The Da Vinci opportunity

Categories: Wormie Says

The Da Vince Code will be screened in Singapore today. Although its author Dan Brown has said from the beginning that this is a work of fiction, there has been much outcry of blasphemy from some Catholics, Christians and even Muslims. There were calls for this show to be banned. I chose to differ because the show will create a climate where the truth of the religion can be propagated.

How often do we ask ourselves about our own religion? Although a lot of people claim to profess their religion, in general only a few are truly able to understand their religion. The majority unfortunately just follow blindly without much understanding. Merely following a religion is not a good thing because without understanding, our faith may not be strong and our belief maybe easily swayed. The screening of this movie has created a setting for such a discussion to be carried out.

Already there had been much 'discussions' in the media regarding the controversy of the movie. This has already generated interests in people and a proportion of the more inquisitive ones would have start looking into Christianity. They would otherwise have been lost to the religion.

Another good that comes out of this controversy is shown by the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS). Instead of crying foul and taking up arms, they chose to use the educational approach. For months they have organise lectures on the subjects. Doing so can only serve to strengthen peoples faith in the religion and at the same time thrash any wrong portrayal of Jesus and the Christian faith. If not for this movie, this opportunity would have been lost.

The protests from the Christian faith is understandable. What is more interesting is that some Muslims are also against the screening of the movie. This is because Nabi Isa, otherwise known as Jesus, is one the prophets mentioned in the Quran. Hence the protests. It follows that both Jesus and Nabi Muhammad are both prophets of the same God since both Christians and Muslims believe in only one God. If they are praying to the same God, why should there be any conflict between these two great religion? No Christians or Muslims can say 'their' God is better because it is one and the same! If there must be any differences in 'their' God, then it is created by humans, its followers. Since God can't be wrong, then the only wrong must be created by Man himself!! You cannot go to war on the basis of God. The only reason for a religious war is human's own selfishness.

I wouldn't have written this blog if not for the movie. Since the show is going to be screened, there is no reason to take up arms. Accept the inevitable but at the same time be more productive and turn the situation to good use like what the NCCS is doing. I am sure after this controversy, people's faith in the religion would be stronger.