I started reading the Da Vinci Code and was really drawn to it. I could not help but continue reading it (im on page 125 right now). As I read on I was very glad to have had experienced seeing religion from a very open minded viewpoint but at the same time I knew not to be so gullible as to believe everything I hear. I have viewed catholicism, christianity, agnosticism and atheism from both outside in and inside out. Thus, while reading this book, I am well aware that there are so many differences between categories of Christianity that it would simply be a misunderstanding to assume every one of them falls into stereotype. Within Catholicism, there are devout catholics that go into extremes regarding punishing themselves everytime they feel a slight hint of sin within and in doing so think that they are absolving themselves. But at the same time, there are those who are more focused in living in devout faith to God without having to deal with any issues of self-punishment to help them feel better. And at the same time there are those who are Catholic but aren’t as devout as others. Same as within Christianity, there are the “evil” Christians who hate all those who don’t love God. There are also the good Christians who live their lives thinking only of loving God and loving others around him. There are also the evangelist Christians who would constantly preach their message and would welcome interest parties but drive away people who seriously hate constantly being persuaded to read the bible or go to church or follow God. Because of this you can’t really like or dislike all people belonging to a certain group. You won’t necessarily (or shouldn’t rather) follow the teachings of one just because you belong in that group. I think the best approach is to open your mind to everything and learn and decide for yourself. Homo mensura. You are entitled to your own opinions. To each his own. Suum cuique.

I seriously dislike how many in the Philippines are taking this ignorance is bliss view on The Da Vinci code movie. But at the same time, knowing that a crapload of people in the Philippines are very gullible as it is in their nature to believe what the group mind (overmind?) believes, I suppose this is their way of protecting themselves from outside intervention of their thoughts and beliefs. I mean this is the case for any cultures that anthropologists encounter. There is always the fear that intervention via intermingling of thoughts of that culture with outside cultures would in a way “taint” the society. But who is to say that the outside knowledge wouldn’t free them from ignorance and give them the DECISION to choose what to believe in. Isn’t that what happened when I moved to the US? I was freed from the confines of one culture by learning about every other culture and thus, I have the choice to decide what to think. With more information to sift through in my head and having the conviction of wanting to decide as an individual without just following along with peer pressure, I am more likely to land upon a conclusion that is most satisfying to me without just being easily persuaded towards another path just because somebody (such as somebody who claims to preach the word of God or such as somebody who claims to be enlightened because they are “freed” from the brainwashing of catholicism/christianity) told me so.

Anyway, I felt the need to write this out in the middle of my reading because the more I read, the more I realize why the catholic church is so worried about people reading this book. I can see how they can seem like the bad guys after reading this book. Take note that the “bad guys” aren’t really all catholics in this book, but rather, a subsection of them, a made up one probably. I worry even more that this controversy would work to my disadvantage as it may cause my family to worry about my christianity. Although I have nothing against catholics, I fear them (a certain subgroup of them – my family) more than I do the atheists. It is them who will pass harsher judgment upon me.. it starts with my grandma. And it only matters to me because I care about them. It really only depends on how open minded the rest of them are.

Last Updated: 05/28/2006 03:39pm

Btw, why is irrational thought “left brain” when that is supposed to be the logical side?

Its quite helpful having google, dictionary.com and wikipedia by my side while reading this book ^^.