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Religion
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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: 11592
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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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 398.

#1. To: All (#0)

"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.

How ironic that someone whose living is dependent upon pushing a fiction like the bible should react so defensively against another similar work.

Mr Nuke Buzzcut  posted on  2005-03-15   18:01:05 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#1)

How ironic that someone whose living is dependent upon pushing a fiction like the bible should react so defensively against another similar work.

ROFLMAO!!

EXACTLY RIGHT......

Aric2000  posted on  2005-03-15   18:03:30 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: Aric2000, Samuel Gray (#2)

"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.

He's talking about the bible, right?

Mr Nuke Buzzcut  posted on  2005-03-15   18:07:40 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#12. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#3)

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.

Samuel Gray  posted on  2005-03-15   21:02:49 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#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???

have you read, the Da Vinci Code, The Bible, and down this thread in that order?

Continental Op  posted on  2005-03-15   21:08:37 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#16. To: Continental Op (#15)

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.

Samuel Gray  posted on  2005-03-15   21:12:50 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#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.

"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.

Continental Op  posted on  2005-03-15   21:28:15 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#25. To: Continental Op (#22)

the archeological evidence in support ofthe Bible is staggering. Read up on it sometime.

The same is true of the archeological support for the Book of Mormon. Does that make it a legitimate source on the spiritual world?

Mr Nuke Buzzcut  posted on  2005-03-15   21:30:40 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#27. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#25)

The same is true of the archeological support for the Book of Mormon.

no it isn't.

Continental Op  posted on  2005-03-15   21:32:03 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#28. To: Continental Op (#27)

Oh, I see. You'll pick-n-choose which evidence counts based upon which myth you choose to believe. That's typical.

Mr Nuke Buzzcut  posted on  2005-03-15   21:35:00 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#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.

"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.

Continental Op  posted on  2005-03-15   21:37:30 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#38. To: Continental Op (#32)

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.

Mr Nuke Buzzcut  posted on  2005-03-15   21:44:53 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#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.

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.

Continental Op  posted on  2005-03-15   21:49:43 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#52. To: Continental Op (#42)

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.

I'm not of a mind to try and defend either book. The point, and it is still valid even though you would prefer to dance around it, is that both books are loosely based around actual historical events. Nevertheless, that in no way establishes the credibility of the main point of either book. The spiritual/mystical/supernatural claims of both books are not validated by the historical context. They may be useful for archaeoligists seeking information about ancient civilizations, but they are of little use for establishing how to acquire life after death.

Mr Nuke Buzzcut  posted on  2005-03-15   23:23:03 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#60. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#52)

he point, and it is still valid even though you would prefer to dance around it, is that both books are loosely based around actual historical events.

1. To: All (#0)

"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. "

How ironic that someone whose living is dependent upon pushing a fiction like the bible should react so defensively against another similar work.

Mr Nuke Buzzcut posted on 2005-03-15 18:01:05 ET Reply Trace Private Reply

so we have progressed thus far that you admit the Bible is not entirely a work of fiction?

Continental Op  posted on  2005-03-16   7:56:27 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#123. To: Continental Op (#60)

so we have progressed thus far that you admit the Bible is not entirely a work of fiction?

Uhm, if you'd been paying attention, you would have noticed that I quite clearly stated that I believe the bible is wrapped around general historical events in history and that it is the supernatural claims and the dictatorial commandments about who/how man should worship that are ridiculously absurd.

Mr Nuke Buzzcut  posted on  2005-03-16   11:44:17 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#141. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#123)

Uhm, if you'd been paying attention, you would have noticed that I quite clearly stated that I believe the bible is wrapped around general historical events in history and that it is the supernatural claims and the dictatorial commandments about who/how man should worship that are ridiculously absurd.

You stated that the Bible was a "work of fiction."

Continental Op  posted on  2005-03-16   13:19:49 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#339. To: Continental Op (#141)

You stated that the Bible was a "work of fiction."

And it is. Those of us who read books realize that writers often wrap their fiction around actual historical events. That doesn't magically turn their stories into truth.

Mr Nuke Buzzcut  posted on  2005-03-16   21:52:57 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#394. To: Mr Nuke Buzzcut (#339)

And it is. Those of us who read books realize that writers often wrap their fiction around actual historical events. That doesn't magically turn their stories into truth.

And here we stand at loggerheads, as Don said earlier. You can't prove that is.. .I can't prove to you that it isn't...

Continental Op  posted on  2005-03-17   8:04:05 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#395. To: Continental Op, all (#394)

You can't prove that is.. .I can't prove to you that it isn't...

which is why I generally aviod theological arguments: they resolve little and prove even less.

But I do have this question for the more theologically inclined here: Do dogs go to heaven? Do living being other than humans go to heaven?

wbales  posted on  2005-03-17   8:09:12 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#397. To: wbales (#395)

But I do have this question for the more theologically inclined here: Do dogs go to heaven? Do living being other than humans go to heaven?

Got A Bible?

Continental Op  posted on  2005-03-17   8:11:38 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#398. To: Continental Op (#397)

Got A Bible?

I think there is one here somewhere. Do you know what page?

wbales  posted on  2005-03-17   8:13:50 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


Replies to Comment # 398.

#401. To: wbales (#398)

Are you in a hotel? Should be in that top drawer ... under the phone.

2Trievers  posted on  2005-03-17 08:21:36 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#402. To: wbales (#398)

start at page #1 right through to the end. You'll probably find what your looking for if you ignore conventional Christian beliefs and focus on what it really says.

Continental Op  posted on  2005-03-17 08:24:17 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


End Trace Mode for Comment # 398.

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