| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Natasha" |
| Date: |
11 May 2006 03:16:57 AM |
| Object: |
Why Bother Boycotting TDVC? |
I've read the Da Vinci Code, twice. I was a Religion major in a top
liberal arts college-
I think its ridiculous that both the Vatican and Opus Dei are urging
their followers not to see a movie.
Point #1: It's a movie. Based on a fiction book. If you really think
that someone who is truly a devout Catholic is going to change their
belief system based on a fiction novel, then you seriously
underestimate the power of faith and those people's general common
sense.
Point #2: Ok, so it does present an Opus Dei member as the
villain...who was led astray by the true villain. Granted corporal
modification is not exactly a pleasant thing to deal with on the big
screen, but there are religions that sacrafice animals. I don't think
either is an accurate base on which to form a positive or negative
opinion. I think Americans in particular, and people worldwide are
smart enough to follow the plot. Which shows that Silas was acting out
of faith. To me, this is a reaffirmation of how far faith can take you-
you can choose to take that negatively, or you can choose to take that
positively, as in he believed it was for the good of his belief system.
I have trouble calling a character like that inherently evil.
Point #3: Blasphemy. So the Vatican and Catholic officials around the
world are branding this film as blasphemous. Why? The film does not
negatively portray Jesus, saying he was a bad man or anything truly
terrible. Even if Jesus was the Son of God, (which I have personally
have no opinion on one way or another) his divinity is not overshadowed
by the fact that he was a human. He was a man that walked, talked and
breathed like every other man on this planet. He had a great impact on
humanity, and this book does not discount that fact either! Jesus was a
great whatever he was, and this book doesn't claim otherwise. So what
if he had kids? Doesn't the Bible specifically recommend that people
procreate? So he might have a lineage- SO WHAT? its a fiction book
dealing with things that can be construed as fictional. There is some
scholarly work examining this, but if you asked the global population
whether or not they truly believe that Jesus had a family, I'm gonna
say most people are going to say No. So how is it blasphemous if set
within a fictional construct of someone's mind? Dan Brown created this
story, with its characters and sets up a fictional world where a
symbologist from Harvard discovers that Jesus and Mary got together. It
is STILL a fiction book.
Point #4: I don't think the Vatican can definitively tell you when the
Bible was written, the circumstances surrounding its writing, and a
clear history of its origins. I don't really think anyone has a problem
that Catholicism exists, nor do I think that people(generally speaking,
everyone has prejudices both weak and strong) have an overbearing
antagonism towards Catholicism that would affect their ability to view
the movie as just a movie and nothing more. This isn't a movie like
"super-size me" with an underlying social message. It's a good mystery
thriller. Also, there are ALWAYS going to be conflicting points of view
as to an institution's origins, the politicking etc etc which the
general public will never know. So what, Dan Brown wrote a book about
the possible progeny of Jesus, even if at certain points during
history, decisions were made within the Church to go about their daily
business of being the vehicle through which people are saved of their
sins, and some people viewed those decisions as the wrong ones to
make---it's HISTORY for a reason. Each side has a story, and it is
similar in some parts and different in others. Thus, while the Church
thinks it is ridiculous for their authority to be questioned, every
part of society encounters that at some point in time. Like Americans
questioned Nixon or question certain sectors of the economy. You can't
stifle someone for being curious. PS- the origins of the first drawings
of a helicopter are contestable- i read somewhere that in the Hindu
Bhagvad Gita (kind of like the Hindu Bible) there are drawings for
something like a helicopter. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but
it proves my point- every origin is contested. Every idea, person's
ethnicity whatever is always under review. Faith is a personal choice.
Let it stay that way.
Point #5: Freedoms. As someone who is reading this spewing of thoughts,
you have the right to make up your mind as to whether or not you think
seeing the movie itself is blasphemous. Just because it doesn't fit
into a recognizably "Catholic" way of thinking doesn't necessarily
preclude it from being entertaining. I read the book twice and plan on
seeing the movie. Even with flaws that I'm sure exist within the
Church, although I'm not sure what they are (everything has flaws) I
still view Catholicism as this amazing religion that has interacted
positively with so many people. You are more than allowed to be
conservative where I am a liberal, I don't question anyone's faith in
what they do. I might not agree with it for my life and lifestyle but
like I said, its an individual connection with God or spirituality.
What's more, having done some research on Opus Dei and with so many
members gracing the evening news with soundbites about why they're
boycotting the movie, never having read the book, I found Opus Dei
non-threatening and I think its a good organization for those people
who need or want that kind of a community.
Lastly, keep in mind, Hollywood makes money entertaining people, not
educating people. People don't go to the movies to be prosyletized nor
do they go so they can be convinced that their belief system is all
wrong and corrupt. It's about spending two hours following a crazy
mystery through Paris and London. or whatever you choose to see. But
boycotting a movie? I think we're crossing the line between
entertainment for entertainment, and entertainment for politically
charged soundbites. Let's not forget at least America is the "home of
the free" don't shove YOUR ideas down someone else's throat. They can
see it if they want to. If they have serious concerns about the movie
afterward, you can use the Church as a forum to discuss the ideas and
questions raised.
I guess my overall point was: If you have to deal with the issue of
your faith outside of a religious setting, then it would be better to
have the ability to discuss your faith. And boycotting a movie isn't
going to remove the questions that can be raised by a devotee so why
bother urging people not to see it? You might as well have a frank
discussion of the book and why someone (You, in the Church) think it is
incorrect. You're not going to lose any Catholics over this, so CHILL
OUT-
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| User: "TRUECRISTIAN" |
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| Title: Re: Why Bother Boycotting TDVC? |
11 May 2006 04:27:25 AM |
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Do it before you GO SEE THE MOVIE!!!
It's intelligent, suspenseful and entertaining.
ARE YOU CAPABLE OF INDEPENDENT THOUGHT???
Read the book!!! So you're not the only idiot on the planet who lets
someone else tell you what it's all about!!!
Oh wait! That's what the Catholic Church did with the Bible until the
Reformation!!!
Go ahead. Do what you want.
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| User: "TRUECRISTIAN" |
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| Title: Re: Why Bother Boycotting TDVC? |
11 May 2006 04:26:36 AM |
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Does this mean you did, or did not, read the book?
If you did read the book, are you also boycotting all sources involved
in the distribution of the book? Or do you have some special
fascination involving moving pictures?
If you did not read the book, is letting others think for you a
lifestyle requirement or just a passing craze?
Or.......even more intriguing..... is the inclusion of (2006) at the
end of your admonition a way of saying your problem is with the 2006
version of The Da Vinci Code? Are you saying the sequel "The Code II
- Da Vinci's Big Score" will be better???
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