I don't know how many of you are familiar with The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. In all honesty, my familiarity is pretty much just what I hear about it. I haven't read it, and have little interest in doing so. (Though I'm sure I'll catch the movie, starring Tom Hanks.)
Well, let's just say that the novel involves certain conspiracies within the Catholic Church. It also alleges that Jesus might have been - *gasp!* - sexually active! Get the gist?
Okay. So the film is being partially shot inside Lincoln Cathedral, in the U.K. Sister Mary Michael of Our Lady’s Community of Peace and Mercy isn't too happy about this arrangement. She's organized a protest against the filming (and is apparently none too happy about the church receiving any kind of remuneration for it). She said:
The Church should not be accepting money for something that is not a true story. There is something wrong. They really should be praying more, and then the money would come in. I do not believe the film will be successful. The essence of what I believe is that I received the true body and blood of our Lord at Mass this morning. That is the true bloodline.To a believer, any believer, what is happening is blasphemous. It is an offence against God. I am not going to bash anyone over the head with a Bible, I am just trying to make reparation to God.
Let's see. She doesn't think the film will be successful. It's starring Tom Hanks. It's being directed by Ron Howard. It also stars Ian McKellan. It's based on a best selling novel.
Sister Mary Michael, if you were a gambling woman, I'd lay my life savings against you on this one.
"Reparation to God," huh? For what? Is God offended? Can't imagine how a perfect being could be offended by anything, let alone a piece of fiction.
And yeah... prayer just brings in the bucks. Tell that to the senior citizens blowing their Social Security checks on lottery tickets. I'm sure they're praying for winning numbers every night.
Oh, and as for the church accepting money for something that's not a true story. Honey... The church does that every single Sunday!
