The Da Vinici Code

The Da Vinici Code has been extremely controversial since its release in print and the big screen. Dan Brown's novel about the cover-up by the catholic church regarding the death of Jesus, created an uproar with many religious groups. Those individuals who believe in god, felt that Brown's analysis and conclusions were far-fetched and unbelievable- while others who shared an open-minded and non-contextualized viewpoint on religion, felt that Brown brought up very interesting points regarding the catholic church.
The conspiracy was this: A secret society who took an oath to protect the "code" from being uncovered. Brown believes that the "code" that so many were sworn to protect was so damaging to religious patriarchs that it may destroy the church. Moreover, the secret was something that the church, he claims, had been covered up for centuries.
Brown's novel created a scandal in the church- people reviewed Da Vinci's famous mosaic of the last supper, scrutinizing it for evidence that Mary Magdeline was sitting to his left and whispering into his ear while the other disciples plotted Jesus' demise. It is a concept that is not lost upon the hearts and souls of men and women alike.
The controversy lies herein- the thought that Jesus fathered a child with Mary Magdeline- who was looked upon as a common, fallen woman- changes the anatomy of Jesus. He would no longer be the purifying, all knowing, man who died for the sins of Jews and Christians throughout the world. He would not be placed upon a pedestal or cherished or worshiped in the same way should people recognize that this savour was equal to them. How would anyone be able to appreciate or follow a fallen prophet? A Fallen son of God? The faith that remained in the religions of Christianity, Judaism, Catholicism- the walls of these religions who base their faith and logic so heavily on God and Jesus would be shattered. As we have seen in class, the world has progressed and demonstrated a form of degeneracy. More and more people strive to understand the meaning of life and their existence on the planet.
Brown's novel opened many people's eyes to the possibility that the church did not know everything. The concept that, like most profitable entities, conglomerates and companies, the church lied to retain their power in society. Without determining whether Brown could have been correct or not, the meer mention of a a belief contrary to that of the church, sent religious leaders and followers to the brink.
But what is it about religion that makes people so crazy? Why is it that Brown's novel, a best-seller and foundation for 2 more novels, was chastised by so many? Because it went against the church and all it stood for. Should people even think that Jesus was flawed, like all the rest, that he fathered a child out of wedlock, that he was an ordinary man and had not been the child of God, there would, potentially be no faith in the church. For as long as men and women have existed on the planet, there has been faith. Understanding and faith in a supernatural being that was beyond anything anyone could even conceive about.
Part of the reason that Brown;s novel was so controversial, is that society is in a constant flux- someday, depending which side of the scale you are on, the world looks as though it may be progressing- there are technological advances, increased production of food and shelter and an effort to understand other cultures and to better their way of life. On the same token, our"progression" has lead to degeneracy- Although there are many who still follow the teachings of religions, there are just as many who follow a path by themselves- a path that they wish to remain on without the help of any religious consortium. This is not the say that they are fallen, or decrepit. Merely, their faith lies within themselves, and is not based on a symbol that may or may not have actually existed. Moreover, those who do not believe in a religious principle are not flawed or without morals. Rather, they believe that there are other possibilities to explore beyond religion.