'THANK YOU, "DA VINCI"'?

Catholic priest Jonathan Morris FOXNews.com - 'The Da Vinci Code'
reveals a real conspiracy:

Someone, somewhere, deeply involved in the institutional promotion of "The Da Vinci Code," has suggested I lead a boycott against the movie. They proposed to me both dates and method. I declined. I can’t say a whole lot more....

How can we forget the swirling controversy over Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of the Christ!" Because I worked on the film and witnessed the phenomenon first hand, I know Jewish lobby groups — the Anti Defamation League in particular — were responsible in part for 'The Passion" becoming the all-time box office winner for R-rated productions. Neither Gibson nor his opponents planned it that way, but the results are indisputable, and in the opinion of at least one Hollywood studio, that same spontaneous drama is worthy of a staged imitation.

Not surprising, really. It confirms my opinion that 'Da Vinci' is in many ways the anti-Passion. In a confluence of Hollywood's deep resentment over the success of Mel Gibson's presentation of orthodox Christianity in 'The Passion' and their deep desire to cash in on the supposed craze for religious movies, 'The Da Vinci Code' seems custom made. They can undermine orthodoxy while making money!

But Father Jonathan is very right about this:

Dan Brown is capable of passing fiction for fact because Christians don’t know their faith — what and why they believe. That’s not Mr. Brown’s fault....

If the millions of readers and viewers of "The Da Vinci Code" knew the Christian faith, Dan Brown would be unable to muddle fact and fiction in the irresponsible way he has.

It is not a shock that most do not know their faith, but it presents a challenge to those of us who seek to teach the truth of Scripture.

...but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence... (1Peter 3:15)

[Thanks to theosebes readers SLC for the link.]