1st Test Quiz Questions To Comparative Religious Studies 101

[Justice Hog]

Seems like everyone has read this book so I decided to "jump in" recently and read the book before the movie comes out. I can see why Vatican is purportedly suggesting that this movie be banned. The content of the book, it's message regarding current Christian teachings is quite controversial.

So, I have a question for those of you that have read the book and/or have seen the movie (once it comes out). How did it make you feel?

[Justice Hog]

To follow up my original post. I meant to add another option:

"I'm not Christian so it has no effect on me"

but I already posted the original post and, in my experience, if you try to "edit" a poll, you screw it up so I decided not to do so.

Feel free to add this option in your response, if it applies.

[skinsfano28]

this book is amazingly well written and researched, and i know of many people to whom i have suggested this book, but say "i like being naive and accepting my faith, so i won't read it." to me, as a non-christian, i think this book could be the truth, but then it could not. the only people who really know the truth, and i mean really, are dead and long gone. its fiction, yes, but there's also fact as dan brown states in the beginning of the book. as for me, this is my second favorite book, only to dan brown's other langdon thriller, angels and demons. if you have not read it, i highly suggest you do.

[nuskins]

It is fiction but I beleive that most of the Bible is fiction or shall I say, loosely interpreted. The Davinci Code is a great work of FICTION with some of the story based on research but it is fiction at the end of the day. I read the entire book in less than 24 hrs b/c I couldn't put it down and I was home sick.

I am a christian but I do not interpret the Bible literally and beleive that faith is more important than fact when it comes to religion.

Mary Magdalene (sp?) is an important figure in Jesus's life there is no question. There is also no question that the Catholic church has manipulated religion for their own agenda since the dark middle ages.

My $.02 anyways.........

[DESkins]

Anyone that can't separate fact from fiction really needs to be medicated (and no, I have no intention of sharing my meds, get your OWN!!!). It's a book/movie. There've been a lot of those, in case nobody's noticed. If I believed that most movies were telling me the truth, I would think that a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, Bilbo stole a ring from Gollum and moved to Dallas, where he was done by Debbie...

[Chris Luva Luva]

Fiction. +1 post

[redskins12287]

It is fiction but I beleive that most of the Bible is fiction or shall I say, loosely interpreted. The Davinci Code is a great work of FICTION with some of the story based on research but it is fiction at the end of the day. I read the entire book in less than 24 hrs b/c I couldn't put it down and I was home sick.

I am a christian but I do not interpret the Bible literally and beleive that faith is more important than fact when it comes to religion.

Mary Magdalene (sp?) is an important figure in Jesus's life there is no question. There is also no question that the Catholic church has manipulated religion for their own agenda since the dark middle ages.

My $.02 anyways.........

If you believe the Bible is fiction, then what is your faith based on?

[NikiH]

The story is fiction, the evidence presented is not. The evidence that he uses through out the story is fact. The movie actually motivated me to do some research. A lot of what is represented in the story is fact. The story itself is not fact. The story is from Dan Brown's imagination.

[redskins12287]

I gotta read this book.

[Justice Hog]

The story is fiction, the evidence presented is not. The evidence that he uses through out the story is fact. The movie actually motivated me to do some research. A lot of what is represented in the story is fact. The story itself is not fact. The story is from Dan Brown's imagination.

I think there in lies the rub. Because the book is partially based in fact, it is very easy for people to assume it is fact-based (i.e., non-fiction). Once a person does that, they start thinking, "Oh My God! Everything I learned in Sunday School is B.S.!!?!?!"

Then again, while I wouldn't say that everything in the Bible is fiction, I do believe in theory that Christianity, as we know it today, has been shaped and molded (maybe even bastardized) by our forefathers to the point that maybe, just maybe, what we're being taught isn't the "gospel".

When it comes right down to it, it's about "faith". You either have it, or your don't.

[cvillehog]

It's "historical fiction," just like the Bible.

[Irn-Bru]

Back in the day, we had a lengthy discussion on this book in 'Talking Smack.' Mostly me talking too much, but I thought it was interesting nonetheless.

[NikiH]

Even though part of it is fiction the part about the bible being embelished is not. That is the part that I've done quite a bit of research on. The image we have of religion was shaped by people who wanted to control certain aspects of our beliefs. Such as the presence and rights of women in the church. Heck even monogamy could come out to be something the church added to create stability in society.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

It certainly doesn't change my faith.

It's dangerous to accept a lot of the "facts" presented by Brown as truth, since a lot of the sources of those "facts" are questionable at best.

As for the book being influential, I believe it most certainly is. Many will be turned off of religion, while others are further encouraged to strengthen their faith.

The sad part of it all, is that a lot of people will read the book or watch the movie and decide (based on a work of "fiction") that the gospel is not for them.

We've never witnessed a bigger form of deception promulgated by the mainstream media.

[Irn-Bru]

Oh, and I voted for it not changing my faith, too.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

Even though part of it is fiction the part about the bible being embelished is not. That is the part that I've done quite a bit of research on. The image we have of religion was shaped by people who wanted to control certain aspects of our beliefs. Such as the presence and rights of women in the church. Heck even monogamy could come out to be something the church added to create stability in society.

NikiH, I commend you for being proactive in finding evidence that strengthens your position on the subject. A lot of people will just take the book at face value and not put in the time to examine the facts.

However, I do believe that the sources you are using for your research don't tell the true story about God's Word and His teachings.

Before you make a final decision on what you believe about the Bible, would you be open to reading sources that can actually show you that the Bible does NOT suppress women and that it is not as "embellishable" as some would have you believe?

It would only be fair, right?

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

Oh, and I voted for it not changing my faith, too.

Especially not after surviving the lions' den, am I right?

[redskins12287]

Even though part of it is fiction the part about the bible being embelished is not. That is the part that I've done quite a bit of research on. The image we have of religion was shaped by people who wanted to control certain aspects of our beliefs. Such as the presence and rights of women in the church. Heck even monogamy could come out to be something the church added to create stability in society.

I'm just curious as to what you mean by "research." Could you explain a little more what you have researched and what you have found?

If you really want to do some research, I sort of recomend this book called "The Case for Christ." I say sort of, because I have never actually read it my self, but some of my friends have. Basically, this religious skeptic reporter tries to historicaly disprove the new testemant, and finds proof that it is a historically accuate document and becomes a believer .

[Chris Luva Luva]

Ive also read that the Bible today is very accurate and that even the dead sea scrolls validate its accuracy as it contains certain biblical texts within.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

If you really want to do some research, I sort of recomend this book called "The Case for Christ." I say sort of, because I have never actually read it my self, but some of my friends have. Basically, this religious skeptic reporter tries to historicaly disprove the new testemant, and finds proof that it is a historically accuate document and becomes a believer .

12287, it IS a great book, and I highly recommend you read it yourself. The author, Lee Strobel, also has written a book regarding the DaVinci COde, and I look forward to reading it soon. Here 'tis.

Apparently, on his website,, there is a link for a simulcast on the subject of the DaVinci code which he will lead:

Do you have questions about "The Da Vinci Code"? Is it FACT or FICTION?

Lee will address the controversial issues raised by the book and the movie in a special simulcast event on Sunday, May 21.

I will be looking for a simulcast site myself, now that I know that this event will be going down.

Hope this info helps.

[Justice Hog]

I'm just gonna say this much as well for those people comparing the Da Vinci Code's theories to the Bible:

Yes, I've read the Da Vinci Code.

No, I have yet to read the entire Bible. That's something I really want to do some day, however.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

Ive also read that the Bible today is very accurate and that even the dead sea scrolls validate its accuracy as it contains certain biblical texts within.

Chris, you, too, ought to read "The Case for Christ" (if you haven't done so already). In it, the author interviews renowned scholars that show WHY the Bible is that accurate and how to answer questions about it's infallibility/inerrancy (I hope I'm using the right term there).

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

No, I have yet to read the entire Bible. That's something I really want to do some day, however.

I recommend you begin by reading the Gospels. Since you are an attorney, I'm sure you'll love the way that both Matthew and Luke present the Gospel of Jesus Christ (So many details, so many intricacies in their "arguments"). If you want all the good parts, the action, so to speak, read through Mark. John will tell you of Jesus as the son of God.

Since you have time (while your practice gets off the ground) you might wanna consider starting today. With TDVC coming out in theaters soon, the gospel will be a hot topic, and you might be able to impress people with your knowledge on the subject.

Hope this helps.

[Justice Hog]

No, I have yet to read the entire Bible. That's something I really want to do some day, however.

I recommend you begin by reading the Gospels. Since you are an attorney, I'm sure you'll love the way that both Matthew and Luke present the Gospel of Jesus Christ (So many details, so many intricacies in their "arguments"). If you want all the good parts, the action, so to speak, read through Mark. John will tell you of Jesus as the son of God.

Since you have time (while your practice gets off the ground) you might wanna consider starting today. With TDVC coming out in theaters soon, the gospel will be a hot topic, and you might be able to impress people with your knowledge on the subject.

Hope this helps.

So, you're suggesting I don't read the OLD TESTAMENT and follow it by the NEW TESTAMENT?

[tazlah]

I would have chosen:

Religion? Religion to me is a cold beer served with pretzels. I could care less.

But the truth is that I really couldn't care less!

Great book though -- I'm glad it's controversial amongst the Catholic practitioners -- but at the end of the day, it's a NOVEL: "fiction - a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact".