Yes, I’m finally going to read the DaVinci Code. I checked it out of the library so as not to feed the beast. It’s not that I suddenly feel the need to read it or am actually interested. Rather, I know with the movie coming out, it’s important to be aware of the content, especially being a religion teacher and considering kids tend to watch movies more than read books. I’m ordering some books that "debunk" the code as well. Now, some people would say this is a bit like ordering a book debunking the "Lord of the Rings" since the DaVinci Code is fiction, right? Well, yes. But there are some quasi-scholars and conspiracy theorists who try to point out the vague truthfulness of the work. And naturally Dan Brown is happy to play along or at least look the other way while the whole thing brings him wads of cash. My goal is simply to be able to answer the questions of students while hopefully using the book as a springboard to learn about real history and the genuine traditions of the Church. Big task indeed.

There is some debate about what we should do about the DaVinci code movie. Although I will not be seeing it, I recognize that a lot of people will. I think we will need to be ready to provide accurate accounts of our faith to those who don’t quite realize the work is fiction and not some long suppressed series of impossible conspiracies (or who may be led to explore Gnosticism or other heresies). Many wonder what the whole DaVinci Code phenomenon means. Spiritual hunger? Interest in religion? I would say that America has had these phenomena for ages and perhaps some of that comes into play. I’d rather say the book plays to people’s tendency towards conspiracy theories and distrust of institutions. However, most people are probably astute enough to recognize the story is, as my old Greek professor liked to say of the concept of the rapture, "hokum." Those who do believe the Code is true and the Vatican is caught up in some big conspiracy (I’m surprised it involves Opus Dei and not the Jesuits), probably have far bigger issues than I can deal with.