"The DaVinci Code" /What are your thoughts?/Poll:DaVinci Code,Fake,True?NutCase

[dutchie]

DON'T READ THIS POST IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK, AND DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE PLOT!!


Just finished reading the book. I must admit that - although I liked the book in a sort of Ludlumish way - the theory was a bit too far fetched to my liking. In short: the Knights Templar have hidden the Holy Grail for two thousand years. The Priory of Sion is a secret group, dedicated to guard this secret. The four top members are killed and in order to keep the secret from being lost for all time, the last of them leaves clues to the whereabouts of the Grail to his granddaughter and her helper, a professor in symbolism.

They set out on a quest to find the Grail, which later turns out to be something different: the SanGreal (holy grail) turns out to be the Sang Real (royal blood) which consists of documents proving Jesus having been married to Mary Magdalen, and having a child named Sara. This child has started a royal bloodline, which goes on until the present day. The sarcofagus containing the bones of Mary Magdalen is also part of the hidden treasure.

In this book there is a conspiracy going on between the Catholic church and the Opus Dei, a secret group of ultra fundamentalist Catholics. They want to keep the secret from being published, because it would shatter the very foundations of the church.

At the end of the book we're taken to England, Rosslyn Chapel, where the final clue to the whereabouts of the secret is hidden. The book sort of ends "open", with no definite ending, except for the "grail" being hidden in the Louvre, Paris.

Anyone read the book and is wanting to comment on it?

[Rynotek]

I read this a few months ago, after seeing every single person on the Metro reading it, I though it was a great idea for a book but it has to be in the top 5 worst written books ever. I admit though for its faults it is a very interesting story and i think it is based mostly on the research of a book called "holy blood holy grail" there is also a site called dagobertsrevenge.com that gets very into the whole Mergovinan thang. I was really suprised after reading it how effected people where by it, alot of folks are now taking the Mary Magdalene angle very seriously. On a conspiracy angle it could well be a NWO primer to get people ready for a new heavenly king on earth as it does kill the divinity of Christ. The Priory of Sion is a hoax created by some fraudster in Paris. I will not read any more Dan Brown books again because he just cant write (i cannot either but i don't get paid for it) The ending really sucks as well but i hear that Tom Hanks is going to play professor Langdon. I don't think the Opes Dei are either evil or secretive, they are a bit mad and fundamentalist in there ways and extremely powerful ( half of Spains parliament are Oppies)

Did anyone else think that it was just a movie script in a book, they wont have to change a word for the film.

I know there has been a real knock on effect at places like the Louve and Rosyln Chapel and loads of books refuting and backing up the facts in it, it has started its own little industry, i think it like to ask the question .......but what if it is true ??? dum dum dum daaaaaaaaa!!!!

drivel

[dutchie]

Hmmm... I must admit I thought the ending wasn't great either.. And you're right of course, there's nothing secretive or bad about Opus Dei too (Dan Brown hastens to make this clear too at the end of the book) and personally I don't know that much about the theory behind the book to say anything at all about it..

Still, it was an interesting read, and amusing too in that aforementioned "Ludlumish" way...

[RavenWhitefang]

I read it a while back, thought it was a decent read having looked into the mystery of Rennes le Chateau myself a few years before, and read a few books on the subject. I liked the way he portrayed the story as that, a story, and not a documentary style book. I dont think the thought of jebus getting married and having children is far fetched...after all he was a human man.

[Coolio]

I read the book, and i liked it but the ending really sucks. I tought it was going to be more spectacular.

[dutchie]

I dont think the thought of jebus getting married and having children is far fetched...after all he was a human man.
No, of course not... But that last bit says it all, doesn't it?!? The church is sweating blood at the thought we might discover Jesus is just that: a human man. And indeed engaged in that gruesome act: sex... That's why sexuality was "demonized" for all those centuries by the church and Jesus' mother was turned into a virgin (whatever for?!?). The book actually goes into that point too, if I remember correctly.

I thought is was far fetched because of the girl (the Louvre conservator's granddaughter) suddenly turning out to be directly related to Jesus.. That was absolutely OTT, I think.

In some other book I actually read the Jesus was never crucified, but fled to India along with Mary Magdalen and his child..

I just googled a link to that story: http://www.sol.com.au/kor/7_01.htm

[RavenWhitefang]

I thought is was far fetched because of the girl (the Louvre conservator's granddaughter) suddenly turning out to be directly related to Jesus.. That was absolutely OTT, I think.

yeah, that bit was pretty off kilter. but i guess he needed at least one of the main characters to be the bait.



And indeed engaged in that gruesome act: sex... That's why sexuality was "demonized" for all those centuries by the church and Jesus' mother was turned into a virgin (whatever for?!?).

one would be led to believe that the ppl who wrote the bible were asexual, but i suppose thats wishful thinking. Had read somewhere that in fact the thought of celebacy in the time of jebus would have been looked down upon, and he would have been thought a quack had he preached such a thing.


The book actually goes into that point too, if I remember correctly.

yes, it was discussed in the book, something about wanting to make him look divine and above the grubby standards of a regular man with physical needs.


In some other book I actually read the Jesus was never crucified, but fled to India along with Mary Magdalen and his child.. I just googled a link to that story: http://www.sol.com.au/kor/7_01.htm

I had read something about this before, he is likened to the peacock angel of India i believe. not much in the way of web info, but the book The Truth Behind the Christ Myth: The Redemption of the Peacock Angel
by Mark Amaru Pinkham tells the story. here is the synopsys.


The legend of Jesus Christ is based on a much earlier Son of God myth from India, the legend of Murrugan, the Peacock Angel. Consider: * The symbol of the Catholic Church is Murrugan's symbol, the peacock, native to S.E.Asia. * Murrugan evolved into the Persian Mithras * Saint Paul came from the center of Mithras worship--Tarsus in Asia Minor-- and folded the Mithras legend into Jesus' life story * The Three Wise Men were Magi priests from Persia who believed Jesus was an incarnation of Mithras * The 'Christian' Emperor Constantine was a lifelong devotee of Mithras and was baptized on his deathbed *

[B.NyeTheUruk-Hai]

I read "The DaVinci Code" by Dan Brown a few months ago and was fascinated by his ideas. I could not put the book down. Do Christians find Brown's ideas insulting? Are you surprised to know that Dan Brown is a Christian himself? Is it so horrible to suggest that Jesus had sex with Mary Magdalene and was possibly even married to her and possibly even sired children with her? If so, why? Does it bother you that it's one of the best-selling hardcover novels of all time and that this popularity may threaten Christianity?

[dutchie]

I read the book and - No, it doesn't bother me at all...

Is Jesus was a man - and no one argues he was - he was bound to have sex at some point in his life. Sex is not a sin (why is there a thing like celibacy, voxx?!?) - heck, all the ancient bible heroes were vigorous procreationists. Abraham, Adam (why do a lot of those names start with A and end with M?) they all got their fair share of pussy...

I see absolutely no reason at all why Jesus would dislike the act... It just gives him a more "human" appearance - after all, according to the good book he was the son of men...

[B.NyeTheUruk-Hai]

Is Jesus was a man - and no one argues he was - he was bound to have sex at some point in his life. Sex is not a sin (why is there a thing like celibacy, voxx?!?) - heck, all the ancient bible heroes were vigorous procreationists. Abraham, Adam (why do a lot of those names start with A and end with M?) they all got their fair share of pussy...

I see absolutely no reason at all why Jesus would dislike the act... It just gives him a more "human" appearance - after all, according to the good book he was the son of men...

I agree with your comments. I believe that there probably was a man named Jesus 2000 years ago who was crucified. I don't understand why a lot of Christians are upset at the notion that he actually had sex. It doesn't lower my opinion of him in the least. I don't understand what the big deal is.

[Antony]

I read "The DaVinci Code" by Dan Brown a few months ago and was fascinated by his ideas. I could not put the book down. Do Christians find Brown's ideas insulting? Are you surprised to know that Dan Brown is a Christian himself? Is it so horrible to suggest that Jesus had sex with Mary Magdalene and was possibly even married to her and possibly even sired children with her? If so, why? Does it bother you that it's one of the best-selling hardcover novels of all time and that this popularity may threaten Christianity?

In 1 John, John was having problems with the churches in Asia Minor. False prophets had entered the churches, and drawing people away from the truth. In 1 John 4:1 he explains what antichrist is. In chapter 1:22-23 John says, who is a liar but those who deny that Jesus is the Christ. This then puts anyone in that catagory.Either Jesus Christ is who he is or he is a liar.If anyone believes the DaVinciCode, he is antichrist. Pack it in. Not only that but you make Jesus a liar.I'll trust in Jesus. I know what he' done for me. Jesus ascended. No,he didn't need a woman. God help this generation.

[Sammy56]

What I don't understand is why so many people are up in arms about this book. It is a work of fiction. If you wanted to buy it at the book store it would be in the fiction section. This means what it presents is not fact. Just because it deals with a serious subject people begin to criticize it saying the author is trying to distort the truth presented in the Bible. As interesting as it may be, it is still just a story with little basis in reality. I don't belive most of the evidence presented in the DaVinci Code and have seen proof that some of the evidence they use is false and/or taken out of context.

[B.NyeTheUruk-Hai]

I'm currently reading "Secrets of the Code" by Dan Burstein and I have to say that it's a real eye-opener. While "The DaVinci Code" is fiction, as Sammy56 pointed out, Dan Burstein's book is a collection of papers and interviews from numerous experts and scholars who provide facts for and against Dan Brown's ideas. It is objective and challenges the reader to decide for himself what is true and what is not. Regardless of your beliefs, it is a fascinating read.

[Antony]

I'm currently reading "Secrets of the Code" by Dan Burstein and I have to say that it's a real eye-opener. While "The DaVinci Code" is fiction, as Sammy56 pointed out, Dan Burstein's book is a collection of papers and interviews from numerous experts and scholars who provide facts for and against Dan Brown's ideas. It is objective and challenges the reader to decide for himself what is true and what is not. Regardless of your beliefs, it is a fascinating read.
While it is true everyone has a right to decide or believe as they choose,a true christian doesn't compromise. I studied the Word 49yr.s.You count the cost,then choose.OhI've studied archeology,history,modern,minority,and conspiratorial.Cults,and individual.You have to know what your talking about in order to reply.All that I've heard about Da Vinci I smell gnosticism.It is written,Our war Is not against flesh and blood but principalities and powers in high places.The church,gov't.,colleges,etc.have been infiltrated by false. I watch"the history channel" occasionally especially when they have something about the bible,and believe me some blow smoke rings.Just enough to cover themselves they will speak some truth.The top 7 books in a christian bible book store are fiction,with enough truth to make a person believe at least to a point.What is the difference of believing in part or an evolutionist believing Genesis in the bible.None. There are those who are trying to destroy christianity. They have no desire to have evolution around either. No those that think sex is necessary are wrong.I've met and worked with those who didn't need partner relationships.Unlike celibacy.The bible says abstaining from meats and forbidding to marry is doctrines of devils.This has proven true with catholicism which cannot denied.What bothers me Is the lack of compassion for those innocent children.There will be a judgement for what they've done.It is written in the book of Daniel.They've used Christs name to do their will.

[Antony]

What I don't understand is why so many people are up in arms about this book. It is a work of fiction. If you wanted to buy it at the book store it would be in the fiction section. This means what it presents is not fact. Just because it deals with a serious subject people begin to criticize it saying the author is trying to distort the truth presented in the Bible. As interesting as it may be, it is still just a story with little basis in reality. I don't belive most of the evidence presented in the DaVinci Code and have seen proof that some of the evidence they use is false and/or taken out of context.
[Antony] I have to disagree.This is very damageing.It's amazing how one can take fiction and turn it into truth.Right now many of you are picking it apart and deciding which part to believe or not.Read what you said.You don't believe most of the evidence.Then you believe in part. And the fellow who wrote it claims to be a christian.Not in my bible is he.Theological profundity.Let me throw in a few quotes with the DaVinci Code on the last days."A wicked adultrous generation shall seek a sign and not recieve any but the prophecy of Jonah. repent).Again in the last days men will have itchy ears and listen to fantasy.Don't misunderstand. I'm not mad at you.I don't carry stones.

[Antony]

I read the book and - No, it doesn't bother me at all...

Is Jesus was a man - and no one argues he was - he was bound to have sex at some point in his life. Sex is not a sin (why is there a thing like celibacy, voxx?!?) - heck, all the ancient bible heroes were vigorous procreationists. Abraham, Adam (why do a lot of those names start with A and end with M?) they all got their fair share of pussy...

I see absolutely no reason at all why Jesus would dislike the act... It just gives him a more "human" appearance - after all, according to the good book he was the son of men...
Antony Jesus Christ came in the flesh.Yes,but he had a purpose for being here.Unlike celibacy as we hear about it,there are those that don't need a partner.I've met some in my life time.I worked at a library.I was a senior aid at Kent State U.in Ashtabula,Ohio.I took care of all incoming books and magazines.I also had a lot of free time to read.To me this sounds a lot like gnostic reasoning.Forced celibacy is a sin accordingto the bible.Some treat the bible like a menu.We'll have some of this and i really don't care for this.Somechurches you can take a pair of scissors with you to cut out what they don't believe.Then there are those that when you leave you feel like you've just had your battery charged. Apostle Paul said he had no desire for sex.He considered it a blessing. I'm just learning computers.I hope you can follow me. p.s.Ihave 8 children, and 30 some grandchildren.

[Rynotek]

This is one of the worst written books i have ever had this misfortune to buy, the only other one that comes close is a small boat of great sorrows. Most of it is based on the PseudoHistory of Holy Blood, Holy Grail which has been debunked as a fraud, why would you upset yourself looking for spiritual answers in a book that you shouldnt even wipe your arse with. I really really really dispair that people get so worked up over a really crap book. a real "look behind you" novel, did anyone have to think for more than 5 minutes over the puzzles in it. pffffff, lame, lame, lame book. I couldnt wait to start reading the CCNA study guide just to get the cheap dirty taste out of my mouth. I would like to think that the only people who would look for real answers or alternative view points in a shitty paperback would be a bored housewife or long termed unemployed person.

The whole thing about Christ is a smoke screen, to stop people talking about the actual dire text of the book, Dan Brown should pay for his own bullet and be shot for crimes against literature.

If you want to read about Jesus try the Bible or for an alternative angle "the gospel according to Jesus Christ" by Jose Saramago

[dutchie]

As I said, I have read the book. And yes, it wasn't very well written. Yes, there has been an absolutely exaggerated hype over it.

I don't think Dan Brown claims his book to be "literature". It's reading grub, no more, no less.

[lotrfan55345]

I think this goes along the level of the fundementalist Christians who burn Harry Potter books...

[repentantsinner]

Did you know Dan Brown did NOT make up the da vinci code? The idea has been around for centuries. As for Jesus and Mary Magdalene, even the books in the bible say he treated her as his most favored disciple.

[Sammy56]

I have to disagree.This is very damageing.It's amazing how one can take fiction and turn it into truth.

Your right Antony, fiction can be very damaging and can often distort the truth. I was just trying to point out that to many people cannot see the difference between fiction and truth, but now that I reread what I wrote, I didn't do a very good job. I guess I was in a bad mood and needed something to rant about.


I'm not mad at you.I don't carry stones.

Thank you. There are some people on this board who can not show this kind of maturity. I've read your posts and respect you a great deal and didn't mean to offend you in any way.

[evilwill]

I have to disagree.This is very damageing.It's amazing how one can take fiction and turn it into truth

For example... the bible. You say it can be done easily today, what makes you think it wasn't done 2000 years ago?

[lotrfan55345]

For example... the bible. You say it can be done easily today, what makes you think it wasn't done 2000 years ago?

Not to mention the numerous translations it has undergone....

[Assassin X]

OK since the release of the movie "The Passion" hollywood has taken to "religion" and sucked at it. There have been tv shows and what not. Now we have the movie "The Da Vinci Code".

:The following is my answer to the poll and it will offend people:
A nutcase who wrote jibberish that can be translated million ways then translated even more to make it sound like anything you wanted too!

Example of 9/11 was something like:

The two eagles will that soar in the heavens will collide into the towers.....(something something something).

Oh yeah that makes lots of sense. Ok i got my own:

Thy enormus underground plates of the mother planet will move about and a shaking will forth come.

WOW i predictced an earthquake sometime in the future! Oh yeah! And it works in multiple ways too. Because if it were Divinci saying that whenever the "Big One" were to hit everyone would be like "OMG Da Vinci said this would happen OMG". Once again he was just a nutcase babbling on creating his own cult....err religion. :drool:

[mysticalzoe]

what exactly is the DaVinci code about? I have been hearing about this book for awhile now and yet haven't picked it up and read it. so in your poll I put da who? because i don't know anything about the book, so please enlighten me!

Jessica

[Edge]

Well seeing as its cheap fiction there really isn't that much to it.

Plot: Jesus had a lover and reproduced.

[Mezurashi]

and the writing is as clunky, stilted and full of technical errors as a pretentious grad student's poetry.

seriously, the writing itself sucks - the only reason the book is popular is because it's meant to read like a primer for 5 year old's on how Not to write, thus all the wanna be's out there can say, "Hey, I could write better than this..."

[Protostar]

Um, even though the writing sucks, (as does mine sometimes), the book is about the fact that Leonardo Divinci left "clues" in his painings. ie: the last supper
Jesus is at the table and to his immediate right is a woman that no one really thought was a woman until you look at it closely. Anyhoo, That was Mary Magdelane and she secretly wed jesus and she carried her child away from
the Romans in the "holy grail" which was her stomach. It is about symbolism I think anyway. But, who woulda thunk it? heh. Now as to believing it or not, well, I gotta say it COULD have happened.

[repentantsinner]

It's obvious in the bible that Jesus sure liked Mary Magdalane alot, but for them to have had 'relations' and a bloodline they would have to have been married. That would have been a big deal and mentioned in the bible. Also, since Jesus was perfect and an example of God's divine love i doubt he would have purposely left an orphan(s).

[Alex Higgins]

its harsh to slam this book. It gets them thinking, and if zombieland is reading then better for all really. Everyone loves a Conspiracy, and more if its a more believable concoction than the bible.

Turning page is just digging away at the dull days, so the more that do it with a thought provoking book... then the better imo.

[Coolio]

It's obvious in the bible that Jesus sure liked Mary Magdalane alot, but for them to have had 'relations' and a bloodline they would have to have been married. That would have been a big deal and mentioned in the bible. Also, since Jesus was perfect and an example of God's divine love i doubt he would have purposely left an orphan(s).

Some people say that the church hid apart of the bible that was about jesus and mary magdalene.

[repentantsinner]

The people who made those "Church" decisons were most likely men who were jealous.

[RavenWhitefang]

Movie Protest at Cathedral: Use of location for filming Davinci Code sparks prayer vigil:

LONDON -- Westminster Abbey said no, but Lincoln Cathedral was happy to oblige.

British churches are divided over whether to allow filming of The Da Vinci Code, an adaptation of Dan Brown's biblically revisionist bestseller.

The novel's claim that Jesus Christ fathered a child with Mary Magdalene has drawn strong protests from the Roman Catholic Church, and the movie version has fanned whispers of discontent in the cathedral city of Lincoln, where Tom Hanks and the crew were filming yesterday.

"To a believer, any believer, what is happening is blasphemous," said a woman identifying herself as Sister Mary Michael, who held a solo prayer vigil outside the medieval cathedral.

Lincoln's dean, the Very Rev. Alec Knight, conceded that the novel was "far-fetched and heretical" but defended the decision to allow filming. The cathedral in central England accepted a reported $180,000 US to double as Westminster Abbey in the Ron Howard-directed film.



"It has clearly touched the public imagination, and the church needs to open up a debate about it rather than throw one's hands up and walk away from it," Knight said.

He confirmed the cathedral had received a donation, but refused to disclose the amount. Sony Pictures, which plans to release the film in May, would not comment.

Brown's mystical thriller follows fictional professor Robert Langdon as he investigates the murder of an elderly member of an ancient society that guards dark secrets about the quest for the Holy Grail and the story of Jesus Christ. The book's mix of code-breaking, art history, religion and mystical lore has helped it sell 25 million copies.

"The church should not be accepting money for something that is not a true story. They should be praying more, and then the money would come in," said protester Sister Mary Michael, who claimed to belong to Our Lady's Community of Peace and Mercy in Lincoln.

The local Catholic diocese said it did not recognize the order and had no record of Sister Mary on its books.

pretty sad actually...Even the most violent of movies can get filmed in a church...wtf is up with this..

[therealist]

funny as that is, it's true. Most churches wouldn't mind it. Personally, I think that it's sex that Christians (or bible thumpers if you will) get more offended about than anything.

Im a christian myself, and things like that don't bother me to death. But I just choose not to care about them. :D
As for the book. read it, and didn't like it very much. The whole Opus Dei thing was interesting but I just don't really understand the concept of it all. It seems like when there's some hope, and yes, I do say "hope", to prove the Bible wrong--

people SWARM over it. Why is that? Because I mean all I see this book as, is a scapegoat for trying to rid the belief of Christianity. Or why else would it be written? For scientific sake? hahaha, I don't really think so.

[krakatoa]

Da Vinci Code, is a novel, a fiction, why is that so hard to convince people, I dont get it. Novel, Fiction. That is it. One think I am sure of, My fate did'nt change at all after reading it. it will not change after I see the movie. Novel Fiction.......................

[ChosenOne]

TOTALLY ditto what Krakatoa47 said.