TomAiello 26 #1 May 26, 2004 Has anyone read this book? I read it recently, and have since done a bit of extra research into the general topics of Mary Magdalene, the historical life of Jesus, the development of Catholic (and generally christian) doctrine, and the whole Templar/Holy Grail thing. Does anyone have any resources, opinions, or thoughts about it? In particular, if you are a christian, do you feel threatened by these theories? And if they were totally true, how would your beliefs be changed? My thoughts: Even if the whole thing were absolutely true, and I were a devout christian, it would only change my beliefs slightly, from "my precise church is precisely right" to "christianity in general is right, but no particular church has the exactly right line." Thoughts from devout christians? Even if Leonardo Da Vinci believed it, that doesn't make it true. In general, the book matches up with a whole lot of reputable historical texts I've found. Thoughts, anyone?-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #2 May 26, 2004 I'm not Catholic; so, I don't think it's particularly significant to me. There are other things in christian religious history that bother me more than this book, even if true. On the other hand, there have been some books written to rebut the DaVinci Code. Go to bn.com or amazon and type "Davinci code" in. There were 3 books on the first page of 37 hits. -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #3 May 26, 2004 I have two of the rebuttal books. Unfortunately, they are generally more angry than informative.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #4 May 26, 2004 I read the DaVinci code. I thought it was some pretty neat theorizing, and well supported. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #5 May 26, 2004 I loved the Divinci Code for its blend of Fiction/non-fiction. Just a good read! If you liked it and that style of book then the first Dan Brown book Demons and Angles is a good read as well. Less Fact based and more adventure/suspense with Robert Langdon as the main charachter. It is a completely different story line but also challenges the church. Not in a "cover up" way from the church (i.e. divinci code) but more in an adversarial way with the "Illuminati" Also a good read! Both grab you right away: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671027360/qid=1085591033/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/104-3207295-7449501#product-details A big controversy is with Lewis Perdue and if Dan Brown had taken some of his stuff from Daughter of God for The Divinci Code. Daughter of God was a good book as well. Lots of art references regarding Goddesss worship and the transition from pegan to Christian beliefs/blends intertwined in a good story to sit and read. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0812589718/qid=1085591136/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-3207295-7449501?v=glance&s=books I am reading The Da Vinci Legacy (also by Lewis Perdure) now and it is starting off kinda slow but lots of the same controversies or implications in the other 3 books... If you really want to get into it, there are lots of "Counter Point" book for the Divinci Code and other like it. I have one called Divinci Code Fact or Fiction. It is only 65 or so pages and trys to counter the preceived truths from a Church believer standpoint. It is a quick read and brings up some arguments against "Code" but honestly its kinda silly if you ask me. The book its countering an intrperation of historical truths blended into a story. The Divinci Code is Fiction but people are screaming it is fact. There are a good number of these "Fact or Fiction" type of books on Amazon as well. Additionally there are a lot of books with a similar theam to Divinci Code out there. It is not a new thought or challenge. End result, I dont have a problem with the Church and I dont have a problem with Science or additional historical information. I actually get a kick about the level of fever that hard core Church go'ers have towards any semi-historical book, specifically "The Divinci Code" A good friends wife is a devout Catholic and is steaming mad about the book, just silly in my eyes. Dig around on Amazon with the Divinci Code as the search and you will turn up a multitude of other books to read! Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #6 May 26, 2004 Yeah, DVC more made me want to research the historical facts. It's just easy to kick off the discussion with reference to a pop culture phenomenon. This book had some good historical information.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sdctlc 0 #7 May 26, 2004 QuoteYeah, DVC more made me want to research the historical facts. It's just easy to kick off the discussion with reference to a pop culture phenomenon. This book had some good historical information. I was amazed at the sheer number of book that fit into this genera, on both sides. It is a fun topic to read as it has a footing in what a lot of people believe, again both sides. As a result you get a little fire or passion from the reader and a phenomenon. Hell it is better then the romance crap or other just flat out silly books people imerse their grey mater into... This has caused me to do some thinking and dig a bit deeper as well! Hope all oof you who hav not read it do to get in on the fun! Scott C."He who Hesitates Shall Inherit the Earth!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #8 May 26, 2004 Read it. Loved it. Found it very well written and well researched. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #9 May 26, 2004 Just finished it... I liked it... I'm Catholic, well was raised that way, and on the rare occasion that I go to church (Christmas and Easter, generally to make the folks feel good) it is a Catholic one... I found it more interesting because I have a friend that was raised in an Opus Dei household... I did not find it threatening to my belief system at all... that is to say the church had already proven that it was and is flawed. The history of the church is filled with evidence that it altered its teachings in efforts to convert pegans... moving dates of significant events and holy days to coincide with pegan rituals... It does not change the fundimental meaning behind the church, what is right and what is wrong... to me, wether or not Jesus was Devine or just a prophet does not change that message. I picked up one of the "anti-DVC" books the other day, and it just seemed like the author was pissed off... it just doesn't really mater. JAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #10 May 26, 2004 Opus Dei is scary. A group of them recruited at LMU until the school put a stop to it. They're most definitely a cult. Any organization that encourages their members to wear sharp pointy belts around their thighs to cause pain is just plain NUTS! Google them to find out some VERY interesting info. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #11 May 26, 2004 Read it. Loved it. Don't feel threatened at all by it (I'm Catholic). Recommend it to anyone. Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #12 May 26, 2004 QuoteThe Divinci Code is Fiction but people are screaming it is fact. kind of like the Bible honestly i thought it was a rather dull read...derivative of Eco, and rehashing ideas that have really been around for quite sometime, nothing new about religion suppressing facts and ideas that challenge its authority.. spirituality is between you and God, but religion is purely political...____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshjumps 0 #13 May 28, 2004 It's an interesting and run read, however I find it interesting how cleverly he weaves fact and fiction. At the end he has you believing that the Catholic church has been lying to you for centuries. However after some thought you have to realize that it's just a work of fiction. They are theories and as we all know from school, theories are not neccesarily fact. I haven't had a chance to follow up and read some of the researched books, has anyone (from dz.com) actually followed up with the reasearch. I would be more interested in that opinion than a work of fiction. Joshua Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #14 May 28, 2004 Quotehonestly i thought it was a rather dull read... Oh thank goodness. I had begun to believe that I was the only one who didn't find it interesting. Rather like reading a movie script, and the author insulting our intelligence with reminders every 4 pages of "something" that happened. Did it change my views on anything? No, but perhaps that's due to a pre-existing understanding of the issues underlying the DVC's premise - Opus Dei, Mary Magdalene, feminine divinity, Knights Templar, and so forth. Interesting theories contained in them, and interesting premises. Oh well. I can't like everything I read, I suppose. If it's getting people to question things, to look further at theories, to research and explore and expand their knowledge base, I guess it can't be all bad. I just didn't like the book at all... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #15 May 28, 2004 You're not alone. It an ok book, but written at a junior high school kind of level. Keep it simple, keep it moving kind of script. The theme is a great one for a more complex fiction book, though. I left it thinking 'nice story' yet still felt a little cheated because of what it could have been. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TypicalFish 0 #16 May 28, 2004 You should try his next book; "Deception Point"... That SUCKED."I gargle no man's balls..." ussfpa on SOCNET Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #17 May 28, 2004 Additional information is available in audio format here. QuoteThe Teaching Company...have commissioned two free, 30-minute lectures on "Fact and Fiction in The DaVinci Code" from biblical expert Professor Bart D. Ehrman of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. One of our most popular professors, Professor Ehrman (Ph.D., Princeton Theological Seminary) is a 15-year teaching veteran at UNC and winner of several teaching awards. These lectures are a free gift to you. You may access these free lectures online any time between now and Labor Day, September 6, 2004. You can find them at http://www.teach12.com/ttc/DavinciCode.asp?ai=16930.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoudDan 0 #18 May 29, 2004 I thought it was a great read. If you liked this you should read "Angels and Demons" by the author. Coming soon to a bowl of Wheaties near you!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mathias 0 #19 May 31, 2004 Holy Blood, Holy Grail might be an interesting read for ya!Ingen minns en fegis! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moodyskydiver 0 #20 June 1, 2004 I thought DVC was a rather interesting read. I agree it was a nice blend of fiction/non-fiction and came across as a good read. I haven't done any research on the theories behind it and chose to read it for the pure entertainment value. I'm not a particularly religious person and lean toward the opinion that all religion is basically good since most work toward the betterment of humanity on an individual level as well as society as a whole. "...just an earthbound misfit, I." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,106 #21 June 1, 2004 QuoteI'm not Catholic; so, I don't think it's particularly significant to me. There are other things in christian religious history that bother me more than this book, even if true. On the other hand, there have been some books written to rebut the DaVinci Code. Go to bn.com or amazon and type "Davinci code" in. There were 3 books on the first page of 37 hits. Rebutting a novel seems like a total waste of time and effort.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #22 June 1, 2004 QuoteI left it thinking 'nice story' yet still felt a little cheated because of what it could have been. Like Zenister said, if you want to put a little more meat under your teeth, try Foucault's Pendulum by Eco.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newsstand 0 #23 June 1, 2004 QuoteRebutting a novel seems like a total waste of time and effort. Not if it puts money in your pocket. "Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #24 June 1, 2004 QuoteQuoteI left it thinking 'nice story' yet still felt a little cheated because of what it could have been. Like Zenister said, if you want to put a little more meat under your teeth, try Foucault's Pendulum by Eco. I will look for it, I didn't know what he'd meant, only read one Eco book (if I recall correctly). Thanks ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #25 June 1, 2004 QuoteQuoteI'm not Catholic; so, I don't think it's particularly significant to me. There are other things in christian religious history that bother me more than this book, even if true. On the other hand, there have been some books written to rebut the DaVinci Code. Go to bn.com or amazon and type "Davinci code" in. There were 3 books on the first page of 37 hits. Rebutting a novel seems like a total waste of time and effort. Someone goes on a speaking tour. Some people document the speeches in a book. Then those people go on a speaking tour about the book. Then, someone writes The Da Vinci Code to rebut the original book and now he's on a speaking tour. Now there are people writing books to rebut the DVC book and they will go on speaking tours. I can't wait to see what the impersonators of Elvis impersonators will look like. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
