Why Catholics should not read or watch ‘DaVinci Code’
I absolutely disagree with Caroline Calogero’s June 15 article, “Why all Catholics should see The Da Vinci Code.” It is misguided to exhort us to “go and see the film or read the book.” Many other people have made the claim that by seeing the film or reading the book we are better prepared to answer questions about our faith, the Church and her history. Hogwash!
A similar analogy is that we should read The Protocols of the Elders of Sion to refute its anti-Semitic claims. That is utterly ridiculous; and it is equally ridiculous to suggest that we should see The Da Vinci Code blasphemy in order to evangelize. I don’t need to view pornography to be able to say that it is wrong, evil and degrading to the human person. It is not necessary to see the film in order to answer any honest inquiries.
We know the primary claims made in the book and film. There are plenty of resources available to answer questions posed by others. We can and should study our history and our faith — to be prepared to give an answer for our hope (1 Peter 3:15). We should also be prepared to respond to the gross misinformation, such as the Council of Nicea was a political maneuver by Constantine or that Jesus’ divinity was settled by political pressure and a vote.
But we do not need to read the book nor see the movie to be able to address these flights of fancy. Indeed, we should not see the movie. Why reward those who purposely attack our faith?
If someone published a fistful of lies and slanders against my mother, I would not give them any of my hard-earned money. I can refute those lies and answer questions without giving the slanderer any reward.
So, too, it is with The Da Vinci Code. Seize the opportunity to learn and to witness to others; but don’t reward blasphemy and slander.
Rory Chalcraft
South River
I was appalled to read, in all places in our diocesan newspaper, the article, “Why all Catholics should see The Da Vinci Code” [June 15, page 4]. To suggest that “all Catholics” should financially reward the author of the book and producers of the movie is the most ridiculous suggestion I have ever heard.
The movie profanes and blasphemes our Lord Jesus Christ, denies his divinity, bashes the Catholic Church as sinister and a fraud, implies Sacred Scripture is a fairy tale and that all Christians are fools, and depicts Opus Dei as an evil cult.
The statement, “Since money can’t buy this kind of PR, perhaps it’s simply a gift from you know who,” is insulting and outrageous. Shame on the writer.
Deacon James S. Bell
Basking Ridge
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