brouhaha n 1: loud confused noise from many sources [syn: hubbub, uproar, katzenjammer] 2: a confused disturbance far greater than its cause merits
The brouhaha over the mystery/detective novel Da Vinci Code emanating from a sections of Christians and the Church leadership, because Goa's political leaders (who have outdone themselves in jumping to take a stand over this) is a matter of concern that needs to be debated. If the Church feels that this book/film is unsuited for its flock, then it has every right to call on its devotees to avoid it. But calling on a secular state to block the film and/or the book is surely stepping beyond its brief and setting a dangerous precedent. Wouldn't half of all books get banned tomorrow, simply because they "offend the sentiments" of one section of the population or another? At another level it is surprising that a novel can be seen as a "diabolical scheme to destabilize the very foundations on which Christian faith is based" (Archbishop's letter, Renewal, May 1-31, 2006). See the debate below that deals with free speech, and the poor record of established religion, in this case Christianity. It may be late in the day, but it's never too late to take a more enlightened position. That the politicians in Goa have been quick to seize on this 'opportunity' and show that they are lobbying with New Delhi only further reveals the further agendas raked up by issues like these. For one, it will help those in power to pander to emotive issues, while neglecting the genuine concerns faced by all citizens (including the Catholic population of Goa). Likewise, it will fuel a further outcry of allegations that the state is "pandering to the minorities" (when, in fact, the State rides roughshod over all its people) thus helping a further policy of divide and rule. In the interest of fairness, a debate is needed on such issues, regardless of whether the calls come from religious authorities or other influential quarters. FN http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761559522_2/Censorship.html Free speech and freely expressed thoughts and ideas may have posed problems to pre-Christian rulers, but hardly more troublesome than to the guardians of Christianity, as orthodoxy became established. Helpful measures to fend off a heretical threat to Christian doctrine were introduced, such as the Nicene Creed, promulgated in AD 325. But as more books were written, copied and increasingly widely disseminated, subversive and heretical ideas were spread beyond control. Consequently, censorship became more rigid and punishment more severe. The problem increased with the invention of the printing press in Europe in the middle of the 15th Century. Although printing greatly aided the Catholic church and its mission, it also aided the Protestant Reformation and "heretics" such as Martin Luther, thus the printed book became an arena for a religious battle. In western history, the very term censorship takes on a whole new meaning with the introduction of the Index Librorum Prohibitorum - lists of books banned for their heretical or ideologically dangerous content, issued by the Roman Catholic Church, and with the Sacred Inquisition as the zealous guardians, banning and burning books and sometimes also the authors. The most famous of banned authors undoubtedly being Galileo in 1633. The most famous victims of the Inquisitions trials being Joan of Arc (1431) and Thomas More (1535). The first Index of Prohibited Books was drawn up by order of Pope Paul IV in 1559. The lists were issued 20 times through the centuries by different popes, the last issued as recently as in 1948, and finally suppressed in 1966. The Catholic Church, controlling universities such as the Sorbonne, also controlled all publications through its decree in 1543 that no book could be printed or sold without permission of the church. Then in 1563, Charles IX of France decreed that nothing could be printed without the special permission of the king. Soon other secular rulers of Europe followed suit, and scientific and artistic expressions, potentially threatening to the moral and political order of society, were brought under control through systems of governmental licence to print and publish. The dual system of censorship created through the close alliance between church and state in Catholic countries, was also exported to the forcibly colonised countries in the Americas. "The Spanish authorities were not only worried about the religious situation in Europe, but also in America. The possibility that America could be invaded with ideas from protestant countries was considered a permanent threat." Notes the Peruvian historian Pedro Guibovich in his article The Lima Inquisition and Book Censorship. The Inquisition established in Peru in 1568, was part of a colonial policy by Philip II of Spain, designed to deal with the political and ideological crisis in the Peruvian viceroyalty.... http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761559522_2/Censorship.html Censorship Encyclopedia Article Introduction; Early History; Church Censorship; Censorship in the Modern World; Censorship in the United States; Current Problems and Trends III Church Censorship In ad313 the Roman emperor Constantine the Great decreed toleration of Christianity. Twenty years later, Constantine the Great set the pattern of religious censorship that was to be followed for centuries by ordering the burning of all books by the Greek theologian Arius. A Roman Catholic Censorship After the emperor Theodosius made Christianity the established religion of the empire, the Roman government and the church began to persecute both pagans and Christian heretics who deviated from orthodox doctrine or practice. The pope was recognized as the final authority in church doctrine and government, and the secular state used force to compel obedience to his decisions. Books or sermons that were opposed to orthodox faith or morals were prohibited, and their authors were punished. The first catalog of forbidden books was issued by Pope Gelasius in 496. Individual heretical books were subsequently forbidden by special papal edicts. Censorship in this period was concerned primarily with suppressing heresy. For the purpose of punishing all such manifestations, Pope Gregory IX instituted the Inquisition in 1231. For almost 500 years the Inquisition remained an influential agency of religious censorship. The invention of printing in the 15th century made prepublication censorship possible. In 1487 Pope Innocent VIII introduced such censorship. Printers were required to submit all manuscripts to church authorities, and a work could be printed only after it had been approved. Pope Paul III in 1542 established the Universal Roman Inquisition, or Congregation of the Holy Office, one of whose duties was to examine and condemn heretical or immoral works. In 1559 Pope Paul IV first issued the Index of Forbidden Books, which was supplemented by his successors. Approximately 5000 books were ultimately listed in the Index, and the last edition was issued in 1948. Pope Paul VI in 1965 made substantial reforms, changed the name of the Holy Office to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and abolished the position of censor. It was announced that the Index would not be renewed, that the penalty of excommunication would no longer have the force of law, but that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith would occasionally publish lists of books that were not recommended for reading by Roman Catholics. Protestant Censorship The Protestant Reformation did not itself erect a change in the practice of censorship. Its leaders—among them John Calvin, John Knox, and Martin Luther—claimed liberty of conscience and toleration only for themselves and their followers. When in power, they too attempted to suppress all deviation from their own brands of orthodoxy; they persecuted Protestant heretics and Roman Catholics.... -- ---------------------------------------------------------- Frederick 'FN' Noronha | Yahoomessenger: fredericknoronha http://fn.goa-india.org | [EMAIL PROTECTED] Independent Journalist | +91(832)2409490 Cell 9822122436 ---------------------------------------------------------- Photographs from Goa: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/ _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)