How to Respond to the Da Vinci Code Movie
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Brian Godawa--screenwriter for To End All Wars and author of Hollywood Worldviews--passed along this email from an unnamed Hollywood screenwriter. I think it's an intriguing way to respond to the release of The Da Vinci Code.
May 19th is the date the Da Vinci Code movie opens. A movie based on a book that wears its heresy and blasphemy as a badge of honor.
What can we as Christians do in response to the release of this movie? I'm going to offer you the usual choices -- and a new one.
Here are the usual suspects:
A) We can ignore the movie.
The problem with this option: The box office is a ballot box. The only people whose votes are counted are those who buy tickets. And the ballot box closes on the Sunday of opening weekend. If you stay home, you have lost your chance to make your vote heard.
You have thrown your vote away, and from Hollywood's point of view, you don't count. By staying home, you do nothing to shape the decision-making process regarding what movies will make it to the big screen.
B) We can protest.
The problem with this option: It doesn't work. Any publicity is good publicity. Protests not only fuel the box office, they make all Christians look like idiots. And again, protests and boycotts do nothing to help shape the decisions being made right now about what movies Hollywood will make in the next few years. (Or they convince Hollywood to make *more* movies that will provoke Christians to protest, which will drive the box office up.)
C) We can discuss the movie.
We can be rational and be ready with study guides and workshops and point-by-point refutations of the lies promulgated by the movie.
The problem with this option: No one's listening. They think they know what we're going to say already.
We'll lose most of these discussions anyway, no matter how prepared we are, because the power of story always trumps the power of facts (why do you think Jesus taught in parables?!). And once again: rational discussion of history does nothing to affect Hollywood's choices regarding what movies to make.
But there's a fourth choice.
On May 19th, you should go to the movies. Just go to another movie.
Save the date now. May 19th, or May 20th. No later than Sunday, May 21st -- that's the day the ballot box closes. You'll get a vote, the only vote Hollywood recognizes: The power of cold hard cash laid down on a box office window on opening weekend.
Use your vote. Don't throw it away. Vote for a movie other than DVC. If enough people do it, the powers that be will notice. They won't have a choice.
The major studio movie scheduled for release against DVC is the DreamWorks animated feature Over the Hedge. The trailers look fun, and you can take your kids. And your friends. And their friends. In fact, let's all go see it.
Let's rock the box office in a way no one expects -- without protests, without boycotts, without arguments, without rancor. Let's show up at the box office ballot box and cast our votes. And buy some popcorn, too.
May 19th. Mark your calendars now: Over the Hedge's opening weekend. Buy a ticket.
And spread the word. Forward this e-mail to all the Christians in your address book. Post it on your blogs. Talk about it to your churches. And let's all go to the movies.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING MAY 19TH?
May 19th is the date the Da Vinci Code movie opens. A movie based on a book that wears its heresy and blasphemy as a badge of honor.
What can we as Christians do in response to the release of this movie? I'm going to offer you the usual choices -- and a new one.
Here are the usual suspects:
A) We can ignore the movie.
The problem with this option: The box office is a ballot box. The only people whose votes are counted are those who buy tickets. And the ballot box closes on the Sunday of opening weekend. If you stay home, you have lost your chance to make your vote heard.
You have thrown your vote away, and from Hollywood's point of view, you don't count. By staying home, you do nothing to shape the decision-making process regarding what movies will make it to the big screen.
B) We can protest.
The problem with this option: It doesn't work. Any publicity is good publicity. Protests not only fuel the box office, they make all Christians look like idiots. And again, protests and boycotts do nothing to help shape the decisions being made right now about what movies Hollywood will make in the next few years. (Or they convince Hollywood to make *more* movies that will provoke Christians to protest, which will drive the box office up.)
C) We can discuss the movie.
We can be rational and be ready with study guides and workshops and point-by-point refutations of the lies promulgated by the movie.
The problem with this option: No one's listening. They think they know what we're going to say already.
We'll lose most of these discussions anyway, no matter how prepared we are, because the power of story always trumps the power of facts (why do you think Jesus taught in parables?!). And once again: rational discussion of history does nothing to affect Hollywood's choices regarding what movies to make.
But there's a fourth choice.
On May 19th, you should go to the movies. Just go to another movie.
Save the date now. May 19th, or May 20th. No later than Sunday, May 21st -- that's the day the ballot box closes. You'll get a vote, the only vote Hollywood recognizes: The power of cold hard cash laid down on a box office window on opening weekend.
Use your vote. Don't throw it away. Vote for a movie other than DVC. If enough people do it, the powers that be will notice. They won't have a choice.
The major studio movie scheduled for release against DVC is the DreamWorks animated feature Over the Hedge. The trailers look fun, and you can take your kids. And your friends. And their friends. In fact, let's all go see it.
Let's rock the box office in a way no one expects -- without protests, without boycotts, without arguments, without rancor. Let's show up at the box office ballot box and cast our votes. And buy some popcorn, too.
May 19th. Mark your calendars now: Over the Hedge's opening weekend. Buy a ticket.
And spread the word. Forward this e-mail to all the Christians in your address book. Post it on your blogs. Talk about it to your churches. And let's all go to the movies.
posted by JT at Sunday, April 09, 2006
41 Comments:
When the coin in the coffer (for another movie) rings, the Da Vinci Code springs (out of theaters).
I guess Tetzel had some things to contribute after all.
What if Christians want to see the movie?
I guess if you're a Christian and you want to see it, you'll have to wait until Monday, May 22. Wouldn't want your vote to give you a black mark!
I appriciate this, but must respectfully disagree.
I could care less what Hollywood learns from the box offices. Enough people are going to see this movie that it will be viewed as a hit.
I think people will listen to the truth. If we take the attitude of "No one will listen anyway," then we might as well forget evangelism altogether.
Bottom line: this movie presents an opportunity for Christians to defend their faith.
I'll take choice A.
I believe the email goes back to Barbara Nicolosi, screenwriter and founding director of the Act One program. See here and here to trace the origin to her blog.
Also, I believe a charitable read of what she has posted on her blog over the past few weeks suggests that Nicolosi is not saying that no one is going to listen. She is writing about Hollywood filmmakers, and the way to impact them is to change the stats on the opening weekend of the movie.
The only problem is that I'll have to watch another movie. A cartoon that I'm sure will still be inappropriate for my children. I guess I could pay for the tickets and then not go. Maybe I'll spend my whole paycheck on the cartoon and pass out tickets to others?
Not really.
The problem with option #4 is that it is just like option #1 "in disguise." Though the vote may go to another movie, we haven't done what Peter exhorted a secular society to do in 1 Peter 3:15. Paul also directly engaged with the Stoics in Acts 17. These men did not ignore the issue, vote it off the island, or pretend it didn't really happen. Option #4 seems absurd to me.
Instead, pastors and thinkers need to seriously do their studying and decide how The DaVinci Code is affecting their congregation and their view of the Bible. It's so important for us to know how our Bible was formed, and why such texts like the Gospels of Philip and Mary (& Judas from yesterday's NG special) were not included in scripture.
Pastors and church leaders: if you're keen, go see the movie on May 19th, read your Bible all day Saturday, and tell people about the true story of Jesus on Sunday the 21st.
I don't see how not seeing the Da Vinci Code is "fighting for the faith." I want to see the movie and watch it with a Christ-centered filter.
Secular film is not a threat to the Kingdom is it? If it is, we have something to fear, but if it is not, why do we need a defense?
I encourage my congregation to see the film, weigh it's arguments against Scripture and come out unscathed by a-biblical theoried, but also come out strengthened in their faith in order to evangelize a culture through discussions concerning the film.
Don't fear the Code!
I am a Christian that wants to see the movie; I am hoping that it proves to be one of the best and most entertaining movies of the year. However, I think that 'Dead Man's Chest' will probably be better.
I meet a lot of Christians that have the same reaction. "Don't go, its bad." If you have never read the book (or listened) to the book I can understand why this would be your first reaction. I feel all of this is much to do about nothing. Dan Brown even claims that the story is fiction, but that he believes it. I have yet to run into someone that actually believes the book. Of course, there might be some fringe segments of the world that will make this a cornerstone of their faith.
What makes the Da Vinci Code a great story and plot is the whole mystery is deeply tangled in the ancient myths, conspiracy theories, the Knights Templar, Catholic Church, Fibonacci series, the golden section, Leonardo Da Vinci, Isaac Newton and Priory of Sion. This is the reason for the popularity of the book, the world if fascinated with these subjects! I thought 'National Treasure' was a rip from this story.
I won't spoil it for you, but the ending is rather dry. The Templar treasure is not what you think it is.
I thought the book was pretty good. I'm hoping the movie will be great. Not sre If I will get to it on opening day, but I'll definitely see this one eventually.
I would greatly recommend the chapter by Ken Myers entitled "A Better Way: Proclamation Instead of Protest" in the book Power Religion: The Selling Out of the Evangelical Church?" (Michael Horton, ed., Moody, 1992). It focuses on the aftermath of the evangelical church's reaction to "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988) but I think it's very relevant for this present discussion over TDC.
I meet a lot of Christians that have the same reaction. "Don't go, its bad." If you have never read the book (or listened) to the book I can understand why this would be your first reaction. I feel all of this is much to do about nothing. Dan Brown even claims that the story is fiction, but that he believes it. I have yet to run into someone that actually believes the book.
Forgive me, but I think that such a perspective is uninformed and naive. The facts are that Brown is positioning his book as historical fiction, not mere fiction, from the opening FACT page to his numerous interviews with the media. Furthermore, he cites non-fiction works (e.g. Holy Blood, Holy Grail) hostile to the faith as authorities, and admits to drawing on liberal (non-orthodox) academics (e.g. Elaine Pagels).
In a culture where few people are well-versed in church history, theology, and bibliology (not to mention, art), a runaway best seller like this does have an influence on what people think about Christianity and about Christ. This is reflected in the fact that virtually every Christian scholar I'm aware of is treating this book as a serious cultural influence.
I am reading the book now - about 3/4 of the way through - and I have run into and heard of people who believe this stuff. Christians of good conscience should be informed on the challenges to the faith that this book presents, and should avoid the movie if possible so as to not contribute to the profits of the studio or the author. Get a used or library copy of the book and go through it, instead.
I don't go to movies unless it's something that my wife and I are extremely interested in. Besides going to the theatre is really expensive! You can rent it if you have any question as to whether or not it's good...or just to be informed.
Regarding whether or not people believe this stuff. My wife and I hosted an international student from Bahrain last fall. She hadn't even heard of anything regarding the life of Jesus and the cross until she was 21 (Thanks to "The Passion of Jesus Christ")...and she didn't even watch the entire movie because of the gore...so she still doesn't know the entire story. She absolutely loved the "Da Vinci Code". She knows that Christians say a bunch of what it talks about is wrong, but she had no clue what is wrong.
If I'm too impatient to wait for a rental maybe I should see it to talk about it intellectually??? Then again...I think I'll stay home and read a good book:)
It's interesting...we gave her a Bible and she gave us the Da Vinci Code. I would say this is an important topic!
In Christ
Noah
How about option #5: skip the movie and buy a copy of The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck? It covers much the same ground as the books, has adventure, mystery, intrigue, romance... and doesn't try to destroy orthodox Christianity.
Steve T said: Forgive me, but I think that such a perspective is uninformed and naive. The facts are that Brown is positioning his book as historical fiction, not mere fiction, from the opening FACT page to his numerous interviews with the media. Furthermore, he cites non-fiction works (e.g. Holy Blood, Holy Grail) hostile to the faith as authorities, and admits to drawing on liberal (non-orthodox) academics (e.g. Elaine Pagels).
I thought the citing of "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" was cleared up in British Courts. Brown claims that he didn't use it.
Again, I have yet to run into anyone so gullible that they would take it as fact. I am amazed at what lengths the Church or Christians take to combat books, movies and music. I don't understand why some are so threatened by this. These are opportunities that cause us to ask, "What do we believe and why do we believe it."
I ALWAYS try to follow the money when it comes to what motivates people. I think the plethora of articles, videos and books written to combat the Da Vinci Code is mainly a moneymaker. (Remember Y2K) Get ready for the "Gospel of Judas", who out there can write a book condemning it the fastest and get it on the shelves?
As far as being uninformed and naïve… I try to live in the real world where people are more informed and educated than they ever were; rather than a dream world where everyone is ignorant, gullible and in need direction to get by.
I thought the citing of "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" was cleared up in British Courts. Brown claims that he didn't use it.
First, I seriously doubt that you've read Brown's testimony in court, given your remarks above. Second, have you read the book? He cites HBHG in the middle of the book, where all the historico-theological discussion takes place. My earlier point -- and Brown's in his testimony -- is that this allows for a launching off point for further inquiry. Third, the judge came to a different conclusion: that Brown likely relied on it heavily in the formation of the novel (see here). Finally, in light of your comments on "following the money", why give Brown the benefit of the doubt, but not Christian scholars and laypeople and presses addressing the book, when so much is on the line for him?
Again, I have yet to run into anyone so gullible that they would take it as fact. I am amazed at what lengths the Church or Christians take to combat books, movies and music. I don't understand why some are so threatened by this. These are opportunities that cause us to ask, "What do we believe and why do we believe it."
First, we're concerned about people who may take the content of the book seriously, given how its been promoted and its popularity. Second, I fully agree it is an opportunity. Brown's novel is not only a great foil for the discussion of real history and doctrine, it may also yield evangelistic opportunities. Third, I encourage people to read the book -- just not to stop there.
As far as being uninformed and naïve… I try to live in the real world where people are more informed and educated than they ever were; rather than a dream world where everyone is ignorant, gullible and in need direction to get by.
Suppose we give the average reader (not to mention the average movie-goer) of The Da Vinci Code a quiz on church history, theology, and bibliology. Your take is that the results would be those of educated and informed people on the subject?
There is a lot of evidence that a significant number of people, like Brown, take the background material as fact, from anecdotal stories from a variety of sources, to the comments in book reviews, to folks touring Europe based on the novel. Certainly not everyone is going to believe the book. No one is claiming that. But some will understand it as historical fiction, and the church should be prepared to inform these people on the facts. It should also be prepared to discuss the storyline and to find opportuities to present the truth, including the Gospel.
Just to follow-up, check out the results of a National Geographic survey of Canadians who read the book in 2005 - 1/3 of the readers bought into Brown's thesis. Here's the money quote from the NG rep:
"Dan Brown's thriller was such a phenomenal success because readers felt they were being let in on an explosive historical secret," said Vanessa Case, Vice President of Programming, National Geographic Channel and Life Network. "It is obvious that The Da Vinci Code has had a huge impact on Canadians and their beliefs..."
It's Fiction, get over it
So, you're worrying because people might believe this fictional story to represent historical fact?
I think the irony level just broke my computer!
This whole thing is totally laughable. If you think you'll make even a DENT in the box office of this movie, you are all mistaken. It's going to blow all other movies this year out of the water, except for perhaps Superman Returns and POTC: Dead Man's Chest.
Why does it bother you so much anyway?
According to George Barna's article on Christians and the Da Vinci Code, "53% of a national sample of adults who have read The DaVinci Code from cover to cover stated that the book had been helpful in their “personal spiritual growth and understanding.” " http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=Perspective&PerspectiveID=4
Ultimately, choosing to watch another movie to impact Hollywood's statistics would not solve the problem of misinformation regarding the Bible's reliability. Surely our task as Christians involves being ready to give a concrete answer to those who question our faith.
Immediate disclaimer: I have only watched the trailer, so I speak purely from conjecture:
So, in protest of a heretical fiction book, we should go plunk our money down on another kids flick that communicates (aka preaches) how awful suburbia is and how important it is that we stop ruining mother earth with our continual expansion.
Sierra Club propoganda at its best, I predict.
Personally, I wonder if I need to be seeing ANY movies. These studios prove time and time again that they are willing to take the money that they make from kid and family friendly movies to finance garbage like this that trashes the Bible, Jesus and traditional values.
But what really get me is how they are trying to force some sort of "controversy" out of all this. Is it just me or do these Hollywood types just seem too full of themselves?
If someone wants to know about 2nd century Gnosticism, I'll explain it to them and discuss it. I don't need to watch this movie or the "Gospel" of Judas in order to engage in that conversation.
I am a devout Christian - do any of you understand that this is a fictional story that utilizes factual information to create an incredibly interesting plot? We really look silly getting upset about a fictional story - save your energy for non-fictional issues that require our prayers and efforts.
How about option #6: skip the movie and write a script for a worthwhile movie. Start with Foxe's Book of Martyrs.
By all means watch the Da Vinci Code movie! (as long as its for free). But just bear in mind that paying for the tickets is like donating money to the anti-christ.
Wow. If we protested every story ever written, when would we have any fun, any escape from the harsh realities of the world?
How about this?
Go see the movie, and take it for what it is. Entertainment. Dan Brown, Ron Howard, Akiva Goldsman, and everyone else involved with the Da Vinci Code movie are doing just what movies are supposed to do. They are transporting viewers to an impossible place with impossible situations and impossible characters. Movies are made to fulfill a need for something that isn't day to day rituals and habits.
You should trust fellow Christians to know that this is not fact; it's not a documentary. No one involved in this project is saying that this is, in fact, a real secret code that's been lying under our noses for hundreds, thousands of years.
Relax. The problem with Christians today, what makes them all look "stupid," as you say, is that everything has to be black and white. God invented grey and all the other colors of the spectrum as well. Maybe it's time to enjoy a few of them.
When did anyone over the age of 8 ever leave a Spiderman movie thinking they, too, could crawl up walls?
Have you people got nothing better to do than to protest against the Da Vinci code.
The point is not that it is fiction and everyone keeps stating that. The point is that it is an outright frontal assualt on the authority and inspiration of Scripture and the divity of Jesus Christ. You can right fiction all day, but when you attack God's word and God himself I think the people of God should speak out in disagreement and become a light to the world revealing the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
The Da Vinci code is just a fictional movie made to entertain as Dan Brown says it just FICTION.
I admit that I've seen movies with violence bad language but I don't let it affect me and I take it as fiction and very light heartidly. I say go ahead and watch it. It wont hurt you as long as you beleive in the Gospel of our King, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I've also seen a movie (I can't remember what it is called) of what would they think might have happened if Jesus saved himself from the cross. Yet this is merely fiction. You might as well ban stories that contain wizards and hobbitts. And what about fiction stories? Oh come on guys its just fiction!
FULL DISCLOSURE: I work for Christianity Today International, in their Media Relations department.
-----------------------------------
On one of our sites, specifically ChristianityTodayMovies.com, recently ran an article written by Barbara Nicolosi who supported the last option mentioned in this article above. She's called it an "Othercott." More than 50,000 people have already read this article since it went online back on May 3. It's been extremely popular...and controversial.
Here's a link to the story if your interested in reading more about the idea. (I'm just doing my part to add to the conversation started by this post here on this blog).
Let's "Othercott" Da Vinci
http://ChristianityToday.com/movies/commentaries/othercott.html
Best,
michael.herman
mherman@christianitytoday.com
Der Da Vinci Code ist eine gute UCHRONIE.
Diese Uchronie ist nicht unwahrscheinlicher als die Fabeln der Kirche.
Die "Templiers" sind nicht wegen Blasphemie von Philippe Le Bel und vom Papst erledigt worden.
Sie waren einfach zu mächtig und zu reich für die Karolinger geworden.
Den "Templiers" das Geheimnis der Tochter Jesus: Sarah anhängen zu wollen,
ist eine schöne kontrafaktische Geschichte.
Warum sollten wir aber nicht daran glauben ?
Müssen wir den eidesstaatlichen Versicherungen vom Opus Dei und ihrer Benedikten glauben ?
www.chartaland.de
Came across this blog while googling the movie's box office. One thing I've noticed in the comments is the number of individuals who can not understand the influence fiction would have. I would offer that non-Christians (atheists & theists of other religions) essentially believe Christians are followers of fiction, and look at the number of followers and the effect on their lives. Second, the book in its entirety does not suppose to be fact. The areas that are causing concern from churches is the areas that are disputed by scholars of different faiths, and branches of Christianity. For example, the Gnostics maintain the Gospel of Peter and the Gospel of Mary, but Christianity disputes those gospels because some of their text calls certain Christian ideologies into question. That is the threat, and that is what the debates are about, not the adventures of Langdon. =)
I'd echo Susan's thoughts. Well said. And I'd also thank all of you for sharing your opinions. For they are all valid in an over all perspective to certain points.
As for my own...
This hype around the DVC should be considered just another extension to all the subject matter of day to day life that can bring in questions to any mind that has curiosities, and perhaps struggles with finding some of the answers, whether it be questions of faith, or the price of eggs. If you fear the questions, then I'd have to contend you fear having to answer. Dan Brown's book is an evolution of ideas culminated from other stories of ideas. Perhaps not just motivated by a need to earn a living, but that is certainly part of the equation. So I would not go so far as some to concluded it's all just some 'devil's plot'. Some believe that all stories evolve in the same manner, including the bible. These are matters of faith, until someone, or something can produce the 'silver bullet' that can give a definitive truth to any of the arguements here, the arguements will continue. To accept any writing, (idea), as fact, is to accept it in faith which can allow you to then carry on to other things. If works of the DVC, or Holy Blood Holy Grail, or even the bible create questions and doubts for you, the go revisit what you need to in order to satisfy your own conlusions of faith in order to carry on with your limited life here on this planet. Just please have the fairness to share in the fact that all others should have the right to do so in their own fashion as well, providing they don't cross the line to infringing on your own. Anyone who cannot accept that basic principle of freedom can be said to be attempting to play 'god' on others themselves. Perhaps that's the only lesson that we continuely need to be reminded of, and the DVC provides another opportunity to be reminded of it.
I thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
May you go with peace of mind, and be at peace with your god(s).
I don't want to insult anyone here. I respect everything you say but...
I don't think that the Da Vinci Code is a bad thing at all. It was a really good book and I've seen the movie and Ron Howard was a genius in directing it.
I myself am a christian and I don't think that Dan Brown was trying to push this onto the masses as fact. It's been distorted into a scandle and it shouldn't have been. It's interesting and it makes people think and use thier imagination.
People should be confident in thier religious beliefs, not ignorrant to others. that's unfair and judgmental.
I have a lot of diverse friends from different religous backrounds and we all have disscussions on our particular beliefs and I'm fine with that.
I like to hear everyone's veiws, because this a a pretty huge topic that we as humans can not hope to fully comprehend until our time.
that's what I believe.
I don't think that the Da Vinci Code is a sin. People who are claiming that are just being ignorrant
It's a good movie and I don't see what all of the hype is about. People are just trying to blow this whole thing out of proportion and it shouldn't be.
Are all these religous people serious? If their faith is so strong why are you concerned about a movie- especially one that critics say is just OK. Did they take their kids to see Harry Potter even though is had witches and dragons. How many women were killed in the past by the christians/catholics because they were suspect of being witches.
You would think that the Catholic church would have learned to keep quiet. I would think that they would be tired by now of apologizing and writing offical writs for killing people who had theories about things that contradicted there beliefs and that science later proved to be correct.
To all those religous people out there: Get the info for yourself. Get all the history and make a decision for yourself. Take take some pastor/priest's word. Get as much info as you can and then decide for yourself what you believe.
I'm a Christian whom has read the book. It does not change my faith that Jesus is my savior. I believe the book is made of both fact and fiction mixed up using the faith of believers in it. In a sort, the same way the bible was gathered from facts and edited by beleif. The bible was written hundreds of years after the death and resurrection of Christ. The DVC was written thousands of years A.D. I beleive, because of this fact, the bible has more fact than DVC.
Reading the book or seeing the movie can only educate Christians of the background of their religion along with other religions.
The Only Problem I have with overly religous (including all religions) people is they take things to heart when they shouldn't. This movie is fictional and it should be watched as such. Look at all the other Christian movies out there (13th sign, End of Days, Constantine, ect) and I don't see people all up in arms about those movies. We Live in the USA and people have free speech and other religious views here, deal with it! I've never seen the Da Vinci Code but I plan to buy it in November. Ha I want to buy it just to see why everyone is upset!!
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