Toronto Sun columnist Michael Coren made the following comments in his article “Da Vinci Code a ‘disgrace’“, appearing in the May 20th 2006 issue of the newspaper:
“Surely a mild disclaimer at the beginning of the new movie might be nice. This is all that was asked of director Ron Howard, but the polite request was dismissed. Yet similar disclaimers have been inserted before movies many times in the past. For Asians before Year of the Dragon, blacks before Birth of a Nation, gays before Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Jews before Merchant of Venice. No, don’t stop me. For Mormons before Big Love, Muslims before True Lies, Native Americans before Pocahontas II and the Nearsighted before Mr. Magoo. Oh, and for Wolves before White Fang. So Christians, it would appear, matter slightly less that our friends in the wolf community.”
Should The Da Vinci Code movie have included a disclaimer, considering that many of its purported historical claims (such as Jesus’ supposed marriage, the Priory of Sion, Jesus’ divinity, and many others) are extremely dubious at best?
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June 12th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
And upset the people on this blog that think it’s true?
I don’t think it is necessary, I think that clarifying the fact page in the book would be enough.
Fact: France is real.
Fact: Leonardo painted stuff.
Fact: Umm that’s about it for this book.
June 13th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
It would be nice to include a disclaimer, so people wouldn’t be misled. But I doubt anyone who went to see the movie would think it’s the truth.
June 14th, 2006 at 11:10 am
well. lets see here why couldnt it be true? whos to say that it isnt yes the book is fiction and thats where people get mislead however, there are certain things that the book portrays that dont seem that far fetched.
June 14th, 2006 at 11:41 am
lauren, thanks for commenting. Which parts don’t seem that far fetched? Certainly there are SOME truthful details in the book, but we know that the vast majority of what is discussed is false, even some of what is presented as being factual, for example:
- Mary Magdalene was not vilified by the early church
- Jesus wasn’t considered “merely a man” by the earliest Christians
- Leonardo da Vinci did not hate the Bible
- There is no evidence (even in the “gnostic gospels”) that Jesus was married
- The Priory of Sion was not a real secret society founded in 1099; it has been proved to be a modern day hoax.
Even in incidental details, Brown often errs, for example, there are not 666 panes of glass in the Louve, there are 673. I’m not saying there’s nothing true or decent about the novel, only that from the above examples, we should be very wary about any truth we attempt to take away from this fictional book. What parts rang true to you?
June 19th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Michael Coren’s a great writer, I must say. Whatta smart man.
When I watched the movie, it didn’t really seem like many things could be true, despite what I believed. I thought the movie was portrayed very fictionally (is that a word?) to be honest. It seemed quite the jump of (dare I say?) faith to make so many claims after the Leonardo painting (even tho Teabing looked smart and c’mon, he’s Gandalf, who wouldn’t wanna believe him?) Well-written and thought of plot by Brown, I must say!
June 22nd, 2006 at 8:22 am
Please read and know about the Danger of Da Vinci Code at
http://www.wordwillsave.com/
Look in special features
July 6th, 2006 at 9:25 am
Cool website
July 12th, 2006 at 5:58 am
I haven’t seen the film, but have read the book.If people think they are going to be offended by what’s in the film, maybe they shouldn’t go and see it.It’s an interesting thriller based on a contentious twenty-year old theory.Are people going to the film just to complain about it?Years ago, when I went to see Life of Brian, there were three nuns in the front row.They didn’t walk out half way through.
August 17th, 2006 at 6:10 am
I clearly don’t think that the da vinci code should be even read! Its so not true about Jesus Christ or lord. He was not married but yes I respect other’s opinions on things and I am a catholic christian and my guesses are that God was Jesus and he was concieved by the holy ghost amazingly! If anyone believes in the da vinci code dont its a deciever for the lord God had said that dont believe in the false claims of his son! I am very devoted to Christ Jesus and I care about what people say about him. An if its negative I am hurt inside but if its positive I am rejoicing!
Blessed be in the name of Jesus
Your sister in Christ Jesus
Jacqueline “Isabella” Lopez
November 4th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
Jesus said Who do you say I am.
Jesus is who you believe he is.
He will love you no matter what you believe!
November 9th, 2006 at 6:31 pm
Shannon, thank you for your comment. However, I must disagree with your opinions.
“Jesus is who you believe he is.” So if someone were to believe Jesus was a Pagan sorcerer, or a 12-foot tall giant, or a rhinoceros, would these be valid options? I’d say no! If we really care about Jesus, we should want to know as much as possible about who He really is, not just make up some image of Him in our mind taylored to our own whims.
“He will love you no matter what you believe!” So if someone believed Jesus was ___ (fill in a description of a person you find particularly detestable) would Jesus still love them? Yes, but He would also love them enough to let them go. Sadly, many people believe detestable things about Jesus.
You don’t get to know someone by imagining how you’d like them to be. The best way to learn about a person in history is to examine the best historical sources available … and those are the Gospels and other texts contained in the New Testament.
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Ok look, I am Catholic and I can point out many things of the Da Vinci Code that are completely WRONG! Opus Dei is not a secret society, as Brown claims it is, he also describes it as a sect and cultish organization, lies again, Opus Dei is an innoncent organization that is one entity with the Catholic Church (wanna see the legal papers?) and it encourages finding god in daily life. Wow. That sure is evil. Brown also shows Opus Dei as monks, LIES LIES LIES! Opus Dei is a group of normal people, not monks. Who is Brown to draw these conclusions? The few things in his book that may be REMOTELY true are not even backed up by any resources or specific information, he has no basis in history whatsoever. He, like many, sees the church and enjoys trying to tear it apart.
December 5th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
I, too, am a Catholic and a ex-Opus Dei member and find the story of the DVC absolute garbage.
However, where the Da Vinci Code is accurate is in its depiction of the blind obedience of the fictional Opus Dei character, Silas the albino monk. His behavior demonstrates the absolute control and obedience that exists in Opus Dei today.
Only in that area did Dan Brown hit the nail on the head.