Posted on 05/17/2006 5:54:17 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
May 17, 2006
If the Da Vinci Code was already feeding the flames of controversy with its challenge to the basic tenets of Christianity, actor Ian McKellen managed to throw a refinery tank's worth of gasoline on the fire on this morning's Today show, asserting that the Bible should carry a disclaimer saying that it is "fiction."
Matt Lauer, on his second day "On The Road With The Code," was in Cannes for the film festival, where the Code will have its debut. It has already been screened to some critics, who have given it decidedly mixed reviews.
As I reported here yesterday, NBC reporter Melissa Stark timidly dipped a toe in the sea of controversy when yesterday she interviewed Code director Ron Howard, asking how he reacted to the controversy the movie has created . . . for the Church! Sounding more like the Delphic oracle than a Hollywood director, Howard offered up some ambiguous prose about it being healthy thing for people to engage their beliefs.
Lauer took the bull of controversy more directly by the horns when he interviewed the cast and director Howard today. Said Lauer:
"There have been calls from some religious groups, they wanted a disclaimer at the beginning of this movie saying it is fiction because one of the themes in the book really knocks Christianity right on its ear, if Christ survived the crucifixion, he did not die for our sins and therefore was not resurrected. What I'm saying is, 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?"
There was a pause, and then famed British actor Ian McKellen [Gandalf of Lord of the Rings], piped up:
"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."
With the camera focused on McKellen, one could hear a distinctly nervous laugh in the background, seeming to come from either actor Tom Hanks or director Howard. McKellen's stunning bit of blasphemy is likely to test the adage that all publicity is good publicity.
Finkelstein, recently a guest on the Lars Larson Show, lives in the liberal haven of Ithaca, NY, where he hosts the award-winning public-access TV show 'Right Angle'. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
Fox and Friends just had Mancow say reports from the Cann film festival indicate this movie is "a real stinker".
The movie is apparently very bad.
This "boycott" stuff is just a PR stunt.
Well said!
It's all one big show for them...
My hope is that both the movie and those associated w/ it are panned.
The big guy upstairs says he's wrong
Don't ad lib: isn't that the first thing they teach you in acting school?
Seriously, how complicated a job does this retard have anyway?
Absolutely, I read the book a couple of years ago, didn't spend any money on it borrowed it, I found it a entertaining thriller but that is all. I am dumbfounded that it is still a top seller, I figured everyone would have found someone with a copy of book by now. Won't see the movie however.
Well yes and no. When you see sheep being lead to slaughter, you should try to give them a warning.
I've seen a couple of his coy comments and wondered if they were true or if he is playing to his potential audience. There's a projected third book, isn't there?
He's just pissed because the Bible condemns homosexuality.
Go ahead idiots, turn at least half your market away!
Tolkien would not be pleased.
Da Vinci Code Actor:
"Bible Should Have a Disclaimer Saying 'This Is Fiction'"
And I should care what a homosexual activist thinks about the Word of God........why?
Your post makes the point that those who would leave their faith as a result of seeing this movie, aren't devoted to their faith in the first place.
Sir Ian McKellen is also very homosexual. Gays tend to dismiss the truth of the Bible because believing it would tend to cast their own personal choices in a bad light. This comes a no surprise and was, in fact, expected.
Are you kidding? A book that bashes the Catholic church and reinforces liberals ideas that Christianity is a phony religion. That's a gold mine. Bashing Christ is even bigger than bashing Bush.
Ian is dead - God..........
I first read that as "Professor Teabag"
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