Da Vinci film too spurious to merit a ban: Goan Catholics NT News Service
Mapusa, May 11: A cross-section of Goan Catholics reacted with dismissive disdain to the controversial, soon-to-be-released film The Da Vinci Code, with some saying it is too spurious to merit discussion or a ban. The members of the Catholic Secular Forum, Mumbai have reportedly threatened to go on a fast unto death if the central government fails to stop the release of anti-Christian films in India, particularly The Da Vinci Code.The former Rajya Sabha member from Goa, Mr Eduardo Faleiro termed the themes of the book as “speculations” but refused to condemn it saying “we respect the right to differ”. In a written statement, Mr Faleiro said, “Da Vinci Code revolves around three central themes — Jesus is not God, he married Mary Magdalene and the Catholic Church concealed these and other events in the life of Jesus. There is nothing new about any of these speculations.” “The myth that Jesus married Mary Magdalene has been in circulation at least since the fifth century. For us, Catholics, such views are theologically unsound. However, we do not burn heretics at the stake anymore. In this age, we respect the right to differ. Da Vinci Code is admittedly a work of fiction. Discussion and condemnation of such fiction will only increase the sales and serve admirably the purpose of the publisher of the book and of the producer of the movie,” Mr Faleiro said. The well-known Goan writer, Ms Maria Aurora Couto attributed “commercial motives” for the movie. Said Ms Couto, “The ban on the film does not merit endorsement in this age of secularism, freedom of speech and expression. The current tendency is for publishers and media managers to sell products which are sensational and with more than a touch of scandal especially when the victims are objects of veneration and respect. Truth is the first casualty of such propaganda and by truth is meant not only an expression of intellectual opinion without malice or without an eye on the commercial prospects but an endeavour to analyse a situation or a hero or even a religion dispassionately.” Ms Couto said, “The Da Vince Code as book and film is a tissue of specious arguments based on admitted forgeries and has been unverified even on the basis of so-called rumour. It brings into its net all the great figures of history, divine and human. The object is obviously to defame and to make the product sell with more than a touch of prurience. This is not a justification for protests but there should have been a disclaimer by the producers (Sony Entertainment) that the film is fiction. This disclaimer should really now be propagated by the media and the press. The very fact that Sony has refused to include a disclaimer shows the blatant commercial motives of the film in which nothing is sacrosanct.” The former vice-chancellor of Goa University, Dr Olivinho Gomes, who has read the novel pointed out that the author, Dan Brown has admitted his work is fiction. “But even fiction should be based on verisimilitude (believable situation). This is a blasphemous story. The whole thing is sensationalism of the most spurious kind. If it concerned another community, there would be violence and arson. But Christians do not react that way. People should boycott the movie in protest,” Dr Gomes said. The former speaker of the Goa legislative assembly, Mr Tomazinho Cardozo has not read the book but opined that religious feelings of any community should not be hurt. “If the book and film contain the things which it is accused of, then the government should definitely ban the movie. Religion is based on faith and if the movie upsets the set norms and creates tensions in any religion, then the government should not allow such a movie,” Mr Cardozo said. _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
