Discerning fact from fiction : The Da Vinci code and faith : [an honors thesis (HONRS 499)]

Abstract

In popular culture, there are numerous fads, trends, and scandals that come and go and cannot be remembered six months later. However, a few of these "phenomena" manage to have a greater effect and lasting power than the rest. One example of this is Dan Brown's novel, The Da Vinci Code. The Da Vinci Code has created quite the scandal with its radical claims about the Church, Church history, and religion as a whole. However, one must stop and question why this book has become so controversial. Why do people from all religious, social, and racial backgrounds take such a personal interest in the topic? Ultimately, Brown's book forces people to examine critically their personal beliefs and determine the "truth" for themselves. For my thesis, I have designed a four week course that uses Brown's controversies as a starting point to examine various religious issues on a personal level. The course will be discussion based complete with handouts, power point presentations, and my personal notes. The themes for the week are as follows: Week one, Catholicism vs. Protestantism and Brown's outrageous "facts"; Week two, the person of Jesus; Week three, the Gnostic gospels; Week four, the person of Mary Magdalene and the role of women in the Church. At the end of the course, participants should be able to stand tall in a stronger foundation of their personal beliefs.