( I sure would like to see how the Catholic Church is going to prove that Christ would be offended by the Da Vinci Code. Oy vey....how fearful the Catholic Church is that their sheep might go astray) Cardinal urges legal action against Da Vinci Code Sun May 7, 2006 10:13 AM ET By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - In the latest Vatican broadside against "The Da Vinci Code", a leading cardinal says Christians should respond to the book and film with legal action because both offend Christ and the Church he founded. Cardinal Francis Arinze, a Nigerian who was considered a candidate for pope last year, made his strong comments in a documentary called "The Da Vinci Code-A Masterful Deception." Arinze's appeal came some 10 days after another Vatican cardinal called for a boycott of the film. Both cardinals asserted that other religions would never stand for offences against their beliefs and that Christians should get tough. "Christians must not just sit back and say it is enough for us to forgive and to forget," Arinze said in the documentary made by Rome film maker Mario Biasetti for Rome Reports, a Catholic film agency specializing in religious affairs. "Sometimes it is our duty to do something practical. So it is not I who will tell all Christians what to do but some know legal means which can be taken in order to get the other person to respect the rights of others," Arinze said. "This is one of the fundamental human rights: that we should be respected, our religious beliefs respected, and our founder Jesus Christ respected," he said, without elaborating on what legal means he had in mind. A transcript of the documentary, due to be screened in Rome later this month just before the release of the film version of the best-selling book at the Cannes Film Festival, was made available to Reuters. The book, written by Dan Brown, has sold more than 40 million copies. The novel is an international murder mystery centered on attempts to uncover a secret about the life of Christ that a clandestine society has tried to protect for centuries. The central tenet of the book is that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had children. BLASPHEMY "Those who blaspheme Christ and get away with it are exploiting the Christian readiness to forgive and to love even those who insult us. There are some other religions which if you insult their founder they will not be just talking. They will make it painfully clear to you," Arinze said. This appeared to be a reference to protests by Muslims around the world over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad. Last month, another broadside against "The Da Vinci Code" was launched by Archbishop Angelo Amato, the number two official in the Vatican doctrinal office which was headed by Pope Benedict until his election last year. Amato urged a boycott of the film and Arinze, like his fellow cardinal, also blasted the credibility of the book. "'The Da Vinci Code' presents (Christianity) wrongly ... any film produced on the basis of that book is already in error from the word go, no matter how interesting it might appear," Arinze said. Catholic group Opus Dei has told Sony Pictures that putting a disclaimer on the movie stressing it is a work of fiction would be a welcome show of respect toward the Church. In the novel and film, Opus Dei is characterized as the latest in a series of secretive groups that worked over the centuries to obscure truths about Jesus Christ. Opus Dei is a controversial conservative Church group whose members are mostly non-clerics and are urged to seek holiness in their everyday professional jobs and lives. It has rejected criticisms that it is secretive and elitist. The movie, which is being released by Sony Pictures division Columbia Pictures, stars Tom Hanks. Sony Pictures is the media wing of Japanese electronics giant Sony Corp.
I can fully understand why the catholic church would be offended by The Da Vinci Code. I can also predict with near 100% certainty that they will not riot, murder, rape, and pillage in response to it (catholics), unlike the islamofascist reaction to CARTOONS and/or the Van Gogh movie that caused these reactions among literally tens of thousands of these thugs. Compare and contrast. The catholic church, individual catholics, and even many atheists, jews, hindus, whatever may, can, and should express disagreement if they see fit. That's part of free speech. But unlike islamofascist thugs, they will not murder, riot, rape, and pillage. Compare and contrast Note also that no riots, murdering, etc. followed the presentation of: 1) piss christ by Serrano 2) the nazis marching in skokie (people PROTESTED but did not riot or murder in response to the scumbag nazis) 3) the art exhibit of the virgin mary smeared in dung 4) the last temptation of christ by scorcese etc. protest, dissent, and free debate are fine. murdering, riots, and destruction aren't compare and contrast
Will he have to swear in on a Bible? Would he say: "I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me ME."
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.c...rs-ignore-vatican-and-sell-out-da-vinci-code/ the people say screw the church, we are going to the movie. i guess that is what happens when you stick your head in the sand and become irrelevant as the christian church has. In recent weeks, the Vatican has made attack after attack on the upcoming movie version of The Da Vinci Code opening May 12, but that's not stopping filmgoers in predominantly Catholic countries from rushing out to buy tickets. I'm told that the forthcoming showings of Da Vinci Code are already sold out, or almost sold out, in Italy, Spain and Mexico based on advance ticket sales.
Verily, verily I say unto thee (that's as close to swearing in the Bible that I get)... ...love requires no defense. Did I sue anyone when they edited my message for mass consumption and maximum control? Did I take anyone to court for calling my Beloved Mary of Magdalen a whore? But alas, all things will be revealed. There is truth, and the truth will set you free. Let us then thank the Cardinals for promoting ticket sales to a more truthful telling of mystory, herstory and ourstory...in the only way they know how. Offenses must come, but whoa unto those who take offense. I swear on the book Da Vinci Code I cannot be offended. Anything that is more true than what was before is honored. Whether it tells the entire story is another story. Ultimately it is your freedom that is at stake. I have my freedom...and I have my Beloved Mary. What more could I want? Aha...that is the next chapter. Namaste, Jesus