Vatican urges Boycott of DaVinci Code

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon May 08, 2006 3:40 pm

shorter link

I don't get it. I honestly do not get it. The controversy over this book and movie are so stupid that it makes my head spin. What good is boycotting a book and movie that you don't want to see anyway? That's not a boycott, it's using common ****ing sense.

A few paragraphs into the article, we get this charming little nugget:

"Christians must not just sit back and say it is enough for us to forgive and to forget,"

Isn't "turning the other cheek" the single most basic principle that Christianity is based on?

Then there's this fun little snippet:

"Sometimes it is our duty to do something practical. So it is not I who will tell all Christians what to do but some know legal means which can be taken in order to get the other person to respect the rights of others," Arinze said.

Respect the rights of others? I'm a big fan of repecting the rights of others. I fail to see, however, how trying to take legal action against authors and movie makers is conducive to respecting their rights. They have every right to not the see the movie and to not read the book, but they don't think that others have the right to make/write/see what they enjoy?

At least they haven't resorted to thinly veiled threats of terrorism against the author and makers of the movie. Oh wait...

"Those who blaspheme Christ and get away with it are exploiting the Christian readiness to forgive and to love even those who insult us. There are some other religions which if you insult their founder they will not be just talking. They will make it painfully clear to you,

So because certain followers of other religions (lesser religions, if you go by the letter of their book) are willing to make their beliefs "painfully clear to you (an obvious reference to the violent outbursts sparked by the depictions of the Muslim profit in Danish newspapers)" then it's alright if Christians decide to start doing the same? This, of course, ignores the fact that there's nothing in The DaVinci Code (the book, at least, I havent' seen the movie yet...and neither has anyone else) that insults Christianity, Christ, or Christians. It's a fictional account of a hidden conspiricy within an offshoot of Christianity/Catholisism that has tried to hide the truth about Christ for millennia. Threats against the makers of works of (popular) fiction, where have I heard that before?

Now on to the silly stuff:

Amato urged a boycott of the film and Arinze, like his fellow cardinal, also blasted the credibility of the book.

Credibility? It's a novel. A fictional novel. There is no credibility to be blasted. Are they going to start "blasting the credibility" of Star Trek next? Life on other planets isn't described in The Bible, so it's obviously wrong. Maybe they can take a stab at Harry Potter too, oh wait, that's been going on for years already.

Onward!

Catholic group Opus Dei has told Sony Pictures that putting a disclaimer on the movie stressing it is a work of fiction would be a welcome show of respect toward the Church.

Yes! They acknowlege that it's fiction! So, now, the questions becomes: What's the big deal? Let's put this label on all things that are fictional (even if they're based on something resembling fact). Let's start with The Bible.

Thoughts?

Brendocon · Post by **Brendocon** » Mon May 08, 2006 3:47 pm

I'm boycotting the movie.

Not because of the subject matter (isn't it basically Indiana Jones vs The Mona Lisa, anyway?), but because it has Paul Bettany in it. I've managed to successfully avoid everything Bettany's been in to the point where it's like a hobby of mine now... I don't even know why!

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Mon May 08, 2006 3:57 pm

It's like me and MTV. I will not watch MTV. I didn't know why until recently. For awhile, it was like they were trying to get me to watch.

MTV: Hey Smooth, we've got wrestling now! Sunday Night Heat! It's pretty sucky usually, but the night before the PPV it's not half bad.

Me: Screw you, MTV! I'll watch the PPV pre-show instead!

MTV: We've given your favorite singer, Ozzy Osbourne, his own show! What's gonna happen with Ozzy? You want to know? You have to watch our network!

Me: I think not. Perhaps I will purchase the DVDs when they become available or perhaps I can live with knowing Ozzy only through his spectacular live and studio albums. Good day, sir!

MTV: Alright, alright, you resisted wrestling and Ozzy, but now, we're showing all-new Spider-Man cartoons! Spider-Man! You can't resist that, can you?

Me: Watch me not watch the new Spider-Man cartoons.

Then finally, I figured out why I was boycotting MTV.

MTV: Wow! Pink Flloyd is reuniting for one night only during that huge benefit show! Let's cut away from their performance and show Diddy talking about something instead of showing this musically significant piece of history.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Mon May 08, 2006 4:02 pm

I still don't understand what the story of the Davinci Code is... what IS the code now??

Davinci used his intellect supreme to unlock ALL the secrets of the golden mean/ratio, the Fibonacci Sequence, and the The Kathara Grid?? Thereby whosoever has the formulae gets to be god and reshape all that lives??

Btw.. can somebody tell me why the Katara Grid looks just like the Jewish Three of Life?!

http://www.cojoweb.com/katharagrid1.gif

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/occu ... ttemp.html

Damn... I think I'm going crazy after watching the movie Pi..

Also... dudes.. you've got some keeeraazzzy ( non-christian related even) religions in the UK... this Qabalah thing... sounds like something out of X-men: Apocalypse.. And apparently it's Madonnas current thaaang??

Post by **Kaylee** » Mon May 08, 2006 4:04 pm

I'm boycotting it too. Because I think its an overhyped, derivative paperback that's gone a bit mad in the undeserved popularity department tho. {cough}harry potter{cough}

So, replace 'boycotting' with 'can't be bothered to see'...

As a point of interest our catholic instituions here in the UK are welcoming the publicity and interest. Their big brother in the Vatican tends to live in a bit of a bubble as far as reality is concerned. Like that's a news flash.

Post by **Best First** » Mon May 08, 2006 4:22 pm

the book is pretty crap - the ending is awful.

its baout as anti-church as Blacksword as well.

love that article.

"Christ is back... but he's pissed off!"

blam! blam!

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Mon May 08, 2006 4:26 pm

Right. Two weeks ago, as I was walking to work, I found a bag of clothes and stuff by the side of the road with a sign saying "Free, take me" and inside was a fresh, virgin copy of The Da Vinci Code. I thought this would be an ideal opportunity to read it (i.e. without spending any money) and self-consciously carried on the tube for the next couple of days (this was a Thursday). By Saturday evening I'd finished it.

As far as I can see, it's a fairly forgettable thriller of the kind that seems to do well (short chapters, few characters, plain writing style), and it's not terribly original. Nothing in the book really surprised me in the slightest and, having read Preacher, I thought the subject matter was incredibly tame. Brown even goes so far as to write at the end that Opus Dei and the Vatican were innocent of any part in the plot against Langdon, which seems to me to be a sop to Christian reactions.

As for the plot, the actual "Da Vinci code", pay attention Preds, is that the curator of the Louvre wrote down some anagrams that involve Da Vinci's paintings, then the curator's grand-daughter and a clone of Dan Brown go on an adventure that lasts all of 24 hours (book time, you can read it in about 4) at the end of which he discovers the location of the Holy Grail. Oh, and a monk is trying to kill them, or something.

I'm agreeing with Karl that it's overhyped and underdeserving in the Harry Potter vein, and apparently myself and Brend have similar feelings about old blond eyebrows, so I doubt I'll be along to see it. As for Christians who are getting up in arms over this, I honestly couldn't give a rat's ass. They're making greater fools of themselves by speaking out about this as if they'd just kept quiet and seethed at home. Honestly, I always thought blasphemy would be funnier/more exciting/better than this.

Post by **Kaylee** » Mon May 08, 2006 4:28 pm

He's back!

Post by **Best First** » Mon May 08, 2006 4:30 pm

i like Harry Potter, and i have no religous compunctions, so i will be not forgiving and not forgetting like a mother.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Mon May 08, 2006 4:31 pm

Oh, and just to spoil it for anyone who might want to watch the film:

It's in there.

Post by **Denyer** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:09 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:16 pm

thats brillant!

Dylan · Post by **Dylan** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:29 pm

I enjoyed reading The Da Vinci Code because it was so simple. But I liked the pace!

And I'm going to watch the movie also. I know it's only about making Dan Brown richer, but I salute the guy for his influence over the world. Nicely done!

Pissin' Poonani · Post by **Pissin' Poonani** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:46 pm

I shall definately be watching this film, for the same reason that I watch all Tom Hanks films-in the hope that he'll re-enact that scene from 'Big' where he plays chopsticks on the giant keyboard.

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:18 pm

I have no interest in either the book or the movie; it just doesn't tweak my gourd. Working in a bookstore as I do, though, I'm hip-deep in the 'controversy'. There are no less than ten different books 'debunking' the DaVinci Code on our shelves, and of course we get a few whackos who do stupid stuff like turn the books around on the shelves so the front cover can't be seen. Um, OK

.

My opinion is, if you are so insecure in your faith/belief in God that you have to attack a work of -- and here's the operative word.. FICTION -- then you need to seriously re-evaluate your relationship with God as well as the sad loser-ness of your life that gives you all this time to attack a book that's (say it with me, boys and girls) FICTION.

Then again, the DaVinci Code is definitely a cash cow, meaning every nut-log has to try and get their share...

Post by **Denyer** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:19 pm

Professor Smooth wrote: Catholic group Opus Dei has told Sony Pictures that putting a disclaimer on the movie stressing it is a work of fiction

"Mister pontiff, sir? We'll put a disclaimer on our book when you put one on yours."

Dylan · Post by **Dylan** » Mon May 08, 2006 6:46 pm

At least I'm not getting any spam in my mailbox like 'The Viagra Code!'

Post by **Best First** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:00 pm

Denyer wrote:
Professor Smooth wrote: Catholic group Opus Dei has told Sony Pictures that putting a disclaimer on the movie stressing it is a work of fiction
"Mister pontiff, sir? We'll put a disclaimer on our book when you put one on yours."

nice one.

i love the idea of books debunking a work of fiction. I will be writing my controversial expose on the fact that Hedgehogs can't talk or be washerwomen next week. The working title is Beatrix Potter: Lying Slag.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:36 pm

Best First wrote:I will be writing my controversial expose on the fact that Hedgehogs can't talk or be washerwomen next week. The working title is Beatrix Potter: Lying Slag.

You're a mean old man.

Sniffle! But you wont make me cry!

anna · Post by **anna** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:39 pm

i aint seein it either (because its crap) most off us appear to be not going to see it GOOD! maybe it will bomb

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu May 18, 2006 1:51 pm

Id watch it on DVD - I only see movies in the cinema that I feel have better impact on a big screen like star wars/lord of the rings etc...

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Thu May 18, 2006 2:34 pm

The only movies I'll be seeing in the foreseeable future in the cinema is X3, Superman Returns and The Transformers.

Nothing else so far has just gotten me to think they're worth it at all.

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu May 18, 2006 2:35 pm

Im deff going to see X3 next week, been looking forward to a bit of Famke for a while now...

Post by **Best First** » Thu May 18, 2006 2:49 pm

actually, if theer are idots protesting outside cinemas or anything i might turn up just for a laugh...

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu May 18, 2006 3:34 pm

Damm religous fanboys! - I guess ppl dont like thier myths being messed about with, I get the same over starwars or new renditions of nursery rhymes.

Pretender Bumblebee · Post by **Pretender Bumblebee** » Thu May 18, 2006 10:55 pm

I'm going to see it just because they are so against it. Silly reason yes but I'm tired of religous people telling everyone what they have to do or else. If it sucks so be it, but boycotting something because you dont' agree with and hoping everyone else follows suit is silly.

Just don't see it if you don't like the subject matter. People get so up in arms over the silliest of things. It's a movie/book. People are allowed to have opinions and views on things that religous people don't agree with. Thats life folks. If anything the boycott is giving it more publicity then it ever would have gotten.

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Fri May 19, 2006 4:28 am

It's currently got a 15% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. That's...awful.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri May 19, 2006 8:05 am

I got drunk on Saturday and joined Opus Dei

I had a vision of a tiny Scorponok floating in front of my nose

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Fri May 19, 2006 8:29 am

its a fine life ppl at the window...

Opus?

or have I gone mad?

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri May 19, 2006 8:35 am

That was Opus III.

She held those balls on stage on TOTP IIRC...

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Vatican urges Boycott of DaVinci Code

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