The DaVinci Code

[feederband]

That is why we have freedom of religion in the United States. It is ok to believe in God and OK not to.

We just always need to respect others for their beliefs.

Correct.

[alicia-w]

Are people so insecure in their faiths that a mere movie can make them question the foundation of their beliefs? i hope not.

but then again, there are people who think the Bible is fiction. You dont hear them complain about movies based on Bible stories.

[furluvcats]

I'm NOT complaining about the movie...I just defended myself, as a Christian, to other Christians, who do not understand why I would "demean myself to see this movie". I hope I made that clear. And I'll never push my beliefs on you, unless you ask me...then I'm prepared to answer your questions :O).

[Janice]

Religion can be a sticky subject. There are so many religions out there and everyone is headstrong in their beliefs. I will not see The Passion of the Christ either. I just don't want to see Jesus on the big screen suffering any more than the Bible says he does. I want to remember him as he was in the bible.

[feederband]

Are people so insecure in their faiths that a mere movie can make them question the foundation of their beliefs? i hope not.

but then again, there are people who think the Bible is fiction. You dont hear them complain about movies based on Bible stories.

I love movies based on bible stories...I don't believe in the supernatural parts but the history of alot of it is real...I'm a huge history buff...Even the Passion had somethings that helped me put somethings together I didn't relize before...

[sunny]

Are people so insecure in their faiths that a mere movie can make them question the foundation of their beliefs? i hope not.

I'm not insecure about my faith in the least. I won't see the movie because I choose not to. I have not read the book either. I have seen "Cracking the Da Vinci Code" on the history channel, that was enough for me, thanks.

[alicia-w]

i'm sure i didnt reference anyone specifically here, and since there are protests and boycotts around the planet, those of you who have chosen to avoid it are obviously not alone.

but it is just a movie. it had agreat plot and provoked a lot of thought. if you havent read the book, you probably havent read Holy Blood, Holy Grail, which IS written as non-fiction. Whew! Now THERE'S some controversy for ya.

[sunny]

I realize it is just a movie. And that's fine and good.

I have not read Holy Blood, Holy Grail, but it was part of the topic of the History Channel documentary that I watched, so I know something of it.

[alicia-w]

i just started this thread to gather opinions of folks who had seen the movie, and to get thoughts on the words of the critics, not to pit believers against nonbelievers or debate the intricacies of the plot.

Can we please not subvert this into a Hollywood-heathens-against-the-Christians thread?

[zoeyann]

Yes the plot is based on theories that have existed for quite some time now, but the movie is fiction. I believe if this movie makes people question aspects of their religion though that is great. Maybe they will bring these things up with religous leaders and gain a better understanding and a new found interest in their religions. And for those who chose not to see it based on your religous beliefs I applaud your courage in sticking by your beliefs and principles as these are not always an easy or a popular choices.

What is interesting though, is that all eyes have been on the middle east and a wide varity of problems caused by religoius intolerence. I think this is a good opprotunity for Christians and Americans to show the global community that we really can be tolerant of other's even when our own belief systems are challenged albeit in a fictional setting.

[Janice]

I will watch it on tv, but I can't watch a movie that strays from the Bible or a movie like the Passion of the Christ which shows Jesus suffering. I want to remember him as the Bible tells. I don't like watching anyone suffer with pain, etc. especially Christ.

That is just me.

[breeze]

I watched "The Last Temptation of Christ" - a Martin Scorsese film, and was
not led astray from the flock, since my adult mind operates on the 10 %
brain power that is used, on average, from the human brain. I will probably
see this movie, as well, when it comes out on DVD.

[southerngale]

Just saw it...This is no threat to any religion by far....I am Atheist if anything this will probably help the christian cause...The main story has changed over time(Old testament verses new) Interperting languages into others which sometimes will have different meanings...Face it the bible has more questions than answers...The truth you speak of southegale is a group of story's put together by man to give man some purpose in life...Thats fine for some people...But for me personally I believe we are all wrong and living blindly..

But anyway go see the movie...It was very good..Even though a fake story some of the history they show is quite real...

I will probably see it at some point. I know where the Truth I speak of comes from and I know it to be true. I can understand where you could have doubts being a non-believer, but being a believer, I have no doubts. The Bible may leave some unanswered questions, but I believe it provides answers to everything of importance, even though some people don't like the answers, or they choose to ignore them, myself included. I've made many mistakes in life. If there's questions left unanswered, I guess we don't need those answers to do what we're supposed to do on earth.

77 milion over the weekend..Doesn't sound like to many are boycotting...

I wasn't aware there was supposed to be a lot of people boycotting it. I know my pastor and others in the church have read the book and/or seen or will see the movie. They want to know what's in it so they can be better prepared because a lot of lost people are confused and asking questions.

[southerngale]

I'm not a Christian so I cant pretend to understand what all the fuss is about. It's a movie. It's fiction. I dont know that anyone is passing it off as fact. It's not been released as a documentary.

I guess you haven't seen the various news bits and shows covering it, or even the commercials about them? Yes, it's a movie, but many people are going to be seeing, perhaps for the first time, an explanation about who Jesus is and why He matters, and the concern is that the entire story presented in this movie is a lie, but being passed off by many as fact. It has not been presented as "just" a movie, but a conspiracy theory aimed at Christianity. It is a mystery suspense thriller, and Americans love mystery suspense thrillers. What makes this story different, however, is that the conspiracy theory that lies at the very heart of the book's plotline has to do with the Gospel. What drives the action of the story is the argument that the church's traditional teachings about Jesus are all a fraud. Instead of revealing who Jesus really was and what He really did, the book argues, the church buried the truth in an intentional conspiracy, claimed that Jesus was divine, and said that He had come to save sinners from their sin.
In fact, Scripture tells us there are many who will prefer a lie to the truth, even a lie that is easily dismissible, even a lie that is transparently false, even a lie that is so undocumented that it simply falls of the weight of its own audacity. There are persons who would rather believe a lie packaged in a glittery Hollywood movie than the truth so plainly revealed in the Word of God.

Are people so insecure in their faiths that a mere movie can make them question the foundation of their beliefs? i hope not.

but then again, there are people who think the Bible is fiction. You dont hear them complain about movies based on Bible stories.

Hmmm, I'm not aware of any Christians who are insecure in their faith based on this movie. lol! Nor would this movie question the foundation of their beliefs. Apparently, you're missing the point here. The concern is on the lost....read the last paragraph above.


Anyway, I didn't really want to get all into this either. I just wanted to answer your question and give my thoughts, but then I felt compelled to respond to feederband and then your comments.

[feederband]

Just saw it...This is no threat to any religion by far....I am Atheist if anything this will probably help the christian cause...The main story has changed over time(Old testament verses new) Interperting languages into others which sometimes will have different meanings...Face it the bible has more questions than answers...The truth you speak of southegale is a group of story's put together by man to give man some purpose in life...Thats fine for some people...But for me personally I believe we are all wrong and living blindly..

But anyway go see the movie...It was very good..Even though a fake story some of the history they show is quite real...

I will probably see it at some point. I know where the Truth I speak of comes from and I know it to be true. I can understand where you could have doubts being a non-believer, but being a believer, I have no doubts. The Bible may leave some unanswered questions, but I believe it provides answers to everything of importance, even though some people don't like the answers, or they choose to ignore them, myself included. I've made many mistakes in life. If there's questions left unanswered, I guess we don't need those answers to do what we're supposed to do on earth.

77 milion over the weekend..Doesn't sound like to many are boycotting...

I wasn't aware there was supposed to be a lot of people boycotting it. I know my pastor and others in the church have read the book and/or seen or will see the movie. They want to know what's in it so they can be better prepared because a lot of lost people are confused and asking questions.

Yeah the catholics were supposed to.. Some did in front of theaters...One other question who are the lost people?

[alicia-w]

the chosen, the lost, sounds like lots of labels to me....

your faith teaches you to believe one thing, mine another. and never the twain shall meet. sad in a way. there are so many religions in the world, each believing they're right, but what if we're all wrong?

[feederband]

the chosen, the lost, sounds like lots of labels to me....

your faith teaches you to believe one thing, mine another. and never the twain shall meet. sad in a way. there are so many religions in the world, each believing they're right, but what if we're all wrong?

I think we are all wrong even me....

[Janice]

I doubt we will ever know.....

[Miss Mary]

Here's what I personally believe and mind you, it's just my opinion and I respectfully am open to others' opinions....

I believe if we strive each and every single day to do good and treat other people around us in honest, decent ways, then that is just enough. In other words, walk the talk. It doesn't matter if I sit in church pew every Sunday, reciting memorized prayers from decades ago......or pray a rosary, again, something was ingrained in me at a very, very young age.....it really comes down to how I live my life. Not showy, not preachy, just trying to be good. And mostly, do good - giving back.

I've tried my best to instill this in my daughters. To think back over their day and if they made a wrong, try to correct it the next day (apologize for hurt feelings, etc.). If they stray from a good path, refind it again.

Is this easy - oh no! I can get gossipy and catty, longingly looking over that fence (as in the grass is always greener.....) but I sincerely try not to.

And if at the end of my brief time on earth God feels that is is enough, then so be it.

Can you tell I'm having a very hard time with the Catholic Church lately - you betcha!

I realize this movie is fiction. I did without even seeing it. I wish people could be open minded and at least consider another idea.

Sigh....I'm done. Please don't flame me for these opinions. They are just ~mine~. As yours are ~yours~ and I respect them.

Mary

[feederband]

I believe if we strive each and every single day to do good and treat other people around us in honest, decent ways, then that is just enough.

That sums up everything....Thats how I live my life..And is what I instill in my kids...