Vatican speaks out about Da Vinci Code

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:07 am

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4350625.stm

"It astonishes and worries me that so many people believe these lies...The book is everywhere. There is a very real risk that many people who read it will believe that the fables it contains are true."

For people who supposedly have so much faith, it's astonishing that the Vatican can be rattled by a novel. Perhaps if their own book had a better story and more convincing characters they might be able to compete. Personally I find the whole thing hilarious.

Post by **Kaylee** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 12:08 pm

Ironically I consider many parallels between the Da Vinci code and Catholicism... I think both have a very loose grasp on what probably happened...

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 12:14 pm

Yeah, I really wouldn't place one fictionalised account based around (probable) facts above another...

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 12:33 pm

yeah but they must have a point I mean its the word of god and all, why dont you belive?

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:46 pm

At first glance, it seems to be just another group of high-horse ridin' dimwits who don't believe that people can tell fact from fiction. Then again, these are people who not only believe in the invisible man in the sky, but dedicate their entire lives to not only doing said invisible man's will, but by trying to get others to follow it as well.

The image it cunjurs up for me is a couple of stereotypical Star Wars fans trying to convert Trekkies.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:49 pm

Professor Smooth wrote:The image it cunjurs up for me is a couple of stereotypical Star Wars fans trying to convert Trekkies.

Cunjurs?

Eh. Star Wars fans, Star Trek fans... burn 'em all, I say.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 4:57 pm

I suppose their reasoning is that if people are gullible enough to believe what's in the Bible then they will believe anything.

...Which would be funny if so many people didn't believe in the Bible.

*gives up all hope for humanity*

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:08 pm

Metal Vendetta wrote:*gives up all hope for humanity*

I did that eons ago, start rooting for the martians, that's what i do!

Post by **Denyer** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:20 pm

"It astonishes and worries me that so many people believe these lies...The book is everywhere. There is a very real risk that many people who read it will believe that the fables it contains are true."

That's no way for a Pope to talk about the Bible...

Optimus Prime Rib · Post by **Optimus Prime Rib** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 5:39 pm

Im betting that they use a reality show to choose the next Pope.

saysadie · Post by **saysadie** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 6:08 pm

Hee hee, "The Pope's enforcer"...

Denyer wrote:
That's no way for a Pope to talk about the Bible...

I was going to say something along those lines.

Gods I love humanity sometimes. Let people believe in the bible, God, what have you, I don't give a damn. A couple of the better people I know believe in God, go to church etc. and they accept [or try to] that I don't believe in some imaginary person who loves us all. They can live with that false sense of comfort if they want, it ain't for me.

That's actually something I've been dying to say to a couple of people... but arguing the existence of God with Christians really is like repeatedly hitting your head against a brick wall. Unless they're openminded enough to hear what you have to say and that's not been usual, in my experience.

It's fun to poke certain ones with the Atheist stick and watch them dance though. I'm gonna pick that book up, don't think I've ever read it.

Post by **Denyer** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:24 pm

saysadie wrote:I don't believe in some imaginary person who loves us all.

I don't have a problem with that notion of divinity... it's the bastard who punishes his creations for behaving in the flawed manner they were deliberately created (and coincidentally hates the same people as his worshippers) that I have rather less time for...

The love and tolerance bit would be just peachy if people actually did it.

saysadie · Post by **saysadie** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:08 pm

Denyer wrote:
saysadie wrote:I don't believe in some imaginary person who loves us all.
I don't have a problem with that notion of divinity... it's the bastard who punishes his creations for behaving in the flawed manner they were deliberately created (and coincidentally hates the same people as his worshippers) that I have rather less time for...

Oh yeah, I don't have a problem with it either. Any of it really... because I don't believe any of it.

Denyer wrote:The love and tolerance bit would be just peachy if people actually did it.

The way I see it, people do it on a day to day basis. But just as many or more do the opposite, or even the same people who're doing the love and tolerance thing one moment with certain people do the other to someone in the next breath and that's just... humanity. People being flawed people.

An individual can't be a "good person" all of the time imo.

bobaprime85 · Post by **bobaprime85** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:40 pm

Legion wrote:
Metal Vendetta wrote:*gives up all hope for humanity*
I did that eons ago, start rooting for the martians, that's what i do!

Forget them, I'm moving to Cybertron!

Anyway, this is yet another example of the weirdness that is organized Christianity. I've yet to read the Da Vinci Code, and I don't plan to. Not because of some weird notions about Jesus, but because the idea of him having a sexual relationship with Magdalene is nothing new, and I personally refuse to get involved in the latest controversial fad. If people would just go bother to investigate the Gnostic Gospels (there's a book of the same name by Elaine Pagels - wonderful introduction), then maybe they would finally open their eyes to a few things. Of course, this would also require most Christians to give up their long-cherished creed of "Sex! BAD!" It's unbelievable how many people are more concerned with Jesus kissing Mary on the first date rather than what that actually forebodes for their own religious tradition.

Dylan · Post by **Dylan** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 9:51 pm

All "facts" and "myths" aside, I personally find it pretty interesting to watch. Religion in a general sense is usually based on an elite group of people guarding and interpreting esoteric lore, thereby guiding and controlling the masses.

I feel that today's world is different from other historical periods because of the fact information on everything is so readily available, more so than ever. It's hard to sustain one truth in a pluriform world.

From an objective point of view, I'd love to see what the outcome of this whole ordeal (religions etc) will be.

From the same objective point of view, I couldn't care less, since in the big picture, nothing matters.

As soon as you realise that, you'll lead a happy life.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 17, 2005 11:25 pm

Optimus Prime Rib wrote:Im betting that they use a reality show to choose the next Pope.

Are you telling me that Papaltine hasn't got an apprentice lined up to strike him down?

And...

Fatwah, anyone?

Oh, sorry. Wrong Judaist offshoot.

Three religions for the price of one! Can't fit quicker than a Kwik Fit Fitter!

Post by **Denyer** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:32 am

saysadie wrote:Oh yeah, I don't have a problem with it either. Any of it really... because I don't believe any of it.

I don't believe in racial supremacy, but I still have a few problems with it. That's the sense I'm thinking of.

Denyer wrote:the same people who're doing the love and tolerance thing one moment with certain people do the other to someone in the next breath

They tend not to do so whilst claiming the other is done out of love.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:10 am

Gah, I am too drunk to reply to this thread.

Emperor_Starscream · Post by **Emperor_Starscream** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 5:03 am

Brendocon wrote:
Professor Smooth wrote:The image it cunjurs up for me is a couple of stereotypical Star Wars fans trying to convert Trekkies.
Cunjurs?

Eh. Star Wars fans, Star Trek fans... burn 'em all, I say.

i'm a trekkie.

burn me!!! burn me!!!

Blacksword · Post by **Blacksword** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 5:46 am

Goodie, another bash the Christians thread... how original...

Gotta love the acceptance and tolerance... and people call religious folk high handed and superior minded...

The one thing I didn't miss about this place, the smug dismissal of everything I and several other board members hold dear on a regular basis. Yes I must be irrational and it can't possibly be any other way....

Real sensitive people.

That said I don't really care about the Da Vinci Code, other than the fact that a few nitwits will take it seriously. Fact is(as has been mentioned) it doesn't say anything new, or that hasn't been refuted (the documents found in a French monastery that the bloodline of Jesus and Mary Magdalen theory was based on, were proven to be forgeries a longtime ago - the only solid tradition of the Holy Grail is located in Britain in any case). And aside from some controversy causing statements the author's made to boost sales, it's been quite clear that this book is fiction.

Dylan · Post by **Dylan** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:12 am

Blacksword wrote:Goodie, another bash the Christians thread... how original...

Gotta love the acceptance and tolerance... and people call religious folk high handed and superior minded...

The one thing I didn't miss about this place, the smug dismissal of everything I and several other board members hold dear on a regular basis. Yes I must be irrational and it can't possibly be any other way....

Agreed.

So how do you do it? How do you place other religions and atheism in your world view? Is there one truth, or do you allow yourself to believe in a duality, or whole spectrum of truths?

It's a sincere question, no sarcasm intended mind you. Thanks.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:23 am

Recorded Scorcese's controversial 'Last Temptation of Christ' off the telly last night. Looking forward to watching it.

Um, I have nothing more to add.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 9:55 am

Emperor_Starscream wrote:i'm a trekkie. burn me!!! burn me!!!

oooh, i love it when people ask for it... *lights flame thrower*

Blacksword wrote:it's been quite clear that this book is fiction.

it's also quite clear that it's not a well written book...

Post by **Best First** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 10:17 am

Blacksword wrote:Goodie, another bash the Christians thread... how original...

Gotta love the acceptance and tolerance... and people call religious folk high handed and superior minded...

The one thing I didn't miss about this place, the smug dismissal of everything I and several other board members hold dear on a regular basis. Yes I must be irrational and it can't possibly be any other way....

Real sensitive people.

Why should people accept and tolerate systems they believe damaging?

You seem equally dismissive of people's athiesm/secularism by the way. Can you comprehend that from some people speading the word of secularism is as important as spreading the word of God?

Still, you have underscored your point well with a broad generalisation in the direction of everyone else here. well played.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:15 am

Goodie, another indignant Christian post... how original...

Seems like we've been here so many times before, too. I make some passing reference to religion being a pile of tosh and up pops Blacksword with his "you insult everything I hold dear" routine..."Oh no, Emvee said that people who believe in the Bible are gullible! My very faith is rattled to the foundations!"

*yawn*

[/smug dismissal]

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:38 am

Blacksword wrote:The one thing I didn't miss about this place, the smug dismissal of everything I and several other board members hold dear on a regular basis.

I hold dear my right to pass objective comment on things, especially a system of thought that ultimately boils down to "it's in a book and lots of other people believe it too, therefore it must be true."

Yet you are saying I shouldn't be able to do that, as it offends your sensibilities. Commit hypocrisy much?

If you hold it so dear, you should be able to construct rational defenses that consist of more than "not listening!" You really help your case when you do that...

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:19 pm

I watched the 'Last temptation of christ' last night, it was pretty good to be honest, well filmed and Willam Dafoe was great.

I dont understand what any religous groups had a problem with, Jesus does have sex in the film, but this in a 15min dream sequence where the devil speaks to him, supposedly taking place as he dies on the cross.
So Jesus didnt have sex, he is tempted with this idea, and he rejects and dies for daddy, sorry mankind.

Supposedly at the time loads of ppl went mad because they just saw the headline 'Jesus has sex' and took it way out of context.

For me the film was gritty, well written, and I found it easier to stomach then some glossy jesus storys.

good stuff Martin!

Post by **Best First** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:20 pm

more to the point - whats so terrible about the notion of Jesus having sex?

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:20 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:
good stuff Martin!

Martin's the man.

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:22 pm

Best First wrote:more to the point - whats so terrible about the notion of Jesus having sex?

It's a sin!
It's evil!
He wasn't married!
I don't want him to have done!

It's alright for God to have a son, but the notion of grandchildren whose blood is mixed with those dirty dirty humans? Preposterous!

Yawn.