Da Vinci Code

[triadboy]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040519/ap_en_ot/books_da_vinci_code

Has anyone read this? Is it interesting.

He mentions (in the article) the Jesus escaping the resurrection - which is a gnostic theme of Jesus' "twin" being crucified - instead of the spiritual Jesus, who stands up on a hill laughing. I believe this is where the theme of the painting "Laughing Jesus" comes from! Some Christians have a gnostic Jesus hanging in their dining rooms!

 

[shecky]

I've wondered why this book has generated so much "controversy" at all. After all, it's a friggin' work of fiction. I could understand Dan Brown's interest in generating such debate. But it's recieved some ridiculous criticism over it's "authenticity".

 

[Kopji]

Great murder mystery. The whole story takes place during an evening and a morning across three countries, none of the main characters get any sleep at all.

No implication that Jesus was not crucified, but implies that he was not divine. More like a Buddha figure as described in some of the Gnostic's. Mary Magdalene was his wife and is the actual 'Holy Grail'. A lot is made out of the picture of 'The Last Supper' by DaVinci. Look at the features of the figure next to Jesus on the left. The story says DaVinci painted it as a protest, and it is a female. (This is usually thought to be an effeminate John).

A typical controversial point is a claim that Constantine invented the divinity of Jesus. That's not much of a spoiler since it is implied early on in the book.

The hubbub actually comes from the religious community. Next to the book there were at least two books written by religious authors explaining or refuting the points. Dangerous fiction?

Opus Dei is not written of in a flattering manner.

 

[triadboy]

A typical controversial point is a claim that Constantine invented the divinity of Jesus.

I guess in a way this is true. Constantines Council of Nicea nailed down the divinity of Jesus. I don't know how hard he pushed it though.

 

[Bentspoon]

Gabriel Knight

This is kind of an interesting aside. I have read the Da Vinci code. The whole Rennes le Chateau (look it up) and the San Grael and Sang Real controversey has been something that attracted my attention in my young woo woo days. It is a fascinating story - idea.

The author of the Da Vinci code wove a fictional story in the legendary reality of the Rennes le Chateau and it is quite fascinating and provides a great deal of factual information about the legend (OK the terms "factual information about the legend" and "legendary reality" are meant to denote that idea that something is strange about this story and there are very tangible events that have occurred - but it is a legend and talking about facts seems - conspiracy oriented).

There is an author (Jane Jensen) that wrote stories for computer mystery games one of which was a series in which the main character and titles were Gabriel Knight. One of these games dealt with the whole Merovingian legend and Rennes Le Chateau. It was full of the legendary facts surrounding this story.

Of all the wierd conspiracy stories and legends this is one of the most fascinating. There is a wealth of information on the net. It is a lot of fun. I suggest, that if you aren't aware of the stories, you should look some of this up.

You know, there is woo woo in me. I want it to be true. I love this stuff. But I have this skeptical side that controls the woo woo side.

I also want to lay the woman in the next cubicle but I have a side of me that is in control of that too

Bentspoon

 

[triadboy]

Re: Gabriel Knight

I also want to lay the woman in the next cubicle but I have a side of me that is in control of that too

mmmm.....cubicle women.

 

[triadboy]

Re: Gabriel Knight

Of all the wierd conspiracy stories and legends this is one of the most fascinating. There is a wealth of information on the net. It is a lot of fun. I suggest, that if you aren't aware of the stories, you should look some of this up.

I'll check it out. Thanks

 

[Loki]

Kopji,

That's not the "Last Supper" you've linked to. This is.

 

[Kopji]

Loki
Very Loki-ish.

bentspoon
Thanks for the additional info. I love a good murder mystery and this one was a page turner. I stayed up reading very late (or early?).

triadboy
I did not think the book was 'anti-Catholic'. If there is an underlying subversive 'pagan' message it is that diety has male and female characteristics.

A big question not raised by the book, is that if this was all true why does Mary (mother of Jesus) now play so prominent a role in the life of the Church?

So IMHO I think it's just a good book, not a serious threat to anyone's religion (unless they are REALLY completely ignorant of history.)