Comments from People who really don't know their facts

Rating: 8/10 (17 May 2006)

I had a chance to see a preview of this movie last night. Actually it's quite entertaining - even for someone like me who is a teacher of the history of religious history. The film is well cast and moves along to a good conclusion. However I am growing increasingly tired of people talking about the factual correctness or otherwise of this film. People bandy around comments about what happened 2,000 years ago as if we have concrete evidence - we do NOT! All of the gospels were written long after the events and supposed to have happened - we do not have eye witness testimony! Let's be clear about this. Christianity is a matter of faith - if Christians choose to believe that somehow a vigin (mis-translation from the aramaic almah - which means a young woman - by the way for you fellow Latin scholars "it did not say that Mary was "virgo intacto" - was impregnated by a "holy spirit" thats up to you. But look at the evidence - scant as it is - that exists. Christians borrowed the faith from the Jews. According to the Jewish faith - Jesus was married (he had to be - he was a Rabbi - you cannot be a Rabbi unless you are married). Also at the wedding in Cannae, Mary Magdalene anointed his feet with oil and wiped them clean with her hair - this is EXCLUSIVELY done as part of an ancient Jewish marriage festival. Dan Brown takes some of these "facts" and creates an entertaining story. Just enjoy it for what it is! And if you are so insecure in your faith to get upset about it - well shame on you!