June 2, 2006

     When the Prophet Mohammed was portrayed in a cartoon a few months earlier, many Muslims were angered and a wave of protests spread across the globe. But when the Da Vinci Code, a novel attacking the divinity and morality of Jesus Christ, was launched it became a worldwide bestseller printed to about 60 million copies and translated into 44 languages. As of this writing, the movie is being shown simultaneously at no less that 21 theaters here in Manila alone. Not even the church leaders could successfully lobby for the ban of the film as outspoken as they usually are on key political and social issues. Where are those who relentlessly spoke against Charter Change and Graft and Corruption? Many of them have kept mum on an important issue that threatens the very substance of our Christian belief.

     What is it about this Da Vinci Code that has caused so much stir around the world? The story depicts that Jesus Christ actually married Mary Magdalene and started a bloodline whose existence has since been kept a secret by the Catholic Church. This, blended with a lot of conspiracy theories, secret societies, and symbolic codes has turned it into a source of money-making entertainment and a modern-day onslaught on Christianity. The Da Vinci Code also claims that Christians viewed Jesus as a mortal being until Emperor Constantine influenced the Council of Nicaea to endorse His divinity status by a close vote. Moreover, the author, Dan Brown, claims that the so-called Holy Grail which is traditionally believed to be the chalice used in the Last Supper is actually Mary Magdalene’s tomb. This literary work is billed as more than mere fiction. It pretends to be a well-researched documentary when it is actually filled with egregious assumptions and errors. While the characters of true stories are usually hidden, Da Vinci Code makes fictitious claims about true characters. When Harry Potter caught the fancy of millions of readers and moviegoers worldwide, nobody complained. It was after all a fine literary piece to entertain and keep the mind away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But then comes this novel making nothing short of blasphemous claims about Christ. That’s how it caught widespread attention and spread like a forest blaze.

     It is not the first time that Christ’s divinity has been challenged and tested. Brown’s ideas are reminiscent of the works of the Greek author, Nikos Kazantzakis, who wrote the Last Temptation of Christ in the 1950’s. He too tried to establish an intimate link between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Even the Gospel of Matthew relates how the Devil directly tried to tempt the Lord by saying, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down for it is written that He will send angels to bear you up…,” to which Jesus replied, “ Begone Satan, for it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only will you serve.’” Thereafter, the Devil left Him and angels came and ministered to Him. Certainly, even the Devil himself did not reject Christ’s divinity.

     Da Vinci Code preys on readers and viewers by offering a widely-promoted Hollywood package graced by an award-wining actor and director. The result is a long line of curious moviegoers exceeding even those in Mel Gibson’s Passion of Christ or during Sunday masses. But then, the movie did not live up to expectations. Even in Cannes it reportedly received a lukewarm response. I’ve spoken with local viewers who almost fell asleep listening to the endless barrage of ridiculous lines and overexplanations . One newspaper columnist even suggested that the biggest and most unforgivable sin of Da Vinci Code was its being boresome. Personally, I feel that one of my movie idols, the versatile Tom Hanks made more sense as Forrest Gump. .

     There are a lot of books and articles refuting the ludicrous claims of Da Vinci Code and these are based on historical facts. They are numerous and worth reading just to clear any cloud of doubt in our minds. Our faith is in constant battle day by day. It has been from time immemorial and through the years the Church has stood the test of time because its supporters directly answered the issues put forth by those questioning its practices and beliefs. Instead of dismissing the whole Da Vinci thing as being of no relevance to the masses who are more concerned with their impoverished life, authorities should speak up and answer these religious issues. If there’s one good thing that has emerged from all this is the opportunity to examine and discuss relevant issues on our faith .

     The whole Da Vinci Code thing is not the first and certainly not the last attempt to undermine our faith. We need not react violently as others would do when their religion is put in a bad light. Yet a question comes to mind: are we justified in labeling others as fanatics for standing up to what they believe or have we as Christians become passive and indifferent? In line with this growing controversy, it is important for us to know more about and strengthen our faith by studying the Scriptures and never allowing unfounded claims to shake our Christian beliefs.

Feedback: comment on this article at the Forum (registration required) send your comments to the editor (anonymously, if you wish) e-mail the author at alan_tenerife_md(at)yahoo.com (private and personal, if you prefer)

     Views expressed on this column and any other by-lined articles on this site are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization or its members.