windovervocalcords said:
Exactly, and we get this stuff ALL the time. You'd be surprised.mic730 said:
No, "exactly" meaning that you made a very good point about how even other "Christians" persecute Catholics to this day, calling us "non-Christian" etc. It's sickening. But it won't matter in the end, as I said before.mic730 said:
Peace be with you, as well. :blowkiss:mic730 said:
DK I think the word "persecution" used to describe other Christians who do not think you are "true" Christians is a misuse of the term (unless you consider an insult to be persecution.) Of course, it is unpleasant to have your heartfelt beliefs challenged by a group that should be part of your "extended spiritual family" so to speak.Dark Knight said:
I couldn't think of a better word than persecuted despite my best efforts, LOL!. Catholics (and Christians) to this day are killed, tortured and imprisoned around the world in place like China and South America. It isn't an old concept by any means. But, let's face it, insulting other religions, such as Jews and Muslims, would be called "persecution" by some, as well, probably. The Da Vinci Code's portrayal of my Lord and my Church is a subtle form of persecution, in my view. And I have a right to feel that way, as did Jewish folks who didn't like The Passion of the Christ.windovervocalcords said:
Seems a bunch of branches of Christians... and I think Catholics too... don't believe that any of the other branches are true Christians - that only their church leads to salvation - another common religious bit - not persecution, just what every single faith believes - that they, and they alone have the one truth.mic730 said:
The Church teaches that while other Christian churches are imperfect, due to their break from Apostolic succession, that Protestants can and do go to heaven, lol. We also recognize a Protestant baptism. They wouldn't re-baptise me when I converted because my Protestant baptism was valid in the Church's view. The Church also teaches that Jews share in God's salvation in their own way. So it is a rather tolerant church, as I mentioned a ways back.Details said:
How embarrasing that people were laughing at pivotal moments.Dark Knight said:
Oh, I imagine it will do a HUGE box office this weekend. But the 2nd and 3rd weekends will be interesting.narlacat said:
Nova said:
...i was about 11 yrs old at the time....
windovervocalcords said:Wow evil albinos...hmm black ghetto gansta villains, italian mafiosos, gay/ lesbian who committ murder or suicide, etc etc etc....
Its ok with me for the Pope to call for Catholics to boycott the Da Vinci Code. Just because I do not understand why the existence of fiction is personally or collectively offensive to Catholics does not mean it is not offensive to some Catholics.
Art is Art. By its nature it stirs things up.
Some of the ideas in the Da Vinci Code resonate with people of our time who are searching for meaning in the world.
That Mary Magdalene may have been more than a, that she may have been a close disciple of Jesus has some historical backup in the Dead Sea Scrolls--(see Elaine Pagel's scholarly works on the Gnostic Gospels, there is a gospel of Mary.)
In fiction, it's not such a far stretch, that Jesus (who is believe to be both God AND Man), may have been capable of having a wife...its plausible. Doesn't mean its absolutely true. Its fiction. But a fiction that resonates with some. It's a stretch of the imagination...
We live in a time when our President lied to us about WMD and started a war. Conspriacy theories abound. Makes sense one more conspiracy theory would make its way into history. At least, we won't be invading some country over it.
Make believe? Likely so. It may be comforting to some Catholic women who long to be priests, and are told they are not by Church doctrine permitted to, to have at least in fiction, some story that suggests they may be spiritual equals to the other apostles.
Some Christians feel that there were hidden teachings of Christ--esoteric, mystical teachings of Christ. They feel the Church suppressed other views and see today's call for boycott of this movie as suppression of other points of view of Christianity.
There is historical back up to the idea that the Church suppressed dissent. Lots of history there. Historically it did not take much to be called a heretic. heresy.
Some feel that the true meaning of the Christian teachings has been taken out of institutionalized hierarchical Christianity
For a person of faith, ideally, everything in the outer environment can serve to strengthen that faith..doesn't it?
The Catholic Church is a fascinating institution and teaches some pretty interesting things. Has great scholarship, fine minds, has made enormous contributions to art, culture, history and ethical debate.....shows leadership in some of the most controversial issues of our time.
Its true that many groups of people are misrepresented unfairly in art, cinema, literature. Its just an another equal opportunity experience IMO.
Details said:Thanks. You're a very thoughtful poster too - even if I often disagree. I think the Catholic church is upset because of the Opus Dei bit - apparently it's a very secretive organization that the church says is completely harmless and meditative, and the book has as an evil cultlike group running the world or the Vatican or something. To me, it's a whatever bit, but I can understand them being upset - especially if there really is anything a little shady about Opus Dei that they'd prefer the world not to look at...
