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faith imo is the basic precept of science!!!! Faith pushes us to make known what is unknown

jz82 wrote:Faith and science are complete opposites when it comes to approaching, analyzing and testing information. They are not merely different methods, they are contradictory.

Faith pushes many to make what is unknown to them, known to them, but point me to a scientist who has used faith to create a proof or develop an accepted theory. If it doesn't have a testable, external application, it is not known.

jz82 wrote:Faith and science are complete opposites when it comes to approaching, analyzing and testing information. They are not merely different methods, they are contradictory.

Faith pushes many to make what is unknown to them, known to them, but point me to a scientist who has used faith to create a proof or develop an accepted theory. If it doesn't have a testable, external application, it is not known.

After study at the Mir Yeshivah in Jerusalem, he was ordained by some of Israel's foremost rabbinic authorities. He also earned a Master's degree in physics and was listed in Who's Who in Physics in the US.

In culling Jewish sources for his books, he once remarked, “I use my physics background to analyze and systematize data, very much as a physicist would deal with physical reality.” This ability enabled him to undertake monumental projects, producing close to 50 books, celebrated for their erudition, completeness and clarity.

Ghosthunter wrote:there have been lots of scientists who were rabbi's as well

One of the most famous Rabbi in Jewish history was Moses Maimonides , not only was he one of the most well versed Torah scholars, but he was a doctor, as well as one of the most famous philospohers next to aristotle

Then you have Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan of this century who was also a physicist:



Those are just some examples of scientists and religious together. In fact if you really study the Torah and the depth you will find there are some amazing scientific info that we only just discovered this past century there is no way humans would have known 3,000 years ago.

cyberskye wrote:But physics is anti-semetic

jz82 wrote:Faith and science are complete opposites when it comes to approaching, analyzing and testing information. They are not merely different methods, they are contradictory.

Faith pushes many to make what is unknown to them, known to them, but point me to a scientist who has used faith to create a proof or develop an accepted theory. If it doesn't have a testable, external application, it is not known.

cyberskye wrote:But physics is anti-semetic

Hell_Yes wrote:<sigh> I am feeling so........ collaterally damaged.....

bigmo66 wrote:Is the movie actually trying to be passed off as truth? It doesn't sem to be able to make up its mind. If so, it's case is weak and that is coming from some non-Christians. I was hoping it would at least be a powerful, entertaining movie, but it seems to be more of a dud.

HOW MUCH OF THIS NOVEL IS TRUE?
The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction. While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history.

BUT DOESN'T THE NOVEL'S "FACT" PAGE CLAIM THAT EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THIS NOVEL IS HISTORICAL FACT?
If you read the "FACT" page, you will see it clearly states that the documents, rituals, organization, artwork, and architecture in the novel all exist. The "FACT" page makes no statement whatsoever about any of the ancient theories discussed by fictional characters. Interpreting those ideas is left to the reader.

IS THIS BOOK ANTI-CHRISTIAN?
No. This book is not anti-anything. It's a novel. I wrote this story in an effort to explore certain aspects of Christian history that interest me. The vast majority of devout Christians understand this fact and consider The Da Vinci Code an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate. Even so, a small but vocal group of individuals has proclaimed the story dangerous, heretical, and anti-Christian. While I regret having offended those individuals, I should mention that priests, nuns, and clergy contact me all the time to thank me for writing the novel. Many church officials are celebrating The Da Vinci Code because it has sparked renewed interest in important topics of faith and Christian history. It is important to remember that a reader does not have to agree with every word in the novel to use the book as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CLERICAL SCHOLARS ATTEMPTING TO "DISPROVE" THE DA VINCI CODE?
The dialogue is wonderful. These authors and I obviously disagree, but the debate that is being generated is a positive powerful force. The more vigorously we debate these topics, the better our understanding of our own spirituality. Controversy and dialogue are healthy for religion as a whole. Religion has only one true enemy--apathy--and passionate debate is a superb antidote.

PARTS OF THE DA VINCI CODE DESCRIBE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE RELIGIOUS GROUP OPUS DEI. HOW DOES OPUS DEI FEEL ABOUT YOUR NOVEL?
I worked very hard to create a fair and balanced depiction of Opus Dei. Even so, there may be those who are offended by the portrayal. While Opus Dei is a very positive force in the lives of many people, for others, affiliation with Opus Dei has been a profoundly negative experience. Their portrayal in the novel is based on numerous books written about Opus Dei as well as on my own personal interviews with current and former members.

SOME OF THE HISTORY IN THIS NOVEL CONTRADICTS WHAT I LEARNED IN SCHOOL. WHAT SHOULD I BELIEVE?
Since the beginning of recorded time, history has been written by the "winners" (those societies and belief systems that conquered and survived). Despite an obvious bias in this accounting method, we still measure the "historical accuracy" of a given concept by examining how well it concurs with our existing historical record. Many historians now believe (as do I) that in gauging the historical accuracy of a given concept, we should first ask ourselves a far deeper question: How historically accurate is history itself?

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?
Yes. Interestingly, if you ask three people what it means to be Christian, you will get three different answers. Some feel being baptized is sufficient. Others feel you must accept the Bible as absolute historical fact. Still others require a belief that all those who do not accept Christ as their personal savior are doomed to hell. Faith is a continuum, and we each fall on that line where we may. By attempting to rigidly classify ethereal concepts like faith, we end up debating semantics to the point where we entirely miss the obvious--that is, that we are all trying to decipher life's big mysteries, and we're each following our own paths of enlightenment. I consider myself a student of many religions. The more I learn, the more questions I have. For me, the spiritual quest will be a life-long work in progress.

THE TOPIC OF THIS NOVEL MIGHT BE CONSIDERED CONTROVERSIAL. DO YOU FEAR REPERCUSSIONS?
I can't imagine why. The ideas in this novel have been around for centuries] is not a threat. This is an opportunity. We are called to creatively engage the culture and this is what I want to do. I think Dan Brown has done me a favor. He's letting me talk about things that matter."

ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THE BOOK'S SUCCESS?
Stunned. I worked very hard on this novel, and I certainly expected people would enjoy it, but I never imagined so many people would be enjoying it this much. I wrote this book essentially as a group of fictional characters exploring ideas that I found personally intriguing. These same themes obviously resonate with a great many people.

THIS NOVEL IS VERY EMPOWERING TO WOMEN. CAN YOU COMMENT?
Two thousand years ago, we lived in a world of Gods and Goddesses. Today, we live in a world solely of Gods. Women in most cultures have been stripped of their spiritual power. The novel touches on questions of how and why this shift occurred…and on what lessons we might learn from it regarding our future.

THE COVER OF YOUR BOOK MENTIONS "THE GREATEST CONSPIRACY OF THE PAST 2000 YEARS." WHAT IS THIS CONSPIRACY?
Revealing that secret would rob readers of all the fun, but I will say that it relates to one of the most famous histories of all time…a legend familiar to all of us. Rumors of this conspiracy have been whispered for centuries in countless languages, including the languages of art, music, and literature. Some of the most dramatic evidence can be found in the paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci, which seem to overflow with mystifying symbolism, anomalies, and codes. Art historians agree that Da Vinci's paintings contain hidden levels of meaning that go well beneath the surface of the paint. Many scholars believe his work intentionally provides clues to a powerful secret…a secret that remains protected to this day by a clandestine brotherhood of which Da Vinci was a member.


WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR THE DA VINCI CODE?
This particular story kept knocking on my door until I answered. I first learned of the mysteries hidden in Da Vinci's paintings while I was studying art history at the University of Seville in Spain. Years later, while researching Angels & Demons and the Vatican Secret Archives, I encountered the Da Vinci enigma yet again. I arranged a trip to the Louvre Museum where I was fortunate enough to view the originals of some of Da Vinci's most famous works as well as discuss them with an art historian who helped me better understand the mystery behind their surprising anomalies. From then on, I was captivated. I spent a year doing research before writing The Da Vinci Code.

HOW DID YOU GET ALL THE INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOOK?
Most of the information is not as "inside" as it seems. The secret described in the novel has been chronicled for centuries, so there are thousands of sources to draw from. In addition, I was surprised how eager historians were to share their expertise with me. One academic told me her enthusiasm for The Da Vinci Code was based in part on her hope that "this ancient mystery would be unveiled to a wider audience."

YOU SEEM TO HAVE A FASCINATION WITH SECRET SOCIETIES? CAN YOU COMMENT?
My interest in secret societies is the product of many experiences, some I can discuss, others I cannot. Certainly my research of organizations like NSA, the Vatican, NRO, and Opus Dei continues to fuel my intrigue. At a more fundamental level, though, my interest sparks from growing up in New England, surrounded by the clandestine clubs of Ivy League universities, the Masonic lodges of our Founding Fathers, and the hidden hallways of early government power. New England has a long tradition of elite private clubs, fraternities, and secrecy. On that theme, the next Robert Langdon novel (already in progress) is set deep within the oldest fraternity in history…the enigmatic brotherhood of the Masons.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A CONSPIRACY THEORIST?
Hardly. In fact, I'm quite the opposite--more of a skeptic. I see no truth whatsoever in stories of extraterrestrial visitors, crop circles, the Bermuda Triangle, or many of the other "mysteries" that permeate pop culture. However, the secret behind The Da Vinci Code was too well documented and significant for me to dismiss.

CAN YOU SYNOPSIZE THE PLOT FOR US?
Sure. A renowned Harvard symbologist is summoned to the Louvre Museum to examine a series of cryptic symbols relating to Da Vinci's artwork. In decrypting the code, he uncovers the key to one of the greatest mysteries of all time…and he becomes a hunted man.

bigmo66 wrote:Is the movie actually trying to be passed off as truth? It doesn't sem to be able to make up its mind. If so, it's case is weak and that is coming from some non-Christians. I was hoping it would at least be a powerful, entertaining movie, but it seems to be more of a dud.

bigmo66 wrote:Is the movie actually trying to be passed off as truth? It doesn't sem to be able to make up its mind. If so, it's case is weak and that is coming from some non-Christians. I was hoping it would at least be a powerful, entertaining movie, but it seems to be more of a dud.

Izzo wrote:So you've never read the book are basing an opinion from others?..hmm.. Umm, No it's never been billed as truth ..more a theory than anything but the same could be said about the Bible.... it's billed as truth when very little of it can be verified as truth ... (900 year old men ...yeah, sure) I think it's hilarious the Catholic Church is falling over themselves trying to get people to understand this is fiction when, in effect, the Bible is also.

bigmo66 wrote:Yeah, funny thing. I actually value & trust some people's opinions especially like-minded friends. When it comes to something as superficial as a movie, I do in fact gather reviews from people as to keep my $8 in my pocket if I think it will suck.

I would hardly compare the "DaVinci Code" to the Scriptures as I just don't don't see folks watching the movie or reading the book 2 thousand years from now.

triniwasp wrote:Just got back to the thread and realized I offended some of you and I'm sorry. My statement was out of line.

I certainly don't hate all Christians. But I have no tolerance for the ones that tell me I'm going to hell if I don't beleive as they do. But again, I'm sorry that I offended some of you.

Izzo wrote:It's amazing how long fiction can stay on the shelves.

look how long the Bible has been there

Izzo wrote:It's amazing how long fiction can stay on the shelves.

look how long the Bible has been there

emilyb wrote:you are so sad.



as to my opinion to the book/movie.....bah, who cares? Portrayed as fact or fiction....who cares? As a Christian, knowing it's fiction, i can objectively view it as entertainment without a conspiracy to overthrow christianity. I don't know nor do I care what Dan Brown's motives were/are. But also as a Christian, it is also a fictional movie that I will not be seeing because i have better choices out there for entertainment. Regardless of intent, it is twisting something that I hold sacred to "entertain", and I will not support it. But you know what, to each his own.

emilyb wrote:you are so sad.



as to my opinion to the book/movie.....bah, who cares? Portrayed as fact or fiction....who cares? As a Christian, knowing it's fiction, i can objectively view it as entertainment without a conspiracy to overthrow christianity. I don't know nor do I care what Dan Brown's motives were/are. But also as a Christian, it is also a fictional movie that I will not be seeing because i have better choices out there for entertainment. Regardless of intent, it is twisting something that I hold sacred to "entertain", and I will not support it. But you know what, to each his own.

YARDofSTUF wrote:Well maybe your sad to izzo. What if Izzo knows that its real and that christianity is a lie.

Its possible for you both to know different things about the same thing.

bigmo66 wrote:You've been given the answers that Billions have seeked for centuries? Wow and right here on Speedguide!

bigmo66 wrote:Is the movie actually trying to be passed off as truth? It doesn't sem to be able to make up its mind. If so, it's case is weak and that is coming from some non-Christians. I was hoping it would at least be a powerful, entertaining movie, but it seems to be more of a dud.

bigmo66 wrote:I would hardly compare the "DaVinci Code" to the Scriptures as I just don't don't see folks watching the movie or reading the book 2 thousand years from now.

thepieman wrote:Bear in mind that the scriptures were not wholly "watched" by everyone at the time of their writing either as it took time for people to be assimilated. 2000 years later who knows what could be the believed religion. Maybe we discover new texts? Maybe we gather new knowledge in 2000 years? Who knows.

Pie

bigmo66 wrote:I won't be swayed by folks on an internet forum.

bigmo66 wrote:Possibly, but the Bible has remained constant while many other things (including scientific conclusions) have changed and some drastiically.

bigmo66 wrote:Possibly, but the Bible has remained constant while many other things (including scientific conclusions) have changed and some drastiically.

Izzo, by saying "You Folks" do you mean Christians? It's funny how we think? We are totally equipped and expect to be ridiculed about our faith.

I know it's a heck of a lot easier to not believe and it hasn't always been easy as so many in everyday settings do not share the same beliefs, but I made a choice and I won't be swayed by folks on an internet forum.

Izzo wrote:I'm not trying to sway you into anything.

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Why do people think science and religion cannot mix?

thepieman wrote:We know the tricky ways of the Izzites!! Your Izologies will not break the back of modern day Christianity or Judaism! Repent now and disavow your false deity Izah! Return to the fold once again will ya!

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Why do people think science and religion cannot mix? Look at the amount of Jewish scientists who are leading the field.

I found the book very interesting..a good read. He seemed a bit rushed at the end..like he had to whip up the last 30 pages in 5 minutes. But otherwise..quite an entertaining book. Reading it didn't make me feel athiest or non-Christian one bit.

There's a bit of fact in the book..and quite a bit of creativity..which produces the story it tells.

When you add up the Six Days, you get the age of the universe at 15 and 3/4 billion years. The same as modern cosmology. Is it by chance?

But there's more. The Bible goes out on a limb and tells you what happened on each of those days. Now you can take cosmology, paleontology, archaeology, and look at the history of the world, and see whether or not they match up day-by-day. And I'll give you a hint. They match up close enough to send chills up your spine.