Boycotting the Da Vinci Code movie- Ridiculous

2006-05-11T02:11:00.000-04:00

Religion and Entertainment- Boycott of The Da Vinci Code

So here is why I started this blog:
I've read the Da Vinci Code, twice. I was a Religion major in a top liberal arts college-
I think its ridiculous that both the Vatican and Opus Dei are urging their followers not to see a movie.

Point #1: It's a movie. Based on a fiction book. If you really think that someone who is truly a devout Catholic is going to change their belief system based on a fiction novel, then you seriously underestimate the power of faith and those people's general common sense.

Point #2: Ok, so it does present an Opus Dei member as the villain...who was led astray by the true villain. Granted corporal modification is not exactly a pleasant thing to deal with on the big screen, but there are religions that sacrafice animals. I don't think either is an accurate base on which to form a positive or negative opinion. I think Americans in particular, and people worldwide are smart enough to follow the plot. Which shows that Silas was acting out of faith. To me, this is a reaffirmation of how far faith can take you- you can choose to take that negatively, or you can choose to take that positively, as in he believed it was for the good of his belief system. I have trouble calling a character like that inherently evil.

Point #3: Blasphemy. So the Vatican and Catholic officials around the world are branding this film as blasphemous. Why? The film does not negatively portray Jesus, saying he was a bad man or anything truly terrible. Even if Jesus was the Son of God, (which I have personally have no opinion on one way or another) his divinity is not overshadowed by the fact that he was a human. He was a man that walked, talked and breathed like every other man on this planet. He had a great impact on humanity, and this book does not discount that fact either! Jesus was a great whatever he was, and this book doesn't claim otherwise. So what if he had kids? Doesn't the Bible specifically recommend that people procreate? So he might have a lineage- SO WHAT? its a fiction book dealing with things that can be construed as fictional. There is some scholarly work examining this, but if you asked the global population whether or not they truly believe that Jesus had a family, I'm gonna say most people are going to say No. So how is it blasphemous if set within a fictional construct of someone's mind? Dan Brown created this story, with its characters and sets up a fictional world where a symbologist from Harvard discovers that Jesus and Mary got together. It is STILL a fiction book.

Point #4: I don't think the Vatican can definitively tell you when the Bible was written, the circumstances surrounding its writing, and a clear history of its origins. I don't really think anyone has a problem that Catholicism exists, nor do I think that people(generally speaking, everyone has prejudices both weak and strong) have an overbearing antagonism towards Catholicism that would affect their ability to view the movie as just a movie and nothing more. This isn't a movie like "super-size me" with an underlying social message. It's a good mystery thriller. Also, there are ALWAYS going to be conflicting points of view as to an institution's origins, the politicking etc etc which the general public will never know. So what, Dan Brown wrote a book about the possible progeny of Jesus, even if at certain points during history, decisions were made within the Church to go about their daily business of being the vehicle through which people are saved of their sins, and some people viewed those decisions as the wrong ones to make---it's HISTORY for a reason. Each side has a story, and it is similar in some parts and different in others. Thus, while the Church thinks it is ridiculous for their authority to be questioned, every part of society encounters that at some point in time. Like Americans questioned Nixon or question certain sectors of the economy. You can't stifle someone for being curious. PS- the origins of the first drawings of a helicopter are contestable- i read somewhere that in the Hindu Bhagvad Gita (kind of like the Hindu Bible) there are drawings for something like a helicopter. I'm not sure if this is true or not, but it proves my point- every origin is contested. Every idea, person's ethnicity whatever is always under review. Faith is a personal choice. Let it stay that way.

Point #5: Freedoms. As someone who is reading this spewing of thoughts, you have the right to make up your mind as to whether or not you think seeing the movie itself is blasphemous. Just because it doesn't fit into a recognizably "Catholic" way of thinking doesn't necessarily preclude it from being entertaining. I read the book twice and plan on seeing the movie. Even with flaws that I'm sure exist within the Church, although I'm not sure what they are (everything has flaws) I still view Catholicism as this amazing religion that has interacted positively with so many people. You are more than allowed to be conservative where I am a liberal, I don't question anyone's faith in what they do. I might not agree with it for my life and lifestyle but like I said, its an individual connection with God or spirituality. What's more, having done some research on Opus Dei and with so many members gracing the evening news with soundbites about why they're boycotting the movie, never having read the book, I found Opus Dei non-threatening and I think its a good organization for those people who need or want that kind of a community.

Lastly, keep in mind, Hollywood makes money entertaining people, not educating people. People don't go to the movies to be prosyletized nor do they go so they can be convinced that their belief system is all wrong and corrupt. It's about spending two hours following a crazy mystery through Paris and London. or whatever you choose to see. But boycotting a movie? I think we're crossing the line between entertainment for entertainment, and entertainment for politically charged soundbites. Let's not forget at least America is the "home of the free" don't shove YOUR ideas down someone else's throat. They can see it if they want to. If they have serious concerns about the movie afterward, you can use the Church as a forum to discuss the ideas and questions raised.

I guess my overall point was: If you have to deal with the issue of your faith outside of a religious setting, then it would be better to have the ability to discuss your faith. And boycotting a movie isn't going to remove the questions that can be raised by a devotee so why bother urging people not to see it? You might as well have a frank discussion of the book and why someone (You, in the Church) think it is incorrect. You're not going to lose any Catholics over this, so CHILL OUT-

Vatican/Opus Dei Boycott- Why that is Ridiculous

Boycotting the Da Vinci Code movie- Ridiculous