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The World Speaks About Da Vinci

There is always controversy invovled when a new movie, with religious connections is released. The case is no different with the release of Dan Brown`s best selling novel "The Da Vinci Code". THe movie opened across the world this past Friday and there are several different groups who have something to say about the film adaptation. Christians in many countries denounced the movie "The Da Vinci Code" , complaining that the big-screen adaptation distorts history and offends Christians.

Some said they saw parallels with Muslims` reaction to the publication of cartoons of the prophet Muhammad in European newspapers. But in that case, the anger led to weeks of violent demonstrations that left scores of people dead, reaction to the worldwide opening of "The Da Vinci Code," which stars Tom Hanks, has consisted largely of calls for boycotts and denunciations by church leaders and commentators. "My question to Dan Brown is this: Would he dare to write such a book about Islam?" said Peter Jennings, a spokesman for Nichols. "No, they wouldn`t dare. But they view the Catholic Church as a soft touch."

Many Christians are upset by a central theme of the book and film, that Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene married and produced a child and that their bloodline continues to the present day. That contention "ridicules and blasphemes" Christian beliefs, Jennings said.While Brown`s book is a work of fiction, Jennings said, the film "muddles fact and fiction, upsetting people who have been Catholics all their lives who now don`t know what is true and what is lies."