Da Vinci Code

[MicahHall]

I think that the only potentially destructive thing about this movie/book is the effect that it will have on those that grasp at straws for truth. Unfortunately, I don't think that boycotting a film is going to ensure that they learn the truth. All they will see are a bunch of narrow minded people protesting something that they believe holds the key to enlightenment. A few simple facts like "yeah, there are 667 panes of glass" and many others like that will help refute any mistaken ideas that people might come away believing. A public boycott just makes christianity look bad.

Originally Posted by MicahHall

A public boycott just makes christianity look bad.

Why would it make Christianity look bad boycotting films like that trash, as that is all it is. We are told in the Bible to keep our eyes on only good things.

I was once told that bank clerks learn to identify false bank notes NOT by concentrating the FORGERIES, but rather by STUDYING THE ORIGINAL to such an extent that when a forged bill gets into their hands, they will recognize it instantly knowing what the genuine one would look like.
I don't have to join a Satanist group to know that Satanism is wrong. I can simply take God's Word for it.
But then again, that is the point, isn't it: It all depends on: whom and what I believe...
Priscilla

While some church leaders prompt their followers to see the movie, buy their books, and "engage the culture" through dialogue, I question this strategy as others Christians I know do as well. People say controversy and dialogue are healthy for religion as a whole - again I disagree on matters that are not Christian. This public process affects every participant, whether they realize it or not! As happened through the homosexual agenda, the abortion agenda; constant exposure evaporates the shock and disgust of evil. Even those who feel equipped to defend the truth will be pressured to set aside their Biblical "certainties" for the sake of unity. How many times have you heard that from Christians? In fact, the ground rules for this dialectic process have already become familiar and normal to believers as well as unbelievers across the world. Ponder the effect of these points: Show tolerance and appreciation of all contrary views. Don't offend others with your "absolute truth," facts or certainty. Be ready to identify with all contrary positions. Be willing to "seek common ground" for the sake of peace and unity. Remember, the biggest hindrance to this social, political and spiritual transformation is Biblical Christianity!
So how can God's people resist this process? The answer must be based on what He has shown us in His unchanging Word.
1. Renew your mind with His Word. Don't corrupt it with lies. Busy schedules and tempting alternatives can easily squeeze out Bible study. Then, when floods of "new revelations" crash against our beliefs, we may never recognize the lies. Instead, they may seem more exciting than the truth. To avoid mental turmoil and spiritual confusion, we must know and follow God's Word:
To avoid mental turmoil and spiritual confusion, we must know and follow God's Word: "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
2. Guard against deception. Don't be trapped in it. our main weapon against deception is the Word itself. Without a solid grounding in Biblical truth, we can neither resist today's tempting tales and psycho-social strategies -- nor warn others. Lies and truth are incompatible! That's one reason why God's Word is fast becoming intolerable to a "Christianized" world bent on global oneness. God's call for separation from evil is incompatible with today's envisioned solidarity. While the world demands tolerance for everything but Christianity, God tells us to be living testimonies of His peace and victory in Christ.
3. Follow your conscience. Don't corrupt it! A conscience trained by God's Word and Spirit will see good and evil from God's perspective. A conscience seared by contemporary illusions will justify human depravity. The natural result of immersion in Brown's occult suggestions and ritualistic sex is a seared conscience -- and few would notice the change. Small wonder, when even "Christians" have learned to love what God calls evil. That's why God warns us, "You love evil more than good...." Psalm 52:3
4. Be humbly alert. Don't minimize Satan's seductions nor your human weakness. God tells us that “in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons...." [1 Timothy 4:1] Some of those demonic doctrines are simply repackaged old heresies. Remember Paul's letter to the Galatians: "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ...." Galatians 1:6-8
5. Remember that God (not man-made strategies) brings the victory. Man-made strategies for drawing unbelievers to God often seem to succeed. After all, the masses are flocking into their fun-filled churches! But more often than not, they are searching for feel-good experiences, not for God and His truth. Finding what they sought, they join churches that don't offend them with unwanted truths. The enthusiastic dialogue surrounding The DaVinci Code fits right in, and it's a win-win case for all but born-again Christians who love God's Word: Church leaders enjoy the rising numbers. Unbelievers can freely claim to be Christians. The surrounding community is well served. And no one dares confront sin or affirm Biblical boundaries. The only enforced limitation deals with the fundamentals of God's Word: don't offend anyone with "negative" truths or facts! But it's not God's way to victory! "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9. Therefore, "Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.... Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:8-12, 17

[Benji]

Organized boycotts often do make Christians look foolish to a world that places high value on artistry and senses. We're told we are gonna look silly, but the way I figure it, if you don't like a movie - just don't go. You make a statement with your pocketbook. Organized (stand in front of the theater) boycotts often tend to draw greater interest in "what makes those Christians so upset?".

I understand it is a componant of many of my brothers and sisters in Christ, but I have never personally picketted or boycotted anything in an organized way. I have however, refused to spend money to support something I am not in agreement with.

[doodlebug]

As a Christian and an art lover, people seem to assume that the DaVinci Code would really appeal to me. True, if it were simply about a mysterious code imbeded in DaVinci's paintings, such as the where abouts of a famous fortune or something of that nature.

The movie's religious perspective is flawed (Jesus was never married for example) and the art history references are inaccurate (young men were often portrayed very femininly, for one thing).

I'm not boycotting or promoting the movie. When asked I tell people they would get the real story if the were to read the Bible while studying the works of Leonardo.

[ninikins]

I watched the film and was not impressed but as any othe rfilm it was entertaining and maybe that's what it is and nothing else, a film, entertainment and there is no truth in it.

[HollysMom]

I think that if people boycott this movie that it almost sends a message that Christians can't discern the truth for themselves. By taking the choice out of their hands, that is, encouraging a boycott or if priests and pastors state that their congregations are forbidden to see the movie, they are stating that their flocks have no more reason than a child.

I will, for example, tell Holly not to do something or take the choice of doing something or not out of her hands--I'm her mother and she can't make reasoned, informed decisions. But I'm old enough to make my decisions. If someone told me that I could not see the DaVinci Code, that would tell me that the person doing the forbidding thought that I could not reason enough to know what was true and what was false. As a reasoning adult, I know enough to see that this movie is just a story, told for people to have a good time for a few hours. By going to see it, I know enough about it to counter the arguments of someone who has gone to see it and was misled into believing that the events of the movie were based on Truth. Only by having seen the object against which I am arguing, can I know the best way to argue against it. A movie isn't something that you can take on faith--people are most often swayed by concrete examples, like the panes of glass mentioned above.

Originally Posted by HollysMom

I think that if people boycott this movie that it almost sends a message that Christians can't discern the truth for themselves. By taking the choice out of their hands, that is, encouraging a boycott or if priests and pastors state that their congregations are forbidden to see the movie, they are stating that their flocks have no more reason than a child.

I will, for example, tell Holly not to do something or take the choice of doing something or not out of her hands--I'm her mother and she can't make reasoned, informed decisions. But I'm old enough to make my decisions. If someone told me that I could not see the DaVinci Code, that would tell me that the person doing the forbidding thought that I could not reason enough to know what was true and what was false. As a reasoning adult, I know enough to see that this movie is just a story, told for people to have a good time for a few hours. By going to see it, I know enough about it to counter the arguments of someone who has gone to see it and was misled into believing that the events of the movie were based on Truth. Only by having seen the object against which I am arguing, can I know the best way to argue against it. A movie isn't something that you can take on faith--people are most often swayed by concrete examples, like the panes of glass mentioned above.

I believe there has been enough spoken on this subject in books, television and conferences. I have enough knowledge without wasting my money to see a film.

[Servant_Of_God]

Interesting forum i'll think more about it Jeff
may God bless and guide you Jeff