The Dan Brown Code

It wasn't my idea, but this past weekend I watched The Da Vinci Code. I admire Ron Howard and Tom Hanks deeply, but I have to wonder what inspired the two men to take on such a controversial project. Surely anyone reading this has a basic grasp on the story, whether it be the book or the film. Yet, I figure it doesn't hurt to do a little review.

The Da Vinci Code is loosely based on the Priory of Sion, a secret European society that included such members as Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci. Interestingly enough, Les Dossiers Secrets, the papers that revealed the organization, are no longer in the Bibliothèque Nationale. In fact, the supposed members mentioned were found to be completely fraudulent in 1996. The deception was perpetuated by Pierre Plantard, a lifelong anti-Semite by the way, who admitted that he fabricated his claims in a court of law. He did not live to see the Da Vinci Code. Obviously enough, Dan Brown chose not to include that information in order to deceive his audience. I care not to go on about the claims that are beyond the basics. I would highly recommend History verses The Da Vinci Code, which a chapter-by-chapter analysis by an atheist.

On back to the movie, it's well-made in terms of suspense and story line. After all, you expect nothing less from the director Ron Howard and actor Tom Hanks. I would recommend it for those who have a passion for mysteries and suspence. I would not recommend it for those who would take offense to certain aspects of the story line.

However, the film is rightfully disturbing to anyone who is a follower of Christianity. It's about as anti-Catholic as the Ku Klux Klan. The film attacks Opus Dei, a conservative sect of the Catholic Church rather frequently. The crusade against the Christian church does not stop at allegations of sexism and manipulation. Menacing accusations insinuate that the Catholic Church not only knows about the bloodline of Christ, but has murdered many decendents of Christ to keep it from spreading. These are all false accusations, and they can only result in a deeper anti-Catholic bigotry. The hatred of the Catholic Church is beyond unfathomable, and no evidence has been shown to support these attacks.

Before he threw stones at the Vatican, Dan Brown was an English professor. Later, he became a techno-thriller novelist. Digital Fortress and Deception Point initially performed poorly at the bookstores. With Angels & Demons, he began writing thrillers with a twist - by going after the Vatican. Dan Brown's inspiration for his conspiracy against Christianity include such books as this:

• Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln
• The Messianic Legacy by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln
• The Dead Sea Scrolls Deception by Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh
• The Goddess in the Gospels: Reclaiming the Sacred Feminine by Margaret Starbird
• The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail by Margaret Starbird
• The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince
• Jesus and the Lost Goddess: The Secret Teachings of the Original Christians by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy
• When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone
• The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future by Riane Eisler