Da Vinci Code in Church Library

[stove]

My church has a library and in it there is a copy of The Da Vinci Code on Tape. I want to write a letter but I don’t know what to say. Can anyone help me?

 

[BrooklynBoy200]

I personally don’t see what the problem is. It’s a good book. Even priests have said that it’s good as long as the reader looks at it as a work of fiction.

 

[pigtown]

I also don’t see anything wrong with having the book in the church library. As long as it’s read as fiction, not as fact, there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, I found it kind of interesting!

 

[stove]

I think the arguments made here are pretty compelling as to why we should avoid purchasing and reading this novel. catholic.com/library/cracking_da_vinci_code.asp

 

[Red_Meg]

It can be a very harmful book for those who are already weak in the faith and have poor formation. I certainly wouldn’t suggest anyone go out of their way to purchase it.

That being said, it’s already in your library. Perhaps this would provide a chance for a teachable moment-- would you feel comfortable donating a book to the parish library? The gold standard debunking of The DaVinci Code is **The Da Vinci Hoax:
**Exposing the Errors in The Da Vinci Code by Carl Olson & Sandra Miesel from Ignatius Press.

Maybe-- just maybe-- you could write a nice note to the pastor, along with the book donation, and suggest that the two books be “bundled” together on the shelf, so that people will normally check both out at the same time.

From an apologetics standpoint, it is helpful that practicing Catholics have at least a passing acquaintance with the nonsense asserted in the book, along with (critical!!!) the truth and facts that set the record straight.

Best regards,

Margaret

 

[RLT]

You guys are crazy, it ain’t fiction.
Okay the story didn’t happen, but the details woven into the story are historical facts.
I know because Dan Brown is a great scholar and he put a fact sheet in the book.

 

[stove]

I personally don’t see what the problem is. It’s a good book. Even priests have said that it’s good as long as the reader looks at it as a work of fiction.

I don’t have a problem with the book being available at a secular library with both fiction and non fiction books. It is in a library that is in a Catholic Church. The library has no other fiction books available for rent and nowhere is it mentioned that the work is fiction. Also, the book itself contains a “fact” page at the front of the book underscoring the claim of factuality for particular ideas within the book.

Also, on the authors personal web page, he speaks of the historical “secret” he reveals in The Da Vinci Code and states:

The secret I reveal is one that has been whispered for centuries. It is not my own. Admittedly, this may be the first time the secret has been unveiled within the format of a popular thriller, but the information is anything but new.

Keeping all that in mind I think that a Catholic Parish library that contains only non-fictional work is an inappropriate place for this novel.

 

[Joe_5859]

You guys are crazy, it ain’t fiction.
Okay the story didn’t happen, but the details woven into the story are historical facts.
I know because Dan Brown is a great scholar and he put a fact sheet in the book.

I hope you’re just joking…

I think that stove’s concern is certainly justified. It’s one thing at the public library, but in a parish library???

Not knowing your pastor or your relationship with your pastor, it’s hard to give specific advice, but it seems that a polite letter would be appropriate. Is it possible the pastor is unaware that this item is in the library? Perhaps someone else in the parish is responsible for keeping track of the materials coming in?

If it were me, I would try my best to give calm, reasonable request to remove the item. You might want to include a few reasons as to why this item should not be in the library. You may start out with something basic and non-threatening, such as the book being fiction in a library full of non-fiction. Thus, it doesn’t seem to fit. You know your pastor better than I do, though, so you may have an idea of what arguments he might find more compelling.

I wouldn’t want to come off as being hysterical or trying to tell the pastor what to do. That may only irk him into denying the request.

 

[RLT]

I hope you’re just joking…

Joking?..you mean the scared feminine is not true?

Consequently Sylvia Browne has just released a new(non-fiction) book today exposing us (via her spirit guide Francine) to the “truth” about Jesus, Mary his mother and Mary Magdalene that the Catholic Church has hidden for years. Hmm, sounds familiar.