The Vatican slams The Da Vinci Code

[Grimmlok]

Yeah, I find religious people to be the nicest and truest when they aren't trying to oppress or harrass me, or prevent me from having equal rights, or trying to have art censored.. you know... they're nice when all that doesn't happen.

and sorry, the bible isn't factual for the most part. It gets some dates and places correct, but come on. Most of the goings on can't be corroborated, least of all zombie Jesus rising from the dead.

[kitty]

well am really happy to be a devoted christian but its really people's choice on what they want to follow or do
i think its a free world, we make our choices, we shouldnt tell others what to do. they need to find their way and make their own choices. we should not harass each other, and christians are called on not to judge others. but nowadays most people are just atheists and nominal christians and hate all religions or find arguments to make themselves proud and correct.
and yes, i've heard people cursed jesus of all names. but overall i think we should respect others' beliefs regardless of whether we agree with their beliefs or not.
am sure many historical doctorates would be able to prove many of our thoughts/doubts wrong. we are just too lazy and ignorant of the facts including myself.

oh and i shouldnt be here, gossiping is bad its a bad influence so...*-) does anybody know how to de-register from this site?

[MrsDark]

^ I totally agree with the stance of the Vatican, after they know about Jesus more than some film-makers or book writers.

Not to imitate art and get all *conspiracy theory*, but they probably know more about Jesus than they'd want anyone else to know too! Speaking as a former Catholic with 12 years of religious education. The Vatican (and they're not alone) have way too much money and power. There's way too much religion in the world anyway. It's interfering with common sense.

[glamazon]

i personally have not read the book myself, but i have read some of the main materials/arguments the book made. as a devout christian who attends church on a weekly basis, knowing what i know and as far as i am concerned, this book is a work of fiction and it doesnt have any evidence to back up its arguments which makes it dangerous for a person who is non-knowledgeable about christianity to make believe that the book is a work of non-fiction. the book also opened with the statement "fact" which in reality, is a bunch of lies with no evidence.
i know its hard to be religious in today's world. with all the sinful things going on, we are so used to it that they are seen as regular things and portrayed as daily living and appropriate actions.
i think its upto a person to choose their beliefs and i respect all others beliefs. however i find religious people to be the nicest and truest people around. no offence to anybody in the forum. bless u all whoever u believe in.
and lastly the bible is difficult to understand, you dont sit down and read it and expect to understand it completely. i am amazed at how many people know how to read the bible. this week was really nice, my church as full

Dear Kitty, I'm sorry to see you go. You seem nice and honest, and that's refreshing. I'm glad you find so much solace in God and church, and are open to different viewpoints.

I would like to embrace God as well. that being said, The Da Vinci code is a fiction book, thoroughly enjoyed by many because it's just a different stance on JEsus' life...what if Jesus really was just a man, who wanted life and love? that's nice as well...

I'm not really feeling the church as a whole; I would like to be Catholic, but there is so much blood on the church's hands, and they're afraid of the Da Vinci code...what about scientology...go after them!

[Barbara]

I find it too funny that the Vatican guy's name is Cantalamessa, it means "sing the mass" in Italian

I read the Da Vinci Code, enjoyed it (apart from the cheesy end) for the novel it was, but did not open any of the numerous books published on the argument (the da vinci code explained / unveiled / etc.).

I am a Christian, and I'm not shocked more by what I read in the Da Vinci Code than by some stuff in the Old Testament. I'll happily wait for the life after this one to know all the truth

[Karizma]

My point was religion is not supposed to be all factual. I don't think miracles were made to be factual, and some parts of religion is non-factual because God intended it to be. I'm not Catholic but i understand that Jesus Christ story should not be alterd from the original one, religion is not meant to be re-written over time. No one is forcing you to believe those stories if you don't want to, take it or leave it but don't re-write so they make 'sense' to you. "fuck this or suck it for freaking out"! well of course they will freak out when some book about their religion is released that contradicts it's original story and tenets. That's their job to freak out and do everything to defend their belief. I'm not trying to stir a religious debate but try to understand their stance on this sibject, you might disagree with them on birth control or homosexuality but each topic should be looked at individually.

[ediebrooks]

Dear Kitty, you sound very nice and sincere, and I agree that there are some very nice religious people out there. There are also some real judgmental, petty, and hypocritical religious folks out there;maybe you are fortunate enough not to have these sort of characters in your church. I tend to keep my distance from organized religion because I have never found any solace in a church.

No one should pay any attention to the Vatican's hand-wringing because they are so out of step with the times as to be completely irrelevant. As far as "The DaVinci Code" is concerned, I consider it a highly speculative piece of work, a hodge-podge of theories.

[asha22]

I can't believe they have Tom Hanks as Langdon...I was expecting a fit older man....not that tired old piece of trollop.

LOL!!!! Agreed!! I wanted Hugh Jackman!! Even Russell Crowe would have been a better choice for Langdon.

[Mel1973]

The Catholic church should unass some of those "treasures" they've been hoarding! Recently, "some" of those "artifacts" were put on display in a museum here. A friend of a friend went to look because she feels that, as a Catholic, it's part hers. She said that she was embarrassed at such ostentatious displays such as this. She said she was ashamed that there was this much locked away when it could be used to feed hungry Catholics, educated the uneducated or house the homeless. What good does it really do to hide - or in some cases even keep - something like a frigging golden goblet???? I can think of much better ways to use this stuff, why can't they?

[Karizma]

^ i agree with you in this case.

[Barbara]

The Catholic church should unass some of those "treasures" they've been hoarding! Recently, "some" of those "artifacts" were put on display in a museum here. A friend of a friend went to look because she feels that, as a Catholic, it's part hers. She said that she was embarrassed at such ostentatious displays such as this. She said she was ashamed that there was this much locked away when it could be used to feed hungry Catholics, educated the uneducated or house the homeless. What good does it really do to hide - or in some cases even keep - something like a frigging golden goblet???? I can think of much better ways to use this stuff, why can't they?

St. Peter and the Vatican are the most stinkingly rich and beautifully decorated places I ever saw, and I've seen quite a few. Every square inch is worth gazillions
Of course it's part of the world's cultural heritage today, but I bet the hidden "useless" treasures would be amazing to discover... what with all the people who bought their ticket to paradise over the many centuries...

[Grimmlok]

Yes Kitty... you seem to be one of the nice religious people. Please spread your infectious niceness so it covers the earth, it could use it.

As for the Vatican.. well, they have a ton of information they wont release because it would loosen their hold over billions.. same with the Jews.. there are portions of the dead sea scrolls that they won't let out.

Control of information is done out of fear, always has been. So what do they fear?

[Butterfly]

Screw the Vatican! They are just a bunch of Wolves in sheep’s clothing and nothing they say matters. They are as bad as $cientology shoving their opinions down people’s throats while pocketing their money. They live in the gilded city while most of the people they preach to are living in poverty. It is sickening. [/rant]

I for one can’t wait for the movie and all the new Harry Potter movies to boot.

[Grimmlok]

True, it is kind of sickening to see the papacy swaddled in silks and gold while their followers toil away in abject poverty. Wasn't Christ a simple carpenter?

Frankly, I think the Vatican should be purged of the catholics and turned into an art gallery for the entire world

[sweetrebel]

I don't know what the big fuss is.
People believe what they believe. If they are strong and true to their beliefs, no book or movie will sway that. This goes for us all-believers and nonbelievers....