'The Da Vinci Code' and Muslims' short memory about "respect of every religious symbol"
Rome (AsiaNews) The opening of The Da Vinci Code, the feature film based on Dan Brown novel by the same title that denies Christ's divine nature and claims that Jesus' bloodline continues today, has provoked a mixture of reactions around the world.
Among Catholics views split between those who have called for censorship or an outright ban and those who are urging people to use their reason when viewing the movie. In the Muslim world and in Communist nations, the movie has provided an opportunity to put aside respect for religious values and call the movie a runaway success, dismissing any Christian protest as unnecessary.
In Hong Kong, the Catholic archdiocese, according to its spokesperson Loura Foo, "has not called for the movie to be banned, nor asked its members to stay away from it. Instead, each priest is free to do or say what he wants within his parish". The diocese however is organising some seminars for May 20 and 21 "to elucidate any misunderstanding people who see the movie might have". The Methodist and Anglican Churches are planning a similar response. They, too, have rejected any censorship but have urged "anyone interested in the issue" to come and discuss the issue with their pastors".
China's news agency Xinhua reported that the official Catholic Church has instead come out against the Code. From its headquarters in Beijing, it has announced its intention to call on the faithful to boycott the movie judged "immoral and offensive". The agency did not however say which Church leader raised the hue and cry against the movie;, it simply noted that the Chinese Church accuses the movie of "violating religious ethics and morals and insulting the feelings of clergy and followers."
The news report, reprinted in the official People's Daily, said that amid fanfare the movie premiere was held in downtown Beijing's Oriental Plaza Mall. The article added that thanks to a star-studded cast, a superb direction, and especially the sale of 40 million copies of the book, the movie is a guaranteed to be blockbuster.
In the Muslim world, just a few weeks after worldwide protests against the insulting cartoons about Muhammad people seem to have forgotten the strong appeals by their most important religious leaders for "respect of every religious symbol".
Satellite TV broadcaster al-Jazeera reports that in a survey it sponsored, 81 per cent of those interviewed were against banning the movie, 14 per cent are in favour and 5 per cent were unsure.
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