<p>Ok, so this movie comes out Friday and I'm sure we all have heard about the debates between filmmakers and the Catholic Church. I just wanted to get everybody's opinions on what the Church is trying to do. Personally, I'm not very religious (primarily agnostic) and loved the book. Also, I think that the Catholics are taking everything ridiculously out of proportion on this issue. They wanted Sony to put a disclaimer before the movie, stating that it is fiction. For God's sake (irony, ha), it's a book, a fictious book, and consequently, the movie is fiction as well. Sure, it's very very plausible...but I mean come on, do they really believe that this is going to be the downfall of the Catholic Church?</p>
<p>I'm an athiest so I don't believe either side.</p>
<p>I'm pretty religious...mainly protestant....and I loved the book too, and I'm anxiously awaiting the movie. I think the Catholic Church mainly sees this as something that is challenging their beliefs. Even though the book is fiction, Dan Brown claims to get a lot of the info in the book from cold hard facts. Doesn't bother me at all, but to die hard Catholics this may be a challenge on their beliefs. Personally, what one chooses to believe and not believe should not be the responsibility of the Church. I believe whats written in the Bible is true...and of course whats written in the book is certainly plausible, but until there is a definite yes or no (there may never be) I'm not gonna worry about it. Everyone knows what happened in the Dark Ages, and how corrupt the Church was...but it's like you said GinPA..it's fiction. The book was not written for the purpose to downplay or overthrow any beliefs.</p>
<p>I think its admirable of the Church (not just the Catholics, many of the Protestant churches I know are speaking up) to make sure that the public knows that this is fiction. It is true that Dan Brown claims that a lot of the info is based on actual facts, when in reality they really aren't. The church isn't trying to change anyone's beliefs, they just want to make sure their youth doesn't get distracted by the rich storyline and the half-lies into believing that the book might actually have some merit in terms of facts. Now, some churches do go a little overboard of course, overreacting, but in my opinion I'd rather them overreact than underreact. And I also think that Dan Brown did not write this book for fun, and does have some alterior motives other than writing an interesting book (just included this in response to pprn00dle's last sentence).</p>
<p>I think this is something of a tempest in a teapot. Of course it's a work of fiction, but many people don't know that b/c they think if it's published, it must be "true." They also read the National Enquirer for news.</p>
<p>My kids and I all read the book and had various points where we decided the author had "jumped the shark" if you know what I mean. For me it was the expert cryptographer being stymied by daVinci's mirror writing. For crying out loud, if I can figure it out before he can, it can't be that much of a puzzle.</p>
<p>Dan Brown didn't write the book for fun, he did it to make money.</p>
<p>I'm an athiest, but good god, that book SUCKED!</p>
<p>If they have to list a disclaimer for 'the davinci code' then they should have to list a disclaimer for all movies. How am I supposed to know that william shatner isn't actually a talking animal?</p>
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The church isn't trying to change anyone's beliefs, they just want to make sure their youth doesn't get distracted by the rich storyline and the half-lies into believing that the book might actually have some merit in terms of facts.
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<p>Oh, so it's kind of like the bible?</p>
<p>Honestly, why should a production company have any sort of obligation to ensure that its audience knows its movie is fictitious? The Catholic Church can make some sort of proclamation from the Vatican about it or something, and anyone who actually cares can listen..but there's no reason they should be able to control an independent corporation..</p>
<p>I liked The DaVinci Code but I thought Angels and Demons was better. And any other Dan Brown book is shi.tty.</p>
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The church isn't trying to change anyone's beliefs, they just want to make sure their youth doesn't get distracted by the rich storyline and the half-lies into believing that the book might actually have some merit in terms of facts.
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<p>Oh, so it's kind of like the bible?
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<p>Yeah, if you mean the Bible has entire truths and not the most interesting plots, sure.</p>
<p>I mean the bible is filled with lies.</p>
<p>Hahah way to be blunt..I do think you're right, though..</p>
<p>Yeah. Wrong thread. And the point of your post, leah, was..?</p>
<p>Uh who cares if they put a *Fiction disclaimer . . it's kind of like when they put that on kid shows, no big deal, it doesn't make the movie any less enjoyable. I know a really religious catholic and she loves the book and thought it was interesting to show different "viewpoints", however made up they may be</p>
<p>you're right, put a disclaimer on this...and on spiderman to ensure people don't believe in superheros, and before brokeback mountain so the viewers dont think all cowboys are gay...you're right, they could put it on and it wouldnt be a big deal..but the Catholics shouldn't get offended when Sony says no</p>
<p>Yeah, I also think its a bit ludicrous to expect Sony to put the disclaimer there - but I don't think its overly crazy to ask.</p>
<p>I'm going to ask Sony to put a disclamer on the movie 'madagascar', animals don't actually talk. The people need to be informed. How will they be able to know without a disclamer?</p>
<p>my friend's pastor wont let her see the da vinci code because it "goes against the beliefs of her religion."
it's not like the da vinci code is trying to force a religion upon us. it's just a story for god's sake. no pun intended.
ithought that was a bit ridiculous.</p>
<p>i am of no religious affiliation and am pretty much open to anything.</p>
<p>What's the pastor going to do if she sees it? Disown her? </p>
<p>Some pastors get a little overprotective, his role is kinda like a father role so you can't blame him for looking out for her, but he really can't not let her see it.</p>
<p>I'm Roman Catholic and fully support the Catholic Church trying to get a disclaimer. It's very admirable. They're just trying to get people to realize that what is in the book/movie are not actual facts and Dan Brown has claimed that several things in his book are facts. And there are people who will believe him. The Church does not want folks to actually believe what is being said about it. Brown clearly critizes the Church in his book, whether subtlely or overtly and it can be said that he's didn't write that book just for the heck of it. He clearly wants to say something of the Church. I certainly wouldn't just go abusing Tom Cruise or somebody if I didn't disapprove of him or maybe of his actions. The Church just wants to disconnect itself from what false accusations is made against it. Besides, what is more dangerous is that perhaps its young Catholics will be pulled in and think that what is written is true and play a less active role in the Church. Heaven knows more people are getting increasingly liberal and radical these days. However, the Catholic rule is still conservative and over it reigns a conservative pope, and so they will try to preserve and promote its traditional ways, as I devoutly believe.</p>
<p>so people who believe in organized religion are naive (if their opinion on something as important as religion could be swayed by an action/adventure movie)</p>