I have no problem with Christ being married because he was a Rabbi not a Priest. As most rabbis are married whereas priests are not. Umm the Opus Dei were portrayed as evil fanatics which isn't particularly cool. The thought of any Church having a shadowy council where they make decisions is frightening but neither unherd of nor impossible. the only truly offensive thing about this movie is it's stupid. It's stupid because it's bad, it's bad because it's boring and its boring because it's STUPID.
Second!!Yeah boi! I’ve heard mixed reviews from friends about this movie but after seeing Forest Gump solve the biggest mystery of all time I might actually go read this book which I’m sure is better. I’m a huge art buff and am always interested in how people from different religions choose to twist the story of this man (Jesus) to better their religious causes.
The idea that Jesus might have had a wife doesn’t seem all that far-fetched after all. I’m sure that plenty of facts about this man and his counter parts have been cut from the history books. You all know my stand on organized religions and immaculate conceptions so I need not rant anymore. Opus Dei, wow it doesn’t get much more interesting than that. When I heard that they hurt themselves to become closer with Christ and to try to understand what he might have gone through, it boggled my mind.
What if these people put that same energy, love and devotion into finding cures for diseases and cancers? It’s amazing to me what we will do to prove to "God" how much more we love him compared to our fellow man.
During the end of class discussion the idea of the church as a means to control people generated a few laughs from the catholic school crowd so I thought I would address that further. The question was why would the catholic church care so much about Christ's mortality, because many faith's have and other popular groups have questioned the mortality of Christ? For me it was not as much about opposing views of Christ. The idea that the church has been consciously hiding aspects of the church that are inconvenient questions the churches legitimacy. I found it funny and ironic that people laughed at the idea of control when in reality the church has been responsible for censoring a myriad of books and information that deviate from their gospel from the time of the bibles creation. It's hard for someone inside to see the effects that the church has because sometimes acknowledging them means questioning your own faith.
First of all I personally didn't like the movie choice for this class. Why? Because it was actually entertaining. I was so caught up in the movie that all the important stuff just flew by. I wasn't bored enough to stop and think about the controversial issue(s) being shown.
I do not believe that your church controls your life. It is your beliefs that control your life and you control your beliefs therfore you are in complete control of your life. You are not born with certain beliefs allready there, you are taught them, and you can choose to accept them or reject them, People live their lives in accordance with their beliefs and morals and all that good stuff.
It’s easy to figure out why Da Vinci Code has become a cultural phenomenon. It’s a typical formulaic mystery surrounded by a controversial topic – Jesus Christ. The mere suggestion that Jesus was indeed married to Mary Magdalene and lived a life in a way not really found inside the Bible or endorsed by the Catholic Church. However the film was completely fictional. If you watch the film thinking everything is true and based your religious beliefs and judgments on this film you need to find a better source. I personally liked the film and here is why. If you are Christian there you really never study about Jesus’ personal life when he was on the earth such as if he had children or if he was married. The big reason is because it is of no importance to your own personal faith if Jesus had a wife a child or what their names are. However I think it is a fun topic to entertain and discuss. The movie/story did a good job with this mystery. I also know there are many views and rumors of certain Catholic groups that protect this knowledge and also catholic extremists that exist in the real world. Whether or not this is true it is still interesting topic even. To think that Jesus, the Son of God, had a wife and children on this earth is not hard to believe. I too would keep my own family secret in fear of their names taken in vein and persecuted. All in all, this information is strictly fictional and we will never really know the truth, until…
I would like to say that Da Vinci Code is an alright movie, I didnt really get the big picture at frist, and why this movie has become such a cultural phenomenon. But then I thought about it and it reigned on me that ofcourse, It’s a typical formula of suspense, and mystery, which is then surrounded by a world wide controversial topic in regards to Jesus Christ. As far as churches controling your life and and the way you choose to live it, I do not believe that neccesarily just because if you look at it, a lot of people do not attend church regularly, so therefore, your church does not control your life. It is your beliefs that control your life and you are in control of what you chose to believe therfore that gives you complete control of your life. People are not born with certain beliefs allready as soon as they pop into this world, they dont chose to be catholic, christian, or muslim, its what your parents are and what they teach you, as well as what you are being taught throughout your life in society. You can choose to accept these beliefs or reject them, People live their lives in accordance with their beliefs, morals, and values, and its different with each and everyone of us, because it all goes back to the same thing, do you believe what you believe because of what your parents have taught you all your life or do you believe these things because of what your society has said or taught you about them, in conclusion, people control their life, not their church!!!!
It’s hard to believe. The Opus Dei reaching upwards of 90,000 members all seeking out the artifacts and evidence of Mary to destroy, In order to maintain the foundation of a powerful, multi million dollar institution of Catholicism. For one, it’s hard enough to keep a secret with two members let alone 90,000. Opus Dei has more members than most small religious organizations. And 70% of them carry on a traditional life with families. If the O.D. had any dark secrets they would have been out the day after the establishment. On the flip side creating a society to protect the foundation of a religion is conceivable. That were the Gnostic gospels are booted out unendorsed. Nobody wants there very old and established religion that they put there heart and soul into, to crumble over night. We can’t handle the truth, it a work in progress that takes time.
I still don't understand why the Opus Dei hated women and then there ritual is to have sex with them while a bunch of Masked men watched. Maybe I misunderstood somewhere? I don't get what all the uproar was about when the film came out though. I've never read the book, and this was the first time that i had seen the film. I was expecting something a little more controversial then that. So someone came up with the wild idea that Jesus Christ might have been married to Mary. This is just something thought up by a guy who wanted to sell a murder mystery book. Yeah some people believe believe it, but who cares? It doesn't mean you have too. There is too much over a film that ultimately boring. It presented some different ideas that were interesting to think, yeah what if? Other then that I was bored with it. I'm just not intellectual enough to be entertained with far-fetched ideas.
This story of the Davinci Code is very interesting and I can see why it has caused controversy. Although a work of fiction, it is based around a real religion. Anytime someone says something different about a certain faith, there will always be a response from that religion. The idea that Jesus Christ could have had a wife is not that unrealistic, for all I know he could have. This is where the story draws its controversy, to say that Jesus a holy figure, would be living with a wife amongst the rest of the people, it takes away from his symbolism and shatters people’s beliefs. As for the Opus Dei, I can try to understand the idea that hurting yourself would bring you closer to what Jesus went through but then you also got to ask yourself would Christ want you to go through that pain just as he did? It certainly causes debate amongst people that’s for sure. I for one thought it was a interesting story but I wouldn’t take it all that serious because it is a work of fiction but by having said that, I can also assume that a lot of historical “facts” could also be based on the fictitious mind and the actual truth lies buried decades away.
This is very interesting movie we should keep on our mind. The Davinci Code is open our eyes to great possibilities for most aspect of our life. Our society base from the rulers and ideal of minds. if we are study history. we can do so much to be the responsible,inspire,and govern as spicie of society. This kind of power put ourself in someone. He is our hope and strenght to endure the traits and challeging in our daily life. As long They belife and trustworthty of the rightough man. We tend to worships man or imagnary man who promising all kind of wonderful things. This illusion bring even suffering and greatest scams of the man history. Goerge Washington once said when his friends asked him how can we find to good man to run the systeam? he responce,Tell me not such good man. This mentality of men hope for the future of guidian and salvation. This notion and concept only we never lose sight. So, We can only hope for the better future and peace. Chirst is the great man ever live to make us close togetther but future is there and yet has to come...
I can't say that is conspricy theory farther without the fullness of true light. so many people change the record and history. I think, I'm not worry about he had wife or not. He is just another great man who born in this earth and priciples taught us love, care one another and forgiveness.Just like JFK, DR. King and Gandi. Overall, we're living in the dark age and hole soceity becoming more wickeness and sins....
The Da Vinci Code: This Hollywood movie was very entertaining. Though fictional it caused an uproar in the religious community because it stated that Jesus Christ potentially could have had a wife(Mary Magdalene)and kids. Of course the movie had to cause an outrage in the catholic religion. How couldn't it have. The movie questiones the Catholic faith and depicts Jesus Christ to not be as devine as they make him seem.
I personally don't think the movie actually explains the truth of Jesus Christ's life. It's a Hollywood Film that needs to be contraversial. The movie has to recieve good ratings from crtics to be succesful and gross a good chunk of change to cover all the production costs of creating all the fictional characters the movie has.
However, if the movie had any truth to it, I don't see nothing wrong in Jesus Christ's having a family. He is an individual that we idolize and held to be an honorable man. If Jesus was honorable and had good influence on his followers there's no reason to doubt his morals and beliefs because he was married.
This movie really opens up your eyes and mind. Although I dont believe that Jesus Christ had a wife or any children it still makes you wonder...
There are so many secrets or "sacred" things in this world. Every religion has its own believes. Like it said in the movie, not everything is right in front of your eyes, its what you believe is true in your heart. Its your faith.
I really liked how the movie went around to find out who the last blood line was. It was really interesting and intense at parts.
I think that different religions and different people believe different things. I think that Jesus did have a wife, and not much is said about her becuase he wanted to keep her sacred. I can see why this movie caused controversy becuase right off they put off a bad vibe on the Opus Dei. I do like this movie, I read the book and I do like the book a lot better. I think that Dan Brown is creative and very interesting. I loved all the symbolism in the movie and learning more about DaVinci's work. I really like movies that tie all together like the DaVinci Code.
This movie was very interesting because it just brought up a point that many people would go crazy over. Jesus was married!!!! I personally do not think it is far fetched that much at all. No one really knows about the personal life of Jesus, so pretty much he could of had a wife, and the authors of the gospels just didn't feel that was important to put in the bible. Also it was very normal for people back thent to have multiple wives, so who is to say that he did not have many or one? I like how they have the religious fanatics in this movie, because to me there are still millions of them out there. Now, they might not be as crazy as the one in the movie who punishes himself with torture, but they still have that crazy mindset. This is what happens when people follow a church so strongly and stupidly that terrible things happen. I like how some people challenge the norm. This however, I think can be somewhat more accepted because when it comes to the bible, I think no one can be for sure. The bible was made by a bunch of guys who claim they followed Jesus, and were written 40 or more years after he died. That is a long time to create a fascinating story or forget alot, or even create something of your own with some friends. I found the movie to be very entertaining and very creative. It made me think about what the Catholic Church states and think about the possibilities of if this was really true.
this movie was based on a book that openly said that it was fiction. so no one should have been offened by this movie. this movie did give an insight to the question "what if jesus was married?" as for the catholic church, they have been involved in many censures throughout history so is really that far fetched that they would coverup the blood line of christ? this movie was just another conspericy theory and should be treated as such.
I don't see what the big deal about this film is? The disclaimer clearly said its fictional so.......why you crying? Despite the fact that the class projector really sucks balls, the film plot kept me glued the whole time. It totally seems like it could be a legitimate event in history? But because it's fictional its not. I guess that's the world we live in today; where people take serious offense to things that aren't real. Take off the blinders and don't get your britches in a twist because someone poses a "fictional" idea that is opposite your beliefs. Its ok to think about things that aren't true. You're certainly not going to go to hell for thinking about Christ could have been married.
This movie is great because it open up the possibility that Jesus Christ could've been married, and how there could be another sacred religion based on married instead of Christianity. I think it's funny how many people overreact to this movie, making me believe there is some truth to this movie after all. It's cool to see every known fact of Mary put together and matches every aspect of Jesus Christ. This movie is well put together and had great actors. The leading lady IS SO FREAKING HOT, especially with her seductive accent!
I loved the book! books are soo much better... but the movie did well too! The idea of Christ having a wife and possibly a family is a topic that has sparked many long interesting conversations. It certainly is controversial! My personal opinion... I hope that he was. He's the most eligible bachelor in the entire universe, I think he deserves to be happy as well! As for the child... I dont know what to think about that one! I guess well never know!
The Davinci Code is just a film and a fiction to me, I usually not watch religious relat film, except I truly love the Kingdom of Heaven alot. But at least the Davinci Code is much better then the bible which keeping talks about Jesus Christ. Always trying to make a dead man like a god, some blind faith religious brain dead peoples amont Christian are the peoples that always piss me off, always think themself are so right by using the bible as proof which actually did not have a single proof. Never accept other people's idea and always talk about the heaven and hell to scare people off to join. In my point of view, Jesus is nothing but a man who keep talking about his ideas around and his followers pass his stories down until Roman Empior wrote in down. We have to take the believe too seriously such like hurting other, we have to respect other's idea as long as it don't hurt us.
I like this movie I have always liked it. Religious topics are always interesting to me. It is interesting to see how far religious groups will go to protect or defend there “secrets”. As far as Jesus being married and having a kid, it could be possible. He is part human and part God. He was supposed to go through every thing that we would go through in our lives so that he could help and guide us through this live. So why could he be married and have a child. If he was not married did he then truly experience everything? Some of the hardest times that I have gone through have been since I have been married. If I look to Jesus for guidance, how could he guide me if he did not go through that to help me? It all boils down to what you want to believe. I do not really think it matters if he was married or not or if he had a child. If your faith in Jesus is shaken by whether or not he married or had a child I would say your faith is not strong and you are missing the whole point of his life and the stories of his life.
I did not like this movie when I first saw it, nor did I like it the second time. Although I do like the idea. I also think it is a well made movie. The points that it portrays are controversial and spark interest. It makes people questions their belief. Which is an awesome thing. The thing that bothers me is when people take the obviously fictitious movie for fact. I don’t have a problem with people taking the principles and topics that the movie suggests and pondering on them and, after study, possibly even believing them. That is fine. It is when it is believed as a whole.
I lived in Thailand as a missionary when this movie came out. Because the Thai people don’t have a Christian background everything rumor or whisper about Christ they heard, many believed. Frustrating, when it is stated that this is based not on truth but ideas.
I don’t say that Christ was not married in this world because he very well could have been. I won’t go into that, but to sum it all up the movie does a good job on what it is trying to accomplish, provoke doubt. Although I don’t like the movie I do commend it for that.
This movie has some level of controversy to it. Just aside from being about Christ being married and having a kid we have a movie that the catholic church has openly scoffed.I think you can look at it two ways. One way being does Catholic church not like being made out be the bad guy? The other way being does the Catholic church not like having people peeving that closely into its secrets of the past. Also several things are shown that might be considered sacred to the catholic church at their beliefs.
I look at it like the LDS church and the recent view into the temple on the show "big love". The LDS church and many of it's members were very upset by this. It wasn't so much that they didn't want people to know but that they felt many people wouldn't understand or things might get twisted in the editing process that were not quite how the church intended them to be. I feel this might be the same with the catholic church and this movie. It might not be for the want for hiding the truth that the catholic church banned this movie but for the mere fact that people wouldn't understand. Perhaps deep down the catholic church knows more on this then they are letting on, and the reason they are scoffing and vocally denying this movie is because we as a public would not understand.
Though the catholic church does have a history of being more of a government then a religious organization so it would not be unheard of for them to have something secret hidden in their closet that should be brought to light. I guess in watching the movie we just have to realize that as far as we know it is fiction but we should always try and keep an open mind about things so if we see something we don't understand in movies or TV that we try and learn more about it through the right sources.
This film is controversial because jesus its possible that jesus was married. Just like the last temptation of christ just like any religion or belief people are easily upset with anything going against their beliefs ,but thats what it is a belief not a fact merely a belief. So if your faith is shaken by a hollywood movie do you believe? Just because you believe something doesn't make it true so don't push your beliefs on others. That being said i didn't find it very offensive at all i thought it was entertaining. a movie that portrays the catholic church as anything that they are not or don't see themselves as being can be pretty offensive i understand that. just remember its a hollywood movie not a history book and religion is faith not fact choose to believe what you want don't let hollywood offend you or stop you
I loved the different view of this movie. I really like how it can show a possibly different side of the Jesus we all know and love. This movie is nothing like The last temptation of Christ where is shows Jesus actually doing these things and I think that is the major difference on the offensive angles. Like the last temptation of Christ this movie makes you think what if...Not only is this girl the last surviving relative to Jesus She is also royalty! Wow talk about a double header. I Think that the idea of having the Opes Diem as a group that degrades women and kills people to either keep secrets or to find new things is crazy but honestly with all the nutty things secret societies do I wouldn't be suprised if it were true. I can see why the film is contraversial. It's highly contraversial. Jesus got married to Mary Magdaline. They had some kids who just so happen are the royal family of France. There are people who protect this secret through a million clues. Which by the way this movie reminds me of National Treasure in that way.
Not too long following the transfer (theft) of Bishop George Niederauer to the archdiocese in San Francisco, he wrote an analytical answer to the DaVinci Code. While he admits his initial reaction was much like the general consensus of the comments here (that there is not a need to respond seriously to issues raised in a work of fiction), he came to reconsider that position when he realized that Brown’s assertions about historical events and supposed scholastic understanding were nevertheless causing people to believe the novel and film (in some capacity) true. His responses to some of these assertions may be found here (http://tinyurl.com/d5a7yy) and I would encourage you to read the article; Archbishop Niederauer has a teaching background in university level literature.
My reason for responding to the film critically is based on similar principles that a simple disclaimer of fiction cannot entirely discount a deliberate assertion of historical evidence, cover-up and scholastic consensus of Brown’s version of the life of Christ. And unlike The Last Temptation of Christ, The DaVinci Code is not a pious and considerate exploration of divine mystery; it is a mixture of misrepresentation and Catholic-bashing. The most important (and controversial) aspect of the DaVinci Code is the assertion that Jesus was in fact not divine; it is this element and not the idea that Christ could have been married that is the reason that Christians that believe materials presented can have their faith shaken.
While we are on the topic of the idea of a marriage to Mary Magdalene, however, I’ll spend a moment discussing that possibility. Dan Brown makes much of Gnostic or Coptic gospels that were not used by early Christians when assembling their sacred scriptures, claiming that these accounts are in some way more accurate or trustworthy than those used by today’s Christians. It is asserted that texts that contained ideas contrary to what they wanted were excluded; what Dan Brown does not say is that he himself is guilty of precisely that. If we are to credit the Gnostic gospels fully, then we must consider the idea that Jesus’ companion and helpmeet may not have even been a woman. According to the gospel of Thomas, “Mary Magdalene” becomes a man. It is difficult to imagine that a tradition recognizing this apocrypha (not a negative term, but one meaning secret teaching, which many supposedly were) would center on discovering the divine based around an early pagan celebration of the female body and its function.
As to whether Jesus was married at all, Brown insists that for him to have been unmarried would have been tantamount to social deviance. However, it is known that the prophet Jeremiah, John the Baptist and Paul were all bachelors, and yet no sense of social dysfunction has been attached to them. In addition, a married man would not have needed to ensure that his mother Mary was cared for after his death. However, accounts of the crucifixion show Jesus instructing his apostle John to ensure his mother is taken care of.
The Gnostic Gospels themselves are highly influenced by ideas from Judaism, early Christianity, Hellenism, Syria and Egypt; Gnosticism being a syncretic movement whose roots actually predate the birth of Jesus, didn’t reach its height until after the earliest writings had begun being compiled. In fact, when contrasted with early Christian works (like the letters of Paul written around 50 C.E.), the Gnostic gospels are far less Jewish and deemphasize the importance of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Tied to this issue is the assertion in The DaVinci Code that there was great confusion both in the accepted Christian writings and basic concepts of Christ’s life until the fourth century, when Emperor Constantine organized the Bible and pronounced Jesus divine. The fact of matter is, by 150 C.E. the four gospels (of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and the letters of Paul were loosely arranged as important writings and regarded as the authoritative source for the life of Christ. In case you didn’t catch the dates during the film, Emperor Constantine lived from 272 C.E. to 337 C.E. It may also be a small point, but although Constantine is said to have promoted Christianity in The DaVinci Code, he is claimed not to convert until his deathbed baptism; this is a gross misrepresentation of these events. The relevant date for Constantine’s conversion is actually 312 C.E. wherein he had a vision of Christ, who told him to place the labarum (☧) on his standards and shields and he would be victorious (“in hoc signo vinces”). The following year, the Edict of Milan was issued removing all barriers to tolerance of Christians in the Empire. Make no mistake, Constantine considered himself a Christian, but put off baptism until near death to ensure all his sins were forgiven, a common enough practice at the time.
While this in no way covers all the issues with the film’s historical assertions, it at least encompasses the basics. This brings us to the rampant anti-Catholic sentiment that drenches the film, which is hardly unique in American popular media (Stigmata, anyone?). Given American history’s ties to various Protestant sects, it is hardly surprising to find a certain amount of hostility toward the Catholic hierarchy that manifests as a perception of sinister secrecy. There is an early example of a work of popular fiction published in the United States that led to outrage and vilification of priest and nuns living “secretive lives” in The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk, published in 1836. As for the depiction of Opus Dei, there are two basic difficulties with how its members are portrayed: that of a secret society primarily consisting of clergy and a basic misunderstanding and fear of mortification of the flesh.
By and large the members of the Prelature of Opus Dei are not clergy, they are individuals (men and women) with jobs and families who are inspired by the message Opus Dei promotes of finding holiness through work. Opus Dei, as my seminarian friend Chris once described it to me, exhorts lay people to live lives of perfection within their means. Secret societies normally have rites reserved only for members; Opus Dei does not, it merely emphasizes dedication to members’ Catholic faith. However, with many organizations, rumors create pervasive myths (e.g. Orrin Porter Rockwell and the Danites).
As for the depiction of mortification of the flesh, those unfamiliar with Catholic history and traditions are likely to be horrified by the mere idea. Important to stress is that the idea of mortification of the flesh is not simply experiencing pain, but self-denial as well. Fasting, for example, is an important part of faith traditions for all Catholics, although it is not widely practiced by Protestant sects (including the LDS church) due to Reformation ideas disparaging external expressions of faith. Pain has been historically used by religious people as a way of altering consciousness and finding inspiration. Historically, monks using the practice to inflict pain seek closeness with the divine and relinquishing of earthly things. While it is hardly a common practice, it remains an important part of faith for many people worldwide.
I would wager a guess that if a film were released today showing conservative Jewish or perhaps Hindu organizations as murderously repressive and secretive, the public outcry would cause widespread condemnation and religious discrimination. And yet, when Catholics decry being so depicted, there is a feeling of “special pleading” to quote Archbishop Niederauer. Ultimately, it less a question of questioning faith than it is respect and being honest when making historical assertions. As New York Times Book Review critic Laura Miller wrote, “The only thing more powerful than a worldwide conspiracy, it seems, is our desire to believe in one.”
I think the idea that Christ was married and had a child is not such a farfetched idea. Looking back at the historical time I think it would be more likely than not that he would. The fact that the church would go to such extremes to keep it a secret on the other hand is not very believable at all. I understand there are a lot of secrets that the church wants to keep from people but to think that they would send members of their higher arc to kill to keep them is ridicules. Another point that I would like to make is that the opus-dui to me did not seem like a horrible sect like the opinion in the class discussion. It seemed to me like they were very dedicated members of the church that would do anything asked of them. It showed in the movie all the actions the opus-dui guy did were only because he was told to by the priest and he thought he was doing for the church that to me shows true devotion.
I Almost fell asleep. Yea didnt like this movie in the theatre and i didnt like it this go around. Yea it may of sturred up some questions for about a week after the movie came out but that is it. I do believe that Jesus was married, but no kids. Churches always keep things sacred until the church members are ready, I think people should be religous it if anything teaches people to be happier and a better person. The reason they left things out of the bible is because it is so long now that no one reads it imagine if it was longer? I have read the whole bible and I thought the Old testament was a boring as this movie was.
I must say this is the first time that I have ever seen this movie. I tried watching it for the first time a couple months ago but I fell asleep during the first part of it, but once it got going it was pretty interesting. It's crazy how many looks their are about religious views in the world today. Jesus could have been married for all we know. It wasn't mentioned in the bible but he was human so he does have feelings. It was cool when they were going in detail about the last supper. That opened my eyes!! This was a overall good movie. I am looking forward to seeing the next one that comes out!!!
In the movie they mention that if Christ did in fact have a child then the whole idea of it and the fact that it is being kept secret and hidden would be the biggest coverup in the worlds history. There are a couple of controversial points in the movie, the major one that seems to capture everyones eye is whether or not christ was married and had a child. I personally don't think that it's that big of a deal, I mean the idea of it is, but the fact that we don't know isn't. I mean why do people feel like they have a right to know every secret hidden underneath the sun? There are reasons why they are kept secret. None of us is God and as he being one of the only ones having the right to that secret I see it fit that he keeps it until he dicides to reveal it unto us.
Now we also have to realize that this movie, although touches on some non fiction topics is under the fiction category, the author himself said that it was. There is a saying that says that the guilty take the truth to be hard. Maybe the movie portrayed Opus Dei correctly and that's why they got so mad, maybe not, I don't know. But with all of these subjects we need to keep an open mind and try to understand where it's all coming from and like someone said earlier, we need to study these things out but from good sources.
This was the first time that i have seen The Davinci Code. I found it to be internest. I heard that there was a lot of talk about this movie. I think that the catholic church as taken a lot of heat from this moive. Then there is the question. Was Jesus marrie, that would be up to interpetation. I believe that it is not that important. If it was important then we would have had more information. Then again if christ was married and had a child then what would that have meant for the later years after christ was crucified. I think when it comes down to it, it is was you believe. We can see all the different side of story in the bible and this can be the same thing. It can be twisted and turned in some many ways. It only matters in what you believe and how you feel.
Before I had even seen this movie, in fact before this movie was even released I had heard some negative opinions about it. I have a cousin that is quite outspoken about issues relating to the nature of Jesus Christ. This is where the majority of the negative feedback about this film came from. He was quite offended at what he had supposed to be an attack on the divine nature of Jesus Christ. I also admit to being somewhat defensive when it comes to people calling Jesus, just another man or only a good teacher or person because I strongly believe that he is the Savior of the world and the only way back to God. This being said though, I do respect and feel it is necessary for all people to make their own choice on the matter. So getting back to the movie I wanted to find out for myself if the ideas expressed in it would be as offensive to me as they were to him, so I watched it. Come to find out that not only did it not offend me in anyway but it was good entertainment. In fact I bought the movie. Here is why. In no way would the possibility that Jesus was married change my belief in his divine nature. Where is the contradiction in that? Didn’t God command us to multiply and replenish the earth? Didn’t Jesus say that he always did the will of the Father? This is not to say that I believe those who haven’t married or had children are breaking the commandments. I believe that the opportunity will still exist during Jesus’ millennial reign on this earth. I don’t understand what would make anyone think that because Jesus was married or even had children it would change his worthiness to be all that he claimed to be. In fact I personally think if he was married it would make perfect sense. I get the same feeling from all the posts I have read on this movie thus far, so I guess it really isn’t that controversial unless you happen to agree with the hard core catholic group that was involved in the banning of this movie. If so I’d love to hear that argument in order to help me understand why it would matter if Jesus was married or had kids.
Good movie. In my religion, they don't teach that Jesus was never married, but they don't exactly come out and say that we believe that he was. There has been some doctrine in my religion that has subtly mentioned it. But once again, it comes down to belief. There is no hard evidence that he was married and had a child. I do believe that he did. He was an example to men. He is still an example to people today. I don't think any less of him if he was married. One thing to touch on that we talked about in class was with the Catholic church keeping control and keeping those gospels out. I strongly believe that one of the reasons the Catholic church did it was to keep control of their followers. I know that people got all upset saying that the church doesn't control, but for the last hundreds of years, it has. It controlled Europe, and they sent missionaries all over the world, and it controlled governments. I think that they really did want complete control over their believers. Anyways, it just comes down to whatever you want to believe.
I thought the movie was good. Although, every time the topic is religion it gets personal. I personally, don't have any problems with it at all, but a lot of people do. Maybe it's because it makes them feel that they have to choose or think a certain way to fit in. We see that Jesus had a wife and maybe children and that may well be, but I don't think that was important enough to dwell on. I think it was important that if Jesus was to be this icon that we see as a symbol of peace and hope the scholars and historians needed to focus on his works and miracles that he performed and of course the ultimate sacrifice, his dying on the cross for us all. I don't believe that the church controls the people. I think its our beliefs that keeps us in control. It's how we interpret things that's important. There are a lot of different versions of the Bible that we must consider as well.
I read the book when it first came out and had already seen the movie so watching it in class was nothing new for me. I personally didn't find it that controversial because after all it is a hollywood movie made to make millions just like the book is a novel written to make millions, so naturally the author is going to find a subject (religion) and use an idea that will grab people's attention and stir controversy. I think people have to understand that before they get in an uproar over this and that. It's not as if dan brown wrote a non-fiction book supporting this theory about christ and making all these claims. He wrote it as a fiction novel period, for the purpose of selling books and making money. If you're someone who's secure with your beliefs then you'll see that and see the movie and book for what they are... Entertainment.
This is the first time watching this movie and I must say it was pretty entertaining. And that's all it was to me: Entertainment.
The author claims his work as fiction. That's it. Purely for entertainment. How many more times does it have to be repeated for the Catholic Church or any other religious group to realize that's all it is? Simply not enough.
The subject of Jesus Christ portrayed in any movie will always be subject to criticism and controversy due to questioning one's beliefs over another. As much as peace is proclaimed in many of the world's religions, it's quite ironic that religion and violence are tied together. History shows that and that's not fiction.
I do believe in Jesus Christ. I was not offended at all by this movie. Like I said, it was entertaining.
I realize my comments above waxed a bit long, so there are a few points I would like to emphasize.
When works of fiction make historical assertions, there is some expectation that there is substiantiable evidence to support their claims (Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle is a perfect example). Particularly when choosing a topic likely to inflame emotion, you have some obligation to ensure that people do not give undue weight to fiction because of assertions about historical accuracy.
Also, I thought I was clear when I explained why the depiction of dedicated religious people in the film and book might be offensive. It has become clear I was not. I ask all of those with an LDS background how offended they would be if a book and movie were released that portrayed the LDS church hierarchy implicitly endorsing secretive modern day Danites on a quest of blood atonement to protect a dirty secret the church had been concealing (e.g. Salamander Letters, etc.) Now tell me that Catholics are being hypersensitive.
I find this movie both very interesting and disturbing at the same time. I am a christian, so I believe that Christ is the Devine Being, Did now wrong and made no mistakes. I also like to think I am open minded, respect the beliefs and views of others. If someone wants to believe that Christ was married, okay, that is up to them. That is the joy of the free world. But I myself don't believe it, nor do i want to. But it is definately possible because we are simply going off what we read out of books. no one was there.
Another interesting point. was how they brought forth the thought of Opus Dei (SP?). The rumor or idea had to come somewhere, and I feel that the idea of the secret society is not that far off. Given the strict rules of some Religions, I don't find it far fetched that they would have a group of people that are set apart and determined to squash anyone that is out to discredit the religion as a whole.
I read half this book, it was really a entertaining book, not sure why i didn't finish... The movie wasn't quite as entertaining. It did the job of keeping me in my seat (barley), mostly because Agent Sophie Neveu is so darn good lookin. As far as the "facts" are concern, I'm not educated deep enough to know whats real and not except for the real obvious stuff... The church did take a lot of offense to this movie, not that i can blame them. Even though it was made clear that its a fictional film, people don't like there deepest beliefs to be misconstrued. If this were a movie on Mormons that was all backwards and full of incorrect things (aka HBO's "big love") I'm sure I'd take offense to it too. Because there are going to be those people that think its real and 100 percent correct, its the world we live in. Anywho, I'm sure I'll go and see Angles and Demons when it comes out too, and I'm sure it will raise commotion again.
I remember when this film was in the process of being released and hearing about all the controversy from it. Due to it portraying Jesus in a more human aspect than the Catholic Church would like him to be portrayed. Yet history is much more condemning to the catholic church than this film could ever be. Even the history channel does more to discredit the catholic church than The Da Vinci Code did.
Of course almost every religion has done things that are unfavorable to their image. Catholics killed and persecuted lots of people back in the day. Mormons had the whole polygamy thing and African Americans not being able to hold the priesthood for a while. Muslims have suicide bombers giving them a bad reputation, and so on and so forth.
Even the bible which is supposed to be the word of God is contradicting many people believe that God and Jesus Christ are the exact same person than why in the bible in Mathew Chapter three would versus sixteen and seventeen say this " 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Its just confusing and causes disbelief.
So many religions out there use the bible yet there lies the problem there is religion after religion using the same book all have different beliefs. How could the word of God have so many people being deceived? Not to mention the book of Revelations is just the craziest thing ever to read of course for me it would have to be the best book in there because of how bizarre it is.
This movie though slightly controversial does no real damage to the Catholic Church. Almost all religions do good things things and bad things and the good usually always outweighs the bad of any religion. Even if you go to the Church of Satan's website which I did for the purpose of this post you will see that many of the things they have written there are good things they even say they are against killing anything against its will and that you shouldn't do drugs.
Religions are both good and bad. Everything has controversy because everyone believes in different things and has their own agenda's. We all come from different cultures and places so were not all going to see things in the same way. Bottom line who care's what any holly wood film says in the end it all comes down to the all mighty dollar for them anyways.
as much as i like conspirasy movies i really hated this one. I love the fact that they base most of what they think on a painting that was made by a guy at a totally different time than when the picture was said to have happened. It is not like Davinci was at the suposed last supper and was all "ok now all of you hold still and you look like your a guy but really a girls, and this and that." The one thing that really got me on this movie is the fact that there is no hard evidence that jesus even existed. most people do not know that. another thing i didn't like was the portail of the opus dei as being this group of evil people that go through all these crazy rituals. You could put the temple rituals in a movie and make mormons look evil. But there is a difference between sacred and secret.
overall, i think the Da Vinci Code is a good movie. I can see why so many people think this movie is controversial, but i also think this movie allowed people to explore there beliefs about whether or not Christ is the Divine Being.
Growing up rather agnostic, i am not sure exactly what i believe. However, to believe Christ has a blood line and was married is a good possibility. But either way, married or not married, Christ has become has nfluenced millions of peoples lives and that is what important. I think people need to look at the bigger picture. We will never know exactly if Christ had a blood line, but we do know that Christ helped encourage people to change their lives for the better. I think that is what people need to understand. I find it rather irrevelant to argue whether or not Christ had a wife, as long as people believe Christ whole-hearted, generous person who influences millions peoples lives everyday,so who cares if he was married or not. As long as you follow His beliefs, values, and you are a good natured person. Then that is all that matters.
well i have always thought that this movie was pretty cool and all but recently i have begun to question everything i see alot more because i have begun to trust my own opinion rather than to take other peoples views and opinions and just trust them. onto the movie... im not a part of the catholic church, rather i am a member of the mormon church. but i thought it was cool how the catholic church could have such a conspiracy theory against them and how much time and effort they would put into keeping it hidden and the general public unaware of the possibility of jesus having a wife and family. but on the flip side i could look at any old painting and tell you your future by making things up from the shapes i saw inside of it. and i could make up information about the egyptions because i saw three pyramids in the background and i could make up really cool stories about it.
it was a great movie though very entertaining and full of excitement and heart pounding edge of your seat action. two thumbs up from me.
I went to see the movie with my huband before. I did not like how bloody it was first and I did not like this time either. But i really like how they solve the problems. One of the website which (http://blogclub.livedoor.biz/)I looked which was written in Japanese said that if there are under Jesus' blood line, it will deny christian becuase Jesus is belived not to have children. And If he has a kid, that tells he cannot be god of son. If you deny exsistance of Jesus as god, it means to deny exsist of Christian. That is maybe why so many countries decide not let people watch. It is hard to know what is true and what it is not, but I believe whatever they are believing can lead people to be good person,truth does not really matter
The davinchi code as far as a movie goes it was an alright movie and same for the book it was ok the only question is how did this movie and book become so controversial in the first place it states at the begining of the book that some dates from history are true but the story is a work of fiction but people still get caught up in this book as being a devils book and it has been banned in several places that is ridiculous thats just about as stupid as saying some fantasy book that has devil worshipers in it is against god it has nothing to do with it he just had an idea and wrote it and if it is just even the ideas that people find offensive then ok dont read it no big deal i am sure they could find alot worse things in books then speculation on jesus and going to that fact i dont think it would matter or not if he was married or not it wouldnt change anything about him or the stories about him except they might add an extra footnote that he was married wich no one could really prove anyways so is pointless to debate in the first place. it does make the copus die look a little shaby but in perspective in only shows three people in that religous group who where being tricked into something they didnt really realize to its true meaning they really where only trying to do what they tnought was right. and like they said in the movie there are only a very few people who do go to the extremes as saw in the movie by silas. not to mention anyone who judges a religion off of a fictional movie or most movies for that face are retarded its just a point of view from someone else not your point of view anyways thats all i have to say
Well for starters this movie was doomed for me to not like it from the minute tom hanks was cast as the lead role. i have never been a big tom hanks fan (no previous movie pun intended). The only role he has seemed real in is forrest gump...an idiot. As for the Da Vinci code, I returned my copy of the book and never wanted to see the movie. I never felt like I was missing anything special, and now I know I was right. For starters, it was a work of fiction that people took as fact. Maybe I should move the Harry Potter books in my store to the Biography section and see what buzz we can get going on those. My views on religion, ANY religion, are based on limited knowledge of their beliefs and doctrines that I have. With limited knowledge, I try my very best to not make any snap judgments. Whether or not some, or any, of the "facts" in the movie have any truth behind them, I can not judge the truthfulness of it. As for my feelings on one of the more major points brought up, mainly "was Jesus Christ married?" my answer is a strong and emphatic MAYBE! It is very possible that He was in fact married. Their are many ancient Judaic traditions that would point to it being the case that He was married. In the King James bible, He is often called Rabbi, which one must be married to deserve such address. However, there is at no point reference to Him actually being married. Which does not confirm that He was not married. It just means that it was not mentioned. Why would it not be mentioned? for one, it is not important for any of us to know that bit of information. Maybe it is not mentioned because of the sanctity Christ would place over a chosen bride. Think of how often the names of God and Christ are taken in vain and used as profane words. It could be a way of keeping such a chosen woman sanctified.
Where to begin. this movie made some very interesting points and i think some incorrect conclusions. first i am sure that with the many interpretations that various churches would put on the discovery that Christ was married, it would destroy the churches as we know them. therefore the existence of groups that would commit the most heinous of crimes to protect what they see as right or just to protect their own power is very plausible. however i hope that they have grown out of this very childish phase of development, but with the way that they reacted to this work it would seem that they might not have.
second, as Christ was a Jew and as he was here to follow all of his fathers laws, one of which was to replenish the earth, i.e. marriage, it would make sense that he would be married. i am fairly sure that in order to be acknowledged as a rabbi or teacher that he needed to be a certain age and be married. i also agree with some of the other postings in that he would have wanted to protect his wife from the events that were to pass later and if she played such a critical role in his preaching it may have changed the way that we understood his message to us. i think that as such he showed how important it was to protect your wife, not because she is lesser than you, but because you love her. how many of us would go though great pains to protect the one that you share your life with from the evils that people will do when they are angered or are willing to say and do the most despicable things to you. i for one would protect the one i love. as i feel that those are the 2 most important issues that were brought up in the movie i think that i will leave it at this.
I just wanted to say that I like this movie and somewhat dislike this movie. The reason I liked this movie was because in my opinion most of the movies we watched were pretty damn boring and wanted to make me fall asleep, but this movie on the other hand kept me awake and eyes glued to the screen the only downside was the annoying screen projector. I think the movie was played out real good. I love mystery movies because it makes me think a lot while being in great suspense. and me being LDS it didn't really offend me to much.
Now the reason I dislike the movie was because I didn't really noticed to much controversy, maybe it was because I was to into the movie itself and it's mystery, and all the controversy just flew past me. But, I know every religion movie is going to have lots of controversy and is going to have a lot of people debating different things, but the way I see it is, it's just one persons opinion. Everyone has their own opinions and believe in different things, people aren't just born with a certain religion, we might be born into a religious family and practice that religion but it is up to us to decide if we want to accept this religion into our life or reject it. Me, for example, my parents are Buddhist, to most people if they knew my parents were Buddhist they would also think I was Buddhist as well, but i'm not I am LDS. I've always done Buddhist things with my parents ever since I was young but I never knew what I was doing. When I was 12, my uncle had just come back from his LDS mission so I hung out with him a lot and he took me to church with him and that is how I actually became LDS. Even though I don't really go to church anymore or anything I still believe in the LDS ways. no one is born into any religion, we choose our own paths and thats how it should be. and I just wanted to say that I also don't think Jesus was married. :)
Robert Langdon is such a phenomenal character, IF you read "Angels & Demons", followed by "The DaVinci Code". In my opinion, Tom Hanks did him no justice. He's too mellow. Langdon is on like, a constant adrenaline high, and it doesn't show in Hanks... The books are SO good. When I first watched the movie I got all depressed that it didn't live up to the book. This time, when we watched it in class, I actually fell asleep.
However, "Angels and Demons" will be amazing, if it's half as good as the book... I hope.
I love thinking of Jesus as being a family man who got some of God's super-power juice, and was like, "Yo! Check this out!" And ran across a lake, and just kept running... Performing miracles all over the place... Awesome.
But, I just watched, "Religulous", by Bill Mahr. Life is getting confusing, but I think people should have faith in something rather than nothing... Life is too vicious to believe in nothing.
I think its amusing the way so many religious types can get so worked up over a work of fiction. Its the same as that Last Temptation of Christ, just in modern times. I think the movie doesn't give the book justice, but thats a separate issue.
I like things like this that challenge religion without being overly religious. It is refreshing to be set in modern times, but the movie just drags on. Tom Hanks is an alright actor, but he just doesn't fit the role. As a controversial film, this was a poor choice to watch, as it was too entertaining, as someone else said. That however is the point of the movie.
Very interesting movie that i enjoy purely for the entertainment. This idea of Christ being married is not far fetched at all. It is very possible that he could have been. When I lived in South America people took this idea completely out of context and began believing this idea as a religion. They began to start there own churches and changing Catholic teachings. I mean honestly people this is a fictional book written by some guy that had an interesting idea. There is no need to begin a religion off a thought. How does it effect the human race if Christ was married? Does it make you believe differently? Those are the questions you should ask yourself. Then if they change your beliefs find something that best fits those beliefs.
I have seen this movie a few times before. Once in the theater and a few more times on DVD. Personally, as a catholic, i understand the controversy with this movie as the upcoming sequel, Angels and Demons. To me, unlike my mother or other members of my family, it didn't offend me. I believe that life itself is up to a person's perception and that is what makes us different and makes us more diverse as people. Overall, even though i don't agree with what the movie stated, i appreciated the ideas and concept that i did not previously consider or question with my own religion. I am very content with my faith and hold a strong feeling towards it and from time to time, it's almost pleasant to test and question it with ideas that aren't usually brought up in church. Great Movie!
I am okay with the fact that christ had a family because that is the reason we are here on earth. I believe that he set the example for all of us so why wouldn't he get married and have a family. I don't think its fair that they protrayed opus dei as the evil people in this film. everyone has their own beliefs and Idon't think it's fair to put others down for what you believe in. I did think it was an interesting story though and a good interpretation of how some might feel about christ and some mysteries that come with it.
I've seen this movie once and I thought it was pretty good I didn't think about the problems that people had with because to me it was just another movie about Christ. but after watching it again I thought to myself Jesus Christ has a bloodline meaning that he must have fornicated with someone, it brought up a lot of questions in my mind. I don't know to much about the LDS, Catholic, Christianity Religions because I am Buddhist but it makes me wonder a lot about what I have learned from the other religions. but back on subject The movie had my mind scrambling for answers every clue was you could say cool to me it was like an adventures mystery, I may not have understood the movie exactly but towards the end it was amazing just seeing everything unfold knowing that the women was from a royal bloodline and seeing what they had found.
Being agnostic religious movies are hard for me to really comment on. Wasn't Jesus supposed to has expeirenced everything? what's wrong with expierencing love, marriage, and even lust? he still has his ideas and everything went the way it did.
I honestly don't think the idea of Jesus Christ being married is a huge controversy. There are many things that the Bible possibly could have left out for whatever reasons the church has or God has. If it is true I guess it would be pretty dissapointing that all those facts had to be kept a secret and it would give people a reason to hate the church. I also think that maybe there are some things we aren't ready for and that is why some things might have been left out.
I'm not sure but I don't remember the bible saying Christ wasn't married. I think he was and I think it would be more beautiful to keep it sacred, not a secret. I think a lot of people curse Christ for bad things that happen in their lives and I think God and Christ were trying to protect Marry from that same hatred.
This movie was one of the best movies we actually watched. I really don't get the reason why the guy punishes himself. As far as the movie it was good it always made you think of what could be the next clue. A movie cannot be the same if you who the villian is. I really don't think that its a big issue for Christ to married. But that bloodline thing I don't know wether to believe it or not. Can't wait until the second one comes out.
I thought this movie was actually pretty good. I like how it questions some things in Christ's life, like being married. I think it's funny watching all of these closed minded people get all pissed off about this. But for once, they should try and question things themselves, insteading of agreeing with everyone like a bunch of fucking sheep. And this isn't supposed to be based on truth. Most of it is just for entertainment.
I have no problem with Christ being married because he was a Rabbi not a Priest. As most rabbis are married whereas priests are not. Umm the Opus Dei were portrayed as evil fanatics which isn't particularly cool. The thought of any Church having a shadowy council where they make decisions is frightening but neither unherd of nor impossible. the only truly offensive thing about this movie is it's stupid. It's stupid because it's bad, it's bad because it's boring and its boring because it's STUPID.
ReplyDeleteSecond!!Yeah boi!
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard mixed reviews from friends about this movie but after seeing Forest Gump solve the biggest mystery of all time I might actually go read this book which I’m sure is better. I’m a huge art buff and am always interested in how people from different religions choose to twist the story of this man (Jesus) to better their religious causes.
The idea that Jesus might have had a wife doesn’t seem all that far-fetched after all. I’m sure that plenty of facts about this man and his counter parts have been cut from the history books. You all know my stand on organized religions and immaculate conceptions so I need not rant anymore. Opus Dei, wow it doesn’t get much more interesting than that. When I heard that they hurt themselves to become closer with Christ and to try to understand what he might have gone through, it boggled my mind.
What if these people put that same energy, love and devotion into finding cures for diseases and cancers? It’s amazing to me what we will do to prove to "God" how much more we love him compared to our fellow man.
During the end of class discussion the idea of the church as a means to control people generated a few laughs from the catholic school crowd so I thought I would address that further. The question was why would the catholic church care so much about Christ's mortality, because many faith's have and other popular groups have questioned the mortality of Christ? For me it was not as much about opposing views of Christ. The idea that the church has been consciously hiding aspects of the church that are inconvenient questions the churches legitimacy. I found it funny and ironic that people laughed at the idea of control when in reality the church has been responsible for censoring a myriad of books and information that deviate from their gospel from the time of the bibles creation. It's hard for someone inside to see the effects that the church has because sometimes acknowledging them means questioning your own faith.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I personally didn't like the movie choice for this class. Why? Because it was actually entertaining. I was so caught up in the movie that all the important stuff just flew by. I wasn't bored enough to stop and think about the controversial issue(s) being shown.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that your church controls your life. It is your beliefs that control your life and you control your beliefs therfore you are in complete control of your life. You are not born with certain beliefs allready there, you are taught them, and you can choose to accept them or reject them, People live their lives in accordance with their beliefs and morals and all that good stuff.
It’s easy to figure out why Da Vinci Code has become a cultural phenomenon. It’s a typical formulaic mystery surrounded by a controversial topic – Jesus Christ. The mere suggestion that Jesus was indeed married to Mary Magdalene and lived a life in a way not really found inside the Bible or endorsed by the Catholic Church. However the film was completely fictional. If you watch the film thinking everything is true and based your religious beliefs and judgments on this film you need to find a better source. I personally liked the film and here is why.
ReplyDeleteIf you are Christian there you really never study about Jesus’ personal life when he was on the earth such as if he had children or if he was married. The big reason is because it is of no importance to your own personal faith if Jesus had a wife a child or what their names are. However I think it is a fun topic to entertain and discuss. The movie/story did a good job with this mystery. I also know there are many views and rumors of certain Catholic groups that protect this knowledge and also catholic extremists that exist in the real world. Whether or not this is true it is still interesting topic even. To think that Jesus, the Son of God, had a wife and children on this earth is not hard to believe. I too would keep my own family secret in fear of their names taken in vein and persecuted. All in all, this information is strictly fictional and we will never really know the truth, until…
I would like to say that Da Vinci Code is an alright movie, I didnt really get the big picture at frist, and why this movie has become such a cultural phenomenon. But then I thought about it and it reigned on me that ofcourse, It’s a typical formula of suspense, and mystery, which is then surrounded by a world wide controversial topic in regards to Jesus Christ. As far as churches controling your life and and the way you choose to live it, I do not believe that neccesarily just because if you look at it, a lot of people do not attend church regularly, so therefore, your church does not control your life. It is your beliefs that control your life and you are in control of what you chose to believe therfore that gives you complete control of your life. People are not born with certain beliefs allready as soon as they pop into this world, they dont chose to be catholic, christian, or muslim, its what your parents are and what they teach you, as well as what you are being taught throughout your life in society. You can choose to accept these beliefs or reject them, People live their lives in accordance with their beliefs, morals, and values, and its different with each and everyone of us, because it all goes back to the same thing, do you believe what you believe because of what your parents have taught you all your life or do you believe these things because of what your society has said or taught you about them, in conclusion, people control their life, not their church!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt’s hard to believe. The Opus Dei reaching upwards of 90,000 members all seeking out the artifacts and evidence of Mary to destroy, In order to maintain the foundation of a powerful, multi million dollar institution of Catholicism. For one, it’s hard enough to keep a secret with two members let alone 90,000. Opus Dei has more members than most small religious organizations. And 70% of them carry on a traditional life with families. If the O.D. had any dark secrets they would have been out the day after the establishment. On the flip side creating a society to protect the foundation of a religion is conceivable. That were the Gnostic gospels are booted out unendorsed. Nobody wants there very old and established religion that they put there heart and soul into, to crumble over night. We can’t handle the truth, it a work in progress that takes time.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more with Isaac.
ReplyDeleteI still don't understand why the Opus Dei hated women and then there ritual is to have sex with them while a bunch of Masked men watched. Maybe I misunderstood somewhere? I don't get what all the uproar was about when the film came out though. I've never read the book, and this was the first time that i had seen the film. I was expecting something a little more controversial then that. So someone came up with the wild idea that Jesus Christ might have been married to Mary. This is just something thought up by a guy who wanted to sell a murder mystery book. Yeah some people believe believe it, but who cares? It doesn't mean you have too. There is too much over a film that ultimately boring. It presented some different ideas that were interesting to think, yeah what if? Other then that I was bored with it. I'm just not intellectual enough to be entertained with far-fetched ideas.
This story of the Davinci Code is very interesting and I can see why it has caused controversy. Although a work of fiction, it is based around a real religion. Anytime someone says something different about a certain faith, there will always be a response from that religion. The idea that Jesus Christ could have had a wife is not that unrealistic, for all I know he could have. This is where the story draws its controversy, to say that Jesus a holy figure, would be living with a wife amongst the rest of the people, it takes away from his symbolism and shatters people’s beliefs. As for the Opus Dei, I can try to understand the idea that hurting yourself would bring you closer to what Jesus went through but then you also got to ask yourself would Christ want you to go through that pain just as he did? It certainly causes debate amongst people that’s for sure. I for one thought it was a interesting story but I wouldn’t take it all that serious because it is a work of fiction but by having said that, I can also assume that a lot of historical “facts” could also be based on the fictitious mind and the actual truth lies buried decades away.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting movie we should keep on our mind. The Davinci Code is open our eyes to great possibilities for most aspect of our life. Our society base from the rulers and ideal of minds. if we are study history. we can do so much to be the responsible,inspire,and govern as spicie of society. This kind of power put ourself in someone. He is our hope and strenght to endure the traits and challeging in our daily life. As long They belife and trustworthty of the rightough man. We tend to worships man or imagnary man who promising all kind of wonderful things. This illusion bring even suffering and greatest scams of the man history. Goerge Washington once said when his friends asked him how can we find to good man to run the systeam? he responce,Tell me not such good man. This mentality of men hope for the future of guidian and salvation. This notion and concept only we never lose sight. So, We can only hope for the better future and peace. Chirst is the great man ever live to make us close togetther but future is there and yet has to come...
ReplyDeleteI can't say that is conspricy theory farther without the fullness of true light. so many people change the record and history. I think, I'm not worry about he had wife or not. He is just another great man who born in this earth and priciples taught us love, care one another and forgiveness.Just like JFK, DR. King and Gandi. Overall, we're living in the dark age and hole soceity becoming more wickeness and sins....
The Da Vinci Code: This Hollywood movie was very entertaining. Though fictional it caused an uproar in the religious community because it stated that Jesus Christ potentially could have had a wife(Mary Magdalene)and kids. Of course the movie had to cause an outrage in the catholic religion. How couldn't it have. The movie questiones the Catholic faith and depicts Jesus Christ to not be as devine as they make him seem.
ReplyDeleteI personally don't think the movie actually explains the truth of Jesus Christ's life. It's a Hollywood Film that needs to be contraversial. The movie has to recieve good ratings from crtics to be succesful and gross a good chunk of change to cover all the production costs of creating all the fictional characters the movie has.
However, if the movie had any truth to it, I don't see nothing wrong in Jesus Christ's having a family. He is an individual that we idolize and held to be an honorable man. If Jesus was honorable and had good influence on his followers there's no reason to doubt his morals and beliefs because he was married.
Finally a good movie!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis movie really opens up your eyes and mind. Although I dont believe that Jesus Christ had a wife or any children it still makes you wonder...
There are so many secrets or "sacred" things in this world. Every religion has its own believes. Like it said in the movie, not everything is right in front of your eyes, its what you believe is true in your heart. Its your faith.
I really liked how the movie went around to find out who the last blood line was. It was really interesting and intense at parts.
I think that different religions and different people believe different things. I think that Jesus did have a wife, and not much is said about her becuase he wanted to keep her sacred. I can see why this movie caused controversy becuase right off they put off a bad vibe on the Opus Dei. I do like this movie, I read the book and I do like the book a lot better. I think that Dan Brown is creative and very interesting. I loved all the symbolism in the movie and learning more about DaVinci's work. I really like movies that tie all together like the DaVinci Code.
ReplyDeleteThis movie was very interesting because it just brought up a point that many people would go crazy over. Jesus was married!!!! I personally do not think it is far fetched that much at all. No one really knows about the personal life of Jesus, so pretty much he could of had a wife, and the authors of the gospels just didn't feel that was important to put in the bible. Also it was very normal for people back thent to have multiple wives, so who is to say that he did not have many or one?
ReplyDeleteI like how they have the religious fanatics in this movie, because to me there are still millions of them out there. Now, they might not be as crazy as the one in the movie who punishes himself with torture, but they still have that crazy mindset. This is what happens when people follow a church so strongly and stupidly that terrible things happen.
I like how some people challenge the norm. This however, I think can be somewhat more accepted because when it comes to the bible, I think no one can be for sure. The bible was made by a bunch of guys who claim they followed Jesus, and were written 40 or more years after he died. That is a long time to create a fascinating story or forget alot, or even create something of your own with some friends. I found the movie to be very entertaining and very creative. It made me think about what the Catholic Church states and think about the possibilities of if this was really true.
this movie was based on a book that openly said that it was fiction. so no one should have been offened by this movie. this movie did give an insight to the question "what if jesus was married?" as for the catholic church, they have been involved in many censures throughout history so is really that far fetched that they would coverup the blood line of christ? this movie was just another conspericy theory and should be treated as such.
ReplyDeleteI don't see what the big deal about this film is? The disclaimer clearly said its fictional so.......why you crying? Despite the fact that the class projector really sucks balls, the film plot kept me glued the whole time. It totally seems like it could be a legitimate event in history? But because it's fictional its not. I guess that's the world we live in today; where people take serious offense to things that aren't real. Take off the blinders and don't get your britches in a twist because someone poses a "fictional" idea that is opposite your beliefs. Its ok to think about things that aren't true. You're certainly not going to go to hell for thinking about Christ could have been married.
ReplyDeleteThis movie is great because it open up the possibility that Jesus Christ could've been married, and how there could be another sacred religion based on married instead of Christianity. I think it's funny how many people overreact to this movie, making me believe there is some truth to this movie after all. It's cool to see every known fact of Mary put together and matches every aspect of Jesus Christ. This movie is well put together and had great actors. The leading lady IS SO FREAKING HOT, especially with her seductive accent!
ReplyDeleteI loved the book! books are soo much better... but the movie did well too!
ReplyDeleteThe idea of Christ having a wife and possibly a family is a topic that has sparked many long interesting conversations. It certainly is controversial! My personal opinion... I hope that he was. He's the most eligible bachelor in the entire universe, I think he deserves to be happy as well! As for the child... I dont know what to think about that one! I guess well never know!
The Davinci Code is just a film and a fiction to me, I usually not watch religious relat film, except I truly love the Kingdom of Heaven alot. But at least the Davinci Code is much better then the bible which keeping talks about Jesus Christ. Always trying to make a dead man like a god, some blind faith religious brain dead peoples amont Christian are the peoples that always piss me off, always think themself are so right by using the bible as proof which actually did not have a single proof. Never accept other people's idea and always talk about the heaven and hell to scare people off to join. In my point of view, Jesus is nothing but a man who keep talking about his ideas around and his followers pass his stories down until Roman Empior wrote in down. We have to take the believe too seriously such like hurting other, we have to respect other's idea as long as it don't hurt us.
ReplyDeleteI like this movie I have always liked it. Religious topics are always interesting to me. It is interesting to see how far religious groups will go to protect or defend there “secrets”. As far as Jesus being married and having a kid, it could be possible. He is part human and part God. He was supposed to go through every thing that we would go through in our lives so that he could help and guide us through this live. So why could he be married and have a child. If he was not married did he then truly experience everything? Some of the hardest times that I have gone through have been since I have been married. If I look to Jesus for guidance, how could he guide me if he did not go through that to help me? It all boils down to what you want to believe. I do not really think it matters if he was married or not or if he had a child. If your faith in Jesus is shaken by whether or not he married or had a child I would say your faith is not strong and you are missing the whole point of his life and the stories of his life.
ReplyDeleteI did not like this movie when I first saw it, nor did I like it the second time. Although I do like the idea. I also think it is a well made movie. The points that it portrays are controversial and spark interest. It makes people questions their belief. Which is an awesome thing. The thing that bothers me is when people take the obviously fictitious movie for fact. I don’t have a problem with people taking the principles and topics that the movie suggests and pondering on them and, after study, possibly even believing them. That is fine. It is when it is believed as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Thailand as a missionary when this movie came out. Because the Thai people don’t have a Christian background everything rumor or whisper about Christ they heard, many believed. Frustrating, when it is stated that this is based not on truth but ideas.
I don’t say that Christ was not married in this world because he very well could have been. I won’t go into that, but to sum it all up the movie does a good job on what it is trying to accomplish, provoke doubt. Although I don’t like the movie I do commend it for that.
This movie has some level of controversy to it. Just aside from being about Christ being married and having a kid we have a movie that the catholic church has openly scoffed.I think you can look at it two ways. One way being does Catholic church not like being made out be the bad guy? The other way being does the Catholic church not like having people peeving that closely into its secrets of the past. Also several things are shown that might be considered sacred to the catholic church at their beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI look at it like the LDS church and the recent view into the temple on the show "big love". The LDS church and many of it's members were very upset by this. It wasn't so much that they didn't want people to know but that they felt many people wouldn't understand or things might get twisted in the editing process that were not quite how the church intended them to be. I feel this might be the same with the catholic church and this movie. It might not be for the want for hiding the truth that the catholic church banned this movie but for the mere fact that people wouldn't understand. Perhaps deep down the catholic church knows more on this then they are letting on, and the reason they are scoffing and vocally denying this movie is because we as a public would not understand.
Though the catholic church does have a history of being more of a government then a religious organization so it would not be unheard of for them to have something secret hidden in their closet that should be brought to light. I guess in watching the movie we just have to realize that as far as we know it is fiction but we should always try and keep an open mind about things so if we see something we don't understand in movies or TV that we try and learn more about it through the right sources.
This film is controversial because jesus its possible that jesus was married. Just like the last temptation of christ just like any religion or belief people are easily upset with anything going against their beliefs ,but thats what it is a belief not a fact merely a belief. So if your faith is shaken by a hollywood movie do you believe? Just because you believe something doesn't make it true so don't push your beliefs on others. That being said i didn't find it very offensive at all i thought it was entertaining. a movie that portrays the catholic church as anything that they are not or don't see themselves as being can be pretty offensive i understand that. just remember its a hollywood movie not a history book and religion is faith not fact choose to believe what you want don't let hollywood offend you or stop you
ReplyDeleteI loved the different view of this movie. I really like how it can show a possibly different side of the Jesus we all know and love. This movie is nothing like The last temptation of Christ where is shows Jesus actually doing these things and I think that is the major difference on the offensive angles. Like the last temptation of Christ this movie makes you think what if...Not only is this girl the last surviving relative to Jesus She is also royalty! Wow talk about a double header. I Think that the idea of having the Opes Diem as a group that degrades women and kills people to either keep secrets or to find new things is crazy but honestly with all the nutty things secret societies do I wouldn't be suprised if it were true. I can see why the film is contraversial. It's highly contraversial. Jesus got married to Mary Magdaline. They had some kids who just so happen are the royal family of France. There are people who protect this secret through a million clues. Which by the way this movie reminds me of National Treasure in that way.
ReplyDeleteNot too long following the transfer (theft) of Bishop George Niederauer to the archdiocese in San Francisco, he wrote an analytical answer to the DaVinci Code. While he admits his initial reaction was much like the general consensus of the comments here (that there is not a need to respond seriously to issues raised in a work of fiction), he came to reconsider that position when he realized that Brown’s assertions about historical events and supposed scholastic understanding were nevertheless causing people to believe the novel and film (in some capacity) true. His responses to some of these assertions may be found here (http://tinyurl.com/d5a7yy) and I would encourage you to read the article; Archbishop Niederauer has a teaching background in university level literature.
ReplyDeleteMy reason for responding to the film critically is based on similar principles that a simple disclaimer of fiction cannot entirely discount a deliberate assertion of historical evidence, cover-up and scholastic consensus of Brown’s version of the life of Christ. And unlike The Last Temptation of Christ, The DaVinci Code is not a pious and considerate exploration of divine mystery; it is a mixture of misrepresentation and Catholic-bashing. The most important (and controversial) aspect of the DaVinci Code is the assertion that Jesus was in fact not divine; it is this element and not the idea that Christ could have been married that is the reason that Christians that believe materials presented can have their faith shaken.
While we are on the topic of the idea of a marriage to Mary Magdalene, however, I’ll spend a moment discussing that possibility. Dan Brown makes much of Gnostic or Coptic gospels that were not used by early Christians when assembling their sacred scriptures, claiming that these accounts are in some way more accurate or trustworthy than those used by today’s Christians. It is asserted that texts that contained ideas contrary to what they wanted were excluded; what Dan Brown does not say is that he himself is guilty of precisely that. If we are to credit the Gnostic gospels fully, then we must consider the idea that Jesus’ companion and helpmeet may not have even been a woman. According to the gospel of Thomas, “Mary Magdalene” becomes a man. It is difficult to imagine that a tradition recognizing this apocrypha (not a negative term, but one meaning secret teaching, which many supposedly were) would center on discovering the divine based around an early pagan celebration of the female body and its function.
As to whether Jesus was married at all, Brown insists that for him to have been unmarried would have been tantamount to social deviance. However, it is known that the prophet Jeremiah, John the Baptist and Paul were all bachelors, and yet no sense of social dysfunction has been attached to them. In addition, a married man would not have needed to ensure that his mother Mary was cared for after his death. However, accounts of the crucifixion show Jesus instructing his apostle John to ensure his mother is taken care of.
The Gnostic Gospels themselves are highly influenced by ideas from Judaism, early Christianity, Hellenism, Syria and Egypt; Gnosticism being a syncretic movement whose roots actually predate the birth of Jesus, didn’t reach its height until after the earliest writings had begun being compiled. In fact, when contrasted with early Christian works (like the letters of Paul written around 50 C.E.), the Gnostic gospels are far less Jewish and deemphasize the importance of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
Tied to this issue is the assertion in The DaVinci Code that there was great confusion both in the accepted Christian writings and basic concepts of Christ’s life until the fourth century, when Emperor Constantine organized the Bible and pronounced Jesus divine. The fact of matter is, by 150 C.E. the four gospels (of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and the letters of Paul were loosely arranged as important writings and regarded as the authoritative source for the life of Christ. In case you didn’t catch the dates during the film, Emperor Constantine lived from 272 C.E. to 337 C.E. It may also be a small point, but although Constantine is said to have promoted Christianity in The DaVinci Code, he is claimed not to convert until his deathbed baptism; this is a gross misrepresentation of these events. The relevant date for Constantine’s conversion is actually 312 C.E. wherein he had a vision of Christ, who told him to place the labarum (☧) on his standards and shields and he would be victorious (“in hoc signo vinces”). The following year, the Edict of Milan was issued removing all barriers to tolerance of Christians in the Empire. Make no mistake, Constantine considered himself a Christian, but put off baptism until near death to ensure all his sins were forgiven, a common enough practice at the time.
While this in no way covers all the issues with the film’s historical assertions, it at least encompasses the basics. This brings us to the rampant anti-Catholic sentiment that drenches the film, which is hardly unique in American popular media (Stigmata, anyone?). Given American history’s ties to various Protestant sects, it is hardly surprising to find a certain amount of hostility toward the Catholic hierarchy that manifests as a perception of sinister secrecy. There is an early example of a work of popular fiction published in the United States that led to outrage and vilification of priest and nuns living “secretive lives” in The Awful Disclosures of Maria Monk, published in 1836. As for the depiction of Opus Dei, there are two basic difficulties with how its members are portrayed: that of a secret society primarily consisting of clergy and a basic misunderstanding and fear of mortification of the flesh.
By and large the members of the Prelature of Opus Dei are not clergy, they are individuals (men and women) with jobs and families who are inspired by the message Opus Dei promotes of finding holiness through work. Opus Dei, as my seminarian friend Chris once described it to me, exhorts lay people to live lives of perfection within their means. Secret societies normally have rites reserved only for members; Opus Dei does not, it merely emphasizes dedication to members’ Catholic faith. However, with many organizations, rumors create pervasive myths (e.g. Orrin Porter Rockwell and the Danites).
As for the depiction of mortification of the flesh, those unfamiliar with Catholic history and traditions are likely to be horrified by the mere idea. Important to stress is that the idea of mortification of the flesh is not simply experiencing pain, but self-denial as well. Fasting, for example, is an important part of faith traditions for all Catholics, although it is not widely practiced by Protestant sects (including the LDS church) due to Reformation ideas disparaging external expressions of faith. Pain has been historically used by religious people as a way of altering consciousness and finding inspiration. Historically, monks using the practice to inflict pain seek closeness with the divine and relinquishing of earthly things. While it is hardly a common practice, it remains an important part of faith for many people worldwide.
I would wager a guess that if a film were released today showing conservative Jewish or perhaps Hindu organizations as murderously repressive and secretive, the public outcry would cause widespread condemnation and religious discrimination. And yet, when Catholics decry being so depicted, there is a feeling of “special pleading” to quote Archbishop Niederauer. Ultimately, it less a question of questioning faith than it is respect and being honest when making historical assertions. As New York Times Book Review critic Laura Miller wrote, “The only thing more powerful than a worldwide conspiracy, it seems, is our desire to believe in one.”
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnostic_gospels
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_Thomas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Constantine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opus_dei
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortification_of_the_flesh
I think the idea that Christ was married and had a child is not such a farfetched idea. Looking back at the historical time I think it would be more likely than not that he would. The fact that the church would go to such extremes to keep it a secret on the other hand is not very believable at all. I understand there are a lot of secrets that the church wants to keep from people but to think that they would send members of their higher arc to kill to keep them is ridicules. Another point that I would like to make is that the opus-dui to me did not seem like a horrible sect like the opinion in the class discussion. It seemed to me like they were very dedicated members of the church that would do anything asked of them. It showed in the movie all the actions the opus-dui guy did were only because he was told to by the priest and he thought he was doing for the church that to me shows true devotion.
ReplyDeleteI Almost fell asleep. Yea didnt like this movie in the theatre and i didnt like it this go around. Yea it may of sturred up some questions for about a week after the movie came out but that is it. I do believe that Jesus was married, but no kids. Churches always keep things sacred until the church members are ready, I think people should be religous it if anything teaches people to be happier and a better person. The reason they left things out of the bible is because it is so long now that no one reads it imagine if it was longer? I have read the whole bible and I thought the Old testament was a boring as this movie was.
ReplyDeleteI must say this is the first time that I have ever seen this movie. I tried watching it for the first time a couple months ago but I fell asleep during the first part of it, but once it got going it was pretty interesting. It's crazy how many looks their are about religious views in the world today. Jesus could have been married for all we know. It wasn't mentioned in the bible but he was human so he does have feelings. It was cool when they were going in detail about the last supper. That opened my eyes!! This was a overall good movie. I am looking forward to seeing the next one that comes out!!!
ReplyDeleteIn the movie they mention that if Christ did in fact have a child then the whole idea of it and the fact that it is being kept secret and hidden would be the biggest coverup in the worlds history. There are a couple of controversial points in the movie, the major one that seems to capture everyones eye is whether or not christ was married and had a child. I personally don't think that it's that big of a deal, I mean the idea of it is, but the fact that we don't know isn't. I mean why do people feel like they have a right to know every secret hidden underneath the sun? There are reasons why they are kept secret. None of us is God and as he being one of the only ones having the right to that secret I see it fit that he keeps it until he dicides to reveal it unto us.
ReplyDeleteNow we also have to realize that this movie, although touches on some non fiction topics is under the fiction category, the author himself said that it was. There is a saying that says that the guilty take the truth to be hard. Maybe the movie portrayed Opus Dei correctly and that's why they got so mad, maybe not, I don't know. But with all of these subjects we need to keep an open mind and try to understand where it's all coming from and like someone said earlier, we need to study these things out but from good sources.
This was the first time that i have seen The Davinci Code. I found it to be internest. I heard that there was a lot of talk about this movie. I think that the catholic church as taken a lot of heat from this moive. Then there is the question. Was Jesus marrie, that would be up to interpetation. I believe that it is not that important. If it was important then we would have had more information. Then again if christ was married and had a child then what would that have meant for the later years after christ was crucified. I think when it comes down to it, it is was you believe. We can see all the different side of story in the bible and this can be the same thing. It can be twisted and turned in some many ways. It only matters in what you believe and how you feel.
ReplyDeleteBefore I had even seen this movie, in fact before this movie was even released I had heard some negative opinions about it. I have a cousin that is quite outspoken about issues relating to the nature of Jesus Christ. This is where the majority of the negative feedback about this film came from. He was quite offended at what he had supposed to be an attack on the divine nature of Jesus Christ. I also admit to being somewhat defensive when it comes to people calling Jesus, just another man or only a good teacher or person because I strongly believe that he is the Savior of the world and the only way back to God. This being said though, I do respect and feel it is necessary for all people to make their own choice on the matter. So getting back to the movie I wanted to find out for myself if the ideas expressed in it would be as offensive to me as they were to him, so I watched it. Come to find out that not only did it not offend me in anyway but it was good entertainment. In fact I bought the movie. Here is why. In no way would the possibility that Jesus was married change my belief in his divine nature. Where is the contradiction in that? Didn’t God command us to multiply and replenish the earth? Didn’t Jesus say that he always did the will of the Father? This is not to say that I believe those who haven’t married or had children are breaking the commandments. I believe that the opportunity will still exist during Jesus’ millennial reign on this earth. I don’t understand what would make anyone think that because Jesus was married or even had children it would change his worthiness to be all that he claimed to be. In fact I personally think if he was married it would make perfect sense. I get the same feeling from all the posts I have read on this movie thus far, so I guess it really isn’t that controversial unless you happen to agree with the hard core catholic group that was involved in the banning of this movie. If so I’d love to hear that argument in order to help me understand why it would matter if Jesus was married or had kids.
ReplyDeleteGood movie. In my religion, they don't teach that Jesus was never married, but they don't exactly come out and say that we believe that he was. There has been some doctrine in my religion that has subtly mentioned it. But once again, it comes down to belief. There is no hard evidence that he was married and had a child. I do believe that he did. He was an example to men. He is still an example to people today. I don't think any less of him if he was married. One thing to touch on that we talked about in class was with the Catholic church keeping control and keeping those gospels out. I strongly believe that one of the reasons the Catholic church did it was to keep control of their followers. I know that people got all upset saying that the church doesn't control, but for the last hundreds of years, it has. It controlled Europe, and they sent missionaries all over the world, and it controlled governments. I think that they really did want complete control over their believers. Anyways, it just comes down to whatever you want to believe.
ReplyDeleteErin Bitters Wilkin
I thought the movie was good. Although, every time the topic is religion it gets personal. I personally, don't have any problems with it at all, but a lot of people do. Maybe it's because it makes them feel that they have to choose or think a certain way to fit in.
ReplyDeleteWe see that Jesus had a wife and maybe children and that may well be, but I don't think that was important enough to dwell on. I think it was important that if Jesus was to be this icon that we see as a symbol of peace and hope the scholars and historians needed to focus on his works and miracles that he performed and of course the ultimate sacrifice, his dying on the cross for us all.
I don't believe that the church controls the people. I think its our beliefs that keeps us in control. It's how we interpret things that's important. There are a lot of different versions of the Bible that we must consider as well.
I read the book when it first came out and had already seen the movie so watching it in class was nothing new for me. I personally didn't find it that controversial because after all it is a hollywood movie made to make millions just like the book is a novel written to make millions, so naturally the author is going to find a subject (religion) and use an idea that will grab people's attention and stir controversy. I think people have to understand that before they get in an uproar over this and that. It's not as if dan brown wrote a non-fiction book supporting this theory about christ and making all these claims. He wrote it as a fiction novel period, for the purpose of selling books and making money. If you're someone who's secure with your beliefs then you'll see that and see the movie and book for what they are... Entertainment.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time watching this movie and I must say it was pretty entertaining. And that's all it was to me: Entertainment.
ReplyDeleteThe author claims his work as fiction. That's it. Purely for entertainment. How many more times does it have to be repeated for the Catholic Church or any other religious group to realize that's all it is? Simply not enough.
The subject of Jesus Christ portrayed in any movie will always be subject to criticism and controversy due to questioning one's beliefs over another. As much as peace is proclaimed in many of the world's religions, it's quite ironic that religion and violence are tied together. History shows that and that's not fiction.
I do believe in Jesus Christ. I was not offended at all by this movie. Like I said, it was entertaining.
I realize my comments above waxed a bit long, so there are a few points I would like to emphasize.
ReplyDeleteWhen works of fiction make historical assertions, there is some expectation that there is substiantiable evidence to support their claims (Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle is a perfect example). Particularly when choosing a topic likely to inflame emotion, you have some obligation to ensure that people do not give undue weight to fiction because of assertions about historical accuracy.
Also, I thought I was clear when I explained why the depiction of dedicated religious people in the film and book might be offensive. It has become clear I was not. I ask all of those with an LDS background how offended they would be if a book and movie were released that portrayed the LDS church hierarchy implicitly endorsing secretive modern day Danites on a quest of blood atonement to protect a dirty secret the church had been concealing (e.g. Salamander Letters, etc.) Now tell me that Catholics are being hypersensitive.
I find this movie both very interesting and disturbing at the same time. I am a christian, so I believe that Christ is the Devine Being, Did now wrong and made no mistakes. I also like to think I am open minded, respect the beliefs and views of others. If someone wants to believe that Christ was married, okay, that is up to them. That is the joy of the free world. But I myself don't believe it, nor do i want to. But it is definately possible because we are simply going off what we read out of books. no one was there.
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting point. was how they brought forth the thought of Opus Dei (SP?). The rumor or idea had to come somewhere, and I feel that the idea of the secret society is not that far off. Given the strict rules of some Religions, I don't find it far fetched that they would have a group of people that are set apart and determined to squash anyone that is out to discredit the religion as a whole.
I read half this book, it was really a entertaining book, not sure why i didn't finish... The movie wasn't quite as entertaining. It did the job of keeping me in my seat (barley), mostly because Agent Sophie Neveu is so darn good lookin. As far as the "facts" are concern, I'm not educated deep enough to know whats real and not except for the real obvious stuff... The church did take a lot of offense to this movie, not that i can blame them. Even though it was made clear that its a fictional film, people don't like there deepest beliefs to be misconstrued. If this were a movie on Mormons that was all backwards and full of incorrect things (aka HBO's "big love") I'm sure I'd take offense to it too. Because there are going to be those people that think its real and 100 percent correct, its the world we live in. Anywho, I'm sure I'll go and see Angles and Demons when it comes out too, and I'm sure it will raise commotion again.
ReplyDeleteI remember when this film was in the process of being released and hearing about all the controversy from it. Due to it portraying Jesus in a more human aspect than the Catholic Church would like him to be portrayed. Yet history is much more condemning to the catholic church than this film could ever be. Even the history channel does more to discredit the catholic church than The Da Vinci Code did.
ReplyDeleteOf course almost every religion has done things that are unfavorable to their image. Catholics killed and persecuted lots of people back in the day. Mormons had the whole polygamy thing and African Americans not being able to hold the priesthood for a while. Muslims have suicide bombers giving them a bad reputation, and so on and so forth.
Even the bible which is supposed to be the word of God is contradicting many people believe that God and Jesus Christ are the exact same person than why in the bible in Mathew Chapter three would versus sixteen and seventeen say this " 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Its just confusing and causes disbelief.
So many religions out there use the bible yet there lies the problem there is religion after religion using the same book all have different beliefs. How could the word of God have so many people being deceived? Not to mention the book of Revelations is just the craziest thing ever to read of course for me it would have to be the best book in there because of how bizarre it is.
This movie though slightly controversial does no real damage to the Catholic Church. Almost all religions do good things things and bad things and the good usually always outweighs the bad of any religion. Even if you go to the Church of Satan's website which I did for the purpose of this post you will see that many of the things they have written there are good things they even say they are against killing anything against its will and that you shouldn't do drugs.
Religions are both good and bad. Everything has controversy because everyone believes in different things and has their own agenda's. We all come from different cultures and places so were not all going to see things in the same way. Bottom line who care's what any holly wood film says in the end it all comes down to the all mighty dollar for them anyways.
as much as i like conspirasy movies i really hated this one. I love the fact that they base most of what they think on a painting that was made by a guy at a totally different time than when the picture was said to have happened. It is not like Davinci was at the suposed last supper and was all "ok now all of you hold still and you look like your a guy but really a girls, and this and that." The one thing that really got me on this movie is the fact that there is no hard evidence that jesus even existed. most people do not know that. another thing i didn't like was the portail of the opus dei as being this group of evil people that go through all these crazy rituals. You could put the temple rituals in a movie and make mormons look evil. But there is a difference between sacred and secret.
ReplyDeleteoverall, i think the Da Vinci Code is a good movie. I can see why so many people think this movie is controversial, but i also think this movie allowed people to explore there beliefs about whether or not Christ is the Divine Being.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up rather agnostic, i am not sure exactly what i believe. However, to believe Christ has a blood line and was married is a good possibility. But either way, married or not married, Christ has become has nfluenced millions of peoples lives and that is what important. I think people need to look at the bigger picture. We will never know exactly if Christ had a blood line, but we do know that Christ helped encourage people to change their lives for the better. I think that is what people need to understand. I find it rather irrevelant to argue whether or not Christ had a wife, as long as people believe Christ whole-hearted, generous person who influences millions peoples lives everyday,so who cares if he was married or not. As long as you follow His beliefs, values, and you are a good natured person. Then that is all that matters.
well i have always thought that this movie was pretty cool and all but recently i have begun to question everything i see alot more because i have begun to trust my own opinion rather than to take other peoples views and opinions and just trust them. onto the movie... im not a part of the catholic church, rather i am a member of the mormon church. but i thought it was cool how the catholic church could have such a conspiracy theory against them and how much time and effort they would put into keeping it hidden and the general public unaware of the possibility of jesus having a wife and family. but on the flip side i could look at any old painting and tell you your future by making things up from the shapes i saw inside of it. and i could make up information about the egyptions because i saw three pyramids in the background and i could make up really cool stories about it.
ReplyDeleteit was a great movie though very entertaining and full of excitement and heart pounding edge of your seat action. two thumbs up from me.
I went to see the movie with my huband before. I did not like how bloody it was first and I did not like this time either. But i really like how they solve the problems.
ReplyDeleteOne of the website which (http://blogclub.livedoor.biz/)I looked which was written in Japanese said that if there are under Jesus' blood line, it will deny christian becuase Jesus is belived not to have children. And If he has a kid, that tells he cannot be god of son. If you deny exsistance of Jesus as god, it means to deny exsist of Christian. That is maybe why so many countries decide not let people watch.
It is hard to know what is true and what it is not, but I believe whatever they are believing can lead people to be good person,truth does not really matter
The davinchi code as far as a movie goes it was an alright movie and same for the book it was ok the only question is how did this movie and book become so controversial in the first place it states at the begining of the book that some dates from history are true but the story is a work of fiction but people still get caught up in this book as being a devils book and it has been banned in several places that is ridiculous thats just about as stupid as saying some fantasy book that has devil worshipers in it is against god it has nothing to do with it he just had an idea and wrote it and if it is just even the ideas that people find offensive then ok dont read it no big deal i am sure they could find alot worse things in books then speculation on jesus and going to that fact i dont think it would matter or not if he was married or not it wouldnt change anything about him or the stories about him except they might add an extra footnote that he was married wich no one could really prove anyways so is pointless to debate in the first place. it does make the copus die look a little shaby but in perspective in only shows three people in that religous group who where being tricked into something they didnt really realize to its true meaning they really where only trying to do what they tnought was right. and like they said in the movie there are only a very few people who do go to the extremes as saw in the movie by silas. not to mention anyone who judges a religion off of a fictional movie or most movies for that face are retarded its just a point of view from someone else not your point of view anyways thats all i have to say
ReplyDeleteWell for starters this movie was doomed for me to not like it from the minute tom hanks was cast as the lead role. i have never been a big tom hanks fan (no previous movie pun intended). The only role he has seemed real in is forrest gump...an idiot.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Da Vinci code, I returned my copy of the book and never wanted to see the movie. I never felt like I was missing anything special, and now I know I was right. For starters, it was a work of fiction that people took as fact. Maybe I should move the Harry Potter books in my store to the Biography section and see what buzz we can get going on those.
My views on religion, ANY religion, are based on limited knowledge of their beliefs and doctrines that I have. With limited knowledge, I try my very best to not make any snap judgments. Whether or not some, or any, of the "facts" in the movie have any truth behind them, I can not judge the truthfulness of it.
As for my feelings on one of the more major points brought up, mainly "was Jesus Christ married?" my answer is a strong and emphatic MAYBE! It is very possible that He was in fact married. Their are many ancient Judaic traditions that would point to it being the case that He was married. In the King James bible, He is often called Rabbi, which one must be married to deserve such address. However, there is at no point reference to Him actually being married. Which does not confirm that He was not married. It just means that it was not mentioned. Why would it not be mentioned? for one, it is not important for any of us to know that bit of information. Maybe it is not mentioned because of the sanctity Christ would place over a chosen bride. Think of how often the names of God and Christ are taken in vain and used as profane words. It could be a way of keeping such a chosen woman sanctified.
Where to begin. this movie made some very interesting points and i think some incorrect conclusions. first i am sure that with the many interpretations that various churches would put on the discovery that Christ was married, it would destroy the churches as we know them. therefore the existence of groups that would commit the most heinous of crimes to protect what they see as right or just to protect their own power is very plausible. however i hope that they have grown out of this very childish phase of development, but with the way that they reacted to this work it would seem that they might not have.
ReplyDeletesecond, as Christ was a Jew and as he was here to follow all of his fathers laws, one of which was to replenish the earth, i.e. marriage, it would make sense that he would be married. i am fairly sure that in order to be acknowledged as a rabbi or teacher that he needed to be a certain age and be married. i also agree with some of the other postings in that he would have wanted to protect his wife from the events that were to pass later and if she played such a critical role in his preaching it may have changed the way that we understood his message to us. i think that as such he showed how important it was to protect your wife, not because she is lesser than you, but because you love her. how many of us would go though great pains to protect the one that you share your life with from the evils that people will do when they are angered or are willing to say and do the most despicable things to you. i for one would protect the one i love.
as i feel that those are the 2 most important issues that were brought up in the movie i think that i will leave it at this.
I just wanted to say that I like this movie and somewhat dislike this movie. The reason I liked this movie was because in my opinion most of the movies we watched were pretty damn boring and wanted to make me fall asleep, but this movie on the other hand kept me awake and eyes glued to the screen the only downside was the annoying screen projector. I think the movie was played out real good. I love mystery movies because it makes me think a lot while being in great suspense. and me being LDS it didn't really offend me to much.
ReplyDeleteNow the reason I dislike the movie was because I didn't really noticed to much controversy, maybe it was because I was to into the movie itself and it's mystery, and all the controversy just flew past me. But, I know every religion movie is going to have lots of controversy and is going to have a lot of people debating different things, but the way I see it is, it's just one persons opinion. Everyone has their own opinions and believe in different things, people aren't just born with a certain religion, we might be born into a religious family and practice that religion but it is up to us to decide if we want to accept this religion into our life or reject it. Me, for example, my parents are Buddhist, to most people if they knew my parents were Buddhist they would also think I was Buddhist as well, but i'm not I am LDS. I've always done Buddhist things with my parents ever since I was young but I never knew what I was doing. When I was 12, my uncle had just come back from his LDS mission so I hung out with him a lot and he took me to church with him and that is how I actually became LDS. Even though I don't really go to church anymore or anything I still believe in the LDS ways. no one is born into any religion, we choose our own paths and thats how it should be. and I just wanted to say that I also don't think Jesus was married. :)
Robert Langdon is such a phenomenal character, IF you read "Angels & Demons", followed by "The DaVinci Code". In my opinion, Tom Hanks did him no justice. He's too mellow. Langdon is on like, a constant adrenaline high, and it doesn't show in Hanks... The books are SO good. When I first watched the movie I got all depressed that it didn't live up to the book. This time, when we watched it in class, I actually fell asleep.
ReplyDeleteHowever, "Angels and Demons" will be amazing, if it's half as good as the book... I hope.
I love thinking of Jesus as being a family man who got some of God's super-power juice, and was like, "Yo! Check this out!" And ran across a lake, and just kept running... Performing miracles all over the place... Awesome.
But, I just watched, "Religulous", by Bill Mahr. Life is getting confusing, but I think people should have faith in something rather than nothing... Life is too vicious to believe in nothing.
I think its amusing the way so many religious types can get so worked up over a work of fiction. Its the same as that Last Temptation of Christ, just in modern times. I think the movie doesn't give the book justice, but thats a separate issue.
ReplyDeleteI like things like this that challenge religion without being overly religious. It is refreshing to be set in modern times, but the movie just drags on. Tom Hanks is an alright actor, but he just doesn't fit the role. As a controversial film, this was a poor choice to watch, as it was too entertaining, as someone else said. That however is the point of the movie.
Very interesting movie that i enjoy purely for the entertainment. This idea of Christ being married is not far fetched at all. It is very possible that he could have been. When I lived in South America people took this idea completely out of context and began believing this idea as a religion. They began to start there own churches and changing Catholic teachings. I mean honestly people this is a fictional book written by some guy that had an interesting idea. There is no need to begin a religion off a thought. How does it effect the human race if Christ was married? Does it make you believe differently? Those are the questions you should ask yourself. Then if they change your beliefs find something that best fits those beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this movie a few times before. Once in the theater and a few more times on DVD. Personally, as a catholic, i understand the controversy with this movie as the upcoming sequel, Angels and Demons. To me, unlike my mother or other members of my family, it didn't offend me. I believe that life itself is up to a person's perception and that is what makes us different and makes us more diverse as people. Overall, even though i don't agree with what the movie stated, i appreciated the ideas and concept that i did not previously consider or question with my own religion. I am very content with my faith and hold a strong feeling towards it and from time to time, it's almost pleasant to test and question it with ideas that aren't usually brought up in church. Great Movie!
ReplyDeleteI am okay with the fact that christ had a family because that is the reason we are here on earth. I believe that he set the example for all of us so why wouldn't he get married and have a family. I don't think its fair that they protrayed opus dei as the evil people in this film. everyone has their own beliefs and Idon't think it's fair to put others down for what you believe in. I did think it was an interesting story though and a good interpretation of how some might feel about christ and some mysteries that come with it.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this movie once and I thought it was pretty good I didn't think about the problems that people had with because to me it was just another movie about Christ. but after watching it again I thought to myself Jesus Christ has a bloodline meaning that he must have fornicated with someone, it brought up a lot of questions in my mind. I don't know to much about the LDS, Catholic, Christianity Religions because I am Buddhist but it makes me wonder a lot about what I have learned from the other religions. but back on subject The movie had my mind scrambling for answers every clue was you could say cool to me it was like an adventures mystery, I may not have understood the movie exactly but towards the end it was amazing just seeing everything unfold knowing that the women was from a royal bloodline and seeing what they had found.
ReplyDeleteBeing agnostic religious movies are hard for me to really comment on. Wasn't Jesus supposed to has expeirenced everything? what's wrong with expierencing love, marriage, and even lust? he still has his ideas and everything went the way it did.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think the idea of Jesus Christ being married is a huge controversy. There are many things that the Bible possibly could have left out for whatever reasons the church has or God has. If it is true I guess it would be pretty dissapointing that all those facts had to be kept a secret and it would give people a reason to hate the church. I also think that maybe there are some things we aren't ready for and that is why some things might have been left out.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure but I don't remember the bible saying Christ wasn't married. I think he was and I think it would be more beautiful to keep it sacred, not a secret. I think a lot of people curse Christ for bad things that happen in their lives and I think God and Christ were trying to protect Marry from that same hatred.
This movie was one of the best movies we actually watched. I really don't get the reason why the guy punishes himself. As far as the movie it was good it always made you think of what could be the next clue. A movie cannot be the same if you who the villian is. I really don't think that its a big issue for Christ to married. But that bloodline thing I don't know wether to believe it or not. Can't wait until the second one comes out.
ReplyDeleteI thought this movie was actually pretty good. I like how it questions some things in Christ's life, like being married. I think it's funny watching all of these closed minded people get all pissed off about this. But for once, they should try and question things themselves, insteading of agreeing with everyone like a bunch of fucking sheep. And this isn't supposed to be based on truth. Most of it is just for entertainment.
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