The definition of a conspiracy theory, according to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary is, “a secret plot that is largely unknown to the general public” (Webster 84). Dan Brown focuses on an unusual conspiracy in his novel, The Da Vinci Code. The religious conspiracy theories suggested in this novel discuss secrets of epic proportions that have the potential to shatter the foundations of Christianity. “Behold the greatest cover-up in human history!” (270). Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code proves everybody loves a conspiracy. Throughout the novel, secrets are revealed that pose great threats to the credibility of Catholicism and the modern day church. In his article, “Breaking the Code”, Maurice Timothy Reidy states, “Completely turned my opinion of the Bible and the Catholic Church upside down.” In this article, Reidy explains the influence The Da Vinci Code has over people’s views of Christianity. The doubt Dan Brown’s novel instilled in people created an uproar from the church. In Joseph King’s article, “Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code Spawns New Religion” he explains, “The Roman Catholic Church denounced the ‘lies’ propagated by Brown.” After the book’s release, the Catholic Church quickly jumped to the defense of their religion and spread the word that Dan Brown’s novel was nothing but propaganda and lies trying to weaken Roman Catholicism. The controversy surrounding the release of The Da Vinci Code created several different reactions from religious people. “Some have taken offense at its religious content” (Reidy 1). The reaction described by Reidy is the most common reaction of those of the Christian faith. Readers more open to the possibility of there being truth in Brown’s novel become huge fans of the book. In Reidy’s article, he q... ... middle of paper ... ...Merriam Webster’s Dictionary. Ed. Merriam Webster, Inc. Eleventh ed. 1 vols. N.p.: LC Cataloging in Publication Data, 2004. Print. Collegiate Dictionary. Hanegraaff, Hank, and Paul L Maier. The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction? Nashville: Tyndale, 2004. Print. King, Joseph. “Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code Spawns New Religion.” Rev. of The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. Ebscohost.com. Ebsco, 2009. Web. 15 Dec. 2009. Miesel, Sandra. “Dismantling the Da Vinci Code.” Rev. of The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. Crisismagazine.com. Gale Literary Database, 1 Sept. 2003. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. Reidy, Maurice Timothy. “Breaking the Code.” Rev. of The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. Ebscohost.com. Commonweal, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. Vesely, Suzanne Araas. “Masterplots II: Christian Literature.” Rev. of The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. Ebsohost.com. Ebsco, 2008. Web. 15 Dec. 2009.
Carson, D. A. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.
Edwards, Jonathan. "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Ed. Paul Lauter. Canada: DC Heath and Company, 1990. 584-595.
Reynolds, David S. Faith in Fiction: The Emergence of Religious Literature in America. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1981.
...d Fredericksburg and Salem Church, by Chris Mackowski and Kristopher D White, x. Savas Beatie, 2013
Malone, Peter. “Catholic Analysis of ‘Doubt’ on Independent Catholic News.” Catholic Analysis of ‘Doubt’ on Independent Catholic News. N.p., 2 Jan. 2009. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.
The influential aspects of any religion have the power to dictate how the lives of those people who choose to follow it will be lived. However, people become consumed by their faith, which has the ability to result in constructive actions or created havoc. In The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, Silas becomes a consumption of his faith and creates havoc through an assortment of ways. Through his corrupted actions in order to succeed in protecting the faith he believes in, Silas often harms people in selfish reasoning. Due to the miraculous actions of Bishop Aringarosa that saved Silas’ life, Silas feels the need to perform whatever the Bishop asks of him. Although some things contradict his beliefs, Silas disregards them and goes as far as to sin. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks is a novel about a Jewish Codex and its journey during different times in history as well as the people who protect the scripture against governmental forces such as the Nazi regime, in hopes of unlocking the mystery behind the book. Over time, the people who had the chance to handle the Haggadah understood the significance and power that the book possessed. Although they were not Jewish, they respected the religion so much so that they risked their lives to go against other’s beliefs and protect the precious book. Religion has the power to not only shape the mind of characters, but to dramatically influence their actions. Secrets play a significant role and are necessary in order to control chaos and provide faith in a community. In both novels religion has a direct impact on the way people live as well as their ethical beliefs and actions.
Sacred texts and writings are integral to a living and dynamic religious tradition. Such texts are materials that can range from verbally spoken stories to writings. Sacred texts and writings provide followers with information on core ethical behaviour, rituals and ceremonies, as well as beliefs. The idea of the texts and writings being sacred refers to the texts encompassing divine inspiration. Christianity’s sacred texts and writings, such as the bible (conveyed as the word of God), are continually studied/interpreted throughout generations. The teachings of the bible and the ‘Ten Commandments’ provide Christians with morally accepted standards of behaviour to live their lives by and thus directly influence the day-today actions of its adherents. Furthermore, sacred texts and writings provide information on beliefs, which assist adherents in understanding and even answering significant enduring questions of life. For instance, the creation story ...
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In addition to Brown’s use of misconstrue facts, there has been much controversy over Brown’s depictions of well known historical figures such as Jesus, Constantine, Mary Magdalene and Leonardo Da Vinci. For example, the way he describes Mary Magdalene as The Holy Grail goes against all the previously held notions about the history of the religion and would undoubtedly cause quite an uproar. The same holds true for the descriptions of the other prominent figures. “Roman Catholic scholars, whose religious tradition has been most tarnished by the novel, have also demonstrated their unease with Brown 's claims as exemplified by the work of Carl E. Olson and Sandra Miesel in their book The Da Vinci Hoax: Exposing the Errors in The Da Vinci Code.” (Re-sexualizing the Magdalene) As Brown edges further and further away from the facts he turns what could be a small stretch in the
Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2001.
“Christianity, along with all other theistic belief systems, is the fraud of the age. It serves to detach the species from the natural world, likewise, each other. It supports blind submission to authority[control of the masses].”(Zeitgeist 2007) In this essay, we will explore the different roots of religion and the plagiarism that Christianity and a number of different religions have committed.
Carson, D, & Moo, D. (2005) An introduction to the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Levenson, Michael. The Value of Facts in the Heart of Darkness. 3rd Norton Critical Edition.
Douglas, J. D., Philip Wesley Comfort and Donald Mitchell. Who's Who in Christian History. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1992.