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Title: Top Cardinal Blasts 'Da Vinci Code' as 'Cheap Lies'
Source:
Netscape News
URL Source: http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news ... 2&dt=20050315130200&w=RTR&covi
Published: Mar 15, 2005
Author: Reuters
Post Date: 2005-03-15 17:59:13 by Mr Nuke Buzzcut
Keywords: Cardinal, Blasts, Cheap
Views: 7503
Comments: 568
Top Cardinal Blasts 'Da Vinci Code' as 'Cheap Lies' ROME (Reuters) - A top Catholic cardinal has blasted "The Da Vinci Code" as a "gross and absurd" distortion of history and said Catholic bookstores should take the bestseller off their shelves because it is full of "cheap lies." Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, in an interview with the Milan newspaper Il Giornale, became the highest ranking Italian Churchman to speak out against the book, an international blockbuster that has sold millions of copies. "(It) aims to discredit the Church and its history through gross and absurd manipulations," Bertone, the archbishop of the northern Italian city of Genoa and a close friend of Pope John Paul told the paper in its Monday edition. "This seems like a throwback to the old anti-clerical pamphlets of the 1800s," he said. The central claim of the book, written by American Dan Brown, is that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had children. The Bible says Jesus never married, was crucified and rose from the dead. Bertone's comments were significant because until the Pope named him archbishop of Genoa in 2003 he was for years the number two man at the Vatican's most powerful department - the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. "You can find that book everywhere and the risk is that many people who read it believe that those fairy tales are real," he said. "I think I have the responsibility to clear things up to unmask the cheap lies contained in books like that." HOLY GRAIL A central storyline of the book is that the Holy Grail is not the cup which Christ is said to have used at the Last Supper but really the bloodline descended from Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Bertone calls this idea "a perversion." Bertone is so incensed about the novel that he will be the key speaker at a roundtable in Genoa Wednesday night attempting to dismantle the book, which also accuses the Church of covering up the female role in Christianity. "I will try to clear things up and help form consciences," the cardinal said. "I think that when faced with affirmations that are so shameful and unfounded, readers who have even a minimum of basic (Christian) formation should react," he said. He said it was "sad" that even Catholic bookstores were selling The Da Vinci Code "for purely economic reasons." One bookstore selling "The Da Vinci Code" is the one in the Gemelli Hospital, a Catholic institution where the Pope spent a total of 28 days in two stints in February and March. In the interview, Bertone firmly rejected the book's claim that the feminine role in Christianity had been suppressed. "This is one of the most vulgar of inventions. The feminine element is present in all the Gospels," Bertone said. Bertone also strongly defended Opus Dei, the conservative Church organization that the book depicts as a ruthless, Machiavellian group that resorts even to murder in its attempt to keep the Church's secrets hidden. The novel is going to reach an even wider audience next year with the release of a film based on the book staring Tom Hanks. © Copyright Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Reuters Ltd. 03/15/2005 13:02 RTR
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#9. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#0)
Hey, if it's good enough for Franco, it's good enough for him.
As a point of fact, it is not entirely a work of fiction. Several or more rememberences in the bible are corraborated by hostile documents, and supported by other impartial evidence. This is all O T. Count on it.
Continental Op posted on 2005-03-15 18:36:42 ET Reply Trace Private Reply Well ya beat me to it!
I think so. I mean, Da Vinci actually existed, but the guys who venerate the water walkin shepherd born of a virgin are offended because they say someone is making up stuff??? Rich.
Yeah right. The Catholic Church has some books of their own hidden away that they should open up to the public.
It's a lot LESS credible than Dan Brown's book and the goddamn thing (beg pardon) reads like a set of VCR instructions, with parts that contradict other parts. (The Bible, not Da Vinci code) At least Brown never said his WASN'T fiction nor advocated everyone use it as a model for living their lives and send him ten percent of their income.
have you read, the Da Vinci Code, The Bible, and down this thread in that order?
yes, yes, yes, and so what? When I read DVC and Angels and Demons, I laughed out loud because I knew the "Church of the Rock" would soil their vestments over it. At least SOME of what Brown wrote was verifiable in the historical record. Find me a large buried boat, or some credible corroborative documentation concerning the life of Jesus written contemporaneously with his existence on earth, and we'll talk.
In the words of Judge Maybelline Mathis(?): "Don't get ME to testifyin' up in here today!"
I'm fully aware that the bible is loosely tied to actual historical events. However, it is the interpretation of those events and their causes that delves deeply into the realm of fiction. As for its quality of prose, to each his own, but it is a far cry from compelling reading. There are other works of antiquity that far surpass it.
If the bible is true, then the Caananites have grounds for one hell of a lawsuit against the jews.
Why the hell not? Everything ELSE is their fault...the Canaanites may as well get in on the conspiracy.
The Iliad? THe remainders of Sinuhe's narrative? Gilgamishe's memoirs?
"At least SOME of what Brown wrote was verifiable in the historical record." Yes, there was a Da Vinci... "Find me a large buried boat, or some credible corroborative documentation concerning the life of Jesus written contemporaneously with his existence on earth, and we'll talk." the archeological evidence in support ofthe Bible is staggering. Read up on it sometime.
And Picts have as much for one against the Celts, and the Celts have as much for one against the Saxons and the Saxons have as much for one against the Normans.. .
Yeah, towns existed with the same names as some of those in the Bible. Finding a reference to Loch Ness in an ancient document and producing Nessie are entirely different matters entirely.
The same is true of the archeological support for the Book of Mormon. Does that make it a legitimate source on the spiritual world?
:-)
no it isn't.
Oh, I see. You'll pick-n-choose which evidence counts based upon which myth you choose to believe. That's typical.
At least with the book of Mormon, you know up front it's bullshit, right? I mean one of their angels(?) or prophets is named MORON i. That's a big tip off.
I suppose you're not old enough to remember when the ancestors of your ilk were claiming the Bible was surely false because it mentioned Hitites and there was absolutely no such thing as a Hittite. Then some more excavation was done and presto, the Hittite civilization was discovered! No one remembers that anymore though.
Not at all. It's just as legitimate as the bible and comes with just as much archeological confirmation. Those who choose to believe it are just as serious about its veracity as those who believe the bible.
"The same is true of the archeological support for the Book of Mormon."-Mr Nuke Buzzcut Let me re-address this post by asking exactly what archeological evidence proves the Book of Mormon to be correct and accurate? Links please.
At the end of the day, you can find all the Roman roads, dead civilizations, and mysterious parchments you want, yet the entire system is based on something that is NOT there in a tomb in Gethsemane?? Thomas was on the right track. Lest I see the nail prints and thrust my hand into his side... Etc, etc...
that's a fairly absurd statement. compare the evidences.
Point taken, and I agree. I was going for the setup on the "Moron-i" line.
why should there be?
Most 2000 year old tombs are empty, is that it? Just that one is empty due to some other process than natural decay or grave robbery?
Here is one that should suffice. I'm sure you'll dispute it, but then I could just as easily dispute biblical evidences on the exact same grounds, were I so inclined. The point is that both books were written by people who wished to tie their fictional accounts to actual historical events. Most novelists do the exact same thing.
where is the tomb?
It's absurd to you because you choose to believe one and cannot accept the other because it doesn't fit with the myth you choose. Mormons, on the other hand, feel quite differently than you about that issue. And, people like myself view both as fantasies based upon historical events.
It's your fairy tale, you tell me. Back on the subject of the thread, why does the prospect of Jesus having a wife bother the Catholics so much? The Gnostic gospel of Phillip said he kissed her on the mouth many times, and loved her more than the disciples...
Your mind seems unable to grasp the arguement of proportions. Once again, compare the number of archeological finds which support the Bible to the number of archeological finds which support the book of Mormon.
Hmmmmmmm ... how did I know that you might Turin up on this thread?
Faith, my child. You have to have faith.
that's a legitimate question. we know the site of the traditional tomb, but have not determinded that Jesus was actually buried there. "Back on the subject of the thread, why does the prospect of Jesus having a wife bother the Catholics so much? The Gnostic gospel of Phillip said he kissed her on the mouth many times, and loved her more than the disciples..." I dunno, I'm not a Catholic.
I wouldn't stake my life on Gnosticism were I you.
You keep that up, and some people around here might get cross with you.
Therein lies the rub, eh? Upon whose teachings shall we stake our lives? Personally, I don't operate well on faith. I demand more of my 10 year old than "just because I say so", so why would I not demand more of my Deity?
Not to worry I am blessed with: Wash Away Your Sins Towelettes
Comments (50 - 568) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestBertone also strongly defended Opus Dei
#10. To: Continental Op (#6)
the Bible is entirely a work of fiction.
#11. To: Continental Op (#7)
edit before posting, should read: as recent archeological finds continue to prove, the Bible is NOT entirely a work of fiction.
#12. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#3)
#13. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut, CAPPSMADNESS (#0)
"I will try to clear things up and help form consciences," the cardinal said.
#14. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#5)
#15. To: Samuel Gray (#12)
I think so. I mean, Da Vinci actually existed, but the guys who venerate the water walkin shepherd born of a virgin are offended because they say someone is making up stuff???
#16. To: Continental Op (#15)
have you read, the Da Vinci Code, The Bible, and down this thread in that order?
#17. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#1)
#18. To: Continental Op (#6)
#19. To: Samuel Gray (#17)
#20. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#19)
f the bible is true, then the Caananites have grounds for one hell of a lawsuit against the jews.
#21. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#18)
As for its quality of prose, to each his own, but it is a far cry from compelling reading. There are other works of antiquity that far surpass it.
#22. To: Samuel Gray (#16)
At least SOME of what Brown wrote was verifiable in the historical record. Find me a large buried boat, or some credible corroborative documentation concerning the life of Jesus written contemporaneously with his existence on earth, and we'll talk.
#23. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#19)
If the bible is true, then the Caananites have grounds for one hell of a lawsuit against the jews.
#24. To: Continental Op (#22)
#25. To: Continental Op (#22)
the archeological evidence in support ofthe Bible is staggering. Read up on it sometime.
#26. To: Continental Op (#23)
And Picts have as much for one against the Celts, and the Celts have as much for one against the Saxons and the Saxons have as much for one against the Normans.. .
#27. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#25)
The same is true of the archeological support for the Book of Mormon.
#28. To: Continental Op (#27)
#29. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#25)
#30. To: Samuel Gray (#24)
Finding a reference to Loch Ness in an ancient document and producing Nessie are entirely different matters entirely.
#31. To: Samuel Gray (#29)
At least with the book of Mormon, you know up front it's bullshit, right?
#32. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#28)
Oh, I see. You'll pick-n-choose which evidence counts based upon which myth you choose to believe. That's typical.
#33. To: Continental Op (#30)
#34. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#31)
It's just as legitimate as the bible and comes with just as much archeological confirmation.
#35. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#31)
#36. To: Samuel Gray (#33)
yet the entire system is based on something that is NOT there in a tomb in Gethsemane??
#37. To: Continental Op (#36)
#38. To: Continental Op (#32)
#39. To: Samuel Gray (#37)
Most 2000 year old tombs are empty, is that it? Just that one is empty due to some other process than natural decay or grave robbery?
#40. To: Continental Op (#34)
that's a fairly absurd statement. compare the evidences.
#41. To: Continental Op (#39)
#42. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#38)
I'm sure you'll dispute it, but then I could just as easily dispute biblical evidences on the exact same grounds, were I so inclined.
#43. To: Samuel Gray (#33)
#44. To: 2Trievers (#43)
#45. To: Samuel Gray (#41)
It's your fairy tale, you tell me.
#46. To: Samuel Gray (#44)
#47. To: 2Trievers (#43)
you might Turin up
#48. To: Continental Op (#46)
I wouldn't stake my life on Gnosticism were I you.
#49. To: Samuel Gray (#47)
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