....nice! :thumbsup:

Everyone hates The DaVinci Code but they are all willing to make as much as they can from it.

Can't pass a Christian Church (Catholic parishes also) without seeing some signage saying how they will "tell the truth behind the Davinci Code"...... Of course they fail to mention that they will be seeking donations and the little basket will be passed.

I'm sure the albinos protesting have a website no one had ever heard of or visited until now and the contributions are flowing in faster.

All I can say is it is a fictional piece if people want to put more meaning behind it than there is then those are the people one must fear and fear them more than any book, movie or piece of fiction out there, because they are the ones pushing forth their beliefs as the only belief and everyone else is wrong.

or as Lucy says, "it's a BOOK, it says fiction on the spine"

Does anyone know what Silas was using? It was like a barbed wire wrap that he put on his leg. Is there a name for that?

It's called a "cilice". Some people do use something like it who practice mortification (although not to the extremes, usually, of Silas).

Hm... I wonder if you have to be Catholic to get one...

Probably not...

linky

did Albinos protest the Matrix Reloaded too?

Once again I feel compelled to put in my 10 cents. Its a BOOK as so many before me have stated. I, however, think that the christians and other groups as well are being more or less (in my opinion) hypocrites about the whole thing. This is not meant to offend anyone mind you, but seriously, if its so terrible, why are they all capitalizing on it? Why make money off of something so "evil and vile"? I myself am pagan, which is neither here nor there, but I do not begrudge the christians their faith. It is their right to believe what they will. But a boon if you please... let those of us who see it as pure entertainment based off a work of pure FICTION, as it says on the side of the book mind you, enjoy the blasted movie in peace. I refer to the Bible as the "christian book of fables" again this is not meant to offend anyone, but I do not look down on anyone who lives by it as law. I just wish that the christians would spend more time living by the rules of their book and not "judging" or "preaching on deaf ears" or forgetting to "love one another". (Once again no harm meant nor offense, please just take it as one persons opinion and not an insult to anyones intelligence nor a dig on a branch of faith.)

Well I agree with you Lady Sage, but it is a significant point that Dan Brown, the author of the work of fiction, persistently claims that it is based on fact which is not fact. It is *that* which people are getting all worked up about. It's not like this si the first book - or first successful book even - which paints a negative picture of Christianity. The difference here is that the author is claiming things as fact which are not. And it's not just a marketing ploy either. Part of the reason the lawsuit between Dan Brown and the authors of Holy Blood, Holy Grail was such an easy lawsuit for Dan Brown to win is because both authors claim that their work is based on facts (which are easily disproven by any moderately educated person). But, since neither made claims that the basis of their books were entirely fictitious, there was no real case for plaigerism.

There are most certainly people capitalizing on the success of The Da Vinci Code on both ends of the spectrum, but I don't think it's fair to paint all "truth behind The Da Vinci Code" events as capitalization. Quite a lot of them are responding to Dan Brown's assertions of fact which are simply not true. And this has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not the bible is factual either. Like I mentioned previously, historians such as Bart Ehrman take issue with The Da Vinci Code precisely because what it claims as fact is not the historical truth. It is telling that another of Ehrman's books is titled Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why. His criticism of The Da Vinci Code has nothing to do with defending the bible and everything to do with preventing the spread of historical misinformation because a fictional author insists that his writing is based on fact. You and I may be smart enough to recognize that it is "just a book," but unfortunately that is not something that many people are doing, as I've already pointed out. And a big part of the reason is that Dan Brown himself persistently asserts that his book is based on historical fact that is patently false, and in that way he is spreading disinformation to anyone that doesn't take the time to actually learn that even that which he says is fact is not.

I wish it were a perfect world and everyone was smart enough to realize that the author of a work of fiction claiming something as fact doesn't make him qualified to make such a statement, but it's not. And I have seen *FAR* too many examples both in real life and in reports from other people (such as the situations that initially occured in museums) of people taking Dan Brown for his word. It's a depressing picture of the intelligence of the general populace, but it is what it is.

I really enjoyed the movie, just saw it last nite. Even tho I was disappointed that same part of the movie were same as the book... But anotherwise the movies was very enjoyable, suspense was good, but just depend what kind of person you are to enjoy Dan Browns books, or the movie.

I agree with you Mr. SecretMethod70. A pleasure to make your aquaintance! Mr. Brown, however, has placed into his book about the Holy Grail thoughts that have been debated for centuries although most people do nont know this. In my quest for my own spiritual past I deeply researched theories on christianity and other religions. If you can read them with an open mind and an open heart it is fascinating reading.

Yeah, I don't mean to make any statement regarding to entertainment value of the book: I haven't yet read it. It's true that the ideas he uses for his book are not new and are things that have been debated. In fact, I'm sure it makes for interesting fictional reading. The only problem I have is that those ideas have been pretty strongly debunked in terms of what we know historically. I'm not a fan of ignorance of any sort, and so I do find it frustrating that he would claim such ideas as being based on fact, allowing for so many people to then take his word for it. Of course, I also know that comparative study between what we know historically and what is written in various religious scriptures is something I am particularly interested in, so misinformation in that realm of information is something I am particularly sensitive to. Not as someone who ascribes to any particular religious belief - while I consider myself "Christian," I don't think there's a single denomination active today that would take me if I explained exactly what I believe, especially since I don't believe the bible is a history book nor do I believe it is inerrant - but as someone who values knowledge and believes everyone should benefit from accurate knowledge and avoid the spread of misinformation. That's obviously a tall order to live up to, and no one could ever dream of being perfect in that regard, but when such established hoaxes as the Priory of Sion are claimed to be factual, or when an assertion is made that there is evidence that Jesus and Mary Magdaline were married or had a child, even though no evidence of it exists in *any* document we have, canonical scripture or otherwise, I do find it to be an egregious misuse of literary influence.

Even if I were to give Dan Brown the benefit of the doubt and say that his intention was to make people think more critically about what they believe in (as opposed to saying he's a poor author who can't even do the few weeks, at most, of research it would take to show that things he claims are true are actually not), I still find his methods to be insulting. There are a *ton* of ways to make people think critically about their beliefs that do not involve simultaneously forcing the issue with assertions that are not based in any scientific/historical research whatsoever.

Just for good measure, a little exerpt from Wikipedia:Oh, and btw, welcome to TFP Lady Sage :)

Ty for the welcome Mr. SecretMethod70. I also find fascinating the books of the bible that were cast out and all of the translations of such. It amazes me how one book has been... changed so many times over the course of the evolution of the human psyche.
Variety being the "spice of life" is both entertaining and annoying at the same time in that one persons "fact" is another persons "fiction". I personally believe that no one sect of any religion is in fact 100% accurate. (Not even my own) I believe that through time they have been tweaked to fit the individual needs of a time frame and or mind set. It is my personal belief that as long as the person believes what they believe with their whole heart and lives by that code of honor, if you will, that its all groovy with me.

Yes. See Evil albino - Wikipedia.

heh, yeah, I think we're talking about two different things because I agree with you :) I'm only concerned with historical accuracy (as best as we can know it right now at least)...beyond that, I don't really care what Dan Brown or anyone else has to say. :)

Just out of curiosity Mr. SecretMethod70, is there a support group for forum junkies? I think im becoming addicted or so Pan is telling me as he laughs at me...
By the way, you have some very interesting people here with mondo interesting opinions. Most are very well worded so as not to offend.
Speaking of books, if you like to read may I suggest James Patterson?
He has a fascinating fantasy series about children who have been victims of genetic engeneering to now have wings, government hush hush and their quest to be free... kinda DaVinci Code-ish in its conspiracy-ness

I read that - it was a good one, actually. One of his better (he often gets repetitive, oh, the saintly Alex Cross blah blah blah, but this one was well done).
/end threadjack

I never thought the movie would be all that good... I just couldn't see them translating all that exposition to the screen very well. And the reviews all say that is the case.

As for the book, I loved it, it was fun, and I would love to believe all of those things are possibly true. I do believe that there's a lot more to the bible than the crap they've put in there originally. (sorry-ish)

Da Vinci Code rips off Star Wars apparently :). Added it to the op, you know, just for completeness sake. ;)

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journal...l/14693976.htm

It was highly entertaining even if it was horribly inaccurate in parts. I kept waiting for Indiana Jones to pull out his bullwhip... The plot was pretty out there so I don't know what the different religous people are whining about. Also, BTW the Dead Sea Scrolls are in Coptic and not Arabic and make no mention of Jesus or Mary Magdalene only the Old Testament.

That being said, I haven't been to Italy and it was great to see the actual places and pieces of things in the movie to "fill the gaps" in my imagination from reading the book. I highly enjoyed the movie and it's getting butchered unfairly in the press. Definately worth your $8 bucks.

Jess, may I recommend 'Misquoting Jesus' and 'Lost Christianties' by Bart Erhman if you're interested in learning more about the different sects and beliefs other than the Orthodox view. I've read all his works and they're terrific!

I love how people are making a big deal about that. You can probably take a writeup of the plot of about 20% of the movies nowadays, replace character names and locations, and the plot would match the other movie (I've actually seen this done for a whole slew of movies).

I'll keep my ideas pretty simple, since most has already been said. I had no problem reading the book through in one sitting. It kept me as entertained as the movie did. Maybe it's because I'm an athiest, and don't really care what's being made up and what's truth (and can understand that it's just a book, nothing more).

(Ahem: like the bible)

Thanks SecretMethod for clearing that up for me. I guess National Geographic lied to me! If I see the special on again I will remember exactly what was said and type it out here. I agree with Lady Sage, I really am interested in the way the Bible has changed throughout time. I went to a Christian school when I was young (that's the reason I don't really like any organized religion too much but that's another story) and I have read through the Bible many times but it was only recently that I found out the "lost" texts. Even if they may not be credible, I find them fascinating to read.


Oh and I just started reading the Da Vinci Code and I kind of like it so far.

Edited the original post to add another 1,306,313,812 people to the list.

just finished the book.

my review: entertaining. 3 out of 5 stars.

I have to admit I didn't finish the book, because it was so bad. I ejoyed reading Angles & Demons, except for the completely impossible ending. When I got to reading Da Vinci, it was the same book. Same general formula, same stupid progression of getting stuck and then EUREKA! I had thought that the movie would be semi-decent. I was wrong it was just as bad as the book.

There was a good quote by Devin Faraci in the movie review on CHUD.com, "The Da Vinci Code is a terrible book, made popular by the kind of people who give reading a bad name."

Well, I finally got around to seeing the movie. I was discussing it with the girl in the video shop who said "generally, people who liked the book hate the movie". Well, I thought the book was fairly ordinary but I thought it would translate well to the screen.

How wrong I was. The movie really was not suspenseful, Audrey Tautou (especially) and Tom Hanks both seemed too wooden. Her facial expression hardly changes through the entire movie. What seemed 'cute' in Amelie was out of place in a drama.

Both my wife and I agreed if you want a "puzzle" solving movie, "National Treasure" leaves this for dead.

It was just boring and I want my couple of hours back please!

OP has to realize that all those press releases about Christians, China, Star Wars fans ... "boycotting" the film is simply the studio trying its best to hype up some controversy about a dumb movie. Most people could give a rat's ass about this film. In desperation the Hollywood media tried some CPR in the form of publicizing "mass protests."

It's the oldest trick in the book.

And you bought it.

Nobody really cares about the "anticipated" Hollywood disaster.

We had Christians picketing outside the cinema. I guess they could have all been stooges.

See?
Now you finally understand.