News: The DaVinci Blog - Christianity Today Movies

I share information from a good site on the DaVinci junk. McKellen is a very good actor but it sounds like he is an ass. Enjoy

News: The DaVinci Blog - Christianity Today Movies: "

THE DAVINCI BLOG
McKellen: Bible Is Fiction
Da Vinci star Ian McKellen makes controversial statements about Bible, Catholic Church; Ron Howard tells concerned moviegoers to skip the film. Plus: Protests, boycotts, and hunger strikes ensue worldwide; Muslims, Asian Christians upset.
by Josh Hurst | posted 05/22/06

As if the filmmakers of The Da Vinci Code didn't have enough controversy on their hands already, one of the film's stars, Sir Ian McKellen, brought even more wrath upon the movie last week during an interview on NBC's The Today Show.

Addressing concerns felt by many Christian groups over the film's portrayal of Christ and the church, Today's Matt Lauer noted that 'people wanted this to say 'fiction, fiction, fiction.' How would you all have felt if there was a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie? Would it have been okay with you?'

Replied McKellen: 'Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. I mean, walking on water, it takes an act of faith. And I have faith in this movie. Not that it's true, not that it's factual, but that it's a jolly good story. And I think audiences are clever enough and bright enough to separate out fact and fiction, and discuss the thing after they've seen it.'

View the clip here.

McKellen, a gay man who admits to ripping the book of Leviticus (which condemns homosexuality) out of hotel room Bibles, made similarly controversial comments in an interview with MTV, claiming the church 'is always saying very rude and unnecessary things about gay people, so I tend to keep out of their way and not listen to what they say.'

Meanwhile, the film's director, Ron Howard, has taken a more diplomatic approach. When asked about the film's controversy Howard stated, 'My advice … is to not go see the movie if you think you're going to be upset. Wait. Talk to somebody who has seen it. Discuss it. And then arrive at an opinion about the movie itself … Again: This is supposed to be entertainment, it's not theology.'

In other Da Vinci news:

Da Vinci undermines faith in Catholic Church (MSNBC)
Survey shows that book, film are dangerous

India delays film premiere (Associated Press)
Government postpones debut, citing religious concerns

Philippines gives film harsh rating (Reuters)
Da Vinci for 'adults only' in Catholic country

Film banned in Middle East (Pittsburgh Live)
Many Islamic countries reject movie

Muslims angered by Da Vinci (Reuters)
Film causes controversy for claims about Christ

Australian priest okays film (The Age)
Archbishop approves of seeing Da Vinci

Detractors use book, film for evangelism (chron.com)
Critics of story still use it to share faith

Protests escalate worldwide (Associated Press)
Boycotts, hunger strikes, attempts to block screenings

Beijing first to see film; protests throughout Asia (AP)
Christians in many Asian countries angered by movie

� Josh Hurst 2006, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information."