The DaVinci Code
Sonia and I saw The DaVinci Code at the Odeon in Leicester Square tonight. I even got to *briefly* talk to an interviewer about the movie- as in "What did you think?" "I thought it was fantastic. Worth seeing." Then was rushed along before I could elaborate.
Why? Well, I thought it was great because, in my opinion, the portrayal of Jesus as simply a good man, a loving husband, and a prophet would not kill my faith in God. Actually, I would buy into the entire Christianity argument more if it were that way. I just don't buy the Son of God, God as Man kind of thing. What is so horribly wrong about the possibility? What is so horribly awful about the possibility that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene (regardless of whether she was indeed a prostitute at some point in life- who cares?) that he loved her, and they had a child. Since when did being a good person and loving spouse become a BAD thing??? Oh, that's right. I remember, because then it would upset the entire male dominance issue and bring up other possibilities such as a Goddess. I found it amusing and somewhat ironic that people are protesting the movie. No- Jesus couldn't possibly be anything but a (possibly) celibate and divine being. Didn't the Greek gods get married have children... Didn't seem to affect them any, other than increased drama. Plus, if Jesus is the Son of God, than what is wrong with God being a Grandpa? Hmm? Waaayyy too much drama over a movie. And if Jesus is the Son of God and was never married, etc. then why does it matter? It is all about beleving in what you want to believe.
As for the portrayal of the Church and Opus Dei, the movie made it quite clear, in my opinion, that Opus Dei is not really supported in any way by the Catholic Church. I don't know too much about it, but what it seemed to me was that it showed what can happen when extremism prevails. Period. Not that the Catholic Church is necessarily an evil beast roaming the world. Maybe I didn't pay enough attention and missed that message, I don't know. But I wasn't offended. Is everything the Church has done in the past good? No, but then again I don't know of any religion that is spotless.
I read some reports that Albino organizations are all in a tizzy over Silas' role in the movie. He wasn't evil, just horribly confused and seeking approval from the one place he felt safe- the Church. Is what he did wrong? Yes. Does this make the Church bad? No. Silas basically just hung out with misguided people in the Church and made bad choices. Does this excuse him. Not really. Does this character portray albinos as bad? No. Just in this case it added to his character because it showed him as being outcast by society. The Church was the one place that accepted him fully, so he was willing to do whatever he was told would protect what protcted him. Fair enough to a certain extent.
Anyway, I thought the movie was good, thought-provoking, and worth seeing. Should there be this much controversy? Absolutely not.
Why? Well, I thought it was great because, in my opinion, the portrayal of Jesus as simply a good man, a loving husband, and a prophet would not kill my faith in God. Actually, I would buy into the entire Christianity argument more if it were that way. I just don't buy the Son of God, God as Man kind of thing. What is so horribly wrong about the possibility? What is so horribly awful about the possibility that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene (regardless of whether she was indeed a prostitute at some point in life- who cares?) that he loved her, and they had a child. Since when did being a good person and loving spouse become a BAD thing??? Oh, that's right. I remember, because then it would upset the entire male dominance issue and bring up other possibilities such as a Goddess. I found it amusing and somewhat ironic that people are protesting the movie. No- Jesus couldn't possibly be anything but a (possibly) celibate and divine being. Didn't the Greek gods get married have children... Didn't seem to affect them any, other than increased drama. Plus, if Jesus is the Son of God, than what is wrong with God being a Grandpa? Hmm? Waaayyy too much drama over a movie. And if Jesus is the Son of God and was never married, etc. then why does it matter? It is all about beleving in what you want to believe.
As for the portrayal of the Church and Opus Dei, the movie made it quite clear, in my opinion, that Opus Dei is not really supported in any way by the Catholic Church. I don't know too much about it, but what it seemed to me was that it showed what can happen when extremism prevails. Period. Not that the Catholic Church is necessarily an evil beast roaming the world. Maybe I didn't pay enough attention and missed that message, I don't know. But I wasn't offended. Is everything the Church has done in the past good? No, but then again I don't know of any religion that is spotless.
I read some reports that Albino organizations are all in a tizzy over Silas' role in the movie. He wasn't evil, just horribly confused and seeking approval from the one place he felt safe- the Church. Is what he did wrong? Yes. Does this make the Church bad? No. Silas basically just hung out with misguided people in the Church and made bad choices. Does this excuse him. Not really. Does this character portray albinos as bad? No. Just in this case it added to his character because it showed him as being outcast by society. The Church was the one place that accepted him fully, so he was willing to do whatever he was told would protect what protcted him. Fair enough to a certain extent.
Anyway, I thought the movie was good, thought-provoking, and worth seeing. Should there be this much controversy? Absolutely not.