by Bill Stafford

Created on: December 22, 2008

Dan Brown must be the happiest fiction writer in America, if not the entire world. With the possible exception of Salmon Rushdie, no other author has ever received so much free publicity as did Brown for The Da Vinci Code. Rushdie's free plugs, like Brown's came from the religious community. However, Brown got the better deal because he was roasted and toasted verbally by the Christian community, whereas Rushdie had a contract let on his life! The world of Islam wanted to literally roast and toast him and perhaps even skewer him. Had certain Imams laid hands on him, he likely would have lost his head. Sadly, the demand for his life has never been rescinded.

When The Da Vinci Code became a mega-best-seller pastors of Christian churches reacted as if the anti-Christ himself had been revealed and it was none other than Dan Brown. Of particular interest was the reaction of Protestant churches since Brown seems to enjoy picking at the pompousness that is the Roman Catholic Church, not just in Da Vinci, but in some of his other books as well. Never-the-less, Protestant churches, large and small, jumped on the band wagon, announcing on signs and marquees the sermon title for the coming Sunday would be "The Lies of The Da Vinci Code" or "The False Teachings of Dan Brown and/or The Da Vinci Code." Some ministers advertised their series of messages refuting and denouncing ...a novel!?! It makes one wonder how many copies were sold directly as a result of this roadside castigation.

Brown depicted a scenario in which the main character uncovered proof that Jesus Christ had in fact survived the crucifixion and later married one of his ardent followers, one Mary Magdalene. This writer, a devout Christian since childhood, found Brown's concept more than a trifle off-putting, yet he is an excellent word-smith and the story l;ine, while wrapped around a plot that was as inconceivable as an extreme sci-fi space adventure, was an enjoyable read. His writing talent and imagination combine to create a fictional piece that presents the reader with a believable tale.

Was the Christian community justified in their reaction? Somewhat. Did they over react? Absolutely. An announcement from the pulpit that Pastor Johnson recommends his parishioners refrain from purchasing and reading the book would have sufficed. In devoting sermons and multiple sermon series to refute the claims made in the book, the clergy sent their congregation the subliminal message to buy and read the book in order to understand what he was preaching against.

Half a century ago the City of Boston, Massachusetts had a local Board of Censors who enforced a very strict moral code. So strict was Boston's code, that many literary works and films were banned from distribution within the city. In other cities across the nation, a negative action by Boston's Board resulted in advertising fodder. What senior American citizen cannot recall seeing "Banned in Boston" emblazoned across a movie marquee or book dust jacket? The first sin recorded in the Bible was the lure of the forbidden. Human nature has not changed in the ensuing years. That which we are not permitted is what we crave most.

The Da Vinci Code is a novel, work of fiction. By definition, it is not true. The basic premise, that Christ survived the crucifixion, is not even an idea original to Brown. There have been similar rumors and claims for two thousand years yet none ever produced the furor of this book.

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