The Da Vinci Code

Of course you know that now there are a ton of religious people publishing books to refute the Davinci Code. 

One person for whom I actually have a lot of respect (he is a liberal outspoken Catholic sociologist) Andrew Greeley mentions that it is a good read and a good fiction book.  There is some basis in fact, but that people should know to separate the fact from fiction.  He thinks it's good in that it will hopefully spark peoples interest in the topics discussed.

Thing is so many of the other people were going on about how it was mostly all BS and a lie and how it will confuse people about the REAL facts that are in the Bible.  Um..... er..... hate to tell them that for many the Bible is a story as well.  I guess they don't get that either.   

Of course you know that now there are a ton of religious people publishing books to refute the Davinci Code. 

One person for whom I actually have a lot of respect (he is a liberal outspoken Catholic sociologist) Andrew Greeley mentions that it is a good read and a good fiction book.  There is some basis in fact, but that people should know to separate the fact from fiction.  He thinks it's good in that it will hopefully spark peoples interest in the topics discussed.

Thing is so many of the other people were going on about how it was mostly all BS and a lie and how it will confuse people about the REAL facts that are in the Bible.  Um..... er..... hate to tell them that for many the Bible is a story as well.  I guess they don't get that either.   

I've seen a lot of this too and I really feel like taking these people by the ears and saying to them, "You DO realise this is meant to be a work of FICTION, right?"

I've seen some of Dan Brown's interviews about the book on his website and the only thing he really says is that the theories he put forth in the book are not new and have been around for quite a long time.  Theories!  Not facts!

Of course, anything that comes out that might possibly cause people to think critically about Christianity or look deeper into Christian history and beliefs will throw the fundamental Christian right into a fury because they feel threatened.  It's all about fear for them.  Got to keep the sheep in line as heaven forbid they should try to think for themselves as it could possibly upset the apple cart. 

For me, it was nice to see Pagans depicted in a realistic light that wasn't smiting them for their ways or their views.  It was nice to see the history of the Goddess come to the fore and that it be stated Goddess worship IS still ongoing.  It was nice to see someone non-Pagan remind people that there's really nothing new in Christianity.  Many many traditions and ideas were taken from the Pagans.  And for those Pagans that are recovering Christians I'm sure it was really nice to see even a fictionalised connection made to account for female divinity in Christianity (most of the people I know speak of how their Goddess worship really began with the Virgin Mary). 

Really, it's silly that a fictional book can cause this sort of controversey and Dan Brown, no doubt, is laughing all the way to the bank. 

After I read it I expected it would bring controversy, but I also headscratched on why I hadn't heard of it -- at all -- before I was looking for something to read and just happened to pick it up.

I agree about how certain people would feel threatened. I was at Lacock Abbey the other day and sat, reflected, sitting in the same chambers that was home to women who were governed by severe rules. What god actually makes people suffer to prove their love? It makes no sense to me.

Elle, you hit the nail on the head. I found the theories  sprinkled throughout the book to be astounding, and was shocked that I had never heard of most of them before. The part about Constantinople was very interesting.  I think I am going to have to read it again.

edit:
I have been having a chuckle about how this thread has been shortened on the main forum page, as the thread most recently posted in "The Da Vinci Cod,,,," lmao  sorta puts things in a different light 

Hmmm, does give one pause for thought.
Jesus: the fisherman; Codpiece: worn in Da Vinci times.

I am not surprised by the controversy...anything that is written that takes away any aspect of what is suppose to be the sacred truth, (the bible) is opened for debates... The same goes for the celestine prophacy...which I love and have read numerous times... it may have been fiction...but it managed to have an enormous following...still to this day I believe...why? because fiction or not...it made sense...and I know for a fact that it is the one book that made me see life in a different view...  now I read all aspects of spiritual books and views...AND I want to read the da vince code...anyone have it in the lending library?

 

Hmmm, does give one pause for thought.
Jesus: the fisherman; Codpiece: worn in Da Vinci times.

  Humm,, could be a code,, you may be onto something there Lisa


mfredericka, am going to have to look up the celestine prophacy now. It sounds intriging

   

AND I want to read the da vince code...anyone have it in the lending library?

      Hang on there girly,I shall bring it across 

If you enjoyed The DaVinci Code, check out Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum.  Similar subject matter and a wealth of rich detail which sent me to the encyclopedia (this was pre-internet days) again and again.

If you enjoyed The DaVinci Code, check out Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum.  Similar subject matter and a wealth of rich detail which sent me to the encyclopedia (this was pre-internet days) again and again.

  I havent read that one but I did read In The Name Of The Rose and Baudolino.Great books

I havent read that one but I did read In The Name Of The Rose and Baudolino.Great books

Agreed ... Baudolino is fantastic.

OK, I finally got around to reading this. I had read Angels and Demons some time ago and enjoyed it quite a bit. When I heard everyone talking about 'the DaVinci Code' I hadn't realized it was the same author and a similar concept.

As an art historian (no, I don't specialize in DaVinci!) I can say that I have come across some of this before. As a child of a mixed religion family, I can say that I quite like some of these theories so it was cool to see them in a book like this. I'm also quite fond of taking a historical artefact/idea and weaving a fictitious story around it. It's something I'm personally trying to write about (in what little spare time I have). Brown does it well and Tracey Chevalier did it well with Girl with a Pearl Earring. I'm now reading The Lady and the Unicorn which is also by Chevalier.

Symbology and iconography are amazing things. My Phd research has, to some degree, involved a bit of this. One of the most recent things I read was the history of the swastika. Now there's an example of politically hijacking a symbol and using it to truly evil ends.

............One of the most recent things I read was the history of the swastika. Now there's an example of politically hijacking a symbol and using it to truly evil ends.........

True enough.  When you see that the beginings of the swastika were in hindu and a symbol of good fortune/good luck. The origins of a defamed symbol

Strange how this symbol can be taken and used in this way, when it's origins were not malevoilent in the least.

Nef, if you're interested, see also:

The Swastika: Symbol Beyond Redemption
by Steven Heller

It's particularly interesting that Heller wrote the book. He's a famous graphic designer (NYTimes Magazine) and prolific author on the graphic arts - and he's a Jew. As such, he found it imperative to research this symbol while at the same time, because of it's Nazi associaitons, he was repelled by it.

well, I am now 3/4's of the way through the da vinci code...and it really does make you sit and think...  it seemed very coincidental that the book I had finished right before reading this was called Mother God by Sylvia Browne...  that book opened my eyes up to goddess completely, so once I started reading da vinci, it did not seem all that unrealistic to me...  It is also a very good paced fiction...  I only read at night before bed...and have a hard time putting it down to turn off my lights.