Da Vinci Code Critics

Following many months of being on the best-seller list, Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code continues to raise the wrath of some people -- many Christians who are angry at his depiction of Christ and the Church. The upcoming release of the film has heightened the controversy. One article lists a number of countries that are talking about banning the film. The Catholic Church has asked its members not to read the book.

It would do well to remember that the book is a work of fiction. According to Brown,

While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.).

Brown has used just enough fact to muddy the waters for the average person when it comes to knowing fact from fiction in the area of religion.

However, I cannot believe most people will accept his interpretation at face value. If they did, there would not be a controversy. Dan Brown has opened the door for the free discussion of ideas. If we accept everything in the Christian faith at face value, we are not giving ourselves room to grow. Questions like whether Jesus was married or not will always be raised. Is there anything wrong with raising the questions? I once thought God would strike me dead if I thought he didn't exist. Well, once I wondered if he didn't exist and I'm still here to tell the tale.

Can we be faithful and rational at the same time. I think so.