The Trap of DVC
JMJ+D
The Da Vinci Code will be premiering on Friday, May 19th. First of all, let me urge all Catholics and Christians, if not all people, NOT to watch this movie.
What is it about the movie that attracts so many people? Well, for one thing, it’s a Hollywood movie with names attached to Hollywood – Ron Howard and Tom Hanks. Many will not want to miss it. If you are a Hollywood buff, you’ll definitely be out there on opening night. For someone who is simply curious, you will want to know what the hype is all about. But I urge Catholics not to fall into this trap!
Many will see the movie simply finding it as pure fun and entertainment. “It’s just a movie!” will be the common but lame excuse. Well, this is not JUST a movie, it is dissemination of information that is heretical in the guise of entertainment; it is a gross misrepresentation of the prelature of Opus Dei and it is a violent attack against Holy Mother Church.
Just what are the implications of this movie from a Catholic perspective?
First, let us look at the economic implications:
Tom Hank’s and Ron Howard’s average draw at the box office during the first week is between $12 million to $14 million and grossing up to $89 million. As we never really know how a movie will do at the box office, the first week is always a pretty accurate measure of a film’s success. The less people attend the movie on the first week of showing, the lesser the chances for its success at the box office. I urge Catholics not to see the movie. If a Catholic decides to see this movie for whatever reason, he or she must avoid it during the first week. The first week is critical in determining how a movie does at the box office. And we must never allow the movie’s success at any level.
Second, let us look at the literary implications:
Dan Brown is not Catholic. He does not know anything about the Catholic Church. He claims the story is fictional. However, fiction is defined as “something invented by the imagination or feigned”. If we are Catholics, then we believe and proclaim that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Otherwise, we are not Catholics. Then how can a movie be fiction for us if Jesus is a subject of the movie? It simply does not make any sense. If we dismiss the Da Vinci Code as fiction and harmless, then we cannot call ourselves Catholics. If we believe the DVC is not fiction, then we are being deceived because the whole story is a big lie.
Third, let us look at the spiritual implications:
Since the eyes and ears are windows to the soul, the movie will definitely have an impact to the soul even if one’s goal is to better understand the movie in defense of the faith. If you intend to defend the faith, you can simply read “The Da Vinci Hoax”. For those who are weak in faith and who do not study nor live their faith, watching the movie may prove to be a false catechism for them. They will likely believe what they hear about Jesus and the Church. They wouldn’t know any better. They are likely to believe that Opus Dei is a secret society run by albino monks. They are likely to believe that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalen. They are likely to believe lies.
Hungry for the truth? Read the Bible instead.
The Da Vinci Code will be premiering on Friday, May 19th. First of all, let me urge all Catholics and Christians, if not all people, NOT to watch this movie.
What is it about the movie that attracts so many people? Well, for one thing, it’s a Hollywood movie with names attached to Hollywood – Ron Howard and Tom Hanks. Many will not want to miss it. If you are a Hollywood buff, you’ll definitely be out there on opening night. For someone who is simply curious, you will want to know what the hype is all about. But I urge Catholics not to fall into this trap!
Many will see the movie simply finding it as pure fun and entertainment. “It’s just a movie!” will be the common but lame excuse. Well, this is not JUST a movie, it is dissemination of information that is heretical in the guise of entertainment; it is a gross misrepresentation of the prelature of Opus Dei and it is a violent attack against Holy Mother Church.
Just what are the implications of this movie from a Catholic perspective?
First, let us look at the economic implications:
Tom Hank’s and Ron Howard’s average draw at the box office during the first week is between $12 million to $14 million and grossing up to $89 million. As we never really know how a movie will do at the box office, the first week is always a pretty accurate measure of a film’s success. The less people attend the movie on the first week of showing, the lesser the chances for its success at the box office. I urge Catholics not to see the movie. If a Catholic decides to see this movie for whatever reason, he or she must avoid it during the first week. The first week is critical in determining how a movie does at the box office. And we must never allow the movie’s success at any level.
Second, let us look at the literary implications:
Dan Brown is not Catholic. He does not know anything about the Catholic Church. He claims the story is fictional. However, fiction is defined as “something invented by the imagination or feigned”. If we are Catholics, then we believe and proclaim that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Otherwise, we are not Catholics. Then how can a movie be fiction for us if Jesus is a subject of the movie? It simply does not make any sense. If we dismiss the Da Vinci Code as fiction and harmless, then we cannot call ourselves Catholics. If we believe the DVC is not fiction, then we are being deceived because the whole story is a big lie.
Third, let us look at the spiritual implications:
Since the eyes and ears are windows to the soul, the movie will definitely have an impact to the soul even if one’s goal is to better understand the movie in defense of the faith. If you intend to defend the faith, you can simply read “The Da Vinci Hoax”. For those who are weak in faith and who do not study nor live their faith, watching the movie may prove to be a false catechism for them. They will likely believe what they hear about Jesus and the Church. They wouldn’t know any better. They are likely to believe that Opus Dei is a secret society run by albino monks. They are likely to believe that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalen. They are likely to believe lies.
Hungry for the truth? Read the Bible instead.
2 Comments:
I totally agree, I have heard alot of comments like this "if it's just fiction why do Catholics care?" but you explain the answer to that quite clearly. Although Dan Brown claims the DVC to be fiction, he gives hints that it may not be, which is very silly.
I will not be watching it on any week!
You're right Carmel. Dan Brown claims he his research is accurate which means he's claiming that it's true which is a lie. Thanks for your comments and for defending the Church!
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