The Catholics And Censorship
As if to insult the intelligence of all Pinoys, some Catholic bishops, Catholic groups and individuals are campaigning that the movie The Vinci Code be banned from being shown in the Philippines. The Tom Hanks’ starrer, based on a widely popular book, a work of fiction, by Dan Brown is due to be shown in local theaters starting May 18th. If we are to listen to its adversaries for the reasons why, we are given some pretty amusing reasons, some bordering on idiocy and ignorance. For example, Secretary Ermita who is yet to read the book (I haven’t read the book myself) said the story-line is blasphemous. Yes, a word still in vogue in our country in this time and age when it should have been obsoleted by the spirit of The Enlightenment. But if we are to take INQ7.net’s news story as gospel truth, Secretary Ermita used to be a member of the board of censors during the martial law era, so it is to be understood. According to the Malaya newspaper report on the same item, Secretary Ermita who know so well that DVC is a work of fiction, also said
“the film aims to confuse believers and plant seeds of doubt among those whose faith has no deep mooring.”
This is patently false since the film’s aim is simply financial profit, not to sow confusion among the believers. If Secretary Ermita should ban groups that sow confusion among those whose Catholic faith has no deep mooring, he should start banning the TV and radio programs of ADD and INC. Never mind that part of this Catholic faith is believing that a small piece of tasteless wafer can turn into the Body of Christ (warning : long article on Catholic Encyclopedia about absolute nonsense) after a few grunts from the officiating priest. If you can believe that, you can believe anything including the DVC story-line, hook line and sinker. But the tragedy of this, however absurd it may turn out to be if they will have their way, which I doubt they will anyway (thank goodness to reason) is that a few Catholics are trying to dictate based on the flimsiest of reasons what should be watched, or in this case, not watched, by the whole nation as if they speak for everybody including the non-Catholics and the nominal Catholics who cannot tell the difference between eucharist and eucalyptus but instead have undying faith in Tom Hanks. In this sense, their actions are an affront to the artistic freedom and free speech of the filmmaker, and the right of each citizen to choose which movies he/she will or will not see.
Popularity: 24% [?]
May 11th, 2006 at 2:00 am
I must admit, I am not an ardent fan of Dan Brown.
Having read his book, I found it too insipid for my liking.
But I am not joining these lunatics who are trying to ban the movie, and or the book. Any form of censorship, regardless of the topic or issue involved, should never have been imposed on any work of art, and that involves cinematic works.
Besides, there is no point banning the movie, when you have people downloading the movies via the internet anyway.
Those Christians who are complaining that the Da Vinci code is misleading to the public must understand that the book is a NOVEL, NOT A HISTORICAL BOOK!!! It cannot be subjected to the scrutiny of authenticity, since the author himself never intended for it to be so. If Christians are really worried about the movie gaining popularity, than they should just shut up. After all, as the adage goes,bad publicity is better than no publicity.
The logic that a novel-based movie will mislead people in their religious beliefs is simply not a valid reason to ban the movie, or any other movie for the matter. After all, no atheist complained that the “Passion of The Christ” was too violent…….and certainly no atheist called for its ban.
May 11th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
misleading to the public
i think the church needs to do some self examination on this charge. who have had been
misleading the public in the last 2000 years ..
May 18th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
Rated-18.
And bishops disagrees, to add. They say, that audiences younger than 18 should be allowed to watch as well and let them be the one to judge all the lies about Christ.
June 8th, 2006 at 5:40 pm
Which is better: a man remained pure throughout his life because of the lack of choices or because he learned from mistake and experience what is the right thing to do? I fail to see the point of censorship. If these bishops were even right in treating the book as a sin what is the point if the people did not make that choice?