While their idiotic condom policy dooms thousands to die of AIDS in Africa & they sweep pedophilia in the Church under the carpet; the Catholic Church has decided that something deserves their attention more. They are a making a special effort to debunk The DaVinci Code, which as we all know is a novel. They claim it is a deliberate attempt to smear the Church. Personally I think Dan Brown has better things to do and besides the Catholic Church do an extremely good job of smearing themselves. This response will only encourage the conspiracy theorists.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - Eric Berlin
It's amazing how ruffled people can get at the printed word, particularly involving fiction and religion (see: The Satanic Verses, etc.).
I wonder if the hubbub reveals more about the attacker(s) than the attackee.
2 - DrPat
The Church scarcely has to do more than to warm up an existing heresy conclave, since the "threatening" material Dan Brown "reveals" in The DaVince Code gets outed in one form or another every generation.
Last time around it was Holy Blood, Holy Grail. I'll also mention the almost-unoticed reference to this heresy tossed off by Damon and Afflec in the "let's seriously offend the Catholics" film Dogma, when Linda Fiorentino character is described as "the last sion of Christ". NOTE: the spelling is correct - the "Priory of Sion" is the fictional source of heretical documentation for the theory that informs Holy Blood, Holy Grail.
3 - Andrew Ian Dodge
I have read both books and find this sort of thing fascinating...however I take much of it with a heavy dose of salt.
4 - Tom French
Everything they try to say the bible is right about (evolution, astronomy, etc) is wrong. So when someone talks about religious history they are quick to point out that it is wrong.
5 - NancyGail
Egad. I can think of better things to concern oneself with. DaVinci Code may be abhorrent to some eyes, but it's FICTION.
6 - Andrew Ian Dodge
The trouble I have with the book is that the ending is horrid. Then again all of Dan Brown's books don't end well (from a writing point of view).
7 - Quack Corleone
Similar situation with the Anti-Defamation League and Gibson's release of the re-edited (and original) 'The Passion of the Christ'.
8 - Shark
The IRONY of the Catholic Church criticizing a book of 'alleged' facts because it's really fictional bullshit is just too rich to be ignored.
It's like the Easter Bunny calling Santa Claus a fraud.
(Gotta run: I have to change the air freshener in Lazarus' room.)
9 - Shark
re: Irony -
The Pope trusts in God, but he also rides in a bulletproof car.
Now that's called "FAITH".
10 - andy marsh
Helluva book though! Really enjoyed reading it!