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Mea Culpa. There are three Johns that have been given credit as the author of Revelation, written about 95 AD. No one is REALLY sure who wrote it, but if it was John the Apostle, and 95 AD is accurate, John is one long lived person. Assuming dating in the era is correct, he would be in his '90s when it was written.
The reason the authorship is debated is that the earliest copy known to exist is in Greek, and John the Apostle wrote in Aramaic.
I'm halfway through the book and I really like it. It's fast paced and it keeps my attention. I love it.
On the bashing religion part, I just have to say to everyone, *it's JUST a book*... Personally, I don't believe in God, and I don't look at the book as being a religious-bashing book... It's a book, if you don't like what's being said, then don't read it. Just my opinion, not meant AT anyone or to anger anyone.
I'd like to see the movie, but the books are ALWAYS better than the movie!
Yours is not the only religion in the entirety of belief systems that have endured hardships and "bashing" (If you want to call it that). Trust me, I have seen a lot of "bashing" of Mohammed as of 9/11 (Not necessarily cause by but definitely since then.).Quote:
Originally Posted by momoffuzzyfaces
It's not *meant* to play fast and loose and whatnot with your religion. Besides, I highly doubt the bigwigs in H'wood are doing it to irritate a nice chunk of people. I am positive that there are christian people in Hollywood that had a say in the production and overall being of this motion picture... so... calm. Everything will be fine. Don't watch it if it offends you so. Remember, that doesn't mean other people can't watch it and enjoy it (even christian folks).
I really hope you don't take offense to what I have to say. Just please hear me out and open an ear.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jessika
I agree with the part about trying to disprove a religion with references from a fictional book (not the specific book, though). That's kind of silly. However, if you know and believe it's wrong then why bother or worry? I don't think the books was written from a standpoint of a believer in Islam or Buddhism. I believe there are other religions that come into play. However, not everyone has inferred what those religion(s) might be. Look, I don't mean to offend but religion is *faith* and, in turn, faith is not fact. That's what make it faith. You believe or you don't.
In any case, I don't think they're trying to provoke anybody with this movie. It's just a movie. It, itself, is not reality but the ideas it contains are as viable as any religion.
I don't think it will be a good movie. Tom Hanks sucks.
Indeed, Jessika! Want me to beat somebody up for you? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Miss Z
I'm notoriously short and I have a little (wo)man complex (I have the urge to punch a lot of people in the face.) :D *insert jokes here*
[QUOTE=RICHARD]Kinda like Photoshop in oil? :confused:
Unless there was a photographer from Life Magazine. a news crew from CNN, and Geraldo there to do the behind the scenes interviews-the bible is as much fact as the DVC.
Not to challenge Christians/RCs on the board.....
The DVC is fiction. it challenges belief.
Belief is something that cannot be proved with facts.
I can see where the RC church is up in arms about the whole deal...
QUOTE]
I agree.
The movie or book itself is not portrayed as fact, but followers of the book treat it as fact. Not hollywood or the book's publisher, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by wolf_Q
And I know belief is not fact, either, but if belief can not be proven nor disproven, then don't claim something or act like something is fact, when its not. If something can't be proven or disproven either way, then... you're right, it doesn't MATTER to me. I know what I believe in and nothing anyone says or does will change that. Ahhhhhh its hard to word what I am thinking in my mind :( lol I can try but will probably just end up repeating myself and confusing everyone else.
And naw nobody needs to be beat up....... yet :D
Aw. But I enjoy it so very much. :( *has watched too much Invader Zim*Quote:
Originally Posted by Jessika
So true. Besides, what we perceive as reality is way too weird for me to try and wrap my mind around(even though I do it anyways). I get into these deep periods of ultra-thought and creep myself out. WEIRD.
Ok, I guess not many non-religious people are understanding where we are coming from. That's ok, I understand why. Let me put it to you this way, see if it helps at all.
Let's say you are extremely close to your parents, and your family is your world (you can change it to a small group of friends, your pets, or something/someone else that means everything to you). Suddenly, someone starts a 'rumor' about them around your town, something extremely negative about them (insert your own rumor here). Next thing you know, everyone in your whole state is talking badly about your family/friends/pets. This rumor continues to spread all over. Now, you know that this rumor is not true, and even some people who are talking about the rumor state that they know it's not true, but they continue to talk about it. They say hey, why are you so upset? It's not big deal! They also say it doesn't affect ME, so why should it affect YOU? But this rumor is about the most important people in your life, and it hurts a LOT to hear people saying negative things about them.
Jesus IS the most important being in the life of Christians. To hear people saying that he was a fake, that the Bible, in which we stake our lives, is not true, hurts a lot. Look, it may not be a big deal to you, but it hurts our hearts to hear people saying negative things about someone that we have staked our lives on.
I don't know if my analogy helped at all, but I just want people to understand WHY it hurts so much to hear all of the negativity about our Lord and Savior. And just to clear things up, I am not angry at anyone here at all, just wish that people could at least try to see our side ;)
Quite frankly, I think this is getting *way* out of hand. It's a book, people. You read it or you don't. Personally, I think there COULD be a book about buddha, or whatever other religion you want, and it'd still be the same. Christianity is an enormous religion and it's bound to be brought up somewhere. It's a FICTIONAL book, it's a book of opinion. If you don't like it, don't read it! I don't see why people are having such a hard time with this.
Jen, I think your analogy is okay, but comparing it to a rumor doesn't really work for me... Like I said before, this is a BOOK-- it's up to you whether or not you want to read it, it's up to YOU whether or not you want to listen to people talk about it and agree with it, whatever... Be a STRONG person and ignore the commentary if it bugs you. It's just a book.
I agree with Amy. If you don't like it, don't read it! Everyone that's getting riled up about it is just fueling the fire.
I'm very sorry if my analogy didn't work, I just hoped that people would TRY, that's all.Quote:
Originally Posted by ILoveMyAbbyGirl
Yes, it is a book, and it is supposed to be fictional. However, it IS being presented as FACT and Dan Brown stated that the book is FACT. I'm so sorry if I upset anyone by being upset and actually caring about something.
Edit: I wrote this out of frustration. I just hoped that people would TRY to see my side of things, and maybe say ok, I understand that this is important to you even if it makes no sense to me, but apparently that won't work, so I will just stop trying.
I respect your religious beliefs Jen and would hate to think of slandering those beliefs. One thing about the example you made though. Whilst it was quite a good comparison, I have to say that it's what people say. Yes, it can hurt, but you have to have your head up high and stick with what you believe is right. Personally, I believe my views will never be change, and I'm sure that yours won't be either. So I don't see a reason for Christians and non-Christians to have a head-to-head, as it's not getting anyone anywhere. Live and let live, I think. It is perfectly within your rights to dislike the book, just as it is for someone to like it. Everyone is granted with freewill, so we can choose to ignore things. In our heads, we can think about something being a load of rubbish, but we can let the people who think it's good enjoy it. ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Miss Z
You are right, and I'm sorry if I got hotheaded there for a bit. I have something else on my mind right now, and all that anxiety just kind of came out over this. I guess I felt I was being put down for having the beliefs that I do (and I don't mean just here, in my personal life too) and I get sick of having to defend why I feel the way I do. I hope that makes sense.....
It makes perfect sense. I'm sorry you feel like you're being put down for what you believe (((hugs)))Quote:
Originally Posted by JenBKR
I want to clarify one thing that JenBCR said and that is the Dan Brown never said this was a Factual writing. He said that much of what you will read is based on fact (the historical information), but he has also been quoted as saying that this a work of fiction. My husband and I certainly treated it as enjoyable fiction reading and we are strongly seeded in our Christian faith. Even our minister agreed with us (he is an avid reader and read this book as well).
When I can put my hands on the book, I will share the quote from Dan Brown about his intentions with this book.
Logan