Let's get a clear answer: is it wrong to watch Angels and Demons?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Traddy
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I was given a copy of Angels & Demons by a Catholic friend who’s conscience isn’t all that well formed (by her own admission & by my observation). When I brought up the fact that Dan Brown portrays his fiction as fact, she countered by saying “How do we know its not?” I can definitely see the problems in viewing/reading movies/books like this, but I’m an avid reader & if I refused to read everything that had immorality and/or anti-Catholic/Christian themes, I’d not have much to read. It is my responsibility to form my conscience to the best of my ability. Since I’ve done that (and continue to do so), I read what I find and judge it based on its merits literarily as well as its entertainment value. If I find something trouble-some or that niggles at my conscience or causes me to ask questions of my faith, I don’t just take the work of fiction’s word for it. I go to reputable sources to check it out. I don’t just do that for faith-based questions either, I do it on historical facts/figures, animal figures, etc. I read both Angels & Demons as well as the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. I also saw the movie and will probably check out the A&D as well. Mostly b/c I like to arm myself w/ ammunition for those who cast stones at the Church based on works of ‘art’ like this. I personally can’t believe people would believe such drivel, but…

BTW The USCCB does have a website where they ‘grade’ movies based on morality. I don’t always agree w/ them, but for the most part, their scores are supposed to be used as guidance. Since they found the original Da Vinci Code to be morally offensive, I would assume they will use that same rating for Angels & Demons.

I actually wish there were a similar site for novels. Although I generally read anything & everything I can get my hands on, there are some books I wish I’d known ahead of time not to waste my time on… I particularly dislike the Andrew Greely novels b/c he portrays the Church so flippantly and wrongly w/ the premise that he’s a priest, so he should know. I didn’t realize when I first read the books that he was a priest. That lead me to give the author a break and think to myself “ah, this person doesn’t know better, they’ve just been poorly catechized.” However, when I found out he was a priest in good standing spouting off heretical things (women priests, abortion/ABC ok, etc) I was gravely offended. I realize that priests are human too, but they’re supposed to be better informed than your average lay person as far as the Church goes…
 
The thing that really sent up a red flag in my mind was going to the movie theater this past weekend and seeing an advertisement poster for the movie, which said:
Seek the truth.
Click to expand...
:bigyikes:

You know, I used to really like Tom Hanks and Ron Howard, but now that they’re peddling this **…#(%(#)% 'em. It’s the same way I feel about “Doubt.” I just wish the Catholic Church would quit being targeted! It makes me so mad! :mad:
 
I worked in a motion picture theatre for five years and saw a lot of movies. One thing I noticed is the tendency of people to forget that movies are entertainment; and to be entertaining, they have to be embellished … a lot!

Example: We showed the John Wayne movie The Alamo, and when I compared it with an encyclopaedia [an actual book, not Wikipedia] the only factual aspects of the movie were 1) there was a battle there, 2) some people named Gen. Santa Anna, Davy Crockett, Col. Travis, and Jim Bowie were in it … and that’s about it. Movies should NOT be considered a depiction of actual history. Ninety-nine point nine nine nine nine nine nine percent [that is to say all of them] take a grain of historical truth and create a whole universe of fiction. A “guy” movie about an actual war necessarily has to have a love story in it to keep the interest of the female audience. I read some reviews about The 300 Spartans being better than 300. We showed The 300 Spartans, and it had a love story wound into the plot of the battle. Does anyone seriously think King Leonidas’ daughter showed up on the battlefield with her boyfriend? You might if you saw this movie and knew nothing of ancient Greek history.

There is also widespread belief that if you haven’t seen the movie (read the book, etc.), you can’t form a valid opinion. If that’s the case, how would you know anything unless you experienced it yourself? Education would be worthless. Is a piece of work honest history? Revisionist history? How would you know? How could you know? Just like trusting teachers, you would have to find some movie reviewers you trust.

In case some haven’t noticed, there has been a tendency of the public to believe any idea that defies authority. That’s why conspiracy theories are so popular. Since the Catholic Church represents an authority of some kind, it is ripe for conspiracy theories. For a good discussion on this phenomenon, I recommend
“We the Sheeple? Why Conspiracy Theories Persist” by Prof. Edward Feser .

Most important, from my theatre work experience, I can say that when you buy a movie ticket, you are VOTING for more of the same. This is an important point. You might think it trash after you’ve seen it, but my friend, you have just voted for it. We allowed ticket refunds [thus voiding your vote], however, but only within 15 minutes of start time [considered enough time to decide if you liked it], in which case your opinion wouldn’t purportedly be valid because you “hadn’t seen the film”. I don’t know if refunds are given at all today.

Someone posted that for a Catholic to see a Brown movie is like a Jewish person buying Mein Kampf in 1930s Germany… you are engaging in self-destruction by aiding in the propagation of falsehoods about your religion. This is true, and you have to consider there might be some potential converts who have second thoughts on becoming Catholic after seeing an anti-Catholic movie. Do you want that on your conscience?

My advice to everyone watching ANY movie is to approach it as a few hours of ENTERTAINING FICTION … period.

And for Catholics patronizing anti-Catholic movies, I have one question: why are you voting for more of the same?
 
Sedonaman, For the vast majority of movies produced what you said is true and the vast majority of people out there have no problem differentiating fact from fiction, especially when it comes to movie. However, it must also be remembered that John Wayne or the studio never portrayed The Alamo as being historically accurate. 300 left no doubt that it was portrayal of a graphic novel and plenty of liberties were taken with the historical facts.

When it comes to Dan Brown and The DaVinci Code or Angels and Demons it must be remembered that they make specific claims about the historicity of the events that the main story centers on. Dan Brown didn’t say “what if Jesus was married” he says “It’s a fact that Jesus was married and the Catholic Church has covered it up.” Unlike the previous movies mentioned that used a historical event as the vehicle for a movie, Angels and Demons uses a movie as a vehicle for their “historical” events. The differences between the two aren’t negligible and should be kept in mind when evaluating these particular movies.

ChadS
 
I believe it is absolutely wrong for a Catholic to watch Angels and Demons for many reasons. The same thing applies to the “Left Behind” drivel.

Would it be ok for a Catholic even with a properly formed conscience and a strong marriage to watch pornography? Of course not! Pornography is the nearness of sin that defiles the act of Love between a husband and wife as created by God, twisting it into a selfish lie with all the consequences that go with it.

Movies such as Angels and Demons defile the morals and truth of the Catholic Church as created by God, also twisting it also into selfish profit driven lie. How then is it at it’s core any different from pornography?

Not everyone buys into the lie of pornography and not everyone will buy into the lie of Angels and Demons or anything else of Dan Brown’s, but how many is too many? I believe even one lost sheep is too many.

Even having what I hope is a well formed conscience, I choose not to watch it. It’s moral poison.

God’s Blessings!
Bob
 
ChadS said:
… the vast majority of people out there have no problem differentiating fact from fiction, especially when it comes to movie.
Click to expand...

I don’t know what “vast majority” means. To my wife, a “simple majority” is 90% [don’t know where she got the number]. Is “vast majority” 100% minus 1 person? Is it 75%? How about 60%? How did you arrive at a “vast majority” in the first place?

In any event, based on my experience in the theatre, I don’t believe that the population in general is that smart when it comes to movies. My experience has been that the prevailing attitude is that a filmmaker would not be allowed to show it if it wasn’t true. This is why testimonial commercials are so powerful. I suspect your experience is limited to others like yourself who are able to think. Throw in the population’s anti-Catholic attitude, and you have a willing suspension of disbelief, just like the German audience reaction to the Nazi propaganda film The Eternal Jew.

[As a sidebar, let me relate an experience I had taking the written test for the military draft (yeah, I’m that old). I was shocked when I heard the guy next to me tell the test administrator that he couldn’t read. This was not in the Ozarks but in Southern California, a state that spends a not insignificant amount on education. This is germane because the elimination of the draft prevented the educated modern youth, such as yourself, from coming into contact with the ignorant. I might add that education levels have declined significantly since then.]
However, it must also be remembered that John Wayne or the studio never portrayed The Alamo as being historically accurate. 300 left no doubt that it was portrayal of a graphic novel and plenty of liberties were taken with the historical facts.
Click to expand...
When it comes to Dan Brown and The DaVinci Code or Angels and Demons it must be remembered that they make specific claims about the historicity of the events that the main story centers on. Dan Brown didn’t say “what if Jesus was married” he says “It’s a fact that Jesus was married and the Catholic Church has covered it up.” Unlike the previous movies mentioned that used a historical event as the vehicle for a movie, Angels and Demons uses a movie as a vehicle for their “historical” events. The differences between the two aren’t negligible and should be kept in mind when evaluating these particular movies.
Click to expand...
Since The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons make these claims as works of fiction, that would make John Wayne’s The Alamo, which makes no claims to historic accuracy, ironically closer to truth than Brown’s works.

Therefore, I stand by my advice.
 
Criostoir said:
No, it’s a work of fiction. You exercise prudence in judging whether it’s good or not, but the Church doesn’t have an index of banned films.

www.mccamley.org
Click to expand...
The United States Council of Catholic Bishops have a very useful website! On their website they rate movies on whether movies are appropriate to watch or not. There is a scaling system, but O is morally offensive - meaning NO ONE should watch it. I could not find Angels & Demons on the website, but The Da Vinci Code was rated O. I would assume that Angels & Demons would also not be favored. If you want to find out about the movies in your home library, then check out the following website: www.usccb.org (click on the movies tab). If you want to read the explanation about The Da Vinci Code, then follow this link: usccb.org/movies/d/thedavincicode.shtml
 
{However, Dan Brown and Ron Howard both portray the DaVinci Code and now Angels and Demons as merely “fiction” {–

Unfortunately Ron Howard is no longer the “Opie” we know.
He is strongly anti-Catholic, and therefore will portray Catholics as the “Beast”.

Also, the USCCB had a movie ‘index’ that details whether a movie is fit for Catholics.
 
sedonaman said:
Since The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons make these claims as works of fiction, that would make John Wayne’s The Alamo, which makes no claims to historic accuracy, ironically closer to truth than Brown’s works.

Therefore, I stand by my advice.
Click to expand...
I re-read your previous post and the advice to take any movie seen as entertaining fiction is good sound advice. Always treat it with a bit of suspicion especially when it’s meant to portray something “historical.” I suppose John Wayne’s The Alamo would be more historical on that scale you mentioned but it would be more a case of degrees than kind and there would be plenty of room on the scale for more historically accurate films.

ChadS
 
Traddy said:
Has the Church officially banned us from watching it?
Click to expand...
The Church expects us to use our God-given heads. It was a really stupid book, and it’s unlikely that the movie is any better. We already know that the author hates Catholics; what more is there for us to learn? I can see no possible benefit from watching it. 🤷
 
I’ve read both books and have seen the DaVinci movie (the book was better, shocking I know)
but then again I am one of THOSE people. One who others seem to want to ask what I think about it. Maybe it’s the reading of so much theology, maybe it’s the anthropology degree or maybe I have ‘sucker’ written on my head.

But I do tend to read and watch these things to be able to better explain the difference between truth (yes, Rome is in Italy) and fiction (No, Pope JPII did not descend from the Hale-Bopp comet.)

I would not let my children watch it without me and maybe not even then. Impressionable minds need to be given the Right impressions.
 
ChadS said:
I re-read your previous post and the advice to take any movie seen as entertaining fiction is good sound advice.
Click to expand...
Thanks.
Always treat it with a bit of suspicion especially when it’s meant to portray something “historical.”
Click to expand...
I would say take it with a bag [not a grain] of salt.
I suppose John Wayne’s The Alamo would be more historical on that scale you mentioned but it would be more a case of degrees than kind and there would be plenty of room on the scale for more historically accurate films.
ChadS
Click to expand...
I think you got the idea. It’s sorta like a man who knows nothing is closer to the truth than one who has been filled with lies and misrepresentations.

Ciao.
 
Rent the DVD. Time and distance are good modifiers. Perhaps in a year it won’t seem worth it. Will this build up your faith or tear it down? I stopped watching TV and rarely go to the movies. There are hundreds of good edifying books I have not read.
 
I like to look to the example of Jesus and the saints when I make decisions.

Can you picture Jesus or the saints giving money to an industry that leads people astray by the thousands, in order to have some morally objectionable “entertainment”?

As a follower of Christ (which is what we are all called to be), I would recommend using the money for some pure and holy entertainment, or donating it to a cause that brings the world closer to God, not farther.
 
I read DaVinciCode and was appalled at the number of historical errors and outright lies in it.

One of most egregious is that Constantine is reponsible for deciding what went into the Bible.

It also talked about the Knights Templar being burned at the stake and their ashes thrown into the Tiber in the presence of the Pope.

He really got that that one wrong, as the KTs were executed in FRANCE–and for that matter, this was during the Avignon Papacy.

Furthermore, members of Opus Dei do NOT wear anything resembling a religious habit.

And yes, I did see the movie. It was just as riddled with errors.

I’m not wasting my time or money on any more of Brown’s trash.
 
I agree with Thistle. Dan Brown isn’t getting my money. I didn’t see the Divinci Code and I won’t see Angels and Demons either.:bounce:
 
I find that the deeper I go in my quest to love Christ more, the less the things like garbage from hollywood entice me.

Fill your time with things that reflect your faith.

Father Corapi is on EWTN right now.

Eddie Mac
 
Wisdom2 said:
I like to look to the example of Jesus and the saints when I make decisions.

Can you picture Jesus or the saints giving money to an industry that leads people astray by the thousands, in order to have some morally objectionable “entertainment”?

As a follower of Christ (which is what we are all called to be), I would recommend using the money for some pure and holy entertainment, or donating it to a cause that brings the world closer to God, not farther.
Click to expand...
It would be like St. Peter going to Rome and then spending his time there watching the gladiators in the Colliseum, or watching plays designed to mock the faith. The whole premise of this movie, the Illuminati and their persecution by the Church, is a lie. It never happened. I don’t think it would be wrong to watch the movie so we can discuss it with people - but I’d hate to be giving money to the people producing this garbage.

Funny how they don’t make movies slandering other religions like Islam or Hinduism - that would be politically incorrect. But it’s perfectly acceptable to make movies that are complete lies about Catholicism.
 
I don’t flush my money down the toilet. Why would I give it to Mr. Brown?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top