Da Vinci Code

[JenBKR]

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

[ILoveMyAbbyGirl]

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.

[JenBKR]

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'm very sorry if my analogy didn't work, I just hoped that people would TRY, that's all.

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.

[Miss Z]

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.

[JenBKR]

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.

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.....

[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)))

[Logan]

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

[Pam]

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

Jen I think you have worded this beautifully. It speaks for me too. I did not read the book and will not see the movie.

[RICHARD]

Here's a description of my "god".

It's that purple sunset I saw when I was a counselor.
It's looking at the ocean and wondering what's on the other side of it.
Stars on a clear night.
The Full moon.
A small child.
A flower.
my family
friends
my cat.

------------------------------

Because we do not understand the 'god' behind the world we live in, we have to humanize it.

It's Ra, Shiva, Buddha, Mohammed, JC, Osiris, Zeus, Odin.....


Notice that they are all "human based"..

I'll direct your attention again to the photos taken by the Hubble space telescope and challenge you to comprehend who god is!

[Miss Z]

Here's a description of my "god".

It's that purple sunset I saw when I was a counselor.
It's looking at the ocean and wondering what's on the other side of it.
Stars on a clear night.
The Full moon.
A small child.
A flower.
my family
friends
my cat.

That's my god(ess) too

[finn's mom]

I thought the movie was great.

[elizabethann]

Boy, if you folks think there's allot of discussion on this website regarding the book and relegion, you should go to one of Dan Brown's speaking events! He lives just a couple of towns over and my work hosted a speaking engagement where he talked about the book (he would not talk about the movie nor talk about his next piece of work).

I'm going to see the movie today. I thought the book was great. I hope the movie does it justice (though from the reviews, I may be disappointed).

[PinkSunshine]

Went and saw it the first day it came out... 2 thumbs up. I liked it. My fiance and I are both very religious, but we saw the movie for what it is - a story. Tom Hanks did a wonderful job and I highly recommend it. At least to rent if you don't go see it in the theatre.