Eight surprising fictions in Dan Brown’s ‘Da Vinci Code’
“Da Vinci Code”—this work of fiction has shaken the faith of many believers and non-believers alike. In an article at “Kansas.com(Kansas.com)”:http://, Daryl Schmidt, chairman of the Texas Christian University religion department, and Brett Younger, senior pastor of Fort Worth’s Broadway Baptist Church offer historical insight to separate fiction from truth.
The Eight Fictions:
* Was Jesus married?
* Who was Mary Magdalene, really?
* Did Leonardo really include Mary Magdalene in “The Last Supper”?
* What about this secret society, the Priory of Sion? Is that real?
* What about Opus Dei? Does it really exist?
* What about Jesus’ divinity? Did the church make that up?
* What about these lost Gospels the book mentions? Are they real?
* So does Dan Brown really believe all of this?
An excerpt from the article:
bq.. Even if you lived under a rock – a rock in a remote area of the Arizona desert – you could not avoid hearing about “The Da Vinci Code,” Dan Brown’s runaway best-seller of a novel.
This book, which has spent 43 weeks at the top of The New York Times best-seller list, is not great literature. It’s clunky, overwrought suspense with way too many breathless revelations. But reading “The Da Vinci Code” isn’t like listening to a disposable pop song, when you know you’re listening to trash but you sing along anyway.
No, Brown’s novel – which makes an eye-opening list of claims about hidden truths, suppressed Gospels and various conspiracies maintained by the Catholic Church – has got people thinking. Talking about faith and art and history, pondering the mysteries of the past, wondering what to believe and what to discount. A recent trip to the bookstore to buy a copy of “The Da Vinci Code” turned into an impromptu book club meeting, with the cashier and the next guy in line both offering opinions, theories and suggestions for further reading.
p. [ Full Story @ Kansas.com ]
p(small). Source: Kansas.com© 2004 Knight Ridder
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My friend told me this was a place where we could post our opinions on the divinchi code. It is totaly derailing the bibles teaching. This is causing people to turn away from the word of God and it is wrong. I even have a teacher who is recomending it to students. NOT GOOD!!!!! Jesus wasn’t married. He didn’t have kids. Plain and simple. If people would read the bible they would know this book is lying and then turn away from the divinchi code for good. And another thing. This author says he’s a christian. Doesn’t seem that way. He needs Jesus so much.
Whitney,
Your posting only reveals the ignorance and closemindedness that the Church has worked so hard to establish. How do you know that Jesus wasn’t married? Have you researched any of the ancient documents? I’m sure you haven’t, and neither have I. But what if he were married? Would that be so bad? Even if he were a father, don’t you think that could change the way people worship him in a good way? It appears to me that this book is exactly what people need… an opportunity to move away from the brainwashing the Church has presented for the past 1700 years and a chance to think for ourselves regardless of what the Bible says. You Whitney are the epitome of the blind faith that Church has preyed on for so many years. I think we have come to an era in history where we open our OWN eyes and see things for the way they really are, not what the Bible forces us to see.
Joe,
Thank you for your enlightening opinion. I am a Christian who found the da Vinci Code spellbinding because it challenged so many of the things I was taught all my life, but I agree that Jesus probably was married and probably had children, and I don’t see anything wrong with that. I can see faith in a new light now, and I am grateful for that.
Joe (and other alike),
I find it funny that you asked whether Whitney has “researched any of the ancient documents?” Presuming that Whitney is a christian, by the stance she took on this book, it should be obvious that she has researched ancient documents becuase the Bible itself is an ancient document. Now you may ask what proof of this exists? Well, to begin, the manuscripts of the books of the Bible date far into history; many manuscripts have been carbon dated as far back as the first century-
far predating any type of “church conspiracy” that many believe occured. Also, hundreds of these documents are identical to each other and show amazing accuracy to each othereven those with a thousand years between them. What does this suggest? It suggests that the TRUTH was preserved accuratelyto the last word. Furthermore, it is a fact that the there are more historical documents supporting the Bible than any other book in history. As previously stated, the documents as far back as 100 a.d., which was the Bible then, are identical to our Bible now. Just for a comparison, there are more than a thousand surviving pieces of Bible literature dating before the first millenia which are identical to those parts in the Bible today, where as the next most well documented book in history, Homer’s Illiad, has only about 100 supporting documents in all of history. So if we can accept todays “Illiad” as the same as Homer’s original than why can’t we accept the more well document and supported Bible(or more accurately, peices of the Bible which eventually were compiled into the book form of the Bible today) as true and uncontestable. Some people may then say that it is still a conspiracy but think of what intricacy and manpower that would take: the control of all research on the Bible, the fabrication of documents dated back over a thousand years, and the ability to keep it all a secret. If you look at it that way then people would know it would take millions or billions of people, in high and low ranking positions in societies all around the world to pull off a “conspiracy” of this sort, which in the end would accomplish…what? Nothing. So why would people do it? There’s no reason, and that’s why there is no conspiracy. It wouldn’t make any sense to have a conspiracy like this. So becuase the Bible is true, then what it says about Jesus must also be truethat he was not married(which is not directly stated but greately inferred). Another thing I find interesting about this whole issue is why we don’t question the critical assesments of Da Vinci. I mean, if everyone agrees that he was a prankster than why not also believe that all his “clues” themselves are bogus and just another one of his prankscuasing worldwide commotion. It is well known that Da Vinci was a non-christian and didn’t follow christian values so why not assume that his non-belief in Jesus as the Savior or his non-belief of the accuracy of the Bible was fueled by him just being too stubborn in his ways and moralsresulting in him making up a way to disprove christians and their morals making himself justified in his own mind- I mean who doesn’t want to be right? To take that even further, isn’t it hypocritical that Joe says us christians are brainwashed when he himself is so fickle to believe the vapid suggestions of one fiction book with a fictional plot and fictional “facts”? Is it illogical to be swayed by a few voices of fallacy when the whole choir of history calls at your door. To me it sounds like Joe may have a hardened heart or be so stubborn in his ways that he may blind himself to facts and be satisfied with a comfortable fiction. So to Joe I say: “I think it is clear that you are the one who needs to do the research…and maybe some soul searching”If anyone (including joe) would like to pose anymore questions or discuss this further with me my email is joyjunkie@hotmail.com. thank you and God bless.
joyjunkie@hotmail.com-
The only thing I have to write to you is this—-
Matthew Chapter 7, verse 5
(I would actually site verses 1 thru 5, but I don’t think you would look them up)
“So becuase the Bible is true, then what it says about Jesus must also be true.”
Huh?
You didn’t show that the Bible is “true” (i.e., that its claims are verifiably true), you merely showed that many parts of it have been preserved over the years. Longevity and preservation are not the same as verifiable proof of something… other than that there are lots of parts of the Bible from the first century CE. We can’t automatically assume that Jesus wasn’t married or didn’t have kids, just because it wasn’t mentioned, or just because the notion conflicts with someone’s beliefs about what Jesus might or might not have done that wasn’t recorded. You could just as easily say some of the disciples weren’t married since their families weren’t mentioned, either.
It’s a good thing to challenge every doctrine and question all the teachings. Blind following is always a bad idea.
If anyone really wants to be fair, open-minded, and critical about the issues raised in the Da Vinci Code, they ought to follow the link provided. And then they should spend some time meditating on the single word: “fiction”.
Priory of Sion History
Sorry, the highlighted text should have sent you to:
http://www.alpheus.org/html/articles/esoteric_history/richardson1.html
Relax, people… Perhaps “The Da Vinci Code” was not inspired so much by “The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail” as by “Monty Python And the Holy Grail”?
I mean, the same bizarre expositional dialogues and outrageous speech appear in that 1973 movie. A mud-caked peasant breaks into “Supreme authority derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!”
See—if you read “The Da Vinci Code” as a spoof, it suddenly makes sense! Perhaps Dan Brown is snickering like a high-school prankster under his breath right now, because he knows he’s joking and doesn’t take a word of his book seriously.
-A.R. Yngve
http://yngve.bravehost.com
D-avi-n-chi Code: Linguistically analysed: Da-vi)fo-ur)in-chi-c-od-e (co-de; cod-e; c-ode; c-od-e; ed-oc; e-do-c; et cet-era.
ALL A to Z(N on it’s side) is no-thing but a l-in-g-u-i-stic (“stick for what?) YOUR MONEY (All u fools that bought that book thinking you would find the t-rut-h) are just less some poorly spent money. Why don’t you know that these books that seek to tell the “truth” are just LIARS out to STEAL from you? They fool the simple minded (mind dead) as they have done throughout history.
It STILL boils down to you either have faith that Yeshua DIED on that cross or the greatest hoax in the history of mankind has been committed ( for which witness men gave their lives- and you have NO hope at all- for you are destined to not exist after your life is ove and you face death).
L-an-guage IS an absolute MIRACLE that NO one but the Creator, Himself, could have accomplished.
I do NOT think that Yeshua married, but DO believe he has many sons and daughters.
BTW, they make you think they are so intelligent, but they get their info from STEALING: it’s called “data mining”.
May you wise up and be one.
That little per-i-od-that tittle, that jot and that dot; that “spec” {Be-WAR-e}.
To those that play “linguistic” games with peoples lives: may you rot in hell 4 ever.
D-avi-n-chi Code: Linguistically analysed: Da-vi)fo-ur)in-chi-c-od-e (co-de; cod-e; c-ode; c-od-e; ed-oc; e-do-c; et cet-era.
ALL A to Z(N on it’s side) is no-thing but a l-in-g-u-i-stic (“stick for what?) YOUR MONEY (All u fools that bought that book thinking you would find the t-rut-h) are just less some poorly spent money. Why don’t you know that these books that seek to tell the “truth” are just LIARS out to STEAL from you? They fool the simple minded (mind dead) as they have done throughout history.
It STILL boils down to you either have faith that Yeshua DIED on that cross or the greatest hoax in the history of mankind has been committed ( for which witness men gave their lives- and you have NO hope at all- for you are destined to not exist after your life is ove and you face death).
L-an-guage IS an absolute MIRACLE that NO one but the Creator, Himself, could have accomplished.
I do NOT think that Yeshua married, but DO believe he has many sons and daughters.
BTW, they make you think they are so intelligent, but they get their info from STEALING: it’s called “data mining”.
May you wise up and be one.
That little per-i-od-that tittle, that jot and that dot; that “spec” {Be-WAR-e}.
To those that play “linguistic” games with peoples lives: may you rot in hell 4 ever.
“Faith” linguistically analyzed: Pay the House!
D-avi-n-chi Code: Linguistically analysed: Da-vi)fo-ur)in-chi-c-od-e (co-de; cod-e; c-ode; c-od-e; ed-oc; e-do-c; et cet-era.
ALL A to Z(N on it’s side) is no-thing but a l-in-g-u-i-stic (“stick for what?) YOUR MONEY (All u fools that bought that book thinking you would find the t-rut-h) are just less some poorly spent money. Why don’t you know that these books that seek to tell the “truth” are just LIARS out to STEAL from you? They fool the simple minded (mind dead) as they have done throughout history.
It STILL boils down to you either have faith that Yeshua DIED on that cross or the greatest hoax in the history of mankind has been committed ( for which witness men gave their lives- and you have NO hope at all- for you are destined to not exist after your life is ove and you face death).
L-an-guage IS an absolute MIRACLE that NO one but the Creator, Himself, could have accomplished.
I do NOT think that Yeshua married, but DO believe he has many sons and daughters.
BTW, they make you think they are so intelligent, but they get their info from STEALING: it’s called “data mining”.
May you wise up and be one.
That little per-i-od-that tittle, that jot and that dot; that “spec” {Be-WAR-e}.
To those that play “linguistic” games with peoples lives: may you rot in hell 4 ever.
“Faith” linguistically analyzed: Pay the House!
It all depends which “house” you are in-first take care of your OWN house is wise advice.
D-avi-n-chi Code: Linguistically analysed: Da-vi)fo-ur)in-chi-c-od-e (co-de; cod-e; c-ode; c-od-e; ed-oc; e-do-c; et cet-era.
ALL A to Z(N on it’s side) is no-thing but a l-in-g-u-i-stic (“stick for what?) YOUR MONEY (All u fools that bought that book thinking you would find the t-rut-h) are just less some poorly spent money. Why don’t you know that these books that seek to tell the “truth” are just LIARS out to STEAL from you? They fool the simple minded (mind dead) as they have done throughout history.
It STILL boils down to you either have faith that Yeshua DIED on that cross or the greatest hoax in the history of mankind has been committed ( for which witness men gave their lives- and you have NO hope at all- for you are destined to not exist after your life is ove and you face death).
L-an-guage IS an absolute MIRACLE that NO one but the Creator, Himself, could have accomplished.
I do NOT think that Yeshua married, but DO believe he has many sons and daughters.
BTW, they make you think they are so intelligent, but they get their info from STEALING: it’s called “data mining”.
May you wise up and be one.
That little per-i-od-that tittle, that jot and that dot; that “spec” {Be-WAR-e}.
“Let your yes be yes and your no be no-any more than that comes from the evil one”.
Evil spelled backwards is “LIVE”.
One l-a-st thing: ALL language is NO_THING but C
ODE and SYMBOL.
Live your lives in peace and stop letting the enemies of this nation win you over with their very c-lever psywar tac-tics.
Take care of your own, then help your neighbor.
Live in peace, with your fellow mankind SO FAR AS POSSIBLE (like when your nation has and IS being attacked from within and without).
REMEMBER, “Christians”, Yeshua did NOT tell the soldiers to quit their jobs and he did not tell them in the Commandment not to “kill” (see the He-brew), rather the Command is not to MURDER (as so many from the “re-legion of peace” are doing (and unfortunately a few of ours-but that # pales compared to them.
I do think we are very near, unfortunately, the “end of days” because of very stupid, murderous, sinful, greedy men.
Criminals, terrorists and drugs ARE VERY intertwined.
“Lawlessness is disorder!”.
For those that hate the law, I say: YOU HYPOCRITES, DO YOU NOT EVEN GIVE YOUR CHILDREN RULES?
Another, “one more thing”: The “Jews” did NOT kill the Christ (C-hr-is-t); the Creator Himself set the it all up, in advance, just as the Scriptures say. Herod, Pontius Pilate and the Gentiles…look VERY CLOSELY at who the Scriptures says actually killed Yeshua and you will find that it was, and still is, the EVIL in each one of us-each and every one.
Nothing so wonderful has EVER been given the world, but Christianity which has the BEST of laws and tenets.
Though we are led like sheep to the slaughter (see the “laughter” in that word”? we will yet, say he is “Lo-rd” [take a really good look at that letter “L”] and you will know what the en-em-ies of this nation also know.
Btw, did u know that “ems” and “ens” are “printers” tools”?
Did you know that “tool” spelled backward is LOOT? That “evil” spelled backward is “LIVE”
I wish you love and peace.
Be wise as ser-pen-ts and gentle as doves…
Yeshua is King forevermore-until the end of days.
Why is everyone getting into a huge fight about this? What if everything you believed in was fake? I should know ‘cause it happened to me. Relax, just because people believe their opinions should be out there, don’t make a huge uproar about it.
But since everyone is siding on a side, my opinion is that Leonardo Da Vinci is probably right. He knew little things and was a secretive man.Da Vinci was a smart man for his age, he was famous and will remain for his works. Da Vinci was smart enough to write in code, about inventions he knew about. Remember when it was founded? Lets just say that he had a mind that seemed like he had seen the future. All those drawings about what we use in the war today. If only he was able to receive recognition for what he had done.
My point is that he knew out of the ordinary back then, so why’re you doubting that he didn’t know about this? How’re you sure the bible wasn’t lying? The Bible was written by a person right? What if the person wrote about his beliefs and not Jesus’? They’re human. They can lie just like us. Don’t try and do the benefit of the doubts. Because just think about it. How’re you so sure Jesus was never married? He was Human. He bleeds. He eats. He walks. He talks. What is so unbelievable about it? That people consider him as a God, and never remembered that he WAS HUMAN.
I am a Christian. I have not read this book you are speaking of. But I have been doing alot of research. I believe in the bible, but I have read the other gospels too. I cannot claim that there is not more than we have been taught. There has always been so much fear in this world, and a desire to control, I cannot claim that some information was not left out. Is it any different than when the pharisees and Sadduces got all upset over what Jesus was saying, teaching and doing? An example, is how Mary Magdalene is so ignored in the bible. Yet, she was the first to see the resurrected Christ. She was the first to be told, “Go and tell”. I find it interesting that in the Gospel of Thomas, Peter asked Jesus to send Mary away, because she was a woman and did not deserve to live. Of course, Jesus did not. But if Peter felt this way, how might the other deciples have felt. Just a little food for thought.
Blessings to all
The truth is, no one knows the truth for absolute. Thats what having faith is. But anyways, wheather or not the author of this book believed these things or not, just the fact that people are having this conversation is a sucess for him, so it really doesn’t matter. In the end, it was an entertaining book, thats all. It should take more then one book for people to start questioning their faith.
I agree with Jon in that nobody really knows the absolute truth about these things. But I believe people should question their faith until the very moment they die, never settling for what they’ve already learned. The gospel isn’t in some book written 2000 years ago, but the gospel comes from the very spark of god (however you define it) within your own spirit. Salvation comes from knowledge, so the more you question and challenge and learn, the better off you are. Superstition never helped anyone. Challenge everything, doubt everyone, and above all, never EVER trust a paid preacher—his income depends on keeping you in fear and superstition.
Blessed are they who beleive without seeing. Dan Brown doesn’t get the fundamentals of religious faith, so how can he write and judge it? If he offers explanations, wants proofs, seeks explanations and imagined controversies, does he not understand that he is an unreligious person to begin with? The thing with non-beleivers such as the awful Mr Brown is that he wouldn’t recognize a divine occurrence if it took place before his very own eyes. That’s how blind he really is. The only thing non-believers such as Brown believe in is cranky complaining and frivolous finger-pointing. That’s really sad for people like Dan Brown.
I have a question for Mr Dan Brown, and all those who side with his opinions/view/agenda:
lets say, you’re an astronaut travelling in space. You come across a planet, which is quite old fashioned, underdeveloped and antiquated. Coming up and surveying this planet, you find out that the people idiolize and pray to some entity, or say a plaque of stone. Now, you, being modernistic and intellectual, know that this entity or plaque of stone is anything but devine. However, those inhabitants of the planet, believing in that entity or plaque of stone, lead a very ethical, moral, peacefull and just life under the belief of that plaque of stone, which you (the modern astronaut) know is not devine. now, the question is: what do you do? Do you tell them the version of truth from your point of view, ruffling thier entire belief-system? Do you make them question thier ways, even when those ways are responsible for them leading a morally-correct life? I know well, what i would have done in that situation. the answer to this question, is also the answer to the reaveling of the character and nature of the person answering. Dan Brown wants us to question fundamentalistics in catholic church beliefs, when I have been witness, my whole life, for the church doing much good. For me, it is beside the point, if Jesus was married, if Magdelene was another apostle, if they both had children. Beside the point, entirely. for me, it’s disturbing that Dan Brown has the impertinence and the power to fingerpoint beliefs so important and fundemental for so many. For me, that an immoral person such as Brown has such sweeping effect over masses, most of whom gulp down most of his rubbish, is what is truely unsettling.
In answer to the previous soul, was John Calvin, Martin Luthur, the moving of the vatican to Turkey in the 4th or 5th century, and then in the 14th century to Avignon (refered to as the Babelonian Captivity)wrong? Just imagine the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints thinking that Each one of them can become a God If they work hard in the next life and have their own unerverse to run as they wish? That was much unsettling. Today there is always some one who wishes to become Immortal. Today there is the 7th day aventist/Jehovah Witnesses who believe only 1 percent of the souls will go to heaven, and to day we have a person has a few million followers who owns a bank, a newspaper, went to jail, and now has become some in with G Dubya who claims to be the Massaiah (yes, he is still alive). Yet you have the gall to call Mr. brown’s work rubbish? I remember the book correctly, he prefaced the book with what is fact: the page before the prologue. The book is presented as fiction. It’s a novel. Remember novel means NEW. You probably are one of those who believe that Erika Kane is real. Her real name is Susan Luci. This all goes for you others who have a problem with metaphical souls.
Please respond if you will.
You know we are figthing over this book like it’s the mans fault. He found a way to get rich quick and loose his soul at the same time. But for the rest of of us we need to ask what am I going to do, not to loose myself? If anyone has any questions on the validity of Jesus Christ they should read a book by a Pulitzer Prize Winner who tried to disprove the wxcistence of Christ and in the process became a Believer himself. The book is called “The Case for Christ”. There is enough evidence in this world to prove his excistence, not to mention the bible itself, the word of God. Not only that but adjacent to the bible there were books wirtten during the first century to the time of Jesus crucifixion and after by non-believers that tell us about his ministry and life. If we let one book change the way we think then we were never really believers were we. If I say I have relationship with God but I smoke and drink and curse that makes me a hypocrite. To those Christians” who read this book and side with it I urge you to read a book calle “Breaking the DaVinci” code. To see the truth all we need is a Bible and a History book and we can see how things coencide with each other.
That’s rather arrogant and presumptuous—how do you know he got rich quick and lost his soul?
And how can you possible say that if you have a relationship with god and also smoke or drink or cuss, it makes you a hypocrite. That doesn’t make any sense. Stuff like that only makes you a hypocrite if you tell others they shouldn’t do it but it’s okay for you to do it. But if your relationship with your god doesn’t require you to stop smoking or stop drinking or stop cussing, then where’s the problem? (Granted, I don’t like hanging around people who cuss all the time, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t just as spiritual as you and me, just in their own way.)
The story in the DaVinci Code is just a fictionalized version of things we’ve known for years. It’s not like he was revealing a bunch of lost secrets about Jesus or anything, anyway.
It’s just a book. A piece of fiction, to be enjoyed AS a piece of fiction, just like the Bible.
You all need to take a chill pill.
The Da Vinci Code is a book written by a man whose intelligence seems to be superior to all those who believe everything he’s written WITHOUT thinking for themselves. Just like you question the bible (almost everyone here has) you should ALSO question Dan Brown’s book, ‘The Davinci code’.
But to be honest and practical the book is admittedly based on fiction anyway…so no matter what it says, its all fiction (part of which may be true at times…but overall its still fiction). Take Spiderman for example…its fiction! You and I won’t sit and argue about his story. But the trick Dan Brown has used is that he chose a real life character such as Jesus to base his book on…therefore it makes a lot of people forget that although he is writing about Jesus, he is actually writing a story using his character and uses his (Dan Brown’s) writing skills to mix fact with fiction as he pleases (and thats ok as long as the book is published as being fictional).
Religion is a powerful subject so the moment it is discussed anywhere, we all make the mistake of confusing fact with fiction which results in the mess we have right here.
The book is a good read and it makes u think just like a good movie makes u think. We should not jump to conclusions and believe everything it says but infact be now pushed to FIND OUT FOR OURSELVES about matters that we still have doubts on.
Like someone already mentioned above, its a shame that in todays world peoples faith is so weak that all it takes is one book to get everyone to reject all that has been done in their faith for so many years…its like you all are waiting for an excuse to reject your own religion’s history.
Personally i think that Dan Brown is just a clever author who through his words has ignited a controversy which ends up benefitting him monetarily and otherwise….i mean its JUST A BOOK! anyone could get up and then make statements that make people think, hmmm what if that was true?
I’d end by saying that don’t jump to conclusions, keep a cool head, think for yourselves and rely on FACTS…and where exact facts are not available, use other facts and experience to make your own assessments.
IF ONLY WE HAVE FAITH…..... EVERYTHING WILL FOLLOW.
GEEZ. I WANTED TO READ THE BOOK BUT NOW I HAVE A SPLITTING HEADACHE. ALL THE FIGHTING !!! CHILL AND KEEP AN OPEN MIND.
I don’t have a problem with Christians having (and sticking) to their religion, but when there’s something new to see, that someone has spent time writing and researching I think you should check it out. OK, so maybe you don’t agree, but I thought that it was Christian to be loving and caring and not discriminate against anyone else? Surely you have open minds and should just take it in. You all come off as arrogant because you just slate him. I, as on of many, believe in what he says, as there is proof and evidence. How can you believe the bible?? It was written YEARS after Jesus’ death! You can’t take it as solid evidence. I believe that Jesus was married and did have children. Surely this makes him a better icon to worship, seeing as it shows him to be even more loving and caring? Why is it so important he was celibate? Back then it was very important for Jewish men to be married and was frowned upon if they weren’t. So if he wasn’t married, as you claim, this would make him a worse icon to worship, seeing as he was disobeying his religion, don’t you think? Well, whatever you think I believe it’s important not to slag off and slate someone’s works. Just think, what would Jesus do? Would he insult someone’s hard work? No. He’d be forgiving and appreciate what they’d done. You’re proving yourselves not to be very Christian at all.
Hi,
First of all, I feel sorry for all the people that have read that stupid brain-washing book. Second of all, it is all fake it is full of crap, [...edited…comments…snip…] so everyone open your eyes before this stupid Dan Brown stirs the whole world upside down
hello everyone,
i’ve just finished reading the da vinci code. as a work of fiction it was very enjoyable and well written.
as a christian, i found it quite upsetting the things the book said about my Lord, my Saviour and my God – and i’m not talking about dan brown saying Jesus was married and had kids! (am not saying i believe that either!). after finishing the book, however, i realised danny boy is as lost as i was before God found me and I chose to make Him my Saviour. i prayed for danny’s salvation and that through his research he would meet who God really is.
i’m also bit upset towards the christians who’ve posted comments saying that they believe some of what the brown man is saying! you guys need to search your hearts – maybe even the bible?? don’t be swayed by the doctrines of man.
and to the person who said the we should read Matthew 7:1-5. isn’t it wonderful the way we christians always use these verses to justify the actions of anyone who is doing wrong by putting the blame on those who actually have the courage to tell it like it is? maybe you should read 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 and see who you really are as a christian.
to joyjunkie and to all those who are keeping the faith ”...having done all, to stand.” [Eph 6:13] – good on you!!
God bless ya’ll.
You say to Christians to search their hearts, however if they believe what brown is saying in his book then wouldn’t that mean that the do believe from searching their hearts? Also, like Da Vinci code, the bible too is a book. One can trust it no less than Dan brown’s da vinci code. The bible is just as unbelievable or believable, doesn’t really matter which way you look at it, as the novel.
Lastly, although it is somewhat off topic from my original argument, is there really a point in arguing about the accuracy of a religion? If what one believes is different from what you believe in then so be it. Why make such a deal out of such a small thing. There’s no reason to be “upset” at those who “don’t keep the faith”
You christians are the most ignorant people ever, you first off elected Bush. Big mistake. And now you try to disprove the Da Vinci Code, which is a much more credible account than the bible.
When will you people finally realize how bogus your beliefs are and that the world you live in never experiances a hell of purgatory.
Dan Brown is much more credible than the made up Bible.
Nowadays people are (purposely?) overlooking the fact that Jesus was not “just a man”. His native name, Emmanuel, is interpreted to mean “the Most High One among us”. When the Lord decided to “visit” his children on earth, He donned human flesh (a benign and familiar form that would neither scare mortals off, nor overwhelm or intimidate them). He descended into the ranks of the human race, in order to reveal HIS ETERNAL TRUTH to us, in the hope that we would believe in His word (through Jesus)and thus shake off all preceding, centuries-old superstitions, philosophies and theories about “what life is all about”.
God did not “descend” amongst mortals because He felt the need or the urge to diminish His divinity, adjust Himself to our mortal standards and…... find Himself a wife !! ( That doesn’t really sound like much of a divine plan for our salvation…)
God’s plan was to awaken people (through Jesus’ personal teachings and miracles) to the spiritual life and afterlife that they weren’t aware existed.
It is also at least naive, to say that God incarnate was just another guy who not only got married, but also had children (.... as in “Godlings” ??? Let’s get serious !!)
This is the exact same theory that the ancient Greeks had fallen for : they invented a whole pantheon full of of greater and lesser gods, whose lifestyles as we know them were notably far from divine.
Greek “gods” were irrevocably subject to the laws of nature and society just like mortals were, which is exactly what is being repeated nowadays, with the person of Jesus. To prove my point, in a previous post, Jesus is mentioned as having lived like any other villager because (quote)it was very important for Jewish men to be married and was frowned upon if they werent(unquote).
The questions therefore that should be studied in this light are :
1.If Jesus was an ordinary man of those times, wouldn’t that same society have frowned upon such a husband and father, who perpetually wandered all over Judea preaching in temples or to throngs of people, while leaving the wife and kids to fend for themselves in some poor village?
2. Or did they frown upon this too, and Jesus ignored them?
3. If Jesus with His lifestyle was setting a normal example to other “ordinary men” of His time, what was this example? Get married, have kids, leave them and roam the countryside,healing and preaching to everyone except your own family?
3. Did Jesus “violate” any other religious/social laws that were similarly frowned upon, or was this the only instance?
4. Was Jesus lying, when He said “I did not come to break the Law, but to fulfil it” ?
So, instead of us struggling desperately to drag the infinite Lord down to our insignificantly brief little lifespans, we should be seriously examining the eternal prospects near Him, in His angelic, spiritual realm. We have only one mortal lifetime each. We have only one immortal soul each. When our bodies die and our flesh has been assimilated by this earth, our fleshless(hence immortal) soul has only two destinations : to reside with its Creator, or away from Him. Where our soul will finally end up, is entirely up to us. It depends on whether we have upheld His commandments during this one, single, unique lifetime with our attitude and our acts.
Doubting and belittling the Lord with our pathetic theories about Him will not raise us to higher spiritual levels.
Dan Browns book may not be true but it is certainly eye opening i would just like to say all you that are trying to say that we cant believe it because the bible says that what he is saying is not true but the bible is a book to how do you know that Dan Brown isn’t true and that the bible is right were you there! Think about some of the stuff he is saying in the book and have you even read it! I seriously think that you shoud be more open minded!
God is big!
He is the Good Shepherd and His sheep (children) will know His voice. There’s no point in trying to convince someone of Him and His truth if they don’t even believe in the authority of the Bible.
Oh dear, This thread is spiralling out of control.
What it all comes down to my christian friends is that the bible has no basis in fact. It is a book written by men about men.
We are in need now more than at any given time in history of a saviour of mankind, social structure is spiralling out of control and our super powers are living up to thier names “POWER hungry fools crusading in the name of your god (in Bushes case anyway).
And where is your saviour? where is your proof? A book written by men? Someone earlier in this thread called the bible “The word of god”. How can this be the case when it was penned by man?
Genisis Immeditely causes the bible to fall flat on its face, “In the biggining” Blah blah blah. NO! there was an awful lot happeneing before man was created and adam and eve and all that schmo! This really is fact, there have been reptiles on this planet for tens of millions of years that still exist in various forms today that were here long before the preposed garden of eden.
I am a good man, i work hard, love my family and care for others. i am however a devout atheist. I simply cannot believe that any such god can exist and be reveared in the way that your god is with no more substantial proof than a book written by men.
The thing that really annoys people like myself is the way the word of your god is preached as the only road to salvation. I care not for your god but am still a basically good man. will i not be just as saved as the next good man who believes?
And another thing, why is Hell in yourreligion cast as eternal damnation? Would a Devil not reward evil men in the same way your god rewards the good?
In closing i will say that dan brown is probably just like me, if we all just sit back and believe we would be naive to the Nth degree. questions must be raised on all issues.
and after all the da vinci code is just a book written by a man, just like the bible.
Thankyou.
P> Have you any proof that Dan Brown did research truthfully? What is that evidence? Did he say so?
To those who think that he is more reliable than the Bible, think about this: The Bible was not written by one man, with his own biases. The Bible was written over many years by many people, and contains enough material to be checked against other, purely historical documents which bear it out.
The books of the bible concerning Jesus may have been written after his death, but they were written by people who knew him (The four gospels) and were written closer to his death than a book published 2,000 years ago. Some people on this site claim that Dan Brown is more trustworthy than the Bible. How do you know? Have you met him?
QUOTE:’ you Christians are the dumbest people ever. You elected bush.’
Yes, of course we did… was it another catholic conspiracy? Listen, the kind of Christians concerned the most with the Ad Vinci code, Catholics, mainly do not live in America.
QUOTE: ‘The Bible was written YEARS after Jesus’ death!’
Yes, by men who knew him? Dan Brown clearly did not. By the way, Dan Brown bases some of his arguments on the Bible. So what’s true? Just the bits he needs to put together a pack of lies?
QUOTE: ‘Work of fiction…the Bible’
It is? Did Herod not exist? Were the Romans made up by a vicious, scheming Italian? Get a grip, bigot.
QUOTE: ‘Was Martin Luther wrong?’
No, Luther was right: the church had become far too corrupt. But Luther had a point and an excuse. Dan Brown just decided to make random vitriolic accusations, partly about the church, partly about how nasty the Europeans are. This may be a controversial view, but it’s a piece of American propaganda. The American hero is intelligent, sporty and attractive. Really? No offence, but I thought that American obesity figures were the highest in the world! Lukas, you’re right! You did elect a monkey! And you still cling to this wonderful superman American dream liver Langdon?
All right, racist episode over. I’m sorry.
Right:
We do not blindly follow the Catholics church. Over time the will of the people has forced them to put masses in native tongues and other such modernisations/freedoms. The metaphor of shepherd and flock still applies. Peter was appointed steward of the flock, not ruler. Over time the church has donated more money than any other organisation to charity which has helped millions of people in developing countries. The white supremacists amongst you will mutter ‘a private army of brainwashed immigrants’. No. I’ve lived in developing countries, and let me tell you now, some of the people living there are going through hell on earth. Their faith provides a lifeline against the constant appalling poverty they find themselves stuck in.
The church provides an overarching community which links many Christians together, and they are trying to restore one community, and reconcile Christians. There is no reason why we should be fractured as Jesus Christ, unmarried or otherwise, is universal to all Christian religions. Anybody who is scared of the church does not understand its role: The church has not been warlike for hundreds of years.
Back on subject:
Arrogance, your name is Dan Brown.
One faux-academic is not going to be right compared to millions of researchers all down the ages, not necessarily catholic, who have investigated the early church. Re-read the books with a cynic’s eye. To keep the pretence of a catholic conspiracy he changes buildings or add non-existent secret chambers. Are they really there because the Vatican says they aren’t? Make your minds up. The Vatican is not some evil plan for world domination founded by a race of aliens, nor has it tried to suppress the fact that Jesus had kids. Why? Because it didn’t happen. Dan Brown can lie. Written words mean nothing when the author is a sensationalist.
The Vatican has released no official statement on the book. You still persist in your blind faith that Dan Brown is some sort of Demigod. Learn from history! All he does is wrap up the French book Holy Blood, Holy Grail in a 3rd rate thriller plot.
To sum up, the church is not out to get you.
I personally find it disappointing that so many clearly intelligent people are jumping on the bandwagon to attack Christianity. Don’t be jealous of what clearly works.
I’ve gone on a bit too long, but I hope you get my gist:
Dan Brown wanted the book to act as a springboard for debate. Well and good, but remember he himself stated that the ideas inside are fictional. Certainly there are some murky areas in the churches history, as there have been in many great organisations. Remember one thing: we should not all accept one man’s self-proclaimed fictional thoughts as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Keep an open mind.
By the way, I’m 15 and supposed to be an angry teenager, challenging everything. In the face of so much pressure to rebel, I rebelled against rebellion and decided not to listen to anyone.
Attack my views. I’ll enjoy it.
Tom,
“By the way, Dan Brown bases some of his arguments on the Bible. So whats true? Just the bits he needs to put together a pack of lies?”
You’re 15 and the educational system really has slipped, so maybe you’re not familiar with the concept of “fiction”. That’s where someone makes something up. We generally don’t consider it a “pack of lies,” since everyone knows up front that it’s not actually true, but is an imagined reality.
You do sound pretty damned angry. I suggest you relax, realize that The DaVinci Code is a book meant to be read on the beach during summer vacation, and spend some time challenging things that actually require challenging.
The book raises many issues on Christianity. I find it interesting how throughout time religion depends upon the ruling class. I feel Christianity is perhaps one of the most misunderstood religions. I say this becasue of the lack of accurate and true knowledge that is given to people. It is time we seek more information not to disreguard Chistianity but to gain an accurate overview so that understanding and truth can be totally realised.
dan brown is a cursed man and is on his to the bottomless pit where he can read his cursed book. you cursed man repent and call upon the name of the L-rd Yeshua and you will be saved. only G-d can save you.
I have not read Dan Browns Da Vinci Code Book myself. But it is interesting to see how people are starting to question things and willing to maybe examine their core beliefs. And how many Catholic and Christian groups are trying to debunk a book of fiction of which the story has no basis in history but the story is presented with facts as being true by the author Dan Brown. But the movie will probably get whole alot more people talking. A book I have read is called the “The Bible Fraud” by Tony Bushby which is based on 12 years of his own research. I use to belief in this Deity called Jesus Christ but after reading Tony Bushby’s masterfull research and writting style in exposing christianity as being a Myth and a Cover up by the Roman Catholic Church as well spawned its separated brethern the Protestants of Martin Luther Reformation with the same doctrine since nothing changed much but just a different variation on christianity as a result I no longer believe in this singular creation of Jesus Christ since it is a Creation of Emperor Constantine at the Council of Nicea. Although from reading Tonys other books he left me with the profound sense that their is a Magnificent Creator of all reality and of vastly supperior intellect and explains this in his other books about the secrets of this Egyptian knowledge Adept Rabbi Jesus Tried to reveal to the World but failed. The Author Tony Bushby has also written other Books as well and if you like me found his Book “The Bible Fraud” mind blowing as the Da Vinci Code you will be blown away and tranformed by his other Books. Since the Twins Rabbi Jesus and his Brother Judas Khrestus both being Human were sons of their Step Daddy Emperor Tiberius and their mother Princess Mariamne Herod a (Nabatean Arab woman, AKA the Virgin Mary of the New Testament narratives) Great Grand Daughter of King Herod the Great. And Yes Rabbi Jesus did mary a Celtic princess Mary Magdalene as well as two other women Princess Cypros, and Queen Cartismandus. And yes his book is packed with loads of different revelation like I mentioned above and you will see history alot differently then what you been taught.
People know they have been lied too Deep Deep down in their Soul and Soul Searching minds want to know why is the church being so defensive about and what are they trying to hide could it be their Faith is not genuine but if it was real would not the Faithfull be attracted to the Church like bees on Honey so what do they got to be worried about. Many don’t won’t to ask the Hard questions or put down their remote control and look at our present world state of affairs and all because of what truly took place many thousands of years ago. These events happened in extraordinary Times of long ago and over time because of Royalty and Politics these thing naturally became covered up. And People in those time begin to hear about these two Individuals one Being a Rebel Judas Khrestus and the other a gentle human being Rabbi Jesus of course pursuing spiritual things and what he discovered he wanted to tell the world but was killed not on a cross but by stoning per jewish law. And the lies and cover ups evolved into a useless religion called christianity. If you want to know more pursue what I have just said if you are interested in the truth and I have not ever regreted in finding out what the truth is and my view of the world has changed for the better. The Ball is in your court now and it is up to you people live the lie or discover the truth for yourself.
Your can find the more info here: http://www.joshuabooks.com/bushby/biblefraud/internalgif/fraud.htm
Doug
Ok, i read The Davinchi Code….yeah its goin against the bible but its 50 50 what if its tru and what if it isnt i mean its something to think about. I beleive in God and always will but, i watched this show and they said that one of the disciples were makin the new testement or w/e and they took some of jesus’s stuff and went out and buried it so no one would know til like some 60 years ago a guy named muhamed found it and they go to prove that Mary was a very influential person. Meaning that in the new testement she isnt really there much but with the books that muhamed found she is there alot she was a very influential person. and yes i went on the internet and saw a original of the last supper and mary is there and one of the disciples has his hand to her throat and a hand out of no where is holding a knife and there is a common letter we see in the picture and it is a m but one part the vocal point of the pic is a v and in pagan that means a womans womb . and on the part abot san greal means holly grail but later it came to be sang real which means holy blood yeah there could be a blood line but how are we ever to find out….dna test everyone and all that yeah like were ever gonna do that. They also said on the thing i watched on tv the reason it becme sang real was because a misprint back whenever whoever wrote whatever. This book just goves you something to think about are the churches keepin a secret or is it just a bunch of jibber jish.
I have been watching this on T V.
The Lord said thou shalt worship no other Gods but me.
So why does this world have so many faiths.
Most of the troubles in the world are caused by religion.
Why when there is only one God.
When Mankind does as god said above it will go a long way to bring peace to our world Its Man thats at fault not Divinchi the past or the present.
One God the World over after all he created it.
God Bless us one and all
Clive.
I have been a believer for 29 years and there is NOTHING written whether it is in the Divnichi code or elsewhere that is going to diminish the power of who Jesus is, His purpose in life and what He is still doing the the lives of those who believe. No man has the power to take away from TRUTH. It will always remain no matter what. What I think many should walk away with in this flurry of foolishness is that Jesus is a REDEEMER and those who have not experienced his awesome power in their lives should be RESEARCHING HOW TO GET THAT! Forget Divinci!
OK LETS PRAY!! “Father I pray in the name of Christ Jesus that you continue to Love and guide each and everyone of us. I know you love Dan Brown as much as you love me and i pray lord that you have your way in him. Father u know each of our hearts more than ourselves so please open the eyes of our hearts to understand more about you lord, thank you for being such an awsome God to us. Father you knew this matter before it happend, i believe this can be something that will test the faith of your flock. I lift to you father all who believe in this book, that they not be blinded by the truth and earnestly seek you the almighty!..
Dear all who follow Jesus,
greetings in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit! Its great to see we understand how the enemy works. Lets remeber Our house is built on a solid foudation (Matthew 7:24-27) “Anyone who listens to my teachings and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents, the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house wont collapse because it’s built on solid rock. Anyone who hears my teachings and ignores it is very foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rain and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash.”
(John 14:6)Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but through me ” (Hebrews 3:14) “For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all his glory” (Revelation 22:7)”I AM COMING SOON! BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO OBEY THE PROPHECY WRITTEN IN THIS SCROLL (THE BIBLE)” (22:18)- “I solemnly declare to EVERYONE who hears the prophetic words of the bible: if anyone adds ANYTHING to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in the book. If anyone removes ANY of the words of this prophetic book, God will remove that persons share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are also described in this book”
Lets be bold and assertive as the army of God with full armour and spread the good news to the world as much as we can to stop people from being blinded by the truth.
May the Love of God, the Grace of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Love you God
I saw the movie and I am utterly confused about all the chatter. It was clear to me that it was speculative, fiction and just entertainment. I am an avid student of the word and my FAITH is not moved by Dan Brown or is assertions of what he THINKS. The POWER of GOD IS AWESOME and has withstood more foolishness than some fictional depiction of Christ’s personal life. What is more important is what Christ offered the world in terms of SALVATION. If anyone is interested in discussing anything, discuss the beauty of being saved from your sins and that the promises of God are sure to the living of a full and abundant life. My prayer is that all who don’t know him will FIND HIM TO BE POWERFUL, LOVING AND REDEEMING.
What would humanity do if the bible was proven to be fiction? Well, after having a discussion about it I’m confident there would be total chaos! People could not handle knowing there is nothing after death, it would cause panic. So first of all, How do we honestly know that the bible is true and not just a story written by a writer like Brown? I just saw the Davinchi code and agree that it is simply a story and nothing more but also feel that religion is a more of a crutch to many people who just can’t deal with life on their own and need something to rely on.
The Egyptians believed in their gods the way people believe in Jesus today and Egyptian religion is many times listed under mythology or fiction, Why? they believed that when they died they would join their gods just as people believe today, are we sure were not going to meet Osiris or Isis when we die?
There honestly is no proof that there is a god of any type, its belief, and that’s ok as I said if people sat down and thought about there being nothing after death everyone would be so afraid of dying and major depression. It just seems that after all these thousands of years something would be proven, there is nothing. I thought that maybe if ghosts or spirits were real then there is some proof of something but its all fake, every ghost story is just fiction. Believe in god or Jesus, it will make your death more peaceful and if there is nothing after this life then enjoy every day and make the most of it while you can.
Dear Shayne,
if someone was to believe that there is no God they must know everything. People must read their bible and ask God for understanding of it. The word ‘Tabiblia’ means ‘the books’ in hebrew which also means the biblie. There are 66 books in the bible and was written by 40 different authors over thousands of years. The oldest book in the bible is the book of Job written 1800 B.C by Job himself, while revelation is the youngest written by John 97 B.C. Isaiah the prophet God had chosen spoke about Jesus nearly 750years before Jesus come to earth (Isaiah 53:1-12). We can prove the bible correct by the predictions that were prophesied by many true prophets in Gods word. There are prophesies yet to be fulfulled in Gods perfect timming. All authors of the bible were inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16) over many thousands of years. GOD IS AMAIZING!! Without the bible then it would be chaos!
i saw the movie today and i think it was good but some of the things were just FAKE. I don’t belive in some of the things but then i say the bibel never had a ending, so nobody really know only people back then in those times. So if really you belive in jesus and god you will think the same as me, but also nothing is going to stop me of beliving in jesus and that he wasn’t really maried! So come on and something i want to add is that how come they had to make something like that cause all they are doing is making people protest about those things it says. for exaple a guy came up to me in a store saying:
“huh you are buying the book now the catholic are going to really know that jesus wasn’t really god”
but all i did was ignore that cause a real catholic will know the truth and if you are a real one or christian or whatever you will know the truth too!
From what i have read it seems to me that most of you were brought up in church, well i wasnt. i have always been skepticle and now that i have read the book and seen the movie, everything is clear. Those of you brought up in church cant accept the truth because you have been brainwashed all these years. The bible is based upon theory and nothing more. If you believe everything in the bible then you must also believe in magic. Come on, everyone knows magic isnt real. Everyday people just like me and you wrote the bible. Wanna see something funny, do you know how old Shakespear was when he was in the prime of his writing career?? He was 46. Now go to Psalms 46. Count down from the top 46 words and you will get shake. Now count backwards from the end, leaving out Selah, 46 words and you will get spear. Now if you think that is a coincidence, then you must be one of the ones who believe in magic. Now im not telling anyone to become unholy or anything, im just saying look at all of the facts before you decide one way or the other.Dont be hating on me. All i wanted to do was tell you someones point of view who wasnt brought up in church and who has equal respect for everyone.
It’s clearer nowadays than ever before -
which is saying a lot- that we’re surrounded by“a holy people /
saved by the blood of a sacrifice /
poured in God’s mouth.”
They’re everywhere!
The fuss over this poorly-written thriller is as embarassing as radical Islam’s infantile outrage over those cartoons lampooning Whatsisname. Y’all need hobbies.
Please send me the full article of the Divenchi code.