublesome time for the Christian faith. The rumor that the Resurrection was staged began the day Jesus' body was found missing. The Roman government paid the soldiers guarding the tomb to start this rumor, in exchange for their lives. Again, I'm not surprised it has resurfaced as something considered as almost factual.
I must say that I am not going to read the book or see the movie. I refuse to give money to such hersey, nor will I borrow it from the library or someone else because I have enough grief and turmoil in regards to my faith from living on Earth as a human being. Besides that, I heard it was a terrible movie anyway, terrible as in poorly made. I relenquish my soap box.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.21.06 (12:38 am)
Reply to: Cutter
When you say "the church", do you mean the modern-day institution, or do you mean all who claim to love Jesus Christ? The first, I can understand what you say, though not agree. It seems that Christians have disappointed and even hurt you. That's not good, but I think it is the inevitable nature of human relationships.
posted by:
Cutter (
reply)
post date:
05.21.06 (12:55 am)
"Reply to: Cutter When you say "the church", do you mean the modern-day institution, or do you mean all who claim to love Jesus Christ? The first, I can understand what you say, though not agree. It seems that Christians have disappointed and even hurt you. That's not good, but I think it is the inevitable nature of human relationships.
posted by: PastorDave
post date: 05.21.06 (2:38 am)"
No, pooky. I mean any church which you have anything remotely to do with.
When I suck Lucifer's cock next time, I'll spit his seed in your face.
YOU are a liar, and a blasphemer.
Suck THAT up, Pastor DICK.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.21.06 (3:06 am)
Reply to: Cutter
How am I "a liar and a blasphemer"?
You are not very good at conversation, are you? Just invective.
posted by:
almsthvn (
reply)
post date:
05.21.06 (5:41 am)
I respect your choice to not go see DVC. I went on opening night and totally enjoyed it, but that's me :)
I was talking to BroGonzo this morning about something completely different, when I realized... I made a decision very similar to yours about another film - The Passion of the Christ. For me, it wasn't a choice I made based on hostility, I simply made the decision that I felt it was in my best interest to not see PotC, for reasons I won't go into here.
Then I realized - I make decisions like that with every movie release, every album, every book.... is this an artist *I* wish to support, is this a film I wish to spend my very limited free time on, etc.
I've been searching for a nice closing comment here. Meanwhile, my tv is on and I caught a man saying this statement. "My Dad always told me, whatever you do, do it well. If you can't do it well, then spend your time on something else that you CAN do well." The message was to treat each moment as precious and invest it wisely.
So with that, I'm going to go do something besides sit at the computer :) Have a good day!
posted by:
almsthvn (
reply)
post date:
05.21.06 (5:41 am)
btw.. your banner at the bottom? I'm a liberal and I work hard and I'm happy. So ... Neener ;)
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
05.21.06 (6:02 am)
Oh for goodness sakes, it's a halfway decent novel... "N. O. V. E. L." It's certainly not an insult to any real faith. The premise is cute. That's about it. Geez. You afraid you sit there and seeth? Please...
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.21.06 (7:42 am)
Reply to: almsthvn
Very good point. We do make that decision with every movie, every book, etc. I did see the Passion, and found it to be a faithful portrayal of the Crucifixion and a powerful reminder of the love of God. And I know people who refused to see it because of the violence, and that is understandable to me.
If I just wanted to interact with people who agree with me, then I would just hand out with folks at my church and I would make this simply a devotional blog. So I am very glad that folks like yourself stop by and leave thoughtful comments on my blog.
Oh, the banner at the bottom...I've had several comments from my liberal friends. It is there simply to provoke! Mean of me, I know.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.21.06 (7:46 am)
Reply to: surrogate
I'm not seething and I'm not afraid. I don't appreciate the intent of the movie.
I receive the movie in the same way I would receive someone who would walk up to me and insult my wife and family and mother, then pat me on the back and say, "Lighten up. I'm just kidding." Some subjects deserve more respect- like one's faith.
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
05.21.06 (9:39 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Dave, I hereby CHALLENGE you to read the book and tell me whether it truly offends you. I'll bet it will not. The problem with judging something from the information you gather from others ought be obvious to you. This isn't like jumping off a cliff because the other lemmings are. I'd be curious whether you think it's part of the "Hollywood Conspiracy" AFTER you've got something on which to make the determination. Bet your Mom would read it without getting all judgemental.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
05.21.06 (9:53 am)
Reply to: surrogate
Mom probably has read it. She'd say "it's a nice book".
My dislike is for the movie. I don't think I have to view the movie before I can make an educated determination that it is offensive to me. I know what it is about; I know who are the villains; I know what it implies about Jesus Christ. It's not for me. If you want to spend $12 for a ticket, and $9.25 for coke and popcorn to go see it, then I will think no less of you.
posted by:
midnightepicure (
reply)
post date:
05.22.06 (11:46 am)
hahaha, i could say a lot about this, but i shall hold my tongue.
im deliberatley withholding links to my new blog, by the way. if people stumble upon it, c'est la vie. but its just a journal this time. no community. ill check back from time to time, though.
posted by:
userfriendly (
reply)
post date:
05.22.06 (12:59 pm)
I don't think it's an insult to your faith, I think it's just another suggestion as to what might have happened in the past. .. This Might be easier for me to say, because I'm not so much concerned with faith, as I am about a neat history lesson.
I'm not saying anything is completely accurate, 4th grade history told me Columbus discovered America, 5th grade history told me It was some Vespucci guy .. 5 different books I've read in the last few months all say vikings and what not had been sailing to america and canada since at least 800ad. That Vespucci never actually sailed across the ocean. He was just a map maker, and his name happened to be on a map over the north american territory. People mistook it for the name of the country.
Point being, You won't ever find anything completely accurate. History is written by those in power, and they write as they see, or believe. You don't actually know what's fact and fiction, I guess the best thing you can do is gather as much information as possible and try to piece together your own conclusion.
Though, you may not be interested in that. Fair enough. To each their own.
posted by:
Kiwi in Zurich (
reply)
post date:
05.22.06 (9:49 pm)
What I found really interesting about the book was not the point about Jesus having conceived children...even if he did, so what. I fail to see how whether Jesus was a virgin or not would/should change one's belief in God, whether you believe or not is a matter of your own faith. What is interesting in the book, as a matter of fact, is how the church subverted old religions and beliefs in order to establish itself. Take the devil's trident for example. Taken directly from Poseidon Greek God of the Sea's trident. In one genius marketing exercise the Church undermined an entire set of religious beliefs by turning it on its head. Interesingly enough, livining in Europe today you can still see vestiges of this. In central Switzerland they have a carnival each year at the end of winter. Originally it was a heathen festival celebrating/scaring away the end of winter and welcoming spring. The church got in on the act somewhere along the way, and while still more or less true to its heathen roots, you are also likely to see the odd 'bishop' walking along in the procession as well.
posted by:
Deviant 1 (
reply)
post date:
05.23.06 (5:50 am)
So don't go see it. As long as you don't try to get it banned its fine with me.
posted by:
drforbush (
reply)
post date:
05.24.06 (10:11 am)
I have read the Da Vinci Code and I thought it was a very good book. It has a fun story and allows you to suspend your sense of disbelief. I also have not seen the movie and I certainly won't see it in the theater. It isn't for any particular reason except that I just don't go to the theater often. Perhaps I'll see it when it comes out on DVD.
I don't really understand why people would not want to read the book, except for the point that it takes time away from reading other good books.
The main point of fear among Christians who oppose the book seems to be that the book points out the existence of the Gnostic Gospels. Well, you don't need to read the book to learn about them. And, of course the church has trouble with "the authority issue" in the Gnostic Gospels. The accepted New Testament Gospels tell us that the only way to God is through Jesus. The Gnostic Gospels tell us that there are many ways to God. Knowing that there was controversy over this issue in the early church tends to bother a lot of people.
posted by:
Diana (
reply)
post date:
06.23.06 (3:31 am)
About the Da Vinci code...a young friend in his early 30s began talking to my husband about some very serious faith issues some time back. My husband talked to him over a period of weeks, as the kid became more and more depressed with his life, calling, etc. My husband finally expressed some of his concerns to a psychologist friend of ours and this man said, "Has this guy been reading the Da Vinci Code? Sounds to me like he has...this has caused quite a bit of problems in a lot of people." Okay...so questions are good...and we can never go deeper in our faith until we actually begin to ask questions. But issues that destroy and tear up our faith in a negative way? My opinion of Dan Brown (isn't that who wrote the book?) Glad it is him standing before the Lord someday and not me. I think The Lord calls us to leave positive footsteps behind us.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
06.23.06 (6:08 pm)
Reply to: Diana
I'm not interested in the book or the movie. But it does not threaten my faith. I know what I believe, and the Lord I serve, is superior to anything Dan Brown can concoct. He has just woven a bad story, I believe.
This young man you mention must be quite shallow in his understanding of Christianity, and I surmise he must have some emotional issues having little to do with his Christian beliefs. So something as shallow as this sad little book has cause him great trouble. But, so would many other challenges to his shallow faith. I wouldn't blame Dan Brown for this one.
