The Da Vinci Code

[David_McQueen]

Do you guys (outside of Britain) have the same kind of dialogue on the Dan Brown book, Da Vinci Code. It has made for interesting reading and debate over here, both as a fictional literature and its suggestions that the Catholic church has supressed much of Gnostic Christianity out of fear.

Have any of you read it, heard discussions about it, etc. ?

[Bravus]

I've heard a lot about it, David, but much of what I've heard is that it's badly written! I probably should read it at some point, just to understand the social phenomenon, but I don't put a lot of weight on it. Dan Brown seems to be trying to have it both ways - when someone fact checks him he says 'it's a work of fiction', but he seems to want to suggest some reality behind it too. Personally, my favourite Knights Templar conspiracy novel is Umberto Eco's 'Foucault's Pendulum'. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[cricket]

David,

Amazingly, yes. It has sparked great religious debate among the laypersons. I've read it. I thought it was compelling fiction, and it made me wonder about the truth about the Knights of Templar. It also made me start to question my own faith. But, I did have the wisdom to consult one of my previous pastors (he was "worldly" enough to have been familiar with the book--the current pastors I know hadn't even heard of it at the time).

In his greatest wisdom, he simply told me, "Chris, go back to the Bible. Waste no time on things of this nature. See what the Lord says. Live according to the word of the Lord."

It was the slap in the face that I needed.

(By the way MAJ, if you're out there: thank you!)

[Jeannieb43]

Yes, I've read it. Never would have picked it up on my own, but our book club read it and discussed it about six months ago. I agree with Bravus; it's poorly edited.

The plot, however, is compelling. It's a real "page-turner." It appeared to me that Brown was hoping it would be made into a movie. Lots of action.

There's enough (verifiable) "truth" in it to make one suspect that some of the "fiction" might actually be true.

But it didn't shake my faith. I guess I've secretly suspected the RC Church of having undergound activities all my life. (Like I know the time of trouble is coming, but I don't like to dwell on what might be involved.)

So, I agree with Chrys's pastor: It made me just go back to my Bible.

[Pockey]

I probably would've read it, but I read "Digital Fortress" first by him, and it was so cheesy, I said forget it.

[bevin]

Quote:

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In his greatest wisdom, he simply told me, "Chris, go back to the Bible. Waste no time on things of this nature. See what the Lord says. Live according to the word of the Lord."

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He did you a partial service.

The truth is much more interesting than either the simplified standard Christian mythology about the society of the NT times and the origins of the New Testament *OR* the simplified Da Vinci Code presents - note (for people who have trouble understanding English) I am NOT saying the NT is a myth.

I recommend Robin Lane Fox's "Pagans and Christians"

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/det...=glance&s=books

/Bevin

[Amelia]

In reguards to Mr Fox:

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Fox claims that he believes "in the Bible, but not in God," and thus explores the Bible as a historian.

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