The Da Vinci Code: Do You Have The Antidote?

[Mike_D30]

The book not only attacks the Catholic Church, but Christianity as a whole.

I read it, and I thought it was horrible, I also read Angels and Denoms which was contrived rubbish, and got more ridiculous by the minute. I mean how can anyone read Angels and Denoms and take this guys seriously.

The DaVinci code was also essentially stolen from works already published. Da Brown didn’t enlighten anyoen to these conspiracy theories, they’ve been around for quite a while.

Anyone who uses arguments from the DaVinci code can’t be taken seriously. It’s a novel a work of fiction. If you take this as a historical account, I got a bridge I can sell you here in Brooklyn.

 

[jim1130]

Fidelis:

Concerned about the misinformation that is bound to be sown by the upcoming release of the blasphemous movie version of the infamous best-seller? Then do something about it!

This website below has everything you need to offer either an information night or multi-week parish study exploring the ludicrous yet toxic claims made by this story. It is high quality and solidly Catholic. Be part of the solution!:

Da Vinci Outreach
davinciantidote.com/default.asp

Peace.

I have heard there is a hold up with the release of this film due to some legal issues. I don’t know specifics, but perhaps someone else does.

In any case, I am not going to see the movie and no way am I going to read the book.

Peace.

.

 

[jimbomill]

Fidelis:

With all due respect, these comments are incredibly self-centered. I don’t give a rats you-know-what if people see the movie or read the book or not. The big concern is for people who will see the movie or have read the book and will have their faith damaged or go around damaging the faith of others by ignorantly spouting off this Da Vinci nonsense. The goal is not prevention, but damage control.

Perhaps some may live isolated, self-absorbed lives where they don’t see or care about the damage that has been done by the book, but I have talked to scores of people who have had their faith **seriously ** shaken by the allegations found there. What about them – or isn’t this important?

Well, if you go to an electrician, for a plumbing problem, then you are asking for continued plumbing problems, right?
If folks go to a fiction novelist (or a motion picture-movie for that matter) for their spiritual guidance, aren’t they shopping in the wrong store?
I recommend an approach that labels the book as entertainment, not as religion. Give Mr. Brown’s book no authority beyond fiction.

 

[scriabin]

People learn through entertainment more than ever nowadays. In fact, I would wager that movies and pop novels are *the * way people are educated past high school.

The DaVinci Code readers/believers are obviously past the ‘investigating the facts’ stage. I believe the most effective way to get these non-thinking types educated is to entertain them.

We need a pop book or movie along the lines of “Indiana Jones” whose main character is a courageous, action-oriented priest or religious who investigates these same paranormal phenomena/metaphysical historical issues in a fictional, entertaining way, yet still adheres to the facts.

Didn’t Chesterton or some Catholic author have a priest main character in a series of mystery books?

Why not a series of adventure books?

 

[GregChevalier]

Im sure the Davinci code is going to be a much better film than any catholic film I have ever seen. That is unfortunate that other than you know what film (the passion), there has never been a box office smash in theology or virtue. Although the so called narrow minded pin heads in Hollywood would really be stepping out on a limb to make a documentery on St Joseph of Copertino for Example. He was the amazing saint that preached to the fish and flew all over the place and when people came to his door for spiritual direction he could smell there sin and make them go to confession before entering into his presence. He would bi-locate and so fourth. What a movie could Steven Speilberg create with those basics. I m a new convert to Catholisism, I come into the church April 2, 2006. I have friends in the church that would like to go picket the movie. The movie has added some steam back to the truth. God uses all things to his advatage including all things. Some say that the devil was defeated. GOD never had to fight a battle. He created the devil to purify us and the ignorant may remain ignorant, but the evil ones will have their recourse without the grace of GOD.

The greatest love we can have is Agape (charity). The greatest act(doing) of love is raising our thoughts (praying) to god in every decision(every second) we make.

GAC

 

[need_to_know]

I disagree with the opinion that people should simply not read it. If I had not read The Da Vinci Code in October of 2004 (which essentially started my spiritual journey) I would not be being baptised and confirmed as a Catholic this Easter. I may be the only person to whom this has happened, but it surely is a good thing?

:twocents:

 

[Fidelis]

need_to_know:

I disagree with the opinion that people should simply not read it. If I had not read The Da Vinci Code in October of 2004 (which essentially started my spiritual journey) I would not be being baptised and confirmed as a Catholic this Easter. I may be the only person to whom this has happened, but it surely is a good thing?

:twocents:

I agree. As much as I am opposed to the false message and "facts’ contained in the book (not to mention the pathetic writing), I would not discourage people from reading the book (although I do oppose putting money in Dan Brown’s pocket. Borrow it from a friend or the library, or get it used). I hate censorship and I value free speech.

But what I ALSO think is essential that people not expose themselves to this tripe in a vacuum. Unfortunately, as was noted above, some people believe everything they read and don’t consider there might be another side of the story. In trifling matters this is not too important. When it comes to the core beliefs of the Faith, the consequences can be eternal.

 

[O_Green_World]

In my opinion, people are giving this book too much power by acknowledging it as so much more than it is-- a work of fiction. And I believe it should be treated as such. You cannot stop people from reading it or watching the movie that’s coming. God gave us all free will. Being faithful means recognizing and separating fact from fiction. This is what I believe.

 

[MariaGorettiGrl]

The problem is not that Catholics are getting all huffy about it (although I did get pretty huffy when I read it (from the library; none of my money for you, Dan Brown! :twocents: )). The problem is that other people ARE taking the book as a religious guide. Dan keeps fast-talking his way out of admitting the book is cover to cover fiction (except for the fact that there’s a place called France). Some Catholics are getting confused and losing their faith, some people who don’t know about real Catholicism are being turned away from the church, and Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, is having nasty rumors spread about him.

So, what is comes down to is not worrying so much about the publicity and money protests may give Dan Brown, but the souls it may save and showing the general public (and Hollywood) that we will not stand by and let them walk all over our Mother Church and God our Father. We love them enough to stand up and defend their good names.

Pray, pray, pray! Pray for those who will be led astray, but especially pray for Dan Brown. Remember what it says in the Bible about those who lead any of God’s precious children away. And I would love to one day see the baptism of Dan Brown! :getholy:

 

[St.Eric]

Biggest antidote: always remember that it is a work of FICTION and always remind people that it is a work of FICTION. End of story. I don’t get too worked up about works of FICTION that are not in line with the church, mainly because they are FICTION and nothing more.

 

[Fidelis]

St.Eric:

Biggest antidote: always remember that it is a work of FICTION and always remind people that it is a work of FICTION. End of story. I don’t get too worked up about works of FICTION that are not in line with the church, mainly because they are FICTION and nothing more.

Sorry, but that’s too simplistic, not to mention uninformed. Re-read Post’s 9, 11, 15, and 21. End of story.

 

[St.Eric]

Fidelis:

Sorry, but that’s too simplistic, not to mention uninformed. Re-read Post’s 9, 11, 15, and 21. End of story.

Maybe simplistic but still true. when I come into contact with people who are enthralled with the book, I let them know it is fiction and then defend the faith. My point is that it is fiction and nothing more. Yes it is hereticl. So was the book “Hitler’s pope.” and any 1000’s of others. The world did not end and neither did the church. Remember Christ’s promise people “The gates of Hell will NOT prevail against her…” You can take that to the bank. All of the persecution that the church is getting from the book and film is further proof of Christ’s promise that we will be persecuted because of him. Personally I welcome it in a sense because it is reaffirming my faith in the true Church of Christ, the RCC. I just hate to see the knee jerk reactions around this issue. We are sounding like a bunch of bible-code, pre–millinial rapturists. IMHO.

 

[Paul_Dion]

Crumpy:

In the last day or so, I’ve heard that the book sold 40 million copies. Now, I haven’t read it – but that’s a different story. I tend to avoid books that come along with as much hype as this one. There was way too much hype for me to consider this one. I would have sent it back for a refund. But I digress.

After the book was published, I heard some discussion that it claimed no more than to be a work of fiction. Hello! Is anybody paying attention?

Didn’t the author simply place the book in the same category of speculation as “The Last Temptation of Christ”? and other books about the Holy Grail?

That’s my bias. I don’t need to read books of fiction about Jesus. You know what they say? “just say ‘no’”

 

[Paul_Dion]

MonkeyTape:

The problem in my mind with this is giving money to that man or his publisher.

I did read the novel, I borrowed it from someone - though you could get it from the library. I will not give him, his publishers, or the studio that produces it any money by going to see the movie. I will watch it when it comes on cable I suppose.

While I agree that it is difficult to critize something without reading it, Dan Brown writes on page one of The DaVinci Code:

This alone should be enough to say this is pure fantasy at best, or scandalous drivel at worst. He tries to say Jesus was married, had children, and their descendants have been hunted into near extinction by the Catholic Church for 2,000 years to hide this secret - and all for power and money.

We know the Priory of Sion was formed in 1975 by a con artist in France, so we know it was impossible to Isaac Newton and DaVinci to be members since they were long dead. We know the purpose of Opus Dei is to evangelize, their website says:

They are open to ALL, and currently have 85,000 members, its pretty hard to be a secret society with 85,000 members.

I hate to break it to you but the Free Masons are a secret society and I bet they have at least 85,000 members. The Knights of Columbus are a secret society too, and they are large and open to all Catholic men…

Some secret societies are open to all who want to join. The secret is not at the door. It’s behind the door

Mr. Brown also claims, in his novel, that the pyramid in front of the Louvre had 666 panes of glass in it. Here the protagonist reflects that “this pyramid, at President Mitterand’s explicit demand, had been constructed of exactly 666 panes of glass - a bizarre request that had always been a hot topic among conspiracy buffs who claimed 666 was the number of Satan” (p. 21).

The Louvre museum however states that the finished pyramid contains 673 glass panes (603 rhombs and 70 triangles).

If the author cannot get these things straight how can anyone even think of taking his theory that Jesus was human, married to Mary Magdeline - who is some sort of “sacred feminine” goddess, and the Catholic Church has been hunting their descendents ever since seriously.

You don’t have to read the book, just the first few lines to be able to debunk it.

 

[Paul_Dion]

I hate to break it to you but even the Catholic church sanctions some secret societies, like the Knights of Columbus and the Opus Dei and others.
The Free Masons are a secret society and I bet they have at least 85,000 members.
Some secret societies are open to all who want to join. The secret is not at the door. It’s behind the door.
The “Da Vinci Code” is a well told story in bad English. It is not litereature, it is nothing but a screen play. Brown is no Thackeray or Dickens. Not even a Kazantzakis or an Eco, even in translation.
I didn’t buy the book and I won’t pay to see the film. I’m sure that my son who works for the CD rental store will score me a copy so that I can enjoy it too for free.

 

[StCsDavid]

I plan to just ignore it. I don’t think Dan Brown, Tom Hanks, or Opie have the power to bring down the Catholic Church. Sure the lies are upsetting, but I find infinite more joy in the Eucharist; so there is where I will focus my attention. And I will pray for their conversion. I know the truth, and I will live the Gospel, and with that I will spread more truth than the lies this flash in the pan movie puts forward.

 

[look3467]

I looked over the book and really didn’t find it threatening in any way. I could not find any consistency in it to where one could use to determine other happenings in the bible or in the future.
So, I didn’t put any real substance to it.

Now if anyone can understand the number 7 in the bible, one will find it very important. So important that it will change the way one views one’s religious beliefs as well as everybody else’s.

God’s creation is described in a story that is “7” days long.

It has to do with the creation of the Flesh mostly in order for our understanding.

There are two creations as well as two Adams.

Both use the 7-day creation periods to accomplish it’s goals.

1st Adam is created a living soul. (Flesh)
2nd Adam is created a living Spirit. A giver: of life.

In Daniel the 9th chapter the 27th verse: we find Christ coming into the week (7 day week) in the middle of it.

Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

The angel comes to Daniel to give him skill and understanding. And in the following verses we see what it is that is given to understand.

Dan 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

“I am” come: to show thee and to “give thee skill and understanding”. Who but Jesus?

Dan 9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

“Consider” the vision, in other words: look at the plan.

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

1. To finish the transgression
2. To make and end of sins
3. To make reconciliation for iniquity
4. To bring in everlasting righteousness
5. To seal up the vision
6. To seal up prophecy
7. And to anoint the Most Holy.

Seventy weeks are set aside to complete this mission. (Determined)

We have “seven weeks” + 60 (threescore) + 2 weeks = 69 weeks. One week short of 70 weeks.
That week is replaced by a “new week”, being our Lord resurrected in that new week.

There we have in verse 9:25, the restored Jerusalem, the “New Jerusalem”, one come down from heaven, not made with hands, but of God.

(Note in the next verse who the prince is) (Messiah the Prince)

Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

At the 69th week the Messiah “the Prince” be cut off. Here Jesus recreates the new heavens and a new earth by using the 70th week to include the whole of the first Adam’s creation and restoring it into a “new week” as a “new creation. (Second Adam)

The next verse says: “The people” (of the Messiah the Prince), shall destroy the Messiah, the city and the sanctuary and all of mans religious undertakings, and the end thereof with a flood of souls and the end of the wars that fought against the souls.
Notice: not for Himself?

Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

-----------Continued on next post------------

 

[look3467]

---------Continued from last post---------

In that “one week” ** or day, our Lord will make a covenant with “many” meaning his apostles and in the “the midst” ** (middle) of that week cause the sacrifice to cease. (by His own sacrifice)
He shall also make desolate the set up of religious traditions of man until that “determined” (The Holy Spirit) be poured out upon the desolate.

Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

If we can understand all that, then we can see that without Christ, we are all desolate, Jew and gentile alike, Christian and non-Christian.
Therefore, making all religions, nothing but man’s attempt to reach God, when Christ is the only way.
Therefore, all mankind are saved regardless of our own righteousness, but are desolate, (without God in Christ in us) until then.

I have now understood, that all peoples regardless of who, what they believe, unless they believe as Christ did, then we shall be desolate.

Bottom line? Love thy neighbor!

Peace>>>AJ

 

[MonkeyTape]

Paul Dion:

I hate to break it to you but the Free Masons are a secret society and I bet they have at least 85,000 members. The Knights of Columbus are a secret society too, and they are large and open to all Catholic men…

Some secret societies are open to all who want to join. The secret is not at the door. It’s behind the door

First you have to respond outside of the quotes I almost missed your reply.

The Free Mason’s are so secret that just about everything they say or do is known by any one who cares to look it up. There are approximately 6 million members worldwide, 4 million in the US alone.

If Opus Day were part of a vast conspiracy tracking down and killing the descendants of Jesus they couldn’t keep it hidden with 85,000 members - likely not 85 members.

The problem with the Mason’s is this **“By jettisoning the vestiges of Christianity, modern Freemasonry opened its doors to deists, Jews, Moslems, Hindus, Buddhists and any who acknowledge the existence of the Grand Architect of the Universe and who believe in the immortality of the soul. Perhaps a religious naturalism is better than no religious belief at all, but for the professing Christian it represents a retreat from the Gospel.”

and

Hannah comments: “On reading the ritual carefully, Masonry will be found to present itself as a complete and self-sufficient system of moral and spiritual guidance through this world and the next. It teaches one’s whole duty to God and to man, and a way of justification by works which, if followed, will lead to salvation. Nowhere does it give the slightest hint that anything further is necessary to the religious life.” (Darkness Visible, p. 40).**

I have personally never heard the KofC is a “secret organization.” I mean on their website even the forms the officers have to fill out are viewable by anyone.

Behind the door there is nothing at either Opus Dei or the KofC. They are what they were founded to be. The KofC is a fraternal organization that provides services to members and charitable works to society at large. Opus Dei’s “**mission is to spread the message that work and the ordinary circumstances of life are occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society. Opus Dei complements the work of local churches by offering classes, talks, retreats and pastoral care that help people develop their personal spiritual life and apostolate.”

opusdei.org/art.php?w=32&p=10870
**

 

[Fidelis]

St.Eric:

My point is that it is fiction and nothing more. Yes it is hereticl. So was the book “Hitler’s pope.” and any 1000’s of others. The world did not end and neither did the church. Remember Christ’s promise people “The gates of Hell will NOT prevail against her…” You can take that to the bank.

Absolutely, BUT [he repeated for the umpteenth time] individual souls are are the line and we have a moral obligation to instruct the ignorant. Remember the Spiritual Acts of Mercy??

Never mind… :banghead: