The Da Vinci Code...What do you think?

edited December 1969 in Non-Orthodox Inquiries
Hey everybody,
I thought there was already a thread on this topic, but I didn't find it, so I guess there isnt one.

I just wanted to hear your opinions on the Da Vinci Code, and its gaining popularity, and the new movie coming out soon.
I personally thought that the Da Vinci Code was one of the best books I've ever read. I don't think people that read it should change their entire lives after reading it and believe the things that are written in it, because it is only a science fiction novel. If you read the book just for fun, it's actually an incredible book. Also, I don't think that people should avoid reading it because of the things they hear that are written in it, and miss reading a really good book. If you actually research a lot of the things he writes in there, they're not 100% true.

I also can't wait until the movie comes out.
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Comments

  • I too found the book interesting but all our priests and our bishop has condemned the book and says we are not allowed to watch the movie, however my school is taking us to see it.

  • Before I begin, I must warn you all that I will start rambling, and this won't make any sense, because I have a lot of issues with the DaVinci Code. My problems with the Da Vinci Code are as follows:

    1. Robert Langdon is extremely dull, and not nearly developed enough! In the 600 pages of the book, we barely learn anything about the man like his family, friends, hobbies...or ANYTHING about his personal life! This similar problem occurs with many other characters (Silas, Sophie, Teabing etc...). I know it's an adventure/thriller, not a drama so the characters don't tend to be that in-depth, but they are still far too 2-dimensional.

    2. Most of the premise is unrealistic and completely ridiculous. Okay, I know Dan Brown wasn't going for realism, however Langdon being a "symbolologist" is the silliest profession I have ever heard of. Also, isn't it a little foolish that Langdon puts so much faith and trust into Sophie when he JUST MET HER! When they escape from the Louvre, Robert is essentially saying "Yes lady I met twenty minutes ago, I'm going to trust you with my life/safety/problems with the police. That's completely sensible"

    3. What is the theme of this book? What is the point that Dan Brown is trying to make? What great moral lesson is Mr. Brown trying to teach to the reader?!?! This book doesn't make you think afterwards (except about how Fibbonocci is a cool guy).

    Okay, I'm rambling. Plus, I just realized that this is unrelated to a coptic website, and maybe I should go whine about this to people on a literature forum.

    But to get to your point, don't get me wrong, I don't think that the Da Vinci code was a bad book. It's actually quite a good thriller. It's just not worthy of all the acclaim that it's receiving and it's VERY flawed. But if you have some time on your hands, and you want to read a book, you probably won't regret picking up the DaVinci code for a light read, and the movie also looks quite good as well (and I do love Tom Hanks).

    Wait, I should warn people that the book is controversial, and some parts are quite offensive. However it's so poorly researched that nobody with three brain cells in their head would believe a word Dan Brown is saying about Jesus.

    Overall, there are a pluthora of better books out there that are being horrifically ignored because they are not as controversial as the Da Vinci Code. Some suggestions for GREAT reads are Catcher in the Rye (it's really strange though), The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole (it's hilarious, but probably for a younger audience), The Crucible (a play), Death of a Salesmen (play), Streetcar Named Desire (a play), The Count of Monte Cristo, Pride and Prejudice. I could go on and on, but that's time consuming, so I shall conclude. I hope I made some sense in this post
  • you do have some valid points but you have to read 'Angels and Demons' first in order to understand 'The Da Vinci Code' and for it to make sense about those concerns you portray.
  • Dear esakla23,

    With all respect to your opinion, I have to say that I don't hate The Da Vinci Code book - I DESPISE it! I didn't read it and will not read it simply because of the various reviews (not criticisms) that it has receieved. Why would I want to read a book written by a man that wants to distort our Lord Jesus' life on earth and shake the beliefs of many Christians? One'll say, "well, if you have a true and strong faith in Christ, your faith will remain steadfast." Not necessarily, my brother/sister. Remember, Satan is despirately and anxiously waiting for any chance to enter into a Christian's (especially those are very faithful) mind to disturb it and its beliefs. As St. Peter has warned every believer, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:7-9
    p.s. I actually have to leave now, but I have a lot to say about this topic, including my own opinion and how the Coptic Orthodox Church and other Churches stand on this issue. God bless.
    Salam :)
  • Filobateer, I don't think it's fair of you to criticize a book that you haven't read. That just breeds ignorance and promotes the stereotype that Christians are "one sided stubborn ignorant bigots".

    Read the book, think about the book, and then criticize it if you dislike it. Then your arguements will be much stronger because you will actually know what you are talking about.

    By the way, the priest at my church said you can read the DaVinci Code if you want to, just you should probably have the Bible and books like "uncracking the davinci code" beside you if you feel confused
  • [quote author=Katherine link=board=12;threadid=3752;start=0#msg53392 date=1146184145]
    Read the book, think about the book, and then criticize it if you dislike it.


    Katherine this is the wrong mentality. This is like trying a cigarette. "Try it first and if you don't like it don't do it." But the reality is that it is too late. You are already hooked. You have already tasted the fruit from the tree of knowledge the Lord forbade you to eat from. You have already tasted the bitter taste of sin. If people "read it first and then decide" it might already be too late because people might have the thought of the faith not being true planted in their hearts. The devil might have already gotten to them first and planted his evil seed, which grows into a tree of sin which bears no fruit. "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."- John 15:2

    I agree entirely with filobateer. The devil waits for a moment like this to put heresies into people's mind. We have to remember that this is how the devil works. The book looks like a good read, but is filled with heresies about Our Savior that may distort your faith. Why would you even put time into something that might distort your faith? Why would you even pay money for something like this? This is like paying money to doubt your faith. The book says that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene got married. Many of you don't understand, THE AUTHOR IS TALKING ABOUT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE ONE WHO DIED FOR OUR SINS AND SAVED US FROM DEATH. This is not a figure to spread heresies about. This is the King of Glory that saved you. Now you’re turning your back on God and reading a book that distorts the story of your salvation? That does not make any sense. Do not be fooled. The devil tries to put thoughts into your mind that will even question the very meaning of your faith. Instead of reading a book of heresies of Our Lord Jesus Christ, read about his life, his miracles, and the story of your salvation in the Bible.

    Please forgive me and pray for me,

    Godhelpme3691
  • First of all Katherine, YOU don't have the right to tell me what and what not to think. When I started the message I clearly stated that I respected esakla's opinion. Secondly, I've already mentioned why I'm not reading the book. It seems like you didn't read the whole message, so your quoting me out of context. Thirdly, not because I didn't read the book, doesn't mean I don't know what issues/topics it discusses. I might even know more about them than "those" who've read it more than once!!!!!!!
    And you are truly applying the theory that 'Godhelpme3691' has mentioned - try the cigarette, then see if you like it or not. Such theory, including "those" who support it, is what causes the society to go downhill morally, ethically, and behavioraly. I advice you to examine your motive of WHY you're reading this book.
    Salam :)
  • WHooooow, all you guys, just relax? Is this how we treat each other? come on.

    Each one is entitled to his/her opinion, and there is no need for the 'bad-mouthing' either

    Peace ;)
  • ok...I have a couple of things to say.
    First of all, I really don't think that the message that Dan Brown was trying to send when writing this book was about Jesus marrying Mary Magdalene. So that was definitely not the theme of the book. I think that the main purpose of this book is strictly entertainment. So, if you go in reading that book for only entertainment purposes, it shouldn't have any affect on you.

    I talked with someone about this book, and this is what she had to say. She said that the thing about this book is that if you are a weak Christian that is not really church going or does not have a relationship with God, then this book might question your faith and beliefs. However, for a well versed Christian, who strongly believes in his faith, and who has a relationship with God, when Dan Brown writes something about how Jesus married Mary Magdalene, that will just seem outrageous and will be ignored. Also, for a strong Christian, reading this kind of book is actually sort of important. These kinds of books will force you to research the history of Christianity (which is what I actually did after reading this book) and will help you understand Christianity better. It's sort of like how Christians read the Koran. They read the Koran so they know what kind of things people are reading out there, and so they would be more knowledgable of this world and research some things more, and it will make you a better Christian and even strengthen your faith. Also, for a sunday school teacher, it is really important to read these kinds of books, because I'm sure that one of your kids will read the book and will come up to you and ask you about it. The most knowledgable servants in the church research everything, including every kind of faith out there so they know more about this world. Similarily, we should read this book so we can research it and learn more about our faith.

    A book this popular should be read so that we know what we are up against and so we don't look ignorant when approached by someone with some questions. We Christians should read this book so we can tell the world how the things that are written in this book is simply wrong.

    So yeah...that's what I think. Also, there's only like 6 or 7 chapters out of 105 in the entire book where it talks about Jesus marrying Mary Magdalene. The rest of the book is all about suspense and crazy twists.
  • ya 3am entah mosh wade7..... bardoh mosh 3arfah entah betlama7 3ala eh..... 7elwo awy el kalam ely entah 2oltoh dah. tayeb, hah???? w'ba3dein ya3ny? EH NO2TETAK? matkhaleek wade7 kidah w'maftoo7.... oly belzabt ely mosh 3agbak fee ra2y 3ashan akoun 3al khat fee kalamak. kaman marah ba2olak....WADA7...CLARIFY ra2yak ya fandem. balash laf w'dawaran w'khosh fel mawdoo3 3alatool.
    salam :)
  • ummmmm......can you please translate that to english. I understand arabic pretty good, but I have no idea what you just wrote.

    thanks
  • you have no idea ezay ya3ny?? i'm not talking in spanish or zimbabwe.... what i wrote was ARABIC.... however, if you really didn't understand what i said, find someone that speaks arabic and they can tell you. i write like that to other members that speak arabic and they understand me very well. ;) ;) ;D

    however, i will translate it in english so that you understand it. however, it is about 1 am now, i have to go but u'll find a translation of the previous passage in english tommorrow.
    salam ;D
  • to have my opinion on it i think personally tha the book is a load of garbage, and i advise every1 not to waste their time reading that trash
  • I think some Christians should read the book for apologetic reasons, to have a defence against its claims and to give confidence for the weaker beleivers. However anybody which wants to read it for entertainment, bacause of the writting skills or story telling of Dan Brown, I think you might aswel watch pornography for the artistic cinematography. This is somebody blaspheming the name of our Saviour, it is not to be taken as just a book, or art. Im sure if anybody would publish a book about our parents writting fabricated filth and offence of them, we would not be able to read the pages just as an entertaining book, it will hurt us and cut our hearts, which is the exact sensitivity we should have when we read or see things about our Lord. (same goes for the movie)
    Its not about ignorance, its about our love for the one who gave His life for us
  • Didn't it already come out? By the way, Jesus soooooo did not mary mary magdeline becuz he teaches us purity and he said virginity is purity. also, no one is good enough to marry Him.

    u can watch a sample of it in aol videos



  • actually yes i agree on doit4jesus' point! ;)
  • There have been ample reasons given for the refutation of the book and its implications. You may, if inclined, try reading a book by Darrel L Bock entitled Breaking the Da Vinci Code.
    It should prove to be much more fecund.

    God Bless.
  • Also, I don't think that people should avoid reading it because of the things they hear that are written in it, and miss reading a really good book. If you actually research a lot of the things he writes in there, they're not 100% true.

    They are 0 % true.
    When Dan Brown describes his work as a novel, and then follows it with "accurate information" disclaimer, he does not list any references nor does he admit that this is just his personal view and his personal interpretation that has nothing to do with the reality. It is not supposed to be a scientific research book, it is a story that he made up and he should admit it. We should also agree on that to have any meaningful discussion.

    As for the style of the book, it is a personal preference thing but it is hard to believe that it would appeal to orthodox christian or any other denomination. It is like somebody writing a book about your brother or a family member, and makes it actually full of excitement and mystery, broken code and conspiracy, defames your family member while you are clapping and applauding his attempt to attack you and your loved ones because you liked the style the attack was packaged in.

    Is it a very effective way to damage the faith ? Absolutely, and it is not the first time it was used. Arius has used it before with a lot of success when he put his heresies into songs with lovely tunes from the tradition of the nations and he spread it out very quickly across the Roman Empire. Such a tool to damage the faith should be recognized and never supported.

    As for buying the book or going to the movie, there is a principle that I go by. I do not put money to endorse a movie, a book or a magazine that attacks my faith or my people. I do not rent "Philadelphia" although Denzel is my favorite actor, because the money will go to produce other movies that advocate principles that are morally corrupt in a subliminal or aggresive way. It will not damage my faith nor have the slightest effect on what I believe, yet I do not put a penny in that.

    I read the book in a library, found it boring but insulting, and I found the books that exposed the lies of Dan Brown to be actually good to different extents. So, read those books as well if you want to read the "Da Vinci Code".
  • we too were also told by the Bishop not to support the book and the movie and hence not read or watch it.

    i think the reasoning behind it is if we support the book or movie by buying it or going to see it at the movies it will also show our support for the theories it portrays regardless of whether or not you do.

    also if we are weak in our faith it may lead us to beleive the theories it contains and therefore stray from our true beleifs.

    Kris
  • Firstly, filobateer and everybody who is getting angry about this whole topic...RELAX! Breathe in, breathe out, buy a puffer and some anti-stress medication and RELAX. I am in no way trying to "tell you what to think" nor do I even know how you came to that conclusion. All I was doing was respectfully disagreeing with you and giving you a little advice (which you don't have to take.....).

    Secondly, in no way whatsoever is reading the DaVinci code like "trying a cigarette". There's no need to exaggerate people! If you, as a Christian, are really just that against the Da Vinci Code you SHOULD read it so you can understand "the enemy". If you haven't read the Da Vinci Code, you CANNOT in any way FULLY know what you are talking about if somebody begins to argue about the book with you. You can read synopsysis, you can read books about the DaVinci Code, you could research the novel untill you are blue in the face, but the fact is, actually READING the book will help you to argue against it because you will KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!

    I'll use another example. If somebody starts questioning me about why I don't believe in evolution, I need to research evolution so I can effectively argue against it! If you refuse to read books about evolution because it's a "heresy" you will just end up looking like a fool if somebody challenges you about it. They'll realize that you are arguing against something that you don't even understand! Or if somebody asks me about why I don't beleive in Islam, I need to read passages from the Quran and understand the history of Islam so I can show to a skeptic why I refuse to believe in Islam.

    Hope I clarified my above quotes. Oh and filobateer, please write in English, because I know a lot of Copts who aren't Egyptian, and I was born and raised in Canada, so my knowledge of the Arabic language is very elementary and minimal.
  • Katherine, you are a wonderful person. I respect you very much and i respect what you've written in the last post. You do have a point in saying that it is BETTER, not necessarily required though, to read the book so we can know what's in it so that when we want to defend our faith, we can do that more effectively.

    However, the reason why I'll never read that book is because of how repugnant Dan Brown's portrayal of Jesus as a regular man that had an affair with Mary Magdalene is. I know... i know... this is not the only thing in the book, the book discusse various issues like art, history, and philosophy, but this kinda turned me off from reading the entire book. Yet, i've been reading an article, and will start to read a book, that thoroughly, carefully, and factualy dissects Brown's book and its false accusations and convictions.

    Again, I want to thank you Katherine for your patience and understanding with this issue. I totally respect your opinion and admire ur politeness and matureness that, unlike me, unfortunately, have been evident in your posts. God bless you, my sister.

    salam :)
  • Aww, I thank you filobateer (I feel all warm and fuzzy inside now..oh and you are not immature as you implied by your last post). Also, I completely understand you not wanting to read the book (if you see my above posts, I'm no fan of the novel either, I only read it because I found it lying around my school's library so I wanted to see what all the fuss was about...this was before the movie rumours and the hysteria about the book's anti Christian nature had become full-fledged). All I'm just saying is that people should read the book if they decide grab the giant signs and megaphone and head down to the nearest Famous Players Theatre to go protest the release of the movie.

    I know I'm repeating myself, but if you want to read the book for non-research purposes, I think that by all means go ahead (even though there are zillions of better books out there) but IF and ONLY IF you have done your research and acknowledge the heresies within it. Be very skeptical when reading anything that Dan Brown writes about Jesus and Christianity....or, as I said before, just read Death of a Salesman...or Count of Monte Cristo because those are the grestest books in history (except for the Bible of course....)
  • I dont get the big deal with this dumb book, its FULLY under fictional. Dan Brown himself said what's written is not historically accurate. Its a book for amusement, nothing else. If people are gunna bother to read the ENTIRE book, I hope they dont miss the first page in which it CLEARLY states, its all fiction (ie. a load of pooop)
  • everyone

    bihob yousif will be putting two messages both bout the de vinci code n the bibl of judas

    its on the southern diocese webite
  • Godhelpme 3691, Doit4jesus, and Starvo,

    Hit the nail on the head with your posts and that was absolutely excellent. Very much respect and appreciate what you guys wrote and wish that our youth adapted the same attitude when it comes to these types of issues.

    Katherine,

    I understand what you are saying, but instead of playing with fire (and you might get burned) in order to understand how it works why don’t you do research on ways in putting it out? Basically instead of reading The Da Vinci Code so that if people ask questions you can understand and refute it, why don’t you read the bible and works by our spiritual fathers so that you can answer them and refute them without having to fill your mind with complete and utter garbage? You don’t need to preempt or hypothesis about your opponents case because if you are well prepared and know the material well then you will have the hands up in the debate/case/discussion/ etc.

    If you feel that you know the bible inside and out and you really know your stuff and want to be “better” prepared then and only then should you read The Da Vinci Code. It’s a shame that so many of the youth in our church would rather read a book that spreads garbage (even for entertainment) about our Savior and yet they barely pick up the bible and read the words of God.

    I wonder if the Da Vinci Code was written and they used different people as the main characters would it still be as popular? Would it be as attractive to the world? Or would it be just a regular book sitting on the shelves of Barnes and Noble in the fiction isle at the bottom?

    I’m not attacking you in any way shape or form, and this post isn’t aimed at you but anyone who reads this thread and feels strongly about reading the book.

    In His Name
  • the da vinci code is trash, but............................... believers mite want to watch it or read the book so as to reply to arguments against them/us

    pray for me :)
  • The movie is coming out May 29th, I read the back and opened a page, my friend bought it from Target, well, it's not all that interesting, as many people have said before, the sequel is called Cracking the DaVinci Code, and sorry if it's not the sequel, but maybe it's just another book to just break the reason!

    Forever,
    Coptic Servent
  • [quote author=Maryann23_©oP† link=board=12;threadid=3752;start=15#msg53726 date=1146447845]
    I dont get the big deal with this dumb book, its FULLY under fictional. Dan Brown himself said what's written is not historically accurate. Its a book for amusement, nothing else. If people are gunna bother to read the ENTIRE book, I hope they dont miss the first page in which it CLEARLY states, its all fiction (ie. a load of pooop)


    I don't know where you got your version of the Da Vinci code Maryann23, but I can assure you that Dan Brown in NO WAY has ever claimed that his book is "not historically accurate". He has a lot of conviction that most of what he has written (see his website www.danbrown.com) as being the historical or as close to historical truth as possible. He acknowledges that the theories regarding Christ are merely THEORIES (ie not necessarily true) but he doesn't claim that they are completely wrong either. (see www.danbrown.com/novels/davinci_code/faqs.html)

    Also, (again I don't know what version of the book you've seen) but in all the versions I have checked out, the first page of the book CLEARLY states "that the documents, rituals, organization, artwork, and architecture discussed in the novel are all FACT". There is no page stating that everything is ficticious. However, just because it says "Fact" doesn't mean that they are facts. If Star Wars started with a "Fact blurb" that said "all Jedis/other planets/strange creatures/crazy robots in this movie exist" wiuld that magically make it true?

    Now, to joyisgod:

    Don't worry, I know you are not attacking me. If I disagree with somebody, I don't think any less of them, because I understand where they are coming from (all me and one of my closest friends do is argue all day). Also, I completely agree with a lot of what you are saying (bet people weren't expecting that one)! Reading books like the Da Vinci Code is definately playing with fire. Dan Brown is quite convincing sounding at many parts of the book.

    However, this book has NO sources listed, and about 75-80% of the book makes no mention of Jesus, so for those who are extremely skeptical and cynical (such as myself) I believe that it's unlikely that Dan Brown will weaken a persons faith. I know I'm probably repeating myself a hundred times, but I really liked what a priest at my church said:

    "if you want to read the Da Vinci Code to better learn about the enemy, you should do it with the Bible, and a book called "Cracking the Da Vinci Code beside you"

    By the way, Cracking the DaVinci Code is NOT a sequel, it's a book written by two pastors who have PhD's in religious history (while Dan Brown has no previous background in religious/historical study..he was an English teacher).
  • [quote author=esakla23 link=board=12;threadid=3752;start=0#msg53421 date=1146197832]
    ok...I have a couple of things to say.
    First of all, I really don't think that the message that Dan Brown was trying to send when writing this book was about Jesus marrying Mary Magdalene. So that was definitely not the theme of the book. I think that the main purpose of this book is strictly entertainment. So, if you go in reading that book for only entertainment purposes, it shouldn't have any affect on you.
    . . . if you are a weak Christian that is not really church going or does not have a relationship with God, then this book might question your faith and beliefs. However, for a well versed Christian, who strongly believes in his faith, and who has a relationship with God, when Dan Brown writes something about how Jesus married Mary Magdalene, that will just seem outrageous and will be ignored.


    This book's purpose was NOT strictly entertainment! If it was, why didn't Dan Brown just change the movie to be about some other main character (not Jesus), or just not complete the movie when his movie raised so much controversy and debate over whether it showed be allowed to be shown or not. The movie was deeply offensive, and I think that he DID want to try to portray Jesus as being fake(not the Son of God). He has shown a weak attempt at that, not researching his "facts", and proposing many false accusations against our Lord.

    We should not read the book in order to not support his blasphemy, if not to shake our own faith, which it can do to even those who are strong and steadfast in the faith. We should DEFINITELY not spend money to go see the movie, nor should we spend money to buy and read the book. If we must read the book though, we should borrow it from a library, although that is still some sort of support.

    For those who said that a large portion of the book is not even about Jesus, you are wrong. The ENTIRE BOOK is about Sophie and Langdon's struggle to prove that Jesus did actually have relations with Mary Magdelene, that the Priory of Sion does actually exist, and that it does actually guard the (false) secret of Jesus and Mary Magdelene. Brown cleverly devised it to seem like simple entertainment. The book even suggests that Sophie, one of the characters, is actually one of the descendants of Jesus and Mary Magdelene! This book tries to take God and a saint and poison them and watch them rot! Thankfully, God is much more powerful than that and can very easily overcome and destroy this heresy.

    I hope and pray that this book will not be the stumbling block for any more than it has already caused to shake and/or fall.

    With sisterly love,
    Gods kid
  • I think the reason why I'm the only person on this thread that liked the book is because when I read the book I had no idea what it was about. All I heard was that it was a good book with a bunch of twists and a lot of suspense. So, when I started reading it, I had a positive attitude towards the book, and I loved it because from the first chapter it was filled with suspense. I didn't read anything about Jesus and Mary Magdalene until I read half of the book. When I got to that point, I simply ignored it and kept on reading until I finished it and I still loved the book. I didn't question any of my beliefs nor did I doubt any of my faith because I've already heard these kinds of arguments before and I've always ignored them because I know they're wrong. Also, after I finished the book, what stayed in my mind was the actual story and all the twists that it had. The things that Dan Brown wrote about Jesus and Mary Magdalene didn't affect me at all, and so I wasn't thinking about that stuff after I finished the book because I knew that stuff is absolute garbage. It sort of gives me the same feeling when I read a book that contains something about human evolution. I know it's wrong, so I don't think about it, and I just continue reading.
    So, I'm guessing that the reason why I'm the only person on this thread who likes this book is because everyone else who has read it knew before reading the book that it had false accusations against Jesus, and so they already hated it before reading the book...maybe...I don't know...?
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