Pakistan Bans Da Vinci Code

[cenimo]

Pakistan bans 'Da Vinci Code'
Associated Press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan on Saturday banned cinemas from showing "The Da Vinci Code" because it contained what officials called blasphemous material about Jesus.

Although the film has not been screened in any theater in mostly-Muslim Pakistan, authorities decided to ban it out of respect for the feelings of the country's minority Christians.

Earlier this week, Christians staged protests in two Pakistani cities against the movie, demanding a global ban. Christians make up about 3 percent of Pakistan's 150 million people.

The film version of Dan Brown's murder mystery novel is based around the premise that Jesus Christ and one of his followers, Mary Magdalene, had children whose descendants are still alive.

"Islam teaches us to respect all prophets of Allah mighty, and degradation of any prophet is tantamount to defamation of the rest," Minister for Culture Ghulam Jamal was quoted as saying by the Associated Press of Pakistan.

Shahbaz Bhatti, a prominent Christian leader, thanked the country's leadership and said the ban will go a long way to ensuring sectarian harmony.

"The Da Vinci Code is a sacrilegious act in the guise of freedom of expression and fiction," Bhatti said Saturday. "It has hurt the religious sentiments of Christians and Muslims throughout the world."

He also criticized Brown, saying the author had "evil intentions" and wanted "to undermine the historical as well as theological truth about Jesus Christ."

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtl...nt/14734413.htm (http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/entertainment/14734413.htm)

[ContraMundum]

Ironic.

[Simon_Templar]

Well, the muslims do recognize Jesus as a prophet, and even great among the prophets. There are some teachings within Islam that even believe Jesus will return.

[pjw]

Islamic thought on Jesus is a lot higher than that of many liberal 'Christians' today. they believe that Jesus was a great prophet, born of the Virgin Mary, filled with the Word and Spirit of God, who lived a sinless life, worked miracles, healed many, and ascended into Heaven. they don't, however, believe in His full divinity, death, or Resurrection.

[karen freeinchristman]

Although I can look at the Da Vinci Code as a fictional book that does an extremely silly thing in lying about historical facts, and consequently with my Western values of non-censorship I wouldn't like to see it banned, I do commend these countries sometimes in standing up for things like this.
"The Da Vinci Code is a sacrilegious act in the guise of freedom of expression and fiction," Bhatti said Saturday. "It has hurt the religious sentiments of Christians and Muslims throughout the world."

-this is probably true. I don't honestly know what Dan Brown's intentions were, but it is blatantly obvious that in his statements about doing three years of research for the book, he is either showing his incompetence as a researcher, or he is admitting that he has twisted the facts to a large degree.

[Colabomb]

Well, the muslims do recognize Jesus as a prophet, and even great among the prophets. There are some teachings within Islam that even believe Jesus will return.
Isn't Christ Considered second only to mohammed?

[ContraMundum]

Isn't Christ Considered second only to mohammed?

Well, their version of Christ could be considered so, I guess.

[Colabomb]

Well, their version of Christ could be considered so, I guess.
Of course, that it what I meant.

[ContraMundum]

Of course, that it what I meant.

I knew you knew that already. :)

[Inside Edge]

Our bishop's sermon at Diocesan Synod last week started off on the topic of all the DaVinci Code fuss:

http://vancouver.anglican.ca/diocese/News/tabid/27/ctl/ViewArticle/ArticleId/336/mid/486/Default.aspx

Nothing new to most of us, but it seems a little relevant to this thread, for those interested.

At one point, after talking about all the bans and censorship on the movie and book, he asked the room (300 clergy and lay) who had read the book, and about 99% of the room raised their hands. He asked how many enjoyed it, and about 85% raised their hands. He remarked: "I'm happy to see my faith in Anglicanism is not misplaced!" :)