We watched a segment of it in our Adult Sunday School class yesterday.

There were a number of disingenuous tales that Dan Brown posed as "facts" in his novel, that were unearthed by authors and theologians concerning his "truths".

He suggests that Mary Magdalene was, in fact, the Holy Grail, because she and Jesus had children, and thus she was the vessel of His blood. Ok.

That Divinci painted this same Mary Magdalene on a mural of the Last Supper, immediately to Jesus' right(instead of the disciple John). Ok.

These are but 2 of the 8 to 10 "true facts" Dan Brown would have you believe.

To be fair, there were some true statements used by this author, but after close examination by these experts mention above, many of his facts were skewed to a different timeframe.

Some as many as 200 years - before or after the event took place.

Why is everyone so obsessed about a work of fiction? :confused:

I'm curious now how many people have flocked to Roslyn Chapel to find Sophie and her grandmother.

Why is everyone so obsessed about a work of fiction? :confused:

Vrai, overall the work is tabbed as a fictional account.

Yes, Dan Brown even says that, "but" :lol: he uses a ton of supposed "facts" to support his theories that are not true, or, are skewed to a different timeframe.

I guess I should get used to the fact that NOTHING is sacred anymore!

Alright, cut to the chase: if Dan Brown's aim was to get Christians, and even those who were interested in joining a religion - into a church to seek answers - then he's done a good deed.

Hundred of churchs have held Wednesday night discussions over his $$$ making book series, and maybe the end result will be more folks will realize the the Word of Jesus is a wonderful thing to behold.

By dispelling the theories of Dan Brown, maybe more people will discover the truth about our Lord.

Hey, I'm for that!

By dispelling the theories of Dan Brown, maybe more people will discover the truth about our Lord.
Frankly, what you're talking about is believing one book over another. But that's neither here nor there. I think the premise of The Davinci Code is fascinating - not so much the part about Jesus and Mary Magdalene, but the part about how the Church and various political leaders have skewed the story to suit their agenda.

I mean, certainly you realize that this has been done over the years (history being skewed to suit a purpose) because we see it happen right now in our own times.

Have you read anything else by Dan Brown?

Have you read anything else by Dan Brown?

If you're asking me - no, I cannot recall reading another of his books.

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vrai: I mean, certainly you realize that this has been done over the years (history being skewed to suit a purpose) because we see it happen right now in our own times.</TD></TR><!-- END TEMPLATE: newreply_reviewbit --><!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: newreply_reviewbit --><TR><TD class=thead colSpan=2>Today 09:22 AM</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Can't argue against what you're saying here. Human greed, emotions, trying to decide what's best for you to believe, have driven much of what our past ancestors have attempted to shove down our throats, concerning religious views.

Millions of people have died - defending their beliefs over religion, and that's a grievous shame.

To me, it's a desecration to invent facts, skewing what I believe happened in the early beginnings of Christianity. But that's just my thoughts.

I don't wish to be cavalier about it, but, I didn't live back in the Middle Ages when much of that injustice was taking place. I'm talking about religious persecution - where publicly going to church - could easily get you killed.

(like it's not happening today in China, Saudi Arabia and Africa:ohwell: )

I'm getting off the subject, I know. Let me just say that the myths Dan Brown purported to be true in his book, have been dealt a severe blow.

BTW, 2 authors (in the DVD that we watched) have accused plagiarism against Dan Brown, supposedly copying information from their works - nearly 25 years ago. One of them said there were one or two glaring mistakes he unintentionally put in his book, about the Holy Grail, and lo and behold, they are in Dan Brown's book.

If you're asking me - no, I cannot recall reading another of his books.


If you really want to piss yourself off read "Angels & Demons" by Dan Brown :yay:

If you really want to piss yourself off read "Angels & Demons" by Dan Brown :yay:

I'm getting ready to actually. :yay:

I'm getting ready to actually. :yay:

You guys mind giving me a "book report" when you're done?:lmao:

You guys mind giving me a "book report" when you're done?:lmao:


I hear it's a lot like The Divinci Code........

Yes, Dan Brown even says that, "but" :lol: he uses a ton of supposed "facts" to support his theories that are not true, or, are skewed to a different timeframe.

Facts???? support his theories???? Fer cryin out loud people...it was FICTION!!!!! And all this bellyaching from the churches about his book is their way of skewing things to fit their agenda and to draw more people to them so they can beat their drums to beat down the author and his demon book.

When a book is fiction, they can say anything they want and get away with it!!! But the church WANTS to say there are "facts" to be disputed to draw the crowd to them.

I hear it's a lot like The Divinci Code........

it is, it's the prequil of sorts to the divinci code. Just introduces you to the langdon character from the davinci....


I've read deception point and digital fortress by him....both pretty good -but not at all along the same lines as the other two

If you really want to piss yourself off read "Angels & Demons" by Dan Brown :yay:
I think I enjoyed that even more than The Da Vinci Code. He sure is a great storyteller. :yay:

Facts???? support his theories???? Fer cryin out loud people...it was FICTION!!!!! And all this bellyaching from the churches about his book is their way of skewing things to fit their agenda and to draw more people to them so they can beat their drums to beat down the author and his demon book.

When a book is fiction, they can say anything they want and get away with it!!! But the church WANTS to say there are "facts" to be disputed to draw the crowd to them.

Well, the deal is - Dan Brown made statements as to what took place at the Council of Nicea(sp?) for one. He said some things happened there, that official records say - did not happen.

He more than suggests that Divinci painted Mary Magdalene in place of John the disciple - trying to demonstrate her importance and influence on Jesus, as a basis for calling her the Holy Grail. Now, notes have been discovered in Italy, where Divinci was commissioned to paint that mural, notes depicting "practice drawings" that Divinci made prior to painting it.

They show pencil or pen drawings of the individuals in that mural of the Last Supper, and the person shown sitting to the right of Jesus was labeled JOHN.(in Italian, of course :lmao: )

So, his interpretation of what Divinci was trying to say, a "code", if you will, was entirely BS.

One more thing - off hand - did you know the portrait "Mona Lisa" that Divinci painted - was not named by him(Divinci) as such? Someone else tagged that label on it a couple of centuries later!

I never knew that.

Facts???? support his theories???? Fer cryin out loud people...it was FICTION!!!!! And all this bellyaching from the churches about his book is their way of skewing things to fit their agenda and to draw more people to them so they can beat their drums to beat down the author and his demon book.

When a book is fiction, they can say anything they want and get away with it!!! But the church WANTS to say there are "facts" to be disputed to draw the crowd to them.


The Catholic Church rocks at fiction. Look into the "Pope's chair".

The only "facts" that Dan Brown put in his work of fiction are after the title page where he tells about the Priory of Scion and Opus Dei. He then goes on to say that the descriptions of art work, architecture, documents and rituals are accurate.

Well, the deal is - Dan Brown made statements as to what took place at the Council of Nicea(sp?) for one. He said some things happened there, that official records say - did not happen.

He more than suggests that Divinci painted Mary Magdalene in place of John the disciple - trying to demonstrate her importance and influence on Jesus, as a basis for calling her the Holy Grail. Now, notes have been discovered in Italy, where Divinci was commissioned to paint that mural, notes depicting "practice drawings" that Divinci made prior to painting it.

They show pencil or pen drawings of the individuals in that mural of the Last Supper, and the person shown sitting to the right of Jesus was labeled JOHN.(in Italian, of course :lmao: )

So, his interpretation of what Divinci was trying to say, a "code", if you will, was entirely BS.

One more thing - off hand - did you know the portrait "Mona Lisa" that Divinci painted - was not named by him(Divinci) as such? Someone else tagged that label on it a couple of centuries later!

I never knew that.


<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>fic·tion
n.
<LI type=a>An imaginative creation or a pretense that does not represent actuality but has been invented.
The act of inventing such a creation or pretense.

A lie.

A literary work whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact.
The category of literature comprising works of this kind, including novels and short stories.




</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD>fic·tion

n.

An imaginative creation or a pretense that does not represent actuality but has been invented.
The act of inventing such a creation or pretense.
A lie.
<li>


A literary work whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact.
The category of literature comprising works of this kind, including novels and short stories.





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That's going to sink in one of these days! :lmao:

Besides, Brown accomplished exactly what he wanted to do: He made gazillions off the book, and stirred up a heck of a controversy.

Like I said earlier, he probably drove untold numbers of people to churchs, in order to find where it all comes down. Maybe some good will come of that.

Cheese and Rice. :yawn:
I liked "The DaVinci Code". It was a great STORY. Not once while reading it did I believe it to be a true account of the history of the Catholic Church.

That's going to sink in one of these days! :lmao:

Besides, Brown accomplished exactly what he wanted to do: He made gazillions off the book, and stirred up a heck of a controversy.

Like I said earlier, he probably drove untold numbers of people to churchs, in order to find where it all comes down. Maybe some good will come of that.
Going to church to get facts? :lmao:

Going to church to get facts? :lmao:

Been doing so for the last 7 - 8 years! It's all good. I'm learning, which is a great part of the choices you make.

Bad side: I'm a bigger sinner than I thought! :lmao:

Cheese and Rice. :yawn:
I liked "The DaVinci Code". It was a great STORY. Not once while reading it did I believe it to be a true account of the history of the Catholic Church.

:yeahthat: I don't understand how people are getting so wrapped around the axle by a work of FICTION. Yes, there are parts of it that are based in facts but I have the ability to discern that not everything in the book is true.

I just started reading "Angels & Demons" (finally!) and find it is a good read so far.

Frankly, what you're talking about is believing one book over another. But that's neither here nor there. I think the premise of The Davinci Code is fascinating - not so much the part about Jesus and Mary Magdalene, but the part about how the Church and various political leaders have skewed the story to suit their agenda.

I agree. That's the point that Biblical scholar Bart Ehrman made in the horribly mistitled "Misquoting Jesus," his study of transcription errors in the New Testament. (Ehrman is no fan of Dan Brown, having recently criticized the novelist for the historical inaccuracies in "Da Vinci Code.") Elaine Pagels' book "Adam, Eve and the Serpent" covers some of the same territory, but less about the New Testament and more about the competing philosophies in early Christianity.

Dan Brown Sued for Plagiarism, Again

(28 Aug) Dan Brown, the author of The Da Vinci Code, is no stranger to the courtroom, especially when it comes to allegations of copyright infringement (http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=21046). This time, the author of The Vatican Boys (1997) filed a lawsuit against him in federal court in Springfield, Mass. It alleges that everything but the bloodline theory came from the 1997 book.



Ahh, the trials and tribulations of Dan Brown.

do you have a hard on for dan brown? :confused:

do you have a hard on for dan brown? :confused:
I was getting ready to say the same thing! :faint:

do you have a hard on for dan brown? :confused:

Not especially, but heck, if you're going to write your own novel, why steal ideas from another author's book?

Kinda detracts from your own credibility, does it not? :shrug:

Not especially, but heck, if you're going to write your own novel, why steal ideas from another author's book?

Kinda detracts from your own credibility, does it not? :shrug:

I think the word "allegations" sums this convo up

You guys mind giving me a "book report" when you're done?:lmao:
I found it no where near as interesting as Devinci Code. It was boring and would go on endlessly figuring out solutions. If I didn't see it on the cover, I would not have guessed that Dan Brown wrote it.

I found it no where near as interesting as Devinci Code. It was boring and would go on endlessly figuring out solutions. If I didn't see it on the cover, I would not have guessed that Dan Brown wrote it.

Huh?

Which book, and what is the gist of it? :popcorn:

If you really want to piss yourself off read "Angels & Demons" by Dan Brown :yay:
This was back on page one.

This was back on page one.

Angels and Demons

When world-renowned Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a mysterious symbol -- seared into the chest of a murdered physicist -- he discovers evidence of the unimaginable: the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati... the most powerful underground organization ever to walk the earth.

The Illuminati has surfaced from the shadows to carry out the final phase of its legendary vendetta against its most hated enemy... the Catholic Church.
Langdon's worst fears are confirmed on the eve of the Vatican's holy conclave, when a messenger of the Illuminati announces he has hidden an unstoppable time bomb at the very heart of Vatican City. With the countdown under way, Langdon jets to Rome to join forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and mysterious Italian scientist, to assist the Vatican in a desperate bid for survival.

Embarking on a frantic hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra follow a 400-year old trail of ancient symbols that snakes across Rome toward the long-forgotten Illuminati lair... a secret location that contains the only hope for Vatican salvation.

An explosive international thriller, ANGELS & DEMONS careens from enlightening epiphanies to dark truths as the battle between science and religion turns to war...


Is that about right? Sounds like a good one.:yay:

It does sound like a good one, just like the Devinci Code. The person that wrote that synopsis should have written the whole book.

Angels and Demons

When world-renowned Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a mysterious symbol -- seared into the chest of a murdered physicist -- he discovers evidence of the unimaginable: the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati... the most powerful underground organization ever to walk the earth.

The Illuminati has surfaced from the shadows to carry out the final phase of its legendary vendetta against its most hated enemy... the Catholic Church.
Langdon's worst fears are confirmed on the eve of the Vatican's holy conclave, when a messenger of the Illuminati announces he has hidden an unstoppable time bomb at the very heart of Vatican City. With the countdown under way, Langdon jets to Rome to join forces with Vittoria Vetra, a beautiful and mysterious Italian scientist, to assist the Vatican in a desperate bid for survival.

Embarking on a frantic hunt through sealed crypts, dangerous catacombs, deserted cathedrals, and even to the heart of the most secretive vault on earth, Langdon and Vetra follow a 400-year old trail of ancient symbols that snakes across Rome toward the long-forgotten Illuminati lair... a secret location that contains the only hope for Vatican salvation.

An explosive international thriller, ANGELS & DEMONS careens from enlightening epiphanies to dark truths as the battle between science and religion turns to war...


Is that about right? Sounds like a good one.:yay:
The Illuminati are alive and well and were involved with the founding of the United States.
http://www.ordeniluminati.com/

This is their emblem.
<img src="http://www.ordeniluminati.com/images/logo.jpg" />
Notice anything familiar? Check the back of a dollar bill.

The Illuminati are alive and well and were involved with the founding of the United States.
http://www.ordeniluminati.com/

This is their emblem.
<img src="http://www.ordeniluminati.com/images/logo.jpg" />
Notice anything familiar? Check the back of a dollar bill.
Please tell me you don't really believe in all that crap 2A. That George Washington was a Bavarian Illuminatus named Adam Wieshap etc. etc.?

http://skepdic.com/illuminati.html
"The Illuminati was a secret society in Bavaria in the late 18th century. They had a political agenda that included republicanism and abolition of monarchies, which they tried to institute by means of subterfuge, secrecy, and conspiracy, including the infiltration of other organizations. They fancied themselves to be "enlightened" but they had little success and were destroyed within fifteen years of their origin (Pipes 1997).

Paranoid conspiracy theorists (PCTs) believe the Illuminati cabal still exists, either in its original form or as a paradigm for later cabals."

Paranoid conspiracy theorists (PCTs) believe the Illuminati cabal still exists, either in its original form or as a paradigm for later cabals."

In my view, that paranoia comes from a desperate desire to make sense of a world that will never make sense. Bad things happen to good people for no reason. It's not the fault of sinister cabals who meet in dark rooms to play sneaky panther games with people's lives. No one is in control of the world.

In my view, that paranoia comes from a desperate desire to make sense of a world that will never make sense. Bad things happen to good people for no reason. It's not the fault of sinister cabals who meet in dark rooms to play sneaky panther games with people's lives. No one is in control of the world.

I tend to agree with you, but it seems there are folks out there who deem themselves "enlightened", and are looking for excuses to explain why there's so much chaos in the world.

To them, someone, or some group must be controlling all that is happening.

I tend to agree with you, but it seems there are folks out there who deem themselves "enlightened", and are looking for excuses to explain why there's so much chaos in the world.

To them, someone, or some group must be controlling all that is happening.

I agree. That was my point.

Here's an analogy: Elaine Pagels' book "Adam, Eve and the Serpent" has some discussion about Augustine's doctrine of Original Sin and the competing doctrines from the early days of Christianity. She wondered why the Original Sin idea has persisted in the religion over the centuries. After all, it teaches that each person bears Adam and Eve's awesome guilt in bringing death, pain and misery to humankind. Pagels suggested that people would rather bear that guilt than accept the more terrifying idea that pain and misery have no cause at all. There may be a part of the human psyche that refuses to accept that life's suffering is random.

I agree. That was my point.

Here's an analogy: Elaine Pagels' book "Adam, Eve and the Serpent" has some discussion about Augustine's doctrine of Original Sin and the competing doctrines from the early days of Christianity. She wondered why the Original Sin idea has persisted in the religion over the centuries. After all, it teaches that each person bears Adam and Eve's awesome guilt in bringing death, pain and misery to humankind. Pagels suggested that people would rather bear that guilt than accept the more terrifying idea that pain and misery have no cause at all. There may be a part of the human psyche that refuses to accept that life's suffering is random.

THAT is deep.

I'm going to have to give that some thought. :eyebrow:

A first level Illuminatus is supposed to be a 32nd level Mason. 32 is the reverse of the magic number found everywhere, 23. 23 is special because 2+3=5, the number of power. Thier arch rivals are the Erisians. The Erisians worship the Goddesse Eris, Or Discordia, the Goddess of Chaos. All of this ties into Atlantis and Aliens I believe. Read "The Illuminatus Trilogy", if you can. It reads like it was written by a madman. It's a fiction book, but conspiracy theorists believe it's based more on fact than fiction, Especially after one of the authors died mysteriously shortly after it's publication.

Oh, and the Erisian "Holy Book", if you want to call it that, is the Principia Discordia. Just google it, it's not hard to find.


I have a friend who is all into this and I hope to have him committed before too long.

All of this ties into Atlantis and Aliens I believe. Read "The Illuminatus Trilogy", if you can.

Steve Vai's album "Flex-Able" mentions the Illuminati-alien connection in the liner notes to his song "Little Green Men." From the song, it's hard to tell if Vai believed this stuff or if he was just having fun with the concept:

We know ya’ come a long way
We hope that your ship is o.k.
We hope you’re gonna’ stick around
Maybe to save the day.

Liw liw, liw liw, Liw liw, liw (etc.)

You look - a real keen
Even though you are green
With those big, large heads
Something off of the movie screen.

Liw liw, liw liw, Liw liw, liw (etc.)

Little green men, look so funny
Funny green men
I want one to have and to hold and to
Silly green men
Where do they come from?
Should we run away, should we start to pray
Or is it a movie that they’re filim’?

Are the people on your planet
Usually in a frantic panic like they are here
Most of the time?
(bla...I’m freakin’ out...)

Wait a minute, you, it is true about
Einstein’s theory and Darwin’s too?
What about war, the soul, the mind
Love, death, god, divine?

Little, little, little, little, little, little, little (etc.)

(spoken) Ladies & gentlemen of the world, it is my utmost privilege to announce to you that these little green men actually do exist, for they are part of the eternal past and venture from all regions of our galaxy to find homage in our earth’s center. Governments of the world have been very good at concealing these little visitors and preparing the public with loving movies
And pleasent melodies. Ya’ see, like that one - did ya’ hear that- yes. ontrolled media as to cushion the arrival of our little friends. you see,
Throughout history many people have claimed to see (trembling) strange lights in the sky.

(oh no.)

Well, the truth of the matter is that these light, and beings, will only reveal themselves to those who are pure of heart, for these enlightened aliens leave permanent imprinted information on the psyche of those chosen humans only to be revealed to our deteriorating planet at the point in which our civilization shall enter the new age of Light Without Heat-heat (fading echo)

Little green men about 4 foot 1
Maybe they want to have some fun.

Little green men about 4 foot 2
Maybe he wants to mate with you
(ooh, ah, eee, etc...)(simulated alien sex sequence)

Little green men about 4 foot 3
Maybe they wanna’ be set free.

We’re hoping that the human race will become part of endless time. We love you all and want you to know that in your heart and in your soul there is power bigger than the world.

Little green men bout four foot
Maybe they wanna’ kic some butt.
(Mo fo) (fight sounds)

Little green men, look so funny
Funny green men
I want one to have and to hold and to
Silly green men
Where do they come from?
Should we run away, should we start to pray
Or is it a movie that they’re filim’?

E.t.i.o.u. e.t.i.o.u. e.t.i.o.u

Ba-v-ni-ni na-ni-new,
Ba-nu-ni-ni-na-ni-new bda-da
Ba-nu-ni-ni-na-ni-new bra-da-di-dat