See other Religion Articles
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: 8845
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
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Comments (1-528) not displayed.
.
.
.
#529. To: CAPPSMADNESS, Dakmar, Crack Monkey (#491)
The literal translation is "Shameless Faggot" Now, if you wanted to be politically correct you could say "Shameless Gay" in which case the initials would be S. G. kind of like the initials of my little neocon buddy. That can't be a coincidence.
Uh-oh. Oh woe is me..........that's almost enough to make me want to clean out my whole bozo filtering system in order to 'feel the love' that seems to be permeating this thread now! Nah! Close is good for horseshoes and grenades.......
AHOY Matey! You rang?
S.G.? As in GIBSON? Just kidding.
Thar's a new poster amoung us Mate - Be afraid!
eh? Who? Do tell......... We gonna get bozo'd again? I hope I know about it this time. It really sucks to get bozo'd and not get anything out of it.
Nah, it doesn't really hurt at all. ;)
Goes by the name of Thread Pirate, but only appears when the mystery bozoer shows up! I started a Thread Pirate Ping list, iffin ye are interested.
I started a Thread Pirate Ping list, iffin ye are interested. Yeah I be interested. I think I know what or who rather, your talking about;)
LOLOL! I love it and the other you got. Signed up for both!
Well, it could................
That is one serious set of "FM" shoes. She can hurt me all night long.
LOL! Haven't heard that phrase in a long time.
LOL! Haven't heard that phrase in a long time. Best when worn behind the ears...
I guess so. Anyway, I've got to go down to the south side to score some smack from the Pusherman and collect the money from my bitches. If 5-0 don't pop me, I'll be back later. Superfly
OK. You can be a co-owner.
Can't handle the historical truth, so you want to put me on bozo. That's sad, really sad, you're nothing but a coward, who's faith is weak. Then again, it should be weak, because to have such a belief in that book is insanity itself.
That's sad, really sad, you're nothing but a coward, who's faith is weak. Then again, it should be weak, because to have such a belief in that book is insanity itself. The mere existence of fools like you tends to create the only doubt that exists in "my faith" in God, and that's what is really sad. Clowns like you deserve the BOZO button only because there isn't an asshole button. Insanity surely is in the eye of the beholder. Given a choice between a history book and the Bible, I'll choose the Bible everytime. History is written by the victor in most cases and is usually shy of facts and heavy on bullshit, just like most of your posts. I haven't determined that you're a history buff, but I have no doubt you're an asshole. "Rowdee, where's that "ASSHOLE" button ?
Yep, I am indeed an asshole, I never stated otherwise. But history is written by the victor, and that is why it takes long and laborious study to learn the true history of the bible, and it's books. I have done that study, I have met the scholars, I have read the history, I have discussed it with hundreds of people, literally, hundreds. I used to ba a Christian, but when I finally opened my mind and decided that conflict is good, I studied, and I discovered that the bible is not at all what you christians claim it is. And once again, how many sects of christianity are there? If it were actually the word of god, how could it be reinterpreted in so many different ways? If it were actually the word of god, wouldn't it only be possible to interpret it the way that god intended?
Exactly. Well put.
Civil discourse is far more pleasant to engage in, than the vitriolic cyber- street fights. I agree that the Bible is not at all what the majority of Christians think it is as well, but possibly for different reasons than you. I felt much like Bible haters feel for years because I didn't get it. There were a number of reasons I opposed the Bible, but it was primarily based upon the hypocrisy of the churches and their leadership. That hasn't changed much. But, the men that make God's word look bad and use it to enslave others was a poor reason for me to discard His Word. On the point of interpretation ... I don't think God intended for everyone to "get it" ... as Jesus clearly explains to the disciples when they asked why He spoke in parables. Another point that I want to make in this response is that some will believe the Word, while others won't. God, if He exists, will work all of that out, and it isn't accurate to say someone is a fool that believes, or a fool who doesn't believe. Time will prove one of the above right and one wrong, but neither need be considered stupid ... yet. (The above "If He Exists" was stated for your benefit ... I know He does.)
yes, there is no reason this topic can't be discussed without the namecalling and insults. there's a lot to be learned for everyone when the conversation is cordial or, at least, mutually respectful.
Ah, but the Bible itself says in Psalm 14 "the fool hath said in his heart "There is no God". Is that not disbelief? And before you counter with "I meant belief in the Word", let me add that in John 1:1 we have "In the beginning, there was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word WAS God." Thus, if you believe in the bible and in God, as you say you do, then it IS accurate to say that someone who isn't a believer is a fool, no?
It's not for me to say a non-believer is a fool. You should be a cop, entrapment is one of their philosophies.
Debate is good, but when you come right out and attack a person's faith, that's really being an asshole! Think about it.
I used your words and scriptures. How is that entrapment?
Why even bother talking to someone who would do that. That person has no control over his emotions and seems to lack the intellect to carry on a conversation.
I think he means that it is not up to him to judge another a fool. Judgement belongs to God.
I probably don't need to point out the difference in what you said in your earlier post "it is not accurate..." and what you said in the next reply "it's not for me to say." I quoted scriptures to refute your assertion that it was innacurate to say that a nonbeliever was not a fool.
That's not what he said. He said "it is not accurate". That at least implies an imperative, or absolute. Scripturally, however, I just cited references saying that the opposite is true. The writer of Psalms, and the writer of John said that the fool says there is no God, AND the Word of God and God himself are one in the same.
Who put you in charge of defining insanity?
How is that entrapment? The Scriptures aren't my words. Some people just read the Word looking for conflicts or some means of proving scripture irrelevant. Others are selected to study, learn, and gain an understanding, their hearts, minds, and souls, being convicted. So much of what does or doesn't happen with regard to scripture has to do with the "intent" and "honesty" of the person's heart that is approaching the subjects contained within God's Word. I would equate it to whether or not one answers the doorbell when it rings. If you look out the peep window and a sweet kid is selling boy scout or girl scout cookies, you happily open the door, have a little conversation with the kid and buy some cookies. However, if you look out the peep hole and see a kid lighting a sack of shit on fire ... you might feel differently about conversing at all. You, Samuel approach everyone like a kid lighting a bag of shit on fire, and probably God's word too.
Imagine if you came from outer space and landed on a planet and the natives gave you as an example of "literature" a book called the Holy Bible, and a book of Grimm's Fairy Tales. After perusing them and their contents, the natives then tell you that, categorically, one of those books is pure myth, while the other one was given to them by an invisible entity they call "God" and is used as the foundation upon which they base their entire lives, and they've devoted thousands of years building temples, churches, sanctuaries and ceremonies, fought wars that have cost millions of lives, etc. Would that seem, based on your outsider's "alien" view, at least a little bit insane?
More vitriol and unsubstantiated allegation. Now I'm burning Bibles, at least metaphorically. I asked you to clarify what I perceived as a apparent contradiction in what you said, and what you apparently believe (the Bible). You have not satisfactorily done so, and have chosen to attack, instead. In your post, your words contradict what the scriptures say. Yet, you are a Christian, supposedly, although your words and actions demonstrably deny this at least to a large extent. Say you were the only example of Christ I was ever to see, how would I discern which words were right? The Scriptures, which say that I am a fool for disbelieving, or yours, which categorically state "it isn't accurate to say that a nonbeliever is a fool."
Hmm it does seem that baiting and taunting has been addressed more than once.. I'd suggest that you and others make a concerted effort to end this .. and really really soon..
Say you were the only example of Christ I was ever to see, how would I discern which words were right? The Scriptures, which say that I am a fool for disbelieving, or yours, which categorically state "it isn't accurate to say that a nonbeliever is a fool." Sam, I see that I can't have a normal discourse with you because I have too much fun exploiting your hatred and self-centeredness. You display masochistic tendancies, seemingly pleasured by the pain of embarrassment inflicted upon you because of your statements made in stupidity. Let the second portion of your last post be an example of unbridled stupidity. First, Christ was to be our example and not the reverse. Second, what difference can it make to someone that doesn't believe what the Book says, whether the Book says they're a fool. You could do the forum a favor by examining your ingorant remarks and editing them until they are free of stupidity. Even if they still contain asinine and ridiculous statements ... at least the board will have a longer intermission between them.
And I'd ask where you find baiting and taunting in 562. Discussion, yes.
Thats it.. done.. my patience is worn thin..
So I will glean from that that you have no response to the contradiction in your initial post. Your "Book" doesn't bind me, and it doesn't make me any difference to me what it says about anything, really. I was pointing out a statement that YOU made that directly contradicts what it says. Since it does, apparently, seem to bind you, you might want to consider a realignment.
What does that mean???
#530. To: noone222 (#492)
#531. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#467)
This thread needs a good highjacking. then I shall summon the Thread Pirates....
#532. To: Flintlock (#529)
#533. To: justlurking (#531)
AHOY Matey! You rang?
#534. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#533)
Thar's a new poster amoung us Mate - Be afraid!
#535. To: justlurking (#534)
#536. To: justlurking (#534)
eh? Who? Do tell
#537. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#536)
Goes by the name of Thread Pirate, but only appears when the mystery bozoer shows up!
#538. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#536)
I started a Thread Pirate Ping list, iffin ye are interested.
#539. To: Samuel Gray (#535)
Nah, it doesn't really hurt at all. ;)
#540. To: justlurking (#539)
#541. To: Samuel Gray (#540)
"FM" shoes
#542. To: justlurking (#541)
FM" shoes
#543. To: Dakmar (#532)
As in GIBSON?
#544. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#528)
Born to hide weasels
#545. To: noone222 (#418)
#546. To: Aric2000 (#545)
Can't handle the historical truth, so you want to put me on bozo.
#547. To: noone222 (#546)
#548. To: Aric2000 (#547)
If it were actually the word of god, how could it be reinterpreted in so many different ways? If it were actually the word of god, wouldn't it only be possible to interpret it the way that god intended?
#549. To: Aric2000 (#547)
I used to ba a Christian, but when I finally opened my mind and decided that conflict is good, I studied, and I discovered that the bible is not at all what you christians claim it is.
#550. To: noone222, Aric2000, Samuel Gray (#549)
Civil discourse is far more pleasant to engage in, than the vitriolic cyber- street fights.
#551. To: noone222 (#549)
Another point that I want to make...is...it isn't accurate to say someone is a fool that believes, or a fool who doesn't believe.
#552. To: Samuel Gray (#551)
Thus, if you believe in the bible and in God, as you say you do, then it IS accurate to say that someone who isn't a believer is a fool, no?
#553. To: Aric2000, All (#545)
#554. To: noone222 (#552)
#555. To: SKYDRIFTER (#553)
when you come right out and attack a person's faith, that's really being an asshole!
#556. To: Samuel Gray (#554)
I used your words and scriptures. How is that entrapment?
#557. To: noone222 (#552)
#558. To: CAPPSMADNESS (#556)
#559. To: Aric2000 (#545)
because to have such a belief in that book is insanity itself.
#560. To: Samuel Gray (#554)
I used your words and scriptures.
#561. To: wbales (#559)
#562. To: noone222 (#560)
#563. To: Samuel Gray (#562)
#564. To: Samuel Gray (#562)
More vitriol and unsubstantiated allegation. Now I'm burning Bibles, at least metaphorically.
#565. To: Zipporah (#563)
#566. To: Samuel Gray (#565)
#567. To: noone222 (#564)
#568. To: Samuel Gray (#565)
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest