Controversial Catholic organization Opus Dei is understandably a bit touchy about its markedly unflattering depiction in Dan Brown's mega-selling novel The Da Vinci Code, and in the Ron Howard film version starring Tom Hanks, set for release in May.
The organization — a Roman Catholic prelature founded in 1928 by St Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer to "spread the message that work and the circumstances of everyday life are occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society" — wants you to know that, contrary to Brown, it is NOT made up of avaricious, misogynistic, self-flagellating, homicidal maniac cultist monks, thank you very much, and its feelings are rather hurt by such intimations.
In fact, such is the organization's concern about certain "misconceptions" that late last week the Information Office of Opus Dei in Japan sent an open letter to the shareholders, directors and employees of Sony Corporation, which owns the studio releasing The Da Vinci Code film.
The letter reads in part, "In recent months it is possible that you may have heard about Opus Dei, in the context of the aforementioned film. It is likely that for many this was the first time that you have had occasion to hear the name of this institution of the Church ... the essence of its message is that their professional work, whatever it may be, is a way to holiness, or in other words, it is a suitable place to live the Christian faith."
We are NOT avaricious, misogynistic, self-flagellating, homicidal maniac cultist monks - just an FYI.
"As you already probably know," it continues, "there are some aspects of The Da Vinci Code novel that distort the figure of Jesus Christ, and which affect the religious beliefs of Christians. Moreover, in the book it is said that the Christian Faith is founded on a lie, and that the Catholic Church has over the centuries employed criminal and violent means to keep people in ignorance."
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - DrPat
Sorry, Eric -- I saw We are NOT avaricious, misogynistic, self-flagellating, homicidal maniac cultist monks, and flashed on Monty Python's chanting, self-flagellating monks.
Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem!
2 - Eric Olsen
DrPat, you're alive! I had a similar vision.
3 - Fr Michael Azkoul
the Christian God, Christ incarnate, crucified,risen; hence, Church doctrine --- the Faith, divine revelation, etc.--- please leave us alone. Hate what you want, love what you want, think what you want, believe what you want,eat, drink and be merry, but leave the Christian Faith alone.
4 - Nancy
The problem is, Mike, that the Christian faith refuses to leave others alone. Or rather, its practitioners & putative adherents refuse to let others live & let live. In fact, the very foundation & first tenet of that faith is to try to impose it on others, & has been from the inception.
5 - Paul Martinez
Buying tickets to the Da Vinci Code movie is like donating money to the anti-christ. Will somebody please stand up and lead a campaign to boycott this film?
6 - Jewels
I disagree to P. Martinez's comments #5. I have spent the past several years researching various religious organizations and sects, cults, seminary briefings, incorporated into historical studies...and while some facets of the DaVinci Code may be stretched; Dan Brown has done some research. Anti-Christ. (?) No. Martinez promoting Catholic Doctrine (?) Yes.
7 - gonzo marx
first...repeat after me...Rule number 1
"it's only a movie"
if the content or things it may bring up bother you at all, see rule number one above
after comforting yourself with rule number one, take a look at if for the entertainment that it is....for those who consider themselves "devout" check rule number one again...
i still just don't get what bothers folks about this book/film....
is it just that some of it shakes up the dogmatic assertations they have taken for granted as...heh..."gospel"?
i mean, so much of the book/film's speculation are pure unadulterated horseshit that it's all going to be about the performances as a film
no..methinks the difficulties revolve around the kernels of Truth that are brought up, even just looking at some of the subject matter from a different Angle is threatening to the political entity of the "Church"
and that's not a bad thing...
you get things like comment #3...to be "left alone"....
ya know, that's all the Cathars wanted....or all those little old ladies who lived in the woods, or the herbalist mid-wives....or the landowners who were sent to the Inquisition and their propperty confiscated...or Jerusalem for the first and second Crusades...
so many folks who just wanted to be left alone...
but i digress...
see rule number 1
nuff said?
Excelsior!
8 - Nancy
The RC church has always been great at dishing it out, but they can't take it. First lick of their own medicines, they run screaming, whining, & whimpering bloody murder about how persecuted they are.
9 - Eric Olsen
yet, does anti-Catholic bias expain any of Da Vinci's Code's success?
10 - Nancy
It might, some, back in the recesses of people's minds. You know: you go see something because you know it would enrage your parents that you do, but there's nothing they can do about it, and all of you are well aware of it? Kind of like giving the church a smack on the nose, reminding them they are NOT the ultimate authority for most of us, including an awful lot of their own flock.
11 - Nancy
And of course, the more they squeal, the more everyone wonders what the problem is, so they go see it just to check out what the church is bitching about - which is usually nothing.
12 - Andy Marsh
It's "Life of Brian" all over again! Can't wait to crash the picket lines to go see this movie!
13 - Nancy
LOL - just make sure your Latin is correct!
14 - Andy Marsh
I do remember having to walk through a picket line here in VA to see that movie back in the day...and the only reason I went to the theater to see it was to walk through the picket line!
15 - Eric Olsen
but they only want to warn and educate the unwary, right?
16 - Andy Marsh
yeah yeah...that's the ticket.
17 - Eric Olsen
will we see an Islamic Da Vinci Code, or was that Satanic Verses?
18 - troll
answer the Pope's call for the best 'educational warning' now...1st prize is 1 divine dispensation card free
here's an example showing proper format -
WARNING FROM THE OFFICE OF THE INQUISITION:
it has been determined that viewing heretical films causes an eternity in hell
troll
19 - Eric Olsen
therer can be only one ghost in this machine
20 - Victor Plenty
Whoa! Hold on. Are you trying to tell me this book is fiction?
21 - Ron Ron
Jesus clearly taught that there are two kinds of people in this world: His own (predestined), and the devil's own (reprobate). I don't know which classification I belong but I sure noticed a lot of reprobates contributing to this blog.
22 - gonzo marx
Ron sez...
*Jesus clearly taught that there are two kinds of people in this world: His own (predestined), and the devil's own (reprobate).*
this is completely fallacious to the point of absurdity...and smacks of unthinking adherance to puerile dogma
but that's ok...to each their own...
which is why i remain, apostate and heretic
Excelsior!
23 - troll
and I a coarse reprobate...all hail Sophia's spawn
troll
24 - Ron Ron
To Ron Ron:
Thanks for the explanation, South America salutes you! We love Jesus too.
25 - Ron Ron
By the way, t'was a message from my friend in Argentina.