Monday, May 01, 2006

"The Da Vinci Code: A Masterful Deception" Documentary by Vatican

The ANNOTICO Report

 

Although I am Not a Religionist, I believe it to be "out of bounds" to defame ANY Religion.

 

Therefore I am  on principle opposed to Dan Brown's book "The Da Vinci Code".

 

I am doubly displeased because Brown's defenders pronounce it as Truth.  But when confronted with the inaccuracies of their claims, they then switch to, "Oh well that's the fictional part", which just happens to be the nexus of their entire argument !!!!   Brown's defenders are totally disingenuous!!!!

 

Certainly  is permissible to argue against any policy or position of any religion, whether it be birth control, or female or male genital mutilation, or whatever, whenever it effects public policy. But not to contest "their historical faiths". That is for intra faith discussion.

 

If Jews wish to argue that Moses was actually Egyptian, that is for THEIR debate. It is Best if persons of other faiths,(or No faith) steer clear of such discussion, and instead concern themselves with making their OWN faith more humanitarian.  

 

 

Thanks to Nicola Linza

"Da Vinci Code," as Seen From Rome

Date:  April 28, 2006  

Documentary Includes Cardinal Arinze's Comments

ROME, APRIL 27, 2006 (Zenit,org).- In a new documentary, Vatican officials such as Cardinal Francis Arinze comment publicly on the novel that alleges Jesus fathered children with Mary Magdalene.

"There are some other religions which, if you insult their founder, will not just be talking. They will make it painfully clear," said Cardinal Arinze of Dan Brown's novel "The Da Vinci Code."

He made his comment in "The Da Vinci Code: A Masterful Deception," a documentary by award-winning journalist Mario Biasetti.

The documentary, produced by the television agency Rome Reports, addresses the questions raised by the novel and the soon-to-be released movie rendition of the best seller.

Among the questions: Did Leonardo Da Vinci use his art to reveal secrets about the Holy Grail? Is Opus Dei a secret organization with assassins as members? Is Christianity the biggest cover-up in history?

Biasetti has covered the Vatican for four decades. His fi! lmmaking rйsumй includes the acclaimed one-hour documentary "Soldiers of the Pope: The Story of the Swiss Guard," for which he obtained unprecedented access to the Vatican.

Superficial

His latest documentary includes insights from theologians such as Jesuit Father Gerald O'Collins of the Gregorian University, Italy's Culture Minister Rocco Buttiglione and art historian Elizabeth Lev, whose interview was filmed before Da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper" at the Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church in Milan.

"Dan Brown's rendering of Leonardo and his art is very superficial," says Lev, a ZENIT collaborator, gesturing toward the world-famous rendering of Jesus' last meal. "It's a quick look ... a remixing of the cards in hand to keep the story going."

The documentary includes a multi-faith perspective with representatives from Islam and academic commentary from Marc Ellis, a professor of Jewish studies at Baylor University.

ZENIT News Services- The World Seen From Rome -  Code: ZE06042704  http://www.zenit.org

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Italy at St Louis: http://www.italystl.com